₦airaland Forum

A leading Security Expert in Nigeria, Jackson Lekan Ojo has slammed those governors that took EFCC to court seeking scraping of the anti-graft agency.

Ojo, an Outstading Security Achiever of the year 2016 (South South) made the declaration in an exclusive interview with Newsmen in Portharcourt, the Rivers State capital on Saturday.

The security expert, who is also Certified Gold Member, International Security Association (ISA) Switzerland, concluded that these governors are only serving their selfish interests and cronies alike and not the people.

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Akpabio is demonic, satanic by nature, and highly insensitive Jackson Lekan Ojo

A leading security expert in Nigeria, Mr. Jackson Lekan Ojo, as slammed the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, over his recent comment in which he told Nigerians to eat wherever they see free food.

Ojo in a statement he made available to Journalists in Abuja on Sunday described Akpabio as a misfit and highly insensitive to the plights of Nigerians, adding that the Senate President represents demonic and satanic forces plaguing Nigerians and Nigeria .

He explained that by the import of Akpabio gibberish, he was simply telling Nigerians to take to stealing in the face of hardship, which according to Ojo implies that the Senate President don't symphatise but mock the Nigerian people on the galloping inflation that has impoverished majority of them.

The Security Expert noted that the statement credited to the Senate President portends serious danger in the political space as it reveals a total leadership failure.

Ojo added that while the Executive arm of government can be checkmated by the parliament, the legislative organ of government remains the bastion of democracy and the last hope for democratic survival, saying it is therefore catastrophic for the Chairman of Nigerian National Aseembly to be that callous and careless.

"By the statement of the Senete President, I can no longer recognise the parliament in Nigeria as the conscience of the public and the sanctuary of the common people despite their statutory status as the representatives of the people.

"Hundreds of security experts across the globe have been calling me to confirm if truly the statement emanated from the Chairman of the Natinal Assembly in Nigeria; they were seriously disappointed in Godswill Akpabio

"I strongly doubt it if the Senate President is really with President Bola Tinubu going by his careless and unguided utterances ever since he became Senate President, I greatly symphatise with Nigerians, members of the National Assembly as well as President Bola Tinubu for having a flippant and garrulous personality like Akpabio as the number three citizen of Nigeria.

"This is the man that told Nigerians who were protesting bad governance and unfavorable policies that they shall be eating while impoverished Nigerians would continue to protest.

"To tell you how hypocritical and deceptive Akpabio is, he recently told young Nigerians to stop seeking greener pasture abroad while all his children live abroad.

"Akpabio is the only unpatriotic and undemocratic Senate President Nigeria ever produced since independence, he passionately prefers foreign goods to that of Nigeria; he is indeed a disaster to Nigeria ", the statement read.

Akpabio is demonic, satanic by nature, and highly insensitive Jackson Lekan Ojo

A leading security expert in Nigeria, Mr. Jackson Lekan Ojo, as slammed the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, over his recent comment in which he told Nigerians to eat wherever they see free food.

Ojo in a statement he made available to Journalists in Abuja on Sunday described Akpabio as a misfit and highly insensitive to the plights of Nigerians, adding that the Senate President represents demonic and satanic forces plaguing Nigerians and Nigeria .

He explained that by the import of Akpabio gibberish, he was simply telling Nigerians to take to stealing in the face of hardship, which according to Ojo implies that the Senate President don't symphatise but mock the Nigerian people on the galloping inflation that has impoverished majority of them.

The Security Expert noted that the statement credited to the Senate President portends serious danger in the political space as it reveals a total leadership failure.

Ojo added that while the Executive arm of government can be checkmated by the parliament, the legislative organ of government remains the bastion of democracy and the last hope for democratic survival, saying it is therefore catastrophic for the Chairman of Nigerian National Aseembly to be that callous and careless.

"By the statement of the Senete President, I can no longer recognise the parliament in Nigeria as the conscience of the public and the sanctuary of the common people despite their statutory status as the representatives of the people.

"Hundreds of security experts across the globe have been calling me to confirm if truly the statement emanated from the Chairman of the Natinal Assembly in Nigeria; they were seriously disappointed in Godswill Akpabio

"I strongly doubt it if the Senate President is really with President Bola Tinubu going by his careless and unguided utterances ever since he became Senate President, I greatly symphatise with Nigerians, members of the National Assembly as well as President Bola Tinubu for having a flippant and garrulous personality like Akpabio as the number three citizen of Nigeria.

"This is the man that told Nigerians who were protesting bad governance and unfavorable policies that they shall be eating while impoverished Nigerians would continue to protest.

"To tell you how hypocritical and deceptive Akpabio is, he recently told young Nigerians to stop seeking greener pasture abroad while all his children live abroad.

"Akpabio is the only unpatriotic and undemocratic Senate President Nigeria ever produced since independence, he passionately prefers foreign goods to that of Nigeria; he is indeed a disaster to Nigeria ", the statement read.

Alleged Turning human being to fowl in Ede, profound falsehood, product of hallucination-Timi

The Timi in-council, led by His Royal Majesty, Oba MUNIRUDEEN ADESOLA LAWAL, LAMINISA THE 1ST, THE TIMI OF EDELAND has described as a total falsehood the alleged claim of turning human beings to fowl in the ancient town, saying the claim remains mere hallucination of its proponents.

It would be recalled that a voice note recently surfaced on WhatsApp and had since gone viral where a male voice was heard making the allegation.

This was contained in a release made available to the newsmen on Wednesday by the Director of Public Communication, Dapo Akinyele and personally signed by HRM OBA DR MUNIRUDEEN ADESOLA LAWAL, calling on the residents of Ede community to completely ignore the claim and continue to go about their normal life without fear.

"The attention of Timi in -Council has been drawn to a recent voice note by some faceless persons who claimed that the ancient town of Ede is unsafe due to the activities of ritualists.

"The purported voice note that has gone viral on social media is a complete fallacy, baseless and sheer hallucination of these deranged elements who are out to create palpable fear in the minds of the peaceful residents of Ede for selfish reasons.

"To this end, we therefore, used the medium to seriously warn the mischief makers to desist from this type of divisive tendencies and dangerous propaganda in the community", the statement read.

Dapo Abiodun harvests projects in Gateway State, critics advertise ignorance

By Kayode Akinmade

It is amazing but not shocking: Ogun under Dapo Abiodun, boardroom guru and business mogul, has been taking the business of social engineering extremely seriously. Particularly in the last couple of days, the Gateway State has been in the news for positive things, with the critics of the governor habitually motivated by sheer partisanship completely shell-shocked amid their accustomed mischief. Only recently, shortly after reinventing diplomacy and obtaining the Federal Government’s permission, the governor flagged off the reconstruction of the 70-kilometer Abeokuta-Ifo-Ota-Lagos Expressway, with a pledge to complete it in 18 months. The road had been neglected for over two decades, and Abiodun’s previous requests for approval to reconstruct it had been sternly rebuffed. But he would not take no for answer. And so work has now begun in earnest on the second busiest road in Nigeria, the road which connects Abeokuta and its hinterlands to Lagos State, and links Ilaro in Ogun West to Sagamu in Ogun East through the Sagamu-Interchange-Papalanto-Ilaro road, and which on the Ota side connects the Sango-Atan-Owode-Idi-Iroko road, leading to border towns and the Benin Republic. The road, as the people’s Governor himself recognizes too well, “serves as a critical artery for numerous industrial hubs in Ota, including the Lafarge Cement Factory, Ile-Ise Awo, various schools, and higher institutions. The communities along this corridor are densely populated, and the road’s strategic location has a significant impact on trade and economic activities.” As a transport union chief, Taofeek Sokoya (Danku), noted: “Currently, we take about five hours to get to Ota from Ita Osin. When this road is completed, it will only take 45 minutes.”

