The Lagos State Government has reiterated its commitment to empowering young innovators driving change in the agriculture sector, declaring that the future of food security and agribusiness in Lagos rests on youth-led creativity, technology, and enterprise.

Speaking at the Lagos Agrinnovation Summit 2.0, held on Thursday at Harbour Point, Victoria Island, the Deputy Chief of Staff, Sam Egube, who represented Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said the state is deliberately nurturing a new generation of agri-entrepreneurs capable of transforming the food system.

Egube said the initiative aligns with the state’s T.H.E.M.E.S Plus Agenda, which envisions Lagos as “a 21st-century economy powered by knowledge, digital innovation, inclusivity, and sustainable development.”

“The Agri-Innovation Club, which we have started, has emerged as one of the proudest achievements under our Agricultural and Food Systems Roadmap,” he said. “It is not merely a gathering of young agripreneurs; it is a movement of innovators — a community of thinkers and doers who are reimagining agriculture through technology, creativity, and enterprise.”

He commended the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Ms. Abisola Olusanya, for leading efforts that have attracted young people into agriculture.

“When we joined the cabinet about seven years ago, one of our biggest challenges was how to attract the young,” he said. “Looking at this hall today, I can say she has succeeded.”

In her address, Olusanya said the summit underscores the state’s commitment to building a youth-driven, technology-enabled agricultural ecosystem capable of transforming food production and distribution across Lagos.

“Our goal is to build a resilient and efficient machinery — where young agri-business owners, creators, and thinkers form an ecosystem of innovation and enterprise that redefines how Lagos grows, processes, distributes, and consumes food,” she said.

She added that the summit represents “the nurturing of beginnings,” where partnerships, mentorship, access to resources, and supportive policies combine to turn youth ideas into scalable agribusiness ventures.

“Through collaboration and belief in young innovators, we are building the foundation for something extraordinary,” Olusanya said.

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A truck driver assistant was crushed to death while attempting to stabilise a moving truck by placing a wooden plank beneath its tyres in the Ogolonto area of Ikorodu, Lagos State.

This is just as the driver was arrested by officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, who were on a 24-hour night patrol of the area and handed over to the police.

PUNCH Metro learnt on Thursday from a statement by the LASTMA Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment, Adebayo Taofiq, that the incident occurred on Wednesday night.

Taofiq noted that preliminary findings indicated that the truck had developed a failed brake system, and while the motorboy was attempting to stabilise the truck’s speed with a wooden plank, he was run over and died at the spot.

Taofiq stated, “In a distressing and avoidable tragedy that unfolded late last night, November 12, 2025, officers of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority Special Night Gang Patrol Team apprehended the driver of a heavily loaded truck after he fatally crushed his motor boy to death at Ogolonto Traffic Light Intersection, inward Ikorodu Roundabout.

“Preliminary findings from the joint security investigation revealed that the deceased motor boy had alighted from the moving loaded truck to assist the driver in stabilising the truck by placing a wooden plank beneath its tyres, as the braking mechanism of the vehicle was reportedly defective. In the course of this effort, the unfortunate motor boy slipped and fell beneath the rear tyres, which ran over him, resulting in his instantaneous and tragic death.

“Displaying exceptional promptness and professionalism, LASTMA officers immediately cordoned off the accident scene to forestall further chaos and ensure the safety of other road users. Operatives of the Ipakodo Police Division were swiftly contacted and arrived at the scene to take over the case.”

He noted that the driver was handed over to the police for further action, while the body of the deceased was deposited at the Ikorodu General Hospital.

Reacting to the incident, the LASTMA General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, consoled with the family of the deceased and stressed that the accident was a preventable one.

“He emphasised that mechanical negligence and poor vehicle maintenance pose severe risks not only to the operators themselves but also to the lives of innocent road users.

“The General Manager further reiterated the Lagos State Government’s unwavering resolve to promote road safety, discipline, and orderliness across all highways in the state through sustained enforcement, proactive public enlightenment, and strategic collaboration with security and safety agencies,” Taofiq added.

PUNCH Metro reported last Monday that a cement truck crushed a minor to death while causing injuries to three others along the Ilaro–Ibese Expressway in Yewa South Local Government Area of Ogun State.

Similarly, PUNCH Metro reported on October 4 that five people lost their lives after a truck crushed a tricycle at the Alapoka axis of the Papalanto–Ilaro Road, Yewa South Local Government Area of Ogun State.

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The Airline Operators of Nigeria has revealed that the controversial $11.50 charge set to take effect on December 1 was initiated by the Nigeria Immigration Service but announced and set to be enforced by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority.

The association described the levy as an additional burden on an already struggling aviation sector and a further burden on operators despite being passed on to passengers.

Speaking during an interview with journalists on Wednesday, Prof Obiora Okonkwo, the spokesperson for AON and Chairman of United Nigeria Airlines, expressed deep concern over the growing number of charges imposed on airlines.

He argued that the new fee was unnecessary and counterproductive to the health of the aviation industry. He said multiple taxes are beginning to force many airlines to their knees, appealing to the government to support domestic airlines just like developed nations do with their carriers.

According to Okonkwo, the Nigerian aviation sector has been under immense financial pressure due to multiple levies, taxes, and regulatory fees from various government agencies.

The AON spokesperson said the operators pay for everything aviation agencies do for them, while lamenting that the $11.50 charge was yet another example of policy inconsistency and poor coordination between agencies.

Speaking further on the taxes, Okonkwo said, “Aviation has turned into an elephant where lots of people are feeding on, and the operators are the ones doing the job. First, it was $20 for security, and one wonders what security they provided. The $11.50 is coming from immigration, and we already have the $20 for security. If you recall the controversy that greeted the $20 charge, they just collect this money and put it in one account.

“This money was collected for many years. It was when a subsequent government came in, and the minister discovered that there was money in there and embarked on some innovation. If you collect what is supposed to be for security and put corporate service or renovation or staff welfare, or any other thing, that is clearly collecting money under a pretense! That is dubious.”

While questioning what kind of security the NIS provides at the airport, Okonkwo recalled that the NCAA had, some years ago, introduced a $20 security charge on international flights, a policy that was widely criticized by the industry.

The AON spokesperson warned that these fees would inevitably lead to higher ticket prices for passengers and could make Nigeria a less attractive hub for international travel.

“This $11.50 is from immigration. They said there is a need for passenger profiling, and it applies to international passengers, which means that before passengers land, they already capture their data. My question is, is that amount commensurate with what other people charge elsewhere? How does immigration play a security role?” he questioned.

Okonkwo, however, appealed to the government to see reasons with the airline operators, saying that if the operators operate with ease, the country will be the biggest beneficiary of such an effect.

Earlier, the United Nigeria Airlines boss had called on the Federal Government to make single-digit interest loans accessible to operators in the industry, stressing that a nation’s success depends heavily on the efficiency of its transportation system, particularly aviation.

Okonkwo added that President Bola Tinubu’s ambition of achieving a $1trn economy will be unattainable without a thriving aviation sector.

He said, “However, we are appealing to the Nigerian government to continue to support the aviation industry. A $1trn economy can never be achieved without aviation. What we are asking for is a single-digit interest because we are competing with international airlines that have access to credit facilities and also have government backing.”

Contacted, the National Spokesperson of the NIS, Akinsola Akinlabi, promised to seek clarification and get back to our correspondent on the matter, but never did till press time. Afterwards, multiple calls put across to him were not picked up or returned.

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