Nigeria News (Standard)
Lagos Monarch Says Nigerian Kings Have Lost Power, Calls for Constitutional Reform
Oba Semiudeen Kasali urges legal backing for traditional rulers as palace authority wanes since 1979 Constitution
Oba Semiudeen Kasali urges legal backing for traditional rulers as palace authority wanes since 1979 Constitution
Traditional rulers in Nigeria now hold mainly ceremonial roles without real governing authority, the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo Kingdom in Lagos State, Oba Semiudeen Kasali, has said. Speaking from his palace to mark his tenth year on the throne, Oba Kasali explained that constitutional changes over the decades have stripped monarchs of formal power at both state and local levels.
The monarch, a lawyer and former Lagos State Ministry of Justice counsel, traced the decline to Nigeria’s 1979 and 1999 constitutions which removed traditional rulers from legislative councils and governance structures. He noted that, unlike in the past when kings participated directly in government, local government chairmen are now the chief executives at grassroots level. “The power resides…in any local government; the chairman is the governor of that local government. There’s no power in the palace anymore,” Kasali said.
Oba Kasali added that palace decisions are often ignored because citizens can challenge them in court based on constitutional rights. He argued that this has eroded respect for traditional institutions and led to delays in resolving disputes—especially those involving land or communal matters. “Some people are not bound to obey what we say in the palace because they want to exercise their constitutional right to approach court; you cannot stop them,” he stated.
This situation has sparked nationwide agitation among monarchs for constitutional reforms. Oba Kasali supported these calls but warned that any new role assigned to traditional rulers must be meaningful and enforceable. He cited examples from Ghana, South Africa and Namibia, where chieftaincy is recognised in their constitutions. Oyo’s Oba Rashidi Ladoja and other traditional leaders have made similar appeals this year.
Kasali proposed making palace mediation a compulsory first step for certain community disputes before such cases reach the courts—restoring a practice where royal judgements stood unless they were contrary to justice or good conscience. He lamented that today even settled palace matters are re-litigated in court with some parties joining the king as a defendant.
The monarch also blamed declining values within communities, saying some kingmakers now install individuals based on wealth rather than character or heritage: “They don’t care about the implications of who occupies the seat.”
Despite reduced powers, Oba Kasali highlighted contributions by traditional rulers towards security and development—such as collaborating with police to curb crime along waterways around Igbogbo and supporting improvements in infrastructure, schools and healthcare. On recent cases of kidnappings targeting kings nationwide, he attributed this to wider insecurity rather than hostility towards monarchs specifically: “Monarchs are being kidnapped because they see us as a soft target,” he said.
As discussions on constitutional amendments continue across Nigeria, many traditional leaders insist their restoration is crucial not just for symbolism but for strengthening governance at community level.
Source: https://www.pulse.ng/story/why-nigerian-kings-lost-power-oba-semiudeen-kasali-2026062212550873492
Nigeria News (Standard)
Norway Bans AI Tools for Pupils Under 13, Tightens School Tech Policy
New regulation follows successful smartphone ban as government targets core learning skills, plans social media age limits
New regulation follows successful smartphone ban as government targets core learning skills, plans social media age limits
Norway has introduced a new policy barring children aged 6 to 13 from using generative artificial intelligence tools in schools, with the ban set to commence nationwide in late August. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre announced the decision at a press conference on Friday, stating the measure aims to protect essential reading, writing and mathematics skills among primary school pupils.
Under the new guidelines, elementary school students (grades one to seven) will be prohibited from accessing platforms such as ChatGPT and similar AI tools during school hours. For older students aged 14 to 16, AI use will only be permitted under direct supervision of a teacher, while those aged 17 and above are encouraged to use such technology responsibly. Norwegian authorities said unrestricted access could lead children to skip important aspects of learning by relying too heavily on digital assistance.
This move comes after Norway’s earlier decision in 2024 to ban smartphones in schools — a policy that has since been linked with improved academic performance and reduced bullying. Research led by Sara Abrahamsson across over 400 middle schools reported a significant drop in visits to psychological specialists by about 60%, especially among female students. The Ministry of Education believes the new AI restriction could yield similar positive results by limiting classroom distractions and helping young learners build foundational skills before turning to advanced technologies.
Prime Minister Støre explained: “The most important thing in school is that our children learn to read, write and do mathematics.” According to government officials, the latest measure responds to growing concern over children’s exposure to technology both in and out of the classroom. The government is also preparing legislation that would ban social media use for those under 16 years old, mirroring recent laws introduced in Australia. The proposal is expected to go before parliament before the end of 2026.
