Metro
Alade Estate, Allen Avenue Under ‘Siege’ as Exclusive Neighbourhood Turns Slum
Just like other highbrow areas in Lagos State, their area was originally designed to be an exclusive neighbourhood meant only for Residential , devoid of the rowdiness and overpopulation which characterises slum areas.
However, the once serene and exclusive neighbourhood of Alade and Allen Avenue is fast turning into a slum, where all sorts of vices are carried out both day and night.
As a result, the residents are now perpetually living in fear for their security. Daily they are confronted with strange faces, miscreants, hemp smokers, hard drugs peddlers who do drugs openly, hideout for criminals who do crime in the open, bureau-de- change operators, who have turned the demolished Alade market to their permanent base of operation.
Streets such as Adegbeyemi, Afolabi Aina & Olorunnishola that leads to the estate have been taken over by shanties, street traders, bureau-de-change operators, and others, thereby disfiguring the beautiful and serene environment the residential area was known for.
To draw the attention of the governor to their predicament, the residents have written a petition to The Ikeja Local Government Chairman, Ministry of Environment, Environmental Taskforce and the Commissioner of Police appealing to them to rescue them from the slum their area is fast turning into.
They advocated for permanent removal of street traders, shanties, hard drug dealers in all the adjoining streets starting from the back of the demolished Alade market to all nooks and cranny of the area, an area close to the “seat of power”.
In the petition titled “Adegbeyemi, Afolabi Aina and Olorunnishola Street, Allen Avenue, Ikeja Violation of Residential Character, Conversion To Street Trading, Nuisance, Environmental Pollution, Criminal Activities, Threat To Life and Property”,’ the residents stated it’s high time the state government takes action at restoring the lost glory of the area.
“Alade Estate residents and stakeholders wish to alert his Excellency and all the relevant environmental agencies, Ikeja local government and Commissioner of Police to the menace being caused at Alade, Allen Avenue, Ikeja. It is depressing to see Alade, Allen Avenue area turned into an eyesore, the once beautiful, quiet and peaceful area have been turned to another version of ‘SABO’ with an in-flock of illegal street traders who have set up shops, shanties on drainage points and setbacks both for trading in the daytime, and sleeping purposes at night which has led to violation of residential character of the estate and it’s environs, thereby causing nuisance, environmental pollution, criminal activities, threat to life and property. Not only that, the okada riders have suddenly appeared from nowhere and hijacked a whole section of the road that leads into the estate. Illegal and indiscriminate dumping of refuse and defecation in open places has become the order of the day in every nook and cranny of the area, while some have even set up tents and make their homes by the roadside in Alade,” the petition stated.
The residents further complained of potholes damaging their vehicles and how fast their property value is depreciating by the day. Some landlords have moved out, vehicles are vandalised almost on a daily basis with the disappearance of car brain boxes.
Though In 2016, when traders in Alade Market were relocated to the newly built alternative market, it was done with the aim of redeveloping the original market place into a world-class shopping center. The residents lament three years after, that the environment has been turned into an area where ‘street trading, illegal shanties and structures are now the order of the day.
” We believe this menace is an infringement on us as a people living in Alade estate and it has devalued our properties in total. It is no more the clean and peaceful environment it used to be,” they complained.
The residents called on the governor, and chairman of Ikeja local government, Ministry of Environment, The Police and TASKFORCE, to take urgent action at remedying the situation.
“We hereby, appeal to your Excellency, governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the chairman, Ikeja local government, The Police with all the relevant environmental agencies such as the Ministry of Environment and TASKFORCE to come to our aid to put into action specific steps to restore sanity to Alade by urgently addressing and permanently put measures in place to prevent this unpleasant menace from occurring again.
Two men, Ridwan Bello aka ‘Asalailu’ and Fatai Adeleke, have been arraigned before an Iyaganku Chief Magistrate Court in Ibadan, Oyo State, for alleged unlawful possession of a human head and other body parts of a female corpse.
Bello, 42, of Odo-Aba Street, and Fatai Adeleke, 70, of an unknown address were arraigned on four count charges of conspiracy, possession of a human head, interference with the dead, and breach of public peace.
The Prosecutor, ASP Foluke Adedosu, told the court that the defendants, along with others at large, conspired to commit the offences.