Beyond roads, the airport city in the Remo axis of the state, easily Nigeria’s biggest and the most strategic, is nearing completion, and you cannot blame the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) for heightening work on its N73bn Zonal Office and Training School at the Gateway Agro-Cargo International Airport. The airport lies within the airport city, together with an export processing zone. In another development, the Nigerian Navy, buoyed by the ongoing massive construction works in Ogun State, moved in quickly to obtain 100 hectares of land for its proposed dock yard, a facility for which the governor cancelled any payment in view of the national security imperatives. On the agriculture side, the Abiodun government is simply in a class of its own. Governor Abiodun recently flagged off the harvest of the 200-hectare rice farm at Magboro in Obafemi Owode LGA of the state. In just three months, the farm cluster yielded 1,400 tonnes or rice. Projected to bring in N1bn in revenue every three months, the project will now be scaled up to guarantee revenue in the region of N10bn-N25 billion.

The critics actually spun a false narrative on this laudable project, claiming that it is actually the initiative of a certain Alhaji Bello Zabarmawa from Kebbi State. PM News ran this fake news without the slightest prick of conscience. Yet, contrary to that piece of junk journalism, the much publicised rice harvest by Governor Abiodun is real, and the government’s combine harvester was on duty when the Governor called! The said individual and his colleagues from Kebbi were in fact extremely excited to see the harvester, saying that they had never seen one before, let alone use it for rice harvest. The World Bank-assisted project meant to ensure the increased participation of the private sector in the economic development of Gateway State is the brainchild of the Ogun State Economic Transformation Project (OGSTEP). Alhaji Bello and 199 other farmers were sensitized and aggregated into ten groups which constituted the rice cluster, and the government supported them with 65 per cent of the cost of land preparation/mechanisation, while they contributed the rest. Somehow, under junk journalism, Alhaji Bello who farmed just one hectare of rice became “the owner” of this 200-hectare project and the 199 other farmers in the cluster, comprising Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba farmers, were completely left out! The government which provided the land, segmented the farmers into one-hectare lots, and provided pesticide, grants and loans was pilloried for lying about the project!!


Of course, the critics aren’t ignorant. They know that what government often does in enhancing agribusiness is provide a clement environment for public-private partnership, as in the days of Chief Obafemi Awolowo who set up farm settlements and provided the farmers with the needed tools, including residences. It is, to bring the issue up to date, what Kebbi and Ogun states have done. Yet the naysayers managed to come up with a fake story, making a single individual the “real owner” of a public-private partnership project involving 200 individuals, and for which the Abiodun Government provided 65 per cent funding, not to talk of tehnical support. Character assassins can’t help themselves, can they?



Governor Abiodun’s farm clusters are anything but “audio.” Go to Ikenne zone and see if you do not find the following cassava clusters: Ibukunoluwa Farmers Cooperatives I & II (Akaka), Evergreen Farmers (Ibafo), Bethel Agro Allied Farmers Cms (Lukosi), Mosimi Farmers Association (Moro), and Ona Ara Farmers Association (Ikenne), while there are rice clusters in Ayiwere/ Ogboloko and Magboro. In Ijebu zone, go to Idekan Apoje, Omu, Asejere, Ojowo and Ijebu Igbo, and see if you do not find the More Agro Group 1-7, N-Power Cooperative Group 1-5, Agbegbemi -Yewo Farmers Cooperatives, Agberapo Cassava Farmers Group 6, Game Changers, and the Agbe-Parapo Farmers Ass. 1-5 clusters, with the last one being a maize cluster. In Ilaro zone, you have the Ijomo Vegetable Group 3&5, Ijomo Farmers Group 1 & 4, Vegetable and Fruit Grower Association 1 – 3, Irewolede Cluster I Maize, Araromi Group 1, Ife Cluster Maize I & II, Ore- Ofe Cluster I & II Omoluabi Farmers Clusters, and they are located in Awin/ Odanpopo/Ijomo (tomato), Ijomo (groundnut), Ayetoro (horticulture), together with the maize clusters in Eggua, Imeko, Ayetoro, Igbogila and Iwoye Ketu.


If the critics are already mad with rage over the rice harvest, what will they do when the harvesting of cocoa, groundnut and cassava begins? Jump into a lagoon, arguing with the waves? They go haywire any time they hear good things about Ogun State, intent on discrediting any action of Government. But what they succeed in doing is merely advertising their hollowness. In any case, if you are a worker in Ogun State, you can take Governor Abiodun’s promise during a recent meeting with the leadership of organized labour to the bank. Lauding the workers for being instrumental to the rapid economic growth in the state, Abiodun said Ogun State would not take second place in the implementation of the new minimum wage. His strategy: "I have told my team that we should roll up our sleeves: we should work as hard as we can without putting undue pressure on our people. We should be creative, more efficient, block loopholes, and increase our revenue so that we can afford to pay the new minimum wage comfortably."

In Ogun, it is one good news after another. And the best is yet to come as the Governor mobilizes the populace to take Ogun to the next level. As the Indian writer, Rohini Nikolani, puts it: "We cannot be mere consumers of good governance, we must be participants; we must be co-creators."


Akinmade is Special Adviser on Media and Strategy to Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State.

Educational infrastructure: Rotary Club renovates school in Ede

In its bid to support the government in Osun towards providing condusive environment for learning, the Rotary Club of Ede has renovated 2 blocks of classrooms at Young Tajudeen School B, located in Ojoro Ede, Osun State.

According to the President of the Club, Rotn. Muraina Taoreed Adekunle, the gesture was borne out of genuine concern of the club to ensure qualitative education in Ede and its environs, adding that befitting learning environment is a catalyst for academic excellence.

He stated that the government in the State is making frantic efforts to gurantee quality education for the young ones irrespective of social status in the face of meagre resources at its disposal.

Adekunle added that the project is just the phase one of the projects as the Club would still continue to renovate more classrooms for the benefit of the teeming students.

"You will agree with me that the Government is trying but the government can not do it alone. This is the phase one of the renovation as the club still hopes to continue with the renovation. There are still over 10 blocks of classrooms that still need to be renovated. Rotary club of Ede is willing to partner with individuals or groups to embark on the phase 2 of the renovation.

"The phase 1 of the Project is the renovation of a block of 2 classrooms which include
- Replacement of damage roof and ceiling
- replacement of damaged windows and doors
- ⁠provision of classroom chairs and tables.
- ⁠repainting of the block of classrooms
- ⁠provision of marker board.

"The project was commissioned on the 9th of September 2024 by 12pm by the District Governor in person of Kayode OLOWOLAGBA ESQ , (District 9126). In attendance are the Head Teacher of the school , representatives of Ede North Local Government, Rotarians across the district, PTA members and some important dignitaries", the President said.

Educational infrastructure: Rotary Club renovates school in Ede

In its bid to support the government in Osun towards providing condusive environment for learning, the Rotary Club of Ede has renovated 2 blocks of classrooms at Young Tajudeen School B, located in Ojoro Ede, Osun State.

According to the President of the Club, Rotn. Muraina Taoreed Adekunle, the gesture was borne out of genuine concern of the club to ensure qualitative education in Ede and its environs, adding that befitting learning environment is a catalyst for academic excellence.

He stated that the government in the State is making frantic efforts to gurantee quality education for the young ones irrespective of social status in the face of meagre resources at its disposal.

Adekunle added that the project is just the phase one of the projects as the Club would still continue to renovate more classrooms for the benefit of the teeming students.