Supporters argue that Norway’s approach allows children more time to develop critical thinking and problem-solving abilities without depending on AI-generated content. However, questions remain about how effectively such restrictions can be enforced outside school premises, given widespread access through personal devices at home. Similar debates are ongoing across Europe as governments weigh how best to regulate emerging technologies among younger populations.
Nigeria News (Standard)
Lagos State Inaugurates Transport Union Task Force to Tackle Waste Dumping at Bus Parks
Commissioner Osiyemi warns NURTW, RTEAN members must clean up own garages before policing others
Commissioner Osiyemi warns NURTW, RTEAN members must clean up own garages before policing others
Lagos State Government on Saturday inaugurated a Special Task Force empowering transport union members to enforce sanitation at bus stops, garages, and major roads across the city. The move, announced at a ceremony in Alausa, Ikeja, sees members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) drafted as street-level ‘waste police’ to monitor indiscriminate dumping in transport corridors.
Commissioner for Transportation Oluwaseun Osiyemi said the initiative aims to curb a surge in refuse dumping along roadsides and inside parks, with Lagos generating an estimated 13,000 tonnes of waste daily. “We cannot fold our arms while people carry waste from their homes and dump it on roads, medians, and public spaces,” Osiyemi stated at the inauguration. He told union leaders that enforcement must begin within their own premises: “Before you can enforce discipline outside, your own garages and bus stops must be in order.”
The task force was launched amid criticism that many transport union parks themselves are hotspots for poor sanitation, shanties, and indiscriminate trading. Stakeholders have questioned whether unions previously accused of tolerating dirty garages can effectively police littering by commuters and traders. The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), represented by Managing Director Muyiwa Gbadegesin, backed the plan but noted that the real challenge remains large-scale collection gaps and illegal dumping by private sector operators.
Despite clearing over 418,000 tonnes of waste in May and addressing 173 identified black spots, LAWMA continues to face complaints from residents about uncollected household waste and blocked drains. Critics argue that while union-led patrols could deter petty littering around bus stops through spot fines and visible enforcement, they do not address systemic failures in contracted waste evacuation or alleged illegal dumping by licensed operators.
The Lagos government maintains that the task force will focus on changing behaviour at high-traffic sites such as bus parks and lay-bys. However, observers say real progress requires LAWMA to improve oversight of private contractors responsible for residential waste collection. As at now, there is no announced plan to expand union involvement beyond street-level monitoring.
Source: https://www.pulse.ng/story/lagos-transport-unions-waste-task-force-2026062215180852665
Nigeria News (Standard)
Flood and Windstorm Destroy Farms, Shops in Ebonyi State Communities
Residents count losses as severe weather damages livelihoods across multiple LGAs; local authorities yet to respond
Residents count losses as severe weather damages livelihoods across multiple LGAs; local authorities yet to respond
Severe flood and windstorm have wreaked havoc on farms and shops in several communities across Ebonyi State, South-East Nigeria, causing significant destruction to livelihoods. The incidents, which occurred recently, left many residents counting their losses as agricultural produce and commercial properties were swept away or damaged.
According to affected residents, the heavy downpour led to widespread flooding, while strong winds toppled structures and uprooted crops in parts of the state. Farmers reported that their farmlands, stocked with crops at various stages of maturity, were submerged, resulting in substantial financial setbacks. Shop owners also lamented that goods worth millions of naira were destroyed as roofs were blown off and water inundated business premises.
The disaster comes at a time when many in Ebonyi rely heavily on agriculture and petty trading for survival. With the destruction of farmlands and shops, concerns are mounting over food security and economic hardship in the affected areas. Residents say such natural disasters have become more frequent during the rainy season, intensifying pressure on already vulnerable households.
As at press time, local government authorities had not issued an official statement or announced relief measures for those impacted by the flood and windstorm. Many residents appealed for urgent intervention from both state government and relevant agencies to mitigate their losses and prevent further hardship. “We need support to rebuild our farms and restart our businesses,” one affected farmer said.
The full extent of the damage is yet to be assessed, but community leaders are urging prompt action to avert a deeper humanitarian crisis. Stakeholders have called on government at all levels to implement long-term solutions, including improved drainage systems and disaster preparedness programmes, to protect lives and property from recurring extreme weather events.
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