The Angel of Dustbin Estate

Tolulope Sangosanya with children of Dustbin Estate at her resource centre

Tolulope Sangosanya founded the Love On The Streets (LOTS) Charity Foundation to cater for the less privileged children living around Pako in Ajegunle, Lagos. The neighbourhood is better known by its other name, Dustbin Estate.

Having experienced a life of challenges herself, Tolu has found her calling in taking care of the needs of educational needs of the children in the area. Growing up Tolu could not read. After overcoming her disability, her family got a prophecy that she was going to die before her 25th birthday.

"I used to tell myself that I am special but couldn't read and write,"  Tolu told me. "How can I get to this stage when I thought all was well and then they say that I shall die?"

And so came the desire to leave a legacy behind. It was the reason behind LOTS Charity. Not only did she not die, her charity has survived and is giving succour to more than a hundred kids at the rented apartment where she operates a resource and literacy centre in the Ajegunle neighbourhood. "I can relate and empathize with them because I had a late start in life. All they need is love."

In 2010, Tolu was awarded the prize for the best use of advocacy at The Future Awards. She continues to give her time and attention to the children of Dustbin Estate where she is assisted by Priye and Emmanuel Bayoko, two siblings who grew up in the neighbourhood.

"I'm doing it for the future of the kids," said Emmanuel. "I believe in Nigeria's future."

(Please see link to help Tolulope Sangosanya's work with the children of Dustbin Estate)

The slum where the kids and their families live

Tolu with her assistants Priye and Emmanuel Bayoko

Ikeja City Mall Opens

The Ikeja City Mall was commissioned today by Lagos governor Babatunde Fashola. A long line of customers queued up outside to receive freebies from the major retailers that include Shoprite, Twice As Nice, Silverbird Cinemas, Mr Price, NIKE, etc. 


Mr Fashola said the mall "restores Ikeja back to its rightful place as the retail hub of Lagos. This development provides an inspiring vision of what can be achieved through collaboration between the development partners, regulators, government officials and tenants. Ikeja City Mall brings world-class retail and leisure facilities to Lagos. I am excited to see my fellow citizens in the mall today, relaxing and having fun.”

 Well, I can tell you, this will become a veritable playground for Mainlanders during this Christmas. 

Shopping time

Governor Fashola

*Photos courtesy of Adewale Adelola

Falomo Roundabout

The Falomo Roundabout seen from the sixth floor of Union Marble House. In the distance across the water is Victoria Island.

Professor Akin Oyebode's Inaugural Lecture

Professor Akin Oyebode 

Law teacher, public analyst, and author Akin Oyebode delivered his inaugural lecture at the University of Lagos on Wednesday, 20 years after he became a professor. Better late than never, it is a debt every erudite scholar owes the university system. In "Of Norms, Values and Attitudes: The Cogency of International Law", Oyebode challenges the Nigerian political elite to "jettison its obsurantism and anti-intellectual attitude" concerning "policy formulation and implementation on international matters by encouraging informed input from academics and experts."

Unilag top dons

Ojodu sunset

This photo is from about a year ago and I only found it in my archives. It just feels like one could pluck the sun from its perch as it slowly set over Ojodu.

The Obafemi Awolowo Memorials

The Obafemi Awolowo Mueum

On a visit to Ikenne, Ogun State last weekend, I stopped by at the Obafemi Awolowo country home where I made these photos of the memorials of the late politician and sage. We weren't allowed to enter the museum because it is required that we should have written ahead of time to request permission to enter. So one could only take photos of the exteriors and not see the mementoes of the great leader of the Yoruba people.

Obafemi Awolowo's resting place

The car that Obafemi Awolowo rode for his presidential campaigns in 1979 and 1983

Open roof, open happiness

Hatch-back car driving along the Ikorodu Expressway at Ojota.