"You will agree with me that the Government is trying but the government can not do it alone. This is the phase one of the renovation as the club still hopes to continue with the renovation. There are still over 10 blocks of classrooms that still need to be renovated. Rotary club of Ede is willing to partner with individuals or groups to embark on the phase 2 of the renovation.

"The phase 1 of the Project is the renovation of a block of 2 classrooms which include
- Replacement of damage roof and ceiling
- replacement of damaged windows and doors
- ⁠provision of classroom chairs and tables.
- ⁠repainting of the block of classrooms
- ⁠provision of marker board.

"The project was commissioned on the 9th of September 2024 by 12pm by the District Governor in person of Kayode OLOWOLAGBA ESQ , (District 9126). In attendance are the Head Teacher of the school , representatives of Ede North Local Government, Rotarians across the district, PTA members and some important dignitaries", the President said.

Abisoye Osodi’s Diatribe and Character Assassination: Our Response


In the last three weeks, an intensely corrupt, irredeemably illiterate, morally crippled political scavenger, who goes by the assumed name Abisoye Osodi, has been launching acerbic attacks on the person, office, image, and personality of the Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, CON, on social media. Accusing the Governor of every crime under the sun, this character habitually throws up stupendous figures and makes bizarre claims, toying with the emotions of Nigerians and criminalizing the existence of the Ogun State Government with the intent to cause disharmony, create tension, chaos, and derail the climate of peace and tranquility that has pervaded the State since the People’s Governor took over on May 29, 2019.

The contents of his verbal diarrhea have been completely unsubstantiated. They are extremely incongruous and reveal not even the slightest shred of financial literacy, education, or finesse. Osodi, who claims to be an indigene of Lagos State, does not even bother to display a little bit of common sense. Purveying figures in billions and millions of dollars, this agent of destabilization and confusion lies shamelessly and with Luciferic consistency, which calls his sanity into serious question.

Without mincing words, Abisoye Osodi is a ready tool in the hands of desperate politicians, a professional blackmailer looking for patronage and money. National security reasons preclude us from naming the Politically Exposed Persons he has serially blackmailed over the years, and it is a fact that his dossier of crimes has long before now resulted in a manhunt for him by the security agencies. He is a Judas who readily makes allegations against politicians by day, then deviously tries to establish corrupt linkages with them at night. Governor Dapo Abiodun has nothing to hide, and no kobo of Ogun State money is ever going to drop into his accounts, which, by the way, are being closely monitored by the relevant agencies.

Taking advantage of the fact that he is outside the country and knowing that if he ever steps foot on Nigerian soil, he will be called in for questioning, the “Balogun of Lagos” has tried to derail second-term governors since 1999. It can be no wonder that he is desperately trying to pin a tag of corruption on Governor Abiodun. This character habitually brandishes pieces of paper, which could be anything from a collection of poems to sports betting printouts, flaunts them before the camera, and declares that they contain the “documentary evidence” of Governor Abiodun’s corrupt activities! What a senseless clown!

He and his sponsors previously used the state of federal roads in Ogun as illogical antics to blackmail and demonize the Abiodun administration, but realizing that the roads are now receiving attention after the Governor eventually succeeded in getting the Federal Government to grant approval to Ogun State to reconstruct them, they have resurrected the issue of the 2023 polls, which has already been decided by the Supreme Court. Osodi, in his criminal publications, casts aspersions on the integrity of the Supreme Court, suggesting that the court did not properly weigh the evidence before it. He claims to have superior evidence that his sponsors can now approach the Supreme Court with. Clearly, he cannot help giving himself out as the errand boy of certain election losers who, incidentally, are currently being prosecuted for vote buying and criminal conspiracy, among other charges.

Taking off his mask and directly addressing the PDP candidate’s father, Sir Kessington Adebutu, he says he has “enough evidence, both video and audio, that indicates that it was your son who won the last election, and he was robbed.” Mr. Osodi always has "enough evidence," but he never publishes it. The “evidence” apparently includes his pools and gambling papers. It is evident that the losers of the 2023 polls, who could not prove their endless but baseless allegations from the Election Petitions Tribunal to the Supreme Court, have now suborned this corrupt individual to push their case in the court of public opinion.

We hope that when he appears in court, charged with his monumental crimes, the “Balogun of Lagos” will substantiate his claim that Governor Dapo Abiodun bribed the electoral officer with $1 million and asked the Ogun Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) “to announce him winner before the counting of votes ended.” In his desperation to malign Governor Abiodun, this character assassin forgot the fact that RECs do not announce election results.

Obviously, this devious character is being used by certain politicians to push their negative agenda. We urge the public to disregard his tantrums. We dare him to publish the pictures of the cars and private jets that he accused Governor Abiodun of “keeping for Amosun.” This charlatan cannot even lie with some common sense! Abisoye Osodi’s plot to dress the Governor in borrowed robes is dead on arrival.

Hon. Kayode Akinmade
Special Adviser on Media and Strategy to the Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun.

*No trillions spent on projects –Ogun Govt faults mischief makers*


The attention of the Ogun State Government has been drawn to a misleading write-up titled "New twist in Ogun State re: #whereisourmoney?" making rounds on social media. The write-up contains fabricated narrative and malicious allegations of corruption against the Administration of Governor Dapo Abiodun in Ogun State.

The write-up, which is clearly the handiwork of some political adversaries of the Governor, claimed that the state Accountant General and five others were invited by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged diversion of Local Government Funds and that "the AG was given administrative bail to go produce more documents, vouchers on almost payments in Ogun State between 2019 to date, while others were detained."

The authors further falsely listed areas of interest for investigations to include: "payment of 50b to Craneburg Construction for Cargo Airport; rehabilitation of Abeokuta-Kobape-Siun-Sagamu Expressway at over 1trillion naira and the renovation of RIYE Roundabout at 30b; award of Ijebu Ode-Ijagun-Epe Road contract at over 800b to Craneburg; diversion of 50b palliative from Federal Government and the unaccounted and disappearance of 500b in Bureau of Lands."

We wish to state categorically that the allegations are entirely unfounded, mischievous and merely contrived to tarnish the good image of the Governor Dapo Abiodun Administration and officials of the Ogun State Government. To say the least, the allegations are not only a laughable hatchet job but also a figment of the imagination of the purveyors.

It is instructive to note that the disgruntled elements who are behind this mendacious propaganda had been architects of political disorder in Ogun State in times past. Some of them actively participated in ensuring that previous administrations were distracted and hindered from finishing the course of governance well. They are aggrieved and startled that even after a year into his second term, Governor Dapo Abiodun is still waxing stronger and remained focused on his job. In their desperation and plot of shenanigans, they probably think putting a toga of corruption around the Governor's neck would diminish his rising profile. They have failed woefully!

One does not require a soothsayer to see through the deception packaged as whistleblowing. There is no gainsaying the fact that the Dapo Abiodun-led Administration has been very diligent, transparent and accountable with the finances of Ogun State right from its inception. It, therefore, beats imagination for anyone to conclude that the present administration could expend humongous sums on projects whose contract awards strictly followed the extant rules and regulations.

The Ogun State Government under the able leadership of Governor Dapo Abiodun has prioritised people-oriented policies, programmes and projects within the limit of its revenues. The Governor continues to receive accolades from far and near and, understandably, his detractors are unhappy; hence the resort to distressing tactics to score cheap political points.

Most recently, the spin doctors lied that the Accountant-General of the state was invited by the anti-graft agency because of their spurious petition. Nothing could be further from the truth. The Ogun State Government promptly debunked their antics in the public space and set the records straight.

The questions that should agitate the minds of right-thinking Nigerians is: how much did Ogun State make in a year for the government to spend a whopping sum of N1trillion on just one road? Can the size of the state's annual budgets accommodate the ludicrous amounts claimed in the write-up? How would a highly responsible, responsive and welfarist administration such as Governor Dapo Abiodun's divert palliatives meant for the people?

From all indications, the claims made in the write-up under reference are just a product of hallucinations and infantile schemes. Those pulling the strings are irritant propagandists. They should know that propaganda can only work when truth fails. In this case, truth has not failed and will never fail.

The good people of Ogun State and the generality of Nigerians should disregard the write-up and its contents, as it is mere fabrication intended to impugn the integrity and reputation of the Governor and his Administration.


E-signed
*Hon. Kayode Akinmade*
*Special Adviser on Media and Strategy*

Peoples Gazette’s Garbage Against Governor Abiodun: Setting the Records Straight

Our attention has been drawn to a mischievous, misleading, and libelous report by the Peoples Gazette alleging that Governor Dapo Abiodun demanded N7.5 billion from the Nigerian Navy after "dubiously handing over 100 hectares of land to it."

The allegation is that after he made headlines by announcing that he had handed over 100 hectares of land to the Nigerian Navy to build a naval Forward Operating Base and dockyard to develop the backwater Abigi community, Governor Dapo Abiodun turned around and asked the Navy to pay for the land in question.

Nothing could be further from the truth. This jaundiced, baseless, and salacious report clearly bears the imprint of political adversaries intent on distracting the Governor from fulfilling his electoral pledges to the people of Ogun State, dazed by his studious refusal to budge.

The fact of the matter is that the Nigerian Navy contacted the State Government, saying that it needed to have a base in Ogun State and requested land to actualize that purpose. Upon receiving the request, the State Government set up a committee comprising government officials and naval officials, including those from the Bureau of Lands, to actualize the request. The request was for 150 hectares.

The Bureau of Lands was mandated to source a suitable parcel of land. Contrary to the request by the Navy, however, the Committee was able to allocate land covering only 100 hectares. The provisional survey indicating the geographical location of the land and the supposed cost of allocation, which is standard protocol, was prepared for the attention of the Governor.

After this, the Bureau of Lands wrote, stating the cost of the land, putting it at N7.5 billion. However, exercising his powers as Governor and with national security imperatives in mind, His Excellency directed that the land should be granted to the Navy ex gratia (free of charge), and thereafter, the proper survey plan was executed, and a Certificate of Occupancy on the land was signed by His Excellency. The same has since become a registered document at the Abeokuta Land Registry as we speak. It is open for verification by the whole world. We dare naysayers to prove us wrong.

Strangely, in its inciting, poorly sourced, and warped report, Peoples Gazette tried to robe Governor Dapo Abiodun in the garb of a villain who publicly donated land to the Navy, then privately demanded compensation for the same land.

This is, to put it mildly, a horrendous con job, a hit piece by political mercenaries masquerading as investigative journalism. It is fake news, pure and simple, and we urge the public to consign it to the garbage can where it rightly belongs.

HON. KAYODE AKINMADE
SPECIAL ADVISER ON MEDIA AND STRATEGY
OGUN STATE GOVERNOR

OOU Has Made Remarkable Strides In 42 Years - VC

The Vice Chancellor of Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye, Prof. Ayodeji Agboola said the 42-year-old institution has contributed to manpower development in every sector of the nation's economy since its establishment

He said the institution has grown from five faculties to 14 and from fewer than 300 students to 30,000.

In a chat with newsmen over the weekend about OOU's achievements, especially under his stewardship in the last two years, Prof. Agboola noted that the institution has experienced infrastructural uplift with the addition of courses while all the programs of the school have been fully digitalized to encourage online learning. He added that examinations are conducted and results are released on time, while salaries and pensions are being paid as and when due.

"When I came in, the first thing I did was to ensure that from inception to graduation, everything is alright. Initially, one major problem we had was that we didn't know the number of students we had, and this affected our planning.

"What we did was that right from the time we were doing post-UME, after getting all the data from JAMB, those we admitted were put on our portal. We linked the portal to the Results Processing Management System so that students have their profiles on the portal. With this, the students can see how much they are to pay. When they pay, we link the students with our management system.

"All HODs, through the efforts of the DVC Accounts, must have looked at the curriculum they will use for that year, and the students just go ahead and register for the courses. From there, when examinations are about to take place, we already know the number of students to assign to examination halls, which makes it easy to conduct examinations.

"In the past, we used five weeks to conduct exams, but now, within two weeks, we are through, and the students see their results immediately. It doesn't take time to consider the results at the Senate because the students have all seen their results," he said.

He noted that courses like Medical Laboratory Science, Nursing, Forensic Science, Taxation, Criminology, Library Science, Geophysics, Building Technology, Quantity Surveying, and Estate Management have been added to expand the scope of the school.

"We are working on introducing Food Science, Data Science, Information and Communication Technology, Software Engineering, and Cyber Security," he added.

The Vice Chancellor hinted that OOU is collaborating with the National Incubation and Innovation Centre, Abuja, for the entrepreneurship training of its students. Teams from the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, Jos, and from the Federal Ministry of Education were in the institution to finalize arrangements for affiliation for the take-off of the leadership training in the school through the Awujale Institute of Governance.

He appreciated the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, the alumni, and corporate individuals who have contributed to the infrastructural development of the institution, stating that this has made the school a force to be reckoned with among tertiary institutions in the country.

"In terms of infrastructural development, the alumni are doing extremely well. The ICBM building was facilitated by one of them. In fact, the foundation was laid a week after I got here. Again, I commissioned the Business School facilitated by one of the alumni members. Alhaji Saheed Fagbohun donated a 750-capacity lecture hall for us, and it has been completed. I also commissioned Dr. Asekun's Resource Centre. Chief Femi Okenla's Centre is ongoing now.

"One of the alumni also donated a 15 KVA solar system worth about N20m. Another alumni member has employed two staff for us. One is from the United Kingdom, while the other is from South Africa for our students' Bio-Sensor project. He is paying them in dollars and has also signed an agreement to employ our students when they graduate. At least 100 of our students are attending lectures every Friday," he said.

The Vice Chancellor said the institution is collaborating with some foreign universities, including Swansea University, for further training of its students to broaden their scope and make them competitive at the global level.

"We are determined to ensure that our students have what we call the three Es, which stand for Knowledge, Skills, and Value, realizing that a knowledgeable person should be able to further his/her education; if you are skillful, you will be employable, and also, being an employer of labor, you add value to society.

"This has led to a working relationship with Swansea University and the University of Lancaster to enable our students to further their education if they wish to. Students from Agriculture and Management Science can have part of their studies at Swansea University so that they can have a degree from OOU and a degree from Swansea University. We are at the level of matching up our curriculum so that the two can work together.

"For the University of Lancaster in the United Kingdom, we are working with them for Forensic Science so that our students can start here and there and earn two Degrees," the VC added.

Prof. Agboola emphasized that the welfare of students, lecturers, and staff has been paramount to his administration, with prompt payment of salary arrears, earned allowances, cooperative society deductions, and pension deductions.

"We have been able to satisfy our staff unions to some extent. When we came in, we contended with the issues of arrears from 2013 to 2024, contributory pension, check-off dues, and cooperative deductions. We have paid close to N350m for arrears and have paid check-off dues and cooperative deductions for three months out of the seven months, and we have scheduled how we are going to pay the rest.

"The ones we deducted since I got here, we have been paying. We are not owing; it is only the backlogs that we are trying to solve.

"In terms of pension, we are not owing since I came here. All the deductions we made are also being remitted. From January, as we are paying one, we are also adding to it as we now have a schedule to clear the backlogs," he explained.

He stated that the cordial relationship between the management, staff, and students has led to the stability of the academic calendar, allowing students to complete their programs on time.

While appreciating the Dapo Abiodun-led administration for supporting the institution, Prof. Agboola called for more support, as the management has put strategic plans in place to make the university one of the best not only in the country but also globally.

Agboola also disclosed that a Reviewing Committee to look into the conditions of service of non-academic staff of the institution has been established.

This follows agitation from the non-teaching staff for the adoption of a three-year interval for promotion to the next level.

He stated that the university, since its inception, has been working on the amendment of conditions of service, expressing hope that the recommendations of the Committee, made up of relevant stakeholders, would go a long way in resolving the matter.

He said: "We have taken steps because we know that when the staff are agitated, there are some things we need to do. We constituted a Reviewing Committee on conditions of service, and all the staff unions have representatives on the committee. They have already started asking for memoranda from members of the community, including the staff unions.

"Today, we have written to the Chairman of the Review Committee to speed up action so that we can conclude on time."

BEING A PRESS STATEMENT BY ADVOCACY FOR ADVANCEMENT OF PEACE & HARMONY IN AFRICA INITIATIVE (ADAPHAI) ON 2024 END BAD GOVERNANCE PROTESTATION IN NIGERIA
The Conceptualisation of Regionalism; an Impetus to True Federalism in Nigeria!
It has been a blame game euphoria from the very inception of the End Bad Governance protestation between government office holders and the citizenry. It now appears that we are all at an economic deadlock, where our ideas have become unconditionally locked against the operationalities of basic economic principles. The politicization entrenched in pushing a right course along an economic direction that fosters a shared prosperity is just explicitly far-fetched among the political elites across our shores. All local and global statistical and economic numerations, as measues of basic human developmental indices are obviously in the negation with respect to the real number line. An indication that Nigeria is suffering one of its worst decades of independence ever in terms of its human capital development and living standard.
Without a mere desire to a hold on time in pressing home our demands as a revolutionary advocacy group, we shall be x-raying sub-thematic areas of critical needs in salvaging our country from its present politico-economic predicament in subsequent subheadings.
A Retrospective Overview of Regional System of Government in Nigeria
Majority of Nigerians actually believe a regional system of government offers a solution to some of the problems confronting the country. This model of government tends to align with Nigerians’ yearning for restructuring and this is evident in a survey conducted amongst citizens. Even though the call for a return to regionalism is often politically motivated, many Nigerians believe it offers a solution to some of the problems the country is battling with.
A regional system of government is a form of government in which each region is allowed to control the resources in its territory and pay royalties to the central government. It is the reverse with the current system the country operates in which the economic power and control are concentrated in the hands of the Federal Government, which in turn shares revenues with state and local governments. The regional system of government concept is not alien to Nigeria, as in the 1950s the country operated this model comprising a central government and three regional governments in the Western, Eastern, and Northern regions. The Mid-Western region was then later carved out of the Western region in 1963.
This system was sustained until 1966, when Nigeria’s first military Head of State, General Johnson Aguiyi Ironsi promulgated the unification decree following the killing of national political figures by rebellious soldiers. The killing marked the first coup in Nigeria and the beginning of military interruptions in the country’s political system. In a bid to eliminate tribal loyalty and sectional interests encouraged by regionalism, Ironsi introduced a unitary system of government aimed at fostering unity and national cohesion.
Notwithstanding the tribalism entrenched in the model, each of the regions recorded significant developments in different areas as it encouraged healthy competition among the regions governed by the three major tribes: the Yorubas, Hausas, and Igbos. The development of these regions championed by their political leaders was largely predicated on an agrarian economy.
The Western region under the leadership of Chief Obafemi Jeremiah Awolowo had cocoa as its economic mainstay, while the development of the Northern region supervised by Sir Ahmadu Bello relied on groundnut, cotton, and other agricultural produce. The economy of the Eastern region under the leadership of Chief Michael Okpara was hinged on the production of oil palm and cassava while the Mid-western region had a rubber industry situated in Sapele, Delta State.
Most Nigerians who experienced regionalism as a system of government believe the country was better off under this arrangement, as all these regions were developing at their own pace with the resources available to them. They were contributing royalties to the central government. It is instructive to note that Nigeria practised a hybrid of a regional government and a parliamentary system of government between 1960 and 1963. This political setup had Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe as the president who played a ceremonial role and Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa as the prime minister, who acted as the head of government.
Unlike the presidential system which vests so much power in the hands of the president, the real power in the parliamentary system rests in the hands of the prime minister. In this political arrangement, members of the executive are also members of the parliament and it is the political party with the highest number of seats in the parliament that produces the prime minister and forms the cabinet.
Should Nigeria revert to a regional system of government as practised in the early 1960s, the current arrangement would collapse in order to accommodate a prime minister and premiers who would act as heads of government at the regional level. And since a parliamentary system allows both unicameral and bicameral legislative setup, the current National Assembly may be retained or modified to conform with the new model. Also, the system may provide proponents of a unilateral lawmaking body with more impetus to drive home their demand.
The scrapping of regionalism eventually gave birth to systems of government that saw development through the creation of states from the regions. Currently, Nigeria is delineated into six main regions namely, South West, South East, South South, North West, North East, and North Central. Each of the regions has six states except North West and South East which have seven and five states, respectively.
Reverting to a regional system of government implies that the current regions will take over the control of the resources in their states while the Federal Government receives royalties from them. It will also imply that the central government will not interfere in the affairs of regional governments. Essentially, a return to regionalism will address five fundamental issues on which the clamour for restructuring is often predicated – resource control, security of lives and property, energy, constitutional review, and food security.
Resource Control: If adopted, regionalism is expected to reconfigure Nigeria in ensuring that the South South region, for example, has power and control over its oil and gas resources. The same applies to other regions with their mineral resources’ deposits, land and water resources.
Security of Lives and Property: As things stand, the Federal Government has an exclusive power over all security forces. This arrangement makes things difficult for governors to control troops in fighting militants, bandits, kidnappers, terrorists, and cultists in their various states. However, a readoption of regionalism is expected to allow each region tackle insecurity as they deem it fit without necessarily requesting the support of the central government. This means the regions are free to establish regional security outfits. On the contrary, it does not mean that the conventional security system will be jettisoned. It will still be under the control of the Federal Government to protect the sovereignty of the country while regional security outfits co-exist with it.
Energy: This is one of the banes of Nigeria under the exclusive control of the Federal Government. Even though the constitution allows both federal and state governments to legislate on energy, it did not grant state governments the power to generate, transmit, and distribute energy until June 2023, when President Tinubu signed the electricity bill, repealing the Electricity and Power Sector Reform Act of 2005.
Constitutional Review: The 1999 Constitution which was a military design would have to be thrown out, paving a way for the readoption of Richard’s Constitution of 1946 which introduced Regionalism in Nigeria. Each Region (Northern, Eastern, and Western) had a Regional House of Assembly merely for discussion but not empowered to manage their own affairs. The Richard Constitution was introduced in 1946 during the British colonial rule of Nigeria.
Food Security: The Federal Government’s overbearing influence on Agriculture makes it difficult to feel the impacts of state governments in the sector. Under the regional system of government, it is expected that a healthy competition commences in the production of livestock and food and cash crops to guarantee food security. Commodities’ Boards re-awakening will also help in exporting excess agricultural produce just for the country to increase its foreign reserves, consequently aiding the value of the local currency.
The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)
The African Continental Free Trade Area is a free trade area encompassing most of Africa, under which Nigeria is a signatory. It was established in 2018 by the African Continental Free Trade Agreement, which has 43 parties and another 11 signatories, making it the largest free-trade area by a number of member states, after the World Trade Organization, and the largest in population and geographic size, spanning 1.3 billion people across the world’s second-largest continent. The Agreement establishes a single market for goods and services across 54 countries, it allows for the free movement of business travelers and investments, and creates a unified customs union to streamline trade on the continent (The World Bank Trade Publication, 2024).
According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), Intra-African exports were 16.6% of total exports in 2017, compared with 68.1% in Europe, 59.4% in Asia, 55% in America, and 7% in Oceania. Intra-African trade, defined as the average of intra-African exports and imports, was around 2% during the period 2015–2017.
Trade across the African continent has long been limited as governments have often erected trade barriers to defend their markets from regional competition, making it more expensive for countries to trade with near neighbours than countries much further afield. This also affected the amount of trade within Africa as seen in the statistics above, bringing about the need for AfCFTA. The aim is to enable the free flow of goods and services across the continent and boost the trading position of Africa in the global market (The World Bank Trade Publication, 2024).
The AfCFTA promises broader and deeper economic integration and would attract investment, boost trade, provide better jobs, reduce poverty, and increase shared prosperity in Africa. Africa could see foreign direct investment (FDI) increase by between 111 percent and 159 percent under the AfCFTA. Inflows of FDI attracted by the AfCFTA would bring jobs and expertise, build local capacity, and forge connections that can help African companies join regional and global value chains.
The AfCFTA can bring higher-paid, better-quality jobs, with females seeing the biggest wage gains. Wages would rise by 11.2 percent for women and 9.8 percent for men by 2035, albeit with regional variations depending on the industries that expand the most in specific countries. If AfCFTA’s goals are fully realised, 50 million people could escape extreme poverty by 2035, and real income could rise by 9 percent. Under deep integration, Africa’s exports to the rest of the world would go up by 32 percent by 2035, and intra-African exports would grow by 109 percent, led by manufactured goods.
The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), aims to liberalise not just trade in goods, but also in services, and to facilitate intra-Africa investment. It will also create the necessary frameworks and capacity to enable and facilitate intra-Africa trade in services by addressing the challenges that inhibit such trade. The AfCFTA is also anticipated to be a “game-changer” in enhancing intra-Africa trade (The World Bank Trade Publication, 2024).
AfCFTA has a positive impact on cross-border payments such that, since 15% of trade is carried out within African countries, AfCFTA will increase the number of trades within African countries, thereby also increasing the need for cross-border payments.
In Conclusion
The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu should as a matter of both national interest and imperative, urgently initiate an objective Sovereign National Conference, followed with a National Referendum in order to renegotiate our co-existence as Nigerians. Hence, regionalism should be a front runner with regard to a true federal political debate that, at one time had inherently advanced the course of humanity in the early 1960s. Also, the seeming economic blue print of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), should immediately follow suit in the economic discourse with the assurance of a shared prosperity amongst our people.

