Nigeria News (Standard)
Ogun Residents, Motorists Lament Abandoned Sango Bridge Road Projects, Severe Gridlock Persists
Traders occupy blocked sections as commuters demand urgent action; state government yet to respond to mounting hardship
Traders occupy blocked sections as commuters demand urgent action; state government yet to respond to mounting hardship
Residents, motorists and pedestrians in Sango, Ado-Odo/Ota Local Council of Ogun State, have raised alarm over the abandonment of road construction works under and around the Sango Bridge, which has worsened traffic congestion and daily hardship in the area. The situation was observed on Tuesday during a visit to the site, where ongoing works from the Joju end towards the bridge—an axis inward from Ifo—have been left uncompleted for months.
The abandoned project has rendered major parts of the road impassable, with traders now occupying portions of the unfinished route. Commercial tricycle operators and okada riders have turned barricaded areas into makeshift parks, further obstructing movement for both vehicles and pedestrians. Additionally, a section of the road under the bridge that connects commuters from Ijoko Road to the Idiroko Expressway has been blocked off completely, compounding traffic problems on one of Ogun State’s busiest transport corridors.
Many residents expressed frustration over what they described as neglect by government authorities. They pointed out that motorists already contend with multiple bad roads across Ado-Odo/Ota LGA, but the situation at Sango has made daily commutes almost unbearable. “The suffering is too much,” said a commercial driver who plies the route daily. “We spend hours in gridlock just because this road is abandoned.”
While some local leaders and stakeholders have called on both Ogun State government and relevant federal agencies to resume construction without delay, no official statement had been issued by government representatives as at press time. Community members warned that continued neglect could lead to further economic losses for traders and transporters who rely on free movement along this vital corridor.
There are growing concerns that unless urgent intervention is taken, commercial activities and livelihoods in Sango and neighbouring areas may deteriorate further due to persistent gridlock and deteriorating infrastructure.
Nigeria News (Standard)
Kyoto Opens World’s First Plush Toy Shrine, Honours Over 26,000 Stuffed Animals
Newly launched Nuigurumi Jinja to begin receiving visitors during Tanabata festival as families seek emotional closure
Newly launched Nuigurumi Jinja to begin receiving visitors during Tanabata festival as families seek emotional closure
Authorities in Kyoto Prefecture, Japan, have inaugurated what is believed to be the world’s first shrine solely dedicated to plush toys, offering memorial and thanksgiving ceremonies for cherished stuffed animals. The site, known as Nuigurumi Jinja (Plush Toy Shrine), was established on 20 June and will officially open its doors to the public on 7 July to coincide with the annual Tanabata festival.
The founder, Komichi Horiguchi, who also created the popular Plush Toy Hospital repair service, said the idea came from observing the deep emotional bonds people form with their plushies. According to Horiguchi, more than 26,000 toys have been repaired by her organisation for owners across Japan and internationally. She noted that many people regard these toys as companions during childhood, illness and difficult periods, making it difficult for them to simply dispose of them when they get old or damaged.
The shrine is located in Kyoto’s scenic Miyama area and features plush-inspired architecture — including a torii gate with bear-like ears and a worship hall with a bear-shaped window. In keeping with Japanese tradition, the site underwent a formal Shinto spirit-enshrinement ritual before its opening, with support from an existing Kyoto shrine giving it religious legitimacy within Shinto practice.
Services at Nuigurumi Jinja will include thanksgiving rites for treasured toys, memorials for plushies beyond repair and a peaceful resting place for those being retired. Visitors will be able to collect special amulets and commemorative stamps or leave written messages of gratitude for their beloved stuffed animals. Organisers said the shrine is not just a novelty but responds to genuine emotional needs among the public.
Speaking about the project, Horiguchi said: “Many people feel real sadness when they can no longer keep a favourite plush toy. This shrine is here to help them say goodbye in a meaningful way.” Social media users have described the concept as heartwarming and uniquely Japanese. The practice aligns with broader cultural traditions in Japan where objects like dolls and sewing needles are honoured after years of service. The opening has attracted significant attention online as families prepare to visit during Tanabata festival.
Nigeria News (Standard)
Kaduna, Zaria Residents Switch to Charcoal, Firewood as Cooking Gas Prices Surge
Soaring cost of liquefied petroleum gas forces households in North-West states to abandon cleaner fuels
Soaring cost of liquefied petroleum gas forces households in North-West states to abandon cleaner fuels
Many residents of Kaduna and Zaria in Kaduna State have turned to charcoal and firewood for their daily cooking needs following a sharp rise in the price of cooking gas. As at Thursday, June 25, 2026, the cost of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) has increased significantly across major markets in the North-West, pushing families to seek cheaper alternatives.
The hike in LPG prices has been attributed by local traders and residents to factors including volatile naira exchange rates and persistent inflation affecting import-dependent commodities. Households who previously relied on gas cylinders now frequent roadside vendors selling firewood and charcoal, with demand for these traditional fuels rising sharply in recent weeks.
The shift marks a setback for government efforts to encourage clean energy adoption and reduce deforestation. Nigeria’s National Bureau of Statistics recently reported inflation hovering above 33 percent, with energy costs among the primary drivers of hardship for urban and peri-urban communities. Many affected residents say they are unable to afford refilling their cylinders at current prices, which have more than doubled compared to the same period last year.
Despite repeated assurances from federal authorities about measures to stabilise gas supply and pricing, relief has yet to reach consumers. Several residents who spoke at local markets in Kaduna expressed frustration with the lack of effective intervention. “We just dey manage now with firewood because gas money don too much,” one woman said.
As the rainy season advances, experts warn that continued reliance on charcoal and firewood could worsen indoor air pollution and environmental degradation. Advocacy groups are urging government to prioritise affordable access to cleaner fuels as part of its broader energy policy reforms.
Nigeria News (Standard)
EFCC Arraigns Miyetti Allah Leader Over Alleged ₦3.8bn Money Laundering From Bauchi Government
Anti-graft agency files charges in Abuja as cattle breeders’ association faces scrutiny over multi-million dollar transfer
Anti-graft agency files charges in Abuja as cattle breeders’ association faces scrutiny over multi-million dollar transfer
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has charged the national president of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore with money laundering involving a reported $2.53 million (about ₦3.8 billion at current rates) said to have been received from the Bauchi State government. The arraignment took place in Abuja on Thursday, marking a significant development in the ongoing efforts to tackle financial crimes linked to public funds.
According to information made available by the EFCC, the leader of the influential cattle breeders’ association is accused of receiving funds from Bauchi State government coffers without due process, allegedly disguising the source and intended use of the money. The commission stated that investigations uncovered suspicious transfers and that the accused failed to provide satisfactory explanations when questioned.
This case has drawn attention from stakeholders across Nigeria, given Miyetti Allah’s prominent role in livestock policy discussions and its influence within rural communities. Anti-corruption campaigners say it underlines persistent concerns about transparency in dealings between state governments and powerful interest groups. The EFCC has stepped up efforts in recent years to trace illicit financial flows involving associations and individuals with close ties to government officials.
While details of the court proceedings are still emerging, EFCC spokespersons have reiterated that all suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Calls for comment from Miyetti Allah officials were not immediately returned as at press time, while Bauchi State government representatives have yet to issue an official response regarding their role in the transaction.
The case is expected to proceed with further hearings in Abuja. Observers note that its outcome could set an important precedent for accountability in state-level disbursements and dealings with non-governmental associations.
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Kaduna, Zaria Residents Switch to Charcoal, Firewood as Cooking Gas Prices Surge
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