Lifestyle

Motorists stranded as flood overruns Lagos communities

Published

6 months ago

September 25, 2025

Vehicular and business activities were paralysed across parts of Lagos State on Wednesday after hours of heavy downpour triggered flash floods in several communities in the state.

It was observed that the downpour wreaked havoc in flood-prone areas across the state, which included Maryland, Lekki, Ogba, and Ikorodu.

This is as residents and business owners lamented how their homes and shops were overrun by the flood.

Similarly, multiple videos seen across social media platforms by our correspondents showed residents wading through their flooded neighbourhoods, while motorists were also seen moving at a slow pace on flooded roads.

On Olatunji Street in Maryland, the overflow of a canal cut off access to the adjoining Mende community.

A resident, Chinasa Nnadi, said the flood had been a recurring sight whenever it rained and as long as the residents in both neighbourhoods could remember.

She said, “This has been happening for years now, and it’s very hard for vehicles to go in or out of there. People even swim to their houses. It is not easy for people living around there to come out of their houses because the flood is too much. Some will even go as far as relocating to another place due to the flood.”

A business owner who identified himself simply as Kalu and had lived there for three years said he was amazed at how quickly the flood spread across the street.

He said, “I watched as people tried to scoop water out of their homes after it entered their houses. I also suffered the same fate as the water flowed into my shop.”

A member of a church in the area, identified simply as Christiana, also narrated how the worship centre was flooded, destroying some instruments in the process.

She said, “The flood has affected our church’s musical instruments. We will have to spend lots of money either to fix or replace them. When the canal is full, the water gets into the church, and it reaches half the building of the church, it causes extreme damage.”

The downpour, however, compounded the woes of motorists and pedestrians as they were trapped in the gridlock that built up on several flooded roads across the state.

In some areas, vehicles broke down on the waterlogged roads, worsening the situation for commuters who spent long hours waiting to board buses.

In its usual look during a downpour, the Ogba-Wempco junction was flooded, affecting vehicular movement in the area.

Sharing his experience, a commuter, Tunji Abass, lamented how he spent longer time hours in traffic due to the flood.

“The vehicles were moving very slowly due to the flooded portion of the road. It has always been like that during the rainy season. It becomes even worse times that water flows into people’s vehicles. The earlier the government attends to this, the better.”

A resident working in the Ikate area of the state, Victor Obinna, while also lamenting, explained that he resorted to sleeping in the office whenever it rained due to gridlock in the area.

He added that the road linking to his office used to be flooded, and he had to navigate through the water to get there.

He said, “I stay in the office all through the week, and whenever I don’t stay in the office, I walk through the flood before getting to the office. Sometimes, I even had to dress up in the office because by the time I got to the office, half of my body would have been soaked.”

Some weeks ago, PUNCH Metro reported that property worth millions of naira was destroyed in the Ikorodu area of the state.

A video sighted by a correspondent on Wednesday showed how some roads in the community were flooded.

The economic cost of flooding in Lagos is estimated at billions of naira annually, with residents losing homes, shops, vehicles, and man-hours to gridlock. Public health is also at risk, as stagnant floodwater often leaves behind outbreaks of waterborne diseases.

The Lagos State Government, however, sympathised with residents affected by the flash floods that swept through parts of the state, assuring that efforts were ongoing to tackle recurring incidents.

The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, in a statement on Wednesday, said Lagos, being a coastal city, remained vulnerable to flooding, especially during heavy rainfall and tidal lock.

He, however, noted that the government had continued to invest in drainage infrastructure, desilting, and enforcement of environmental laws to minimise the impact on residents.

Giving clarity on some affected areas, Wahab explained that flooding around the Kusenla area of Lekki was caused by a technical challenge, adding that the downstream was higher than the existing drainage system.

He added that the government had already awarded a project that included the construction of a pumping station to address the problem.

He further revealed that flooding near the House on the Rock church was linked to illegal construction on floodplains and indiscriminate dumping of refuse in drains, stressing that such activities worsened the situation.

“Clear infractions were observed in some of the videos shared yesterday. The state government will ensure that illegal structures, obstructions, and reclamations carried out without proper approvals are promptly removed,” Wahab said.

“We appeal for understanding and continued cooperation from the public. Keeping our environment clean, refraining from dumping refuse into drains, and avoiding construction on floodplains are vital to achieving a flood-free Lagos. In several of the videos shared yesterday, clear infractions were observed, and @followlasg will ensure that such illegal structures and obstructions are promptly removed. Including those illegal reclamations carried out without the requisite Environmental Impact Assessment Report and the Drainage Clearance.