E-signed

Comrade Sulaimon Suberu
National Coordinator (ADAPHAI)

Governor Dapo Abiodun never called Nigerians, protesters sore losers--Ogun govt




Ogun State Government, on Saturday, described as a total fabrication, the claim that Governor Dapo Abiodun called Nigerians sore losers over the ongoing #EndBadGovernance protest.




Rather, it said, the governor was talking about certain losers of the 2023 elections who were cashing in on the dissent of Nigerian youth to destabilise the country, adding that the chaos that greeted the protest in several parts of the country had vindicated his position.



It said that nowhere in the referenced interview with Channels TV did the Governor suggest, even remotely, that ordinary Nigerians ventilating their grievances over the economic situation in the country are sore losers, adding that the Governor is well known for his deep appreciation of Nigerian youth, student and workers whom he has always held in the highest esteem and spoken about in glowing terms.




This was made known by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Hon. Kayode Akinmade, in a statement made available to newsmen in Abeokuta on Saturday.




The statement added that only on Friday, the Governor lauded Ogun residents, particularly the youth, for shunning violent protest and conducting themselves in an exemplary manner, assuring that his administration remained committed to their happiness.





It said that the Governor was not only wilfully and maliciously taken out of context in his characterization of certain political opponents of President Bola Tinubu using the ongoing hunger protest to feather their own nests, but is now also being persecuted by the same individuals through sponsored attacks on his person and office.




The statement added: “The claim that Governor Abiodun insulted ordinary Nigerians is spurious, malicious and lacks any rational basis. Elementary rules of language indicates that the meaning of an expression resides in its context: Governor Abiodun could not have been referring to ordinary Nigerians as the sponsors of a faceless and leaderless protest.




“While Governor Abiodun did indeed mention sore losers, he was clearly emphasizing irredentist opposition leaders who do not wish the administration well, urging them to prepare for the 2027 polls instead of mindlessly discrediting every government policy just to excite passions and incite people against the government.



“To stretch his use of the word “Nigerians” beyond its intended referents in this context is, therefore, to engage in intellectual fraud and plain mischief.



“Governor Abiodun has utmost respect for the protesters and he has made that clear on many occasions.”

Abiodun Mourns Senator Ubah, Says Death Is Great Loss

The Chairman of the Southern Governors' Forum (SGF) and Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has described the death of Senator Ifeanyi Ubah as shocking and a great loss to the country.

Governor Abiodun, in a condolence message to the people and government of Anambra State on the demise of the lawmaker, coming just few hours after that of the President-General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu has left a great void that will be difficult to fill.

The Senator, representing Anambra South Senatorial District, reportedly died in London on Saturday.

The SGF Chairman described Senator Ubah as a self-made man, a politician, business mogul, and philanthropist, who contributed his own quota to the development of the nation.

He said the deceased as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Capital Oil was a major player in the oil industry while also contributing to the upliftment of the needy through his Ifeanyi Ubah Foundation.

He said: Today, we mourn the loss a visionary leader and a true advocate for the people of Anambra State and Nigeria.

"Senator Ifeanyi Ubah's sudden demise has left a void that will be difficult to fill. His untimely departure is not only a loss for his family and loved ones but also for the entire state and the nation as a whole. We recognize and appreciate the significant contributions he made during his tenure as a senator and his commitment to the betterment of Anambra State.

"Throughout his career, Senator Ifeanyi Ubah demonstrated exceptional leadership skills and an unwavering passion for serving the people.

"Beyond his political achievements, Senator Ifeanyi Ubah will be remembered for his compassion, humility, and genuine concern for the well-being of others.

"We stand in solidarity with the Government and People of Anambra State during this difficult period."

Protest: Ogun workers dissociate self, call for dialogue, peaceful resolution

Ogun State workers, under the auspices of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress of Nigeria(TUC) and the Joint Negotiation Committee(JNC) has dissociated self from the planned protest over alleged unremitted pension fund in Ogun State.

The unions , which were represented by Comrade (Amb) Hameed Benco Ademola, the Chairman of NLC, Comrade Akeem Lasisi, TUC Chairman and Isa Olude, the Chairman of JNC, averred that the threats through a news broadcast on the proposed industrial action on 1st August by the Campaign for Democratic and Workers Rights (CDWR) is not only condemnable but highly uncalled for in all ramifications.

The Unions said it has never at any point in time engaged any groups or individuals to agitate over any issue whatsoever on behalf of the groups, saying the organised Labour in Ogun State is not in anyway privy to the said broadcast by CDWR.

According to the groups, there had been robust engagements over time with the Ogun State government, which had resulted to positive outcomes on the part of the government, adding that nothing could have warranted any threat of industrial action by the unions in Ogun State.

The statement reads in part: Our attention has been drawn to a said news broadcast on N40B unremitted pension fund by the Campaign for Democratic and Workers, Rights (CDWR) which is condemnable and uncalled for by the Organized Labour of Ogun State.

"The Organized Labour of Ogun State had never engaged any person or groups of people to broadcast the said news on behalf of Ogun State Workforce.

"Organized Labour of Ogun State wish to State categorically that, the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Trade Union Congress and Joint Negotiating Council in Ogun State is not directly or remotely involved in the broadcasted News.

"Organized Labour of Ogun State have been engaging the government through our usual channels of communication and the results are positive and therefore, have no reason to issue any threat to the Government on the above subject.

"Organized Labour of Ogun State believe threats/industrial action becomes necessary only when discussions and negotiations fail to achieve our aim.

"The Organized Labour of Gateway State equally disassociate from the lingering 1 of August Protest by groups yet unknown but call on different hierarchies of the Government to involve these groups to dialogue in averting the protest

"Organized Labour of Ogun State will continue to use all peaceful avenues and means to engage and negotiate with the Government and if need be, inform the public directly and not by proxy before resort to any action.

"The Government of Ogun State headed by His Excellency Prince Dapo Abiodun CON is a workers friendly administration and is always ready to engage social partners whenever the need arises".

Shooting in Pennsylvania : America has no moral standing to dictate democratic value in Africa-ADAPHAI
A leading Civil Society Organization in Nigeria, Advocacy for Advancement of Peace &Harmony in Africa Initiative (ADAPHAI) has berated the recent violence in the American political environment, where the former President, Donald Trump and several others were shot during campaign rally in Pennsylvania.

ADAPHAI, in a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Sulaimon Suberu, and made available to newsmen in Abuja, described America as pretentious nation without any guiding ideology, adding that the country has no moral fiber to dictate democratic value and ethos in Africa.

It said the unfortunate event in Pennsylvania, with casualty and where many people were fatally wounded exposed the political atmosphere in America as being fragile and vulnerable to political violence and manipulation.

According to the group, the neocolonial agenda of the West, in which America is spearheading in all the developing countries of the world, especially Africa is totally antithetical to the principles of free will and liberty, but a surreptitious antics of exploitation and oppression.

ADAPHAI, therefore, called on African leaders to work towards building a home-grown political ideology in tandem with the peculiar sociopolitical realities of the continent to guarantee speedy development in all fronts.

The statement reads in part:" How can anyone explain the degree of violence and gangsterism that have characterized the presidential election in America, despite the country's claim of advancement in democratic governance and civil administration.

"It is obvious that the country in truth and indeed accommodates a large percentage of desperate politicians who do not believe in the rule of law nor the spirit sportsmanship but the crude mentality of political chicanery and manipulation.

"It is now crystal clear that a country like America and its likes in the West have no moral standing to dictate democratic governance to the people of Africa and any other developing democracies for that matter.

"An assassination attempt on the life of the former President, who is also a contender in the election is the height of gangsterism in politics and violent ideology of sort, it is unbecoming of a country that prides itself as leading democratic nation".

Abiodun Sets Two Weeks Deadline for Completion of Denro/Ishashi/Akute Road


...says work to begin on Alagbole-Ajuwon, Akute-Ajuwon Roads, others soon-Abiodun


The Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, on Monday, gave a matching order to the contractor handling the construction of Denro-Ishashi-Akute road to ensure the completion of the project within two weeks.

The governor also disclosed that work would begin on the Alagbole-Ajuwon and Akute-Ajuwon road in Ifo Local Government Area of the state soon.

Other roads, whose contracts are to be awarded soon include Hercules Giwa (Oke Aro Rd), some section of Akute- Ijoko road, and the road leading to Yakoyo.

The governor, who made this known during an on-the-spot assessment of roads in the local government, assured residents that his administration would also construct a brand new Primary Health Care Centre for them.

Prince Abiodun said the construction of the Denro-Ishashi-Akute Road started almost three years ago, adding that the contractor must mobilise to site immediately and ensure the completion of the project in two weeks.

He recalled his promise to ensure equitable provision of infrastructures across the state, adding that this is being followed religiously.

He said his administration has ensured that road construction is evenly spread across the 20 local governments in the state.

"My pledge is that I have come here today to see things for myself. There are two roads that are considerably important to our people.

"First of all, the Denro-Ishashi-Akute road, I have given the contractor a matching order that the road must be completed in the next two weeks, asphalt and the bridge.

"I want to assure you all that it is your time now. It is your right. You voted for us. I am a promise keeping governor. I will not make empty promises.

"Now, within the next two weeks, maximum three weeks, active construction will start on Alagbole-Ajuwon and Akute-Ajuwon roads.

"Today, here, we've reconstructed Olusegun Osoba-Toyin Street, Denro-Ishashi-Akute is under construction. We have so many other roads we've constructed here. But because there is so much deficit in the infrastructural development in this area, at times, it appears as if we are not reconstructing them as fast as they want us to.

"The Primary Health Care Centre here, I will reconstruct it. I have told Hon. Fola Salami and the Commissioner (health) to look for a land for me here because I will build a new one for you. I want to build a brand new Primary Health Care Centre that is befitting for Ajuwon-Alagbole-Akute," he said.

Governor Abiodun, while noting that his administration owes everyone equitable infrastructure development, added that the deficit that he met on the assumption of office made him wonder what the previous administrations were doing.

Noting that although the past administration had very good intentions for the people of the state, Governor Abiodun, however, bemoaned why projects were abandoned after structures had been demolished and single carriageways were turned into dual carriageways,

He said: "When I assumed office on the 29th of May, 2019, the deficit that we met on assumption of office was such that we began to wonder what the previous administration was doing.

"In some instances, they appear to have good intentions, they go to the roads, they demolished houses, roads that should not be more than a single carriageway, they turned them to dual carriageway By so doing, they removed all the asphalt that was there serving the people and abandoned these roads.

"We inherited quite a lot of these roads. Some of those roads are federal roads, and you know our people cannot differentiate between federal and state. They will geo-locate their pains where and when they are feeling it."

He stated further that his administration had to draw up a priority list taking into consideration vehicular traffic and economic impact of some of the roads it had embarked upon till date, adding that his administration would continue to put the people first.

"Let me give you an example of the road that goes from Agbara-Atan-Lusada road. When I assumed office, trailers carrying containers were falling off on that road. That is the road that leads to the biggest industrial estate not just in Nigeria but one of the biggest in Africa.

"It is a road that counts for hundreds of thousands of employees and employers. So, it is important for us in Ogun State. I had to prioritize it, and it is a federal road.

"So, we have to draw up a priority list and the priority list amongst others factored in the vehicular traffic, the economic impact.

"Ijebu-Ode-Epe road is a road that evacuates people from the Lekki corridor to the Eastern flank of Nigeria. That road was non-existent. I had to prioritize that road. Sagamu-Abeokuta Road, the road leading to the state capital, was not good. People were dying. I had to prioritize that road, another federal road, and so many other roads.

"Today we can brag and say not only have we constructed 600 kilometers of highway or roads, both inter-state, intra-state, inner-city roads, but, I beat my chest that there is no local government in Ogun State today that does not have at least one or two roads that we have reconstructed in the last five years and that is in line with been equitable and fair," he said.

Abiodun called on those who derive pleasure in only reporting negative stories to, as a matter of fact, also learn to report about the over 600 kilometres of road constructed by his administration.

Dapo Abiodun and burden of inherited infrastructural deficit in Ogun

By Seye Abodunrin

One of the greatest challenges facing Nigeria since independence is shortage of infrastructural development, especially the issue of deplorable road network. Many of those roads and bridges that were built by the colonial administration and military regime are still in use in some communities around Nigeria.