She alleged that on March 18, at about 3:00am., at Odo-Aba Street, Muslim Area, Ibadan, Bello was found in possession of a human head and other dismembered body parts, believed to be those of late Mrs. Adebimpe Akinbo.
“A female human head, severed limbs, dried bones, and other remains stored in bags and a paint bucket were allegedly recovered from Bello’s house,” Adedosu told the court.
She alleged that Bello exhumed Akinbo’s body from Saint Andrews Anglican Church Cemetery in Awa-Ijebu, Ogun State, for ritual purposes.
Adedosu told the court that Adeleke knowingly bought the human parts from Bello for the same purpose.
The prosecutor said the defendants allegedly indecently interfered with and desecrated the body of the deceased by exhuming and dismembering it.
She added that their actions disrupted public peace and violated Sections 242 (1)(b), 249 (d), 329A, and 516 of the Oyo State Criminal Code Laws, 2000.
Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The Magistrate, Mrs. A.T. Oyediji, granted them bail in the sum of N500,000 each, with two sureties in like sum.
She then adjourned the case to May 8 for further hearing.
NAN
Access Bank Plc, a leading financial institution in Nigeria, has partnered “PAD Me A Girl Initiative,” a project of GATMASH MEDIA, to launched a ‘Pad Bank’ at Area 1, Internally Displaced Persons Camp (IDP), Durumi, Abuja.
The launching which took place today, 3rd April, 2025, is a project of GATMASH MEDIA, aimed at providing free sanitary pads to girls and women.
Theresa Moses, the Convener of the “PAD Me A Girl Initiative,” in her welcome remarks emphasized the importance of menstrual hygiene while encouraging young girls and women to prioritize their health.
She observed that this initiative marks a significant milestone in promoting menstrual hygiene and providing reusable sanitary pads to young girls and women in need.
Highlighting the alarming statistics of menstrual poverty in Nigeria, she disclosed that about 37% of menstruating girls and women lack access to sanitary pads due to financial constraints.
According to Theresa Moses, the project would help to educate young girls and women on proper menstrual hygiene practices, while dispelling various myths and misconceptions surrounding menstruation.
“The ‘PAD Bank’ will provide reusable sanitary pads, reducing waste and promoting sustainability while making menstrual products more accessible for free.
“The initiative seeks to break the silence surrounding menstruation, encouraging open conversations and promoting a culture of understanding and support,” Theresa Moses reiterated.
On her part, Mrs. Blessing Jonah Amos, Parenting Coach, led an informative session on menstrual hygiene, usage of reusable sanitary pads, and healthy lifestyle practices.
The Divisional Police Officer, Area 1, CSP Ola Rotimi Ebidero, provided valuable security tips to women and young girls, urging them to report suspicious activities to the police.
The Access “PAD Me A Girl Initiative” has partnership with several organizations, including Checkers Custard which distributed Checkers Custard and Checkers Custard Pap Flavour, Vita Baites Foods markers of delicious and crunchy ‘kuli-kuli’ which distributed their products and Jeffrey Kuraun Foundation, ProStar, and more.
Exercise books and other writing materials, cartons of Instant noodles, bags of sachets water were among the items distributed during the exercise.
The launch of ‘PAD Bank’ marks a significant step in addressing menstrual poverty and promoting menstrual hygiene education, as the initiative aims to expand its frontiers, providing support to more communities and individuals.
By partnering with organizations and individuals, the “PAD Me A Girl Initiative” seeks to create a society where menstrual hygiene is prioritized, and young girls and women can thrive without limitation, and robust access to pads for their personal hygiene.
Nigeria’s President, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has congratulated the Chairman, Adron Group, Aare Adetola Olaniyi Emmanuel-King, as he celebrates his 50th birthday.
The President, according to a statement by his Special Adviser, Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, “joins family, friends, and well-wishers to celebrate the entrepreneur and philanthropist who has remained steadfast in making affordable housing accessible to many Nigerians.
“Aare Emmanuel-King, with over 62 estates and a workforce of 3,000, has received numerous chieftaincy titles and awards in property and estate development, including Lagos State Man of the Year (2019) and Property Developer of the Year (2021).
“President Tinubu commends the real estate developer for his contributions to the government’s vision of reducing the nation’s housing deficit.
“The President wishes Aare Emmanuel-King joyful celebrations and continued success in his endeavours.”