“We also wish to assure residents that the flooding was a flash flood in some parts of the state and has since receded this morning. The ministry remains committed to strengthening our flood management systems, but this effort requires the support and responsible actions of all Lagosians. Together, we can build a safer, cleaner, and more resilient Lagos,” the statement added.

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Lifestyle

World Sleep Day: Doctors advise adults to sleep seven to nine hours daily

Published

6 hours ago

March 13, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

Medical experts have advised adults to get between seven and nine hours of sleep daily to maintain good physical and mental health.

A Consultant Family and Lifestyle Medicine Physician, Dr Moyosore Makinde, gave the advice on Friday in Lagos while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria to mark World Sleep Day.

Makinde, who is also the President of the Society of Lifestyle Medicine of Nigeria, said adequate sleep plays a vital role in maintaining overall wellbeing, productivity and long-term health.

The 2026 World Sleep Day, themed “Sleep Well, Live Better,” is dedicated to raising awareness about sleep’s critical role in human health and encouraging individuals to adopt healthier sleep habits.

Makinde explained that recommended sleep duration varies by age, noting that while adults require fewer hours, infants and children need longer sleep periods for proper development and overall well-being.

Citing World Health Organisation stipulations, Makinde recommended seven to nine hours of restorative sleep for adults above 18, explaining that infants and children required significantly longer sleep duration.

She decried the high level of sleep deprivation among the populace, noting many people failed to get adequate sleep daily, a situation she warned could negatively affect health, safety and well-being.

Makinde said the fast pace of modern life often left little time for rest, urging Nigerians to deliberately prioritise sleep by creating time for proper rest, relaxation and recovery daily.

She attributed sleep deprivation to multiple factors, including health challenges, lack of time, social media addiction, poor sleeping environments, unhealthy sleep positions, and demanding daily schedules aimed at survival.

According to Makinde, prolonged sleep deprivation increases risks of accidents, judgment errors, workplace mistakes, Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, obesity, overweight, and certain cancers, including breast and prostate.

“Sleeping well in order to live better is not a myth. Sleep remains one of the most powerful yet often neglected pillars of health and well-being in modern society.

“To maintain good health, adults should have seven to nine restorative hours of sleep per day.

“Infants require up to 16 to 17 hours of sleep, while pre-school and school-age children need up to 13 hours and 12 hours, respectively, for proper brain development,” Makinde added.

According to her, sleep is as important as the food we eat, the water we drink and the air we breathe.

“It is a natural state of rest and a period when the body repairs itself physiologically, restoring energy, strengthening immunity and supporting overall bodily functions.

“Amid the hustle and bustle of work, study and business, particularly in Lagos, Nigerians need to prioritise sleep.

“In doing so, we are also prioritising our health,” she said.

Contributing, a psychiatrist and therapist, Dr Maymunah Kadiri, described sleep as “an integral part of mental well-being,” stressing its critical role in maintaining psychological balance.

Kadiri, also Medical Director of Pinnacle Medical Services, explained that good sleep improved concentration, enhanced brain performance and contributed positively to overall cognitive functioning and emotional stability.

She noted that adequate sleep supported cognitive processes and helped reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, making it an essential component of maintaining good mental health.

According to her, healthy sleep goes beyond hours spent in bed, noting that it involves adequate duration, good sleep quality that is uninterrupted and refreshing, and a consistent sleep schedule.

“Sleep significantly benefits mental health. During a good night’s sleep, the brain gets rest and all the nutrients it needs.

“A person who enjoys long-term good sleep develops improved stress resistance. Brain function improves, and the risk of cognitive disorders is significantly reduced over time.

“Sleep has a direct impact on mental health and its quality. It helps process emotions and alleviates stress as well as negative feelings,” Kadiri said.

NAN

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Lifestyle

Comedian Broda Shaggy hospitalised after alleged shooting

Published

6 hours ago

March 13, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

Popular comedian, skit maker and social media influencer, Samuel Perry, popularly known as Broda Shaggy, has been hospitalised after he was allegedly shot in the Sango-Ota area of Ogun State, PUNCH Metro has learnt.

It was gathered that the incident occurred under the Sango-Ota bridge on Sunday afternoon.

Although the circumstances surrounding the shooting remain unclear, a police source who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to comment on the matter said the content creator sustained the gunshot injury while filming a comedy skit at the location.