Expectedly, those roads had seriously deteriorated and became death traps around the country even with several palliatives carried out on them by successive civilian administrations; they remain impassable and terrible, making road users to go through hell on daily basis.

Unfortunately, the military junta did not do much to develop road infrastructure in Nigeria, mostly in the subnationals, where military administrators ruled with utmost impunity and enmeshed in large scale corruption and maladministration.

Ogun State is one of those States that have suffered such infrastructural menace since its creation in 1976, as successive military administration's in the State were very indifferent to road construction and rehabilitation. Meanwhile, considering the proximity of the State to Lagos State, the commercial capital of Nigeria, Ogun became the safe heaven for millions of people who work in Lagos; as majority of them could not afford the outrageous rent in Lagos.

As a result of this, there was influx of hitherto Lagos residents into Ogun, as they settled at the border areas without government's approval and against extant buidling regulation and laws, thereby overstretching available infrastructural facilities in those areas.

Regrettably, successive administrations in the State for almost two decades, between 1999 and 2019 did not pay any tangible attention to road construction and rehabilitation in any part of the State, not to talk of border communities.The outright neglet of these areas for good 20 years worsened the conditions of the areas beyond imagination

While Aremo Olusegun Osoba's administration that lasted for just a term of four years could put up an alibi of insuffient time to make provision for those areas in its infrastructural development plan, Gbenga Daniel and Ibikunle Amosun completely negleted those areas with high level of insensitivity for 16 years altogether.

In the case of Daniel, the act of deception that characterised his administration did not create room for any consideration for the border communities, he was notorious of empty promises without action.

Amosun on his part held the State at its jugular and remained strictly sectional and lopsided in his development plan. He concentrated majority of his projects in his senatorial district of Ogun Central, coupled with many unnecessary construction he embarkedupon, like those bridges he constructed with billions of naira without necessity.

At the inception of Dapo Abiodun-led administration in 2019, one of those areas he identified as top priority is road infrastructure as he embarked on massive road construction and rehabilitation across the State, unlike his predecessors. Amidst limited resources, Abiodun rationalised the available resources to solve the enormous road infrastructural deficit confronting the State and consistently moved to address it holistically.

To the chagrin of many, Governor Dapo Abiodun has built over 600km of roads across the three senatorial districts, making it far beyond all what his predecessors had built altogether, including many around the corridor of the border communities.

However, because the inherited deficit is much, which according to stakeholders in the Built Sector would gulp up hundres of billions of naira to get it fixed completely, the only option left is to be patient.

Also, of particular interest is the frantic efforts made by the Governor to take over some Federal roads of profound necessity and urgency and the level of disappointment he had suffered in the course of soliciting for Federal Government's nod.

Obviously, Governor Dapo Abiodun has really tried to improve road infrastructure in the Gateway State even in the face of multifaceted constraints; he needs to be appreciated and supported.

That is why I was so sad when I first read the trending story on X and the resultant negative comments it gathered. While there is nothing wrong in demanding for good governance, however, the popular dictum says:" whoever wants equity must come with clean hand".

It is incontrovertible correct to say that many of those criticising the Governor neither live in the State nor working there. As a matter of fact, majority of them don't even have any knowledge about the history of the State but because they have access to data, they became emergency activists.

I don't envy Governor Dapo Abiodun at all, because, despite his impressive and massive investments in road construction, our people, especially the youths looked the other way without recourse to conscience.

Lastly, I want to say categorically clear that Governor Dapo Abiodun is now taking bullets for the insensitivity and ineptitude of his predecessors, but because the Governor is a perfect gentle man with necessasy political maturity and tolerance, he has come out to promise residents of the State more construction and rehabilitation across the State.

Kudos Your Excellency for this exemplary trait of stewardship and humility, despite carrying the burden of inherited infrastructural deficit.

Seye Abodunrin writes from Ijoko.

SGF Chairman, Abiodun Commiserates With Abia State Over Killings

The Chairman of Southern Governors' Forum (SGF) and Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has expressed his heartfelt condolences to the Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti, and the people of the State, over the killing of two police operatives in Umuhaia, the State capital on Friday.

Governor Abiodun, in a condolence message he personally signed on Monday said those who perpetrated the heinous act were enemies of the State and Nigeria at large, who would be caught and made to face the full wrath of the law.

He enjoined the people of the State to join hands with Governor Otti to tackle the menace of insecurity in the State by being vigilant and promptly providing credible information in their communities on activities of criminal elements.

Abiodun also called on the Police and other sister security agencies to swiftly fish out the assailants, in order to give residents of the State the assurance of safety of their lives and property.

He further reiterated the call for State Police by the Southern Governors Forum, adding that its introduction will help in resolving local crimes in various States of the Federation.

"I sincerely commiserate with the government and the people of Abia State over the killing of security operatives in the State. Indeed, the issue of security is too important to be left in the hands of security agents alone.

"I urge the people of the State to continue to work in collaboration with security agencies by providing credible information that will help to nip criminal activities in the bud.

"Obviously, every crime has a local outlook. It is on that note that I call on the Federal Government once again to look into the issue of State Policing as a way of strengthening our security architecture in the area of local intelligence gathering at the community level," Abiodun said

Viral Video of Sen. Lere Oyewunmi On 2023 Election Was Blown Out Of Proportion By Disgruntled Elements In Opposition

Our attention has been drawn to a viral video of Sen.Lere Oyewunmi, the lawmaker representing Osun West Senatorial District in the upper chamber of the National Assemby, who also doubles as the Deputy Minority Leader at the Red Chamber, where he was addressing some of his followers at his hometown in Ikire, in Irewole Local Government Area of the State.

In the viral video, which some political jobbers in the opposition in Osun State, in cahoots with some section of media had twisted to suit their parochial tendencies; Senator Oyewunmi was simply narrating the gang up against his ambition in a particular voting area around the town, and alluded to the fact that all his efforts to convince the people of the area to support him was futile.

His notion of 'Mobilization' during the polls, which he expressed in Yoruba was mischievously translated by the media as Vote-buying, purposely to paint the lawmaker black in the eyes of the public.

We want to explicitly put it on record that what Senator Lere Oyewunmi meant connotatively was 'Funds for Mobilization ' and never mentioned anything close to buying of vote.

Without mincing words, Senator Lere Oyewunmi is a revered personality with impeccable pedigree, a consumate politician with high level of intellect, it would be therefore, illogical for a sagacious politician of that standing to involve in such infraction and still come out in public to say it; such thinking by anyone defies logic.

It is obvious that the lawmaker was addressing a gathering of locals with little or no formal education to understand the tenets of "Funds for Mobilization " hence, the option of that pattern of expression in Yoruba Language.

We, thereby, warn redundant politicians in the State and their co-travellers in the media to desist from such cheap propaganda, as Senator Lere Oyewunmi by ideology and orientation will never act in variance with rule of law and democratic ethos.

E-signed

Adeolu Ajayi

Media Consultant to Distinguished Senator Lere Oyewunmi.

SOUTHERN GOVERNORS’ FORUM
COMMUNIQUÉ ISSUED AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE MEETING OF THE GOVERNORS OF SOUTHERN NIGERIA AT THE OGUN STATE PRESIDENTIAL LODGE, G.R.A, IBARA, ABEOKUTA, OGUN STATE ON MONDAY, 24TH JUNE 2024

At the end of the Southern Governors Forum meeting held on Monday, 24th June 2024, the following resolutions were made by the Governors:
The Forum paid respects to the immediate past Chairman, late Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN, and extended their courtesies