According to the source, Broda Shaggy was immediately rushed to the Blooming Care Hospital in the Alakuko area of Lagos State, where he received initial treatment.

“He was shooting a skit under the Sango-Ota bridge when he sustained a gunshot injury. We don’t have details on how it happened yet, but his crew members who were present quickly rushed him to the hospital,” the source said.

The source added that medical personnel at the hospital administered first aid upon his arrival.

Further findings by PUNCH Metro, however, revealed that he was later referred to Duchess Hospital in the Government Residential Area, Ikeja, where he is currently recuperating.

Efforts by our correspondent to reach both hospitals were unsuccessful, as calls made to the contact numbers listed on their social media pages did not connect. A text message sent to them had yet to be replied to as of the time of filing this report.

When contacted on Thursday, the spokesperson for the Lagos State Police Command, Abimbola Adebisi, confirmed the development, noting that the police were alerted by the hospital.

“The hospital contacted the police to report that a gunshot victim had been brought to their facility. Detectives and a patrol team were immediately mobilised to the hospital, where they discovered that the victim was a skit maker and social media influencer popularly known as Broda Shaggy.

“He was seen on a stretcher with an injury to his thigh. The location of the incident is in Sango-Ota and not within our jurisdiction, but the investigation is ongoing,” she said.

When contacted for further clarification, the spokesperson for the Ogun State Police Command, Oluseyi Babaseyi, said the incident had not been reported to the police in the state.

“The incident was alleged to have occurred in Ogun State, but it was not reported,” he said.

Broda Shaggy’s manager, Olufemi Oguntamu, also known as Penzaar, did not respond to calls made to his phone. A text message sent to him had yet to be replied to as of the time of filing this report.

PUNCH Metro recalls that in October 2024, a popular content creator, Afeez Ojesanmi, popularly known as Salo, was reportedly robbed of his jewellery and shot around the Lekki axis of Lagos State.

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Lifestyle

Nollywood actress Sarah Martins apologises for roadside cooking

Published

2 days ago

March 11, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

Nollywood actress Sarah Martins has formally responded to the Lagos State Government’s warning regarding her recent public cooking activity, clarifying that the event was an emotional reconnection with vulnerable children rather than a deliberate breach of environmental laws.

The response comes after the Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, on Saturday, cautioned the actress against cooking on public roads, warning that she risks arrest and prosecution if she continues the practice.

In an open letter posted on her Instagram handle on Sunday, Martins, the founder of the Sarah Martins Golden Heart Foundation, sought to set the record straight, stating that the meal was prepared in a controlled environment.

“I would like to respectfully clarify that I did not cook on the walkway or on the main street.

“The meal was prepared in front of the King’s Palace under the supervision of security personnel, and the activity took place very far from the main road, ensuring that it did not obstruct movement or create any public nuisance,” she wrote.

Explaining the motivation behind the act, the actress described it as a response to the pleas of street children she frequently encounters.

“The visit was simply born out of an emotional moment. I had deeply missed the bond I share with the vulnerable street children in that area,” she explained.

“As I occasionally drive past that axis, the children often plead with me to come back and cook with them like I used to. On this particular day, I decided to spend some time with them and prepare a meal, purely to reconnect and create memories with the kids who have always shown me genuine love,” she added.

The actress offered an apology to the state government for any perceived impropriety, saying, “My brief return to that location was never intended to create any form of public nuisance, but simply to share a heartfelt moment with children who have continued to ask for my presence.

“However, if my actions were perceived as inappropriate in any way, I sincerely apologide. I hold the laws and environmental standards of Lagos State in the highest regard.

“Going forward, I will ensure that all cooking activities are carried out strictly within the charity kitchen provided for the foundation.”

In her response, Martins also expressed gratitude to Seyi Tinubu, the President’s son, noting that his donation of a charity kitchen was specifically intended to ensure her feeding programs are conducted in a proper and organised environment, which she said her foundation remains committed to using.

PUNCH Online reports that Martins was arrested in October 2025 by KAI officials while she was cooking on a road median in Lekki, seizing her equipment.

The Lagos State Government defended the operation, with Wahab stating that the actress had engaged in unauthorised activities on public infrastructure in contravention of environmental and sanitation regulations.

While she previously claimed to have received ₦20 million from his office, Seyi Tinubu reportedly denied making the donation personally, saying some friends, moved by compassion, had raised funds to help her secure a proper space for her charity work, but stressed that he did not support any act that violated Lagos State laws.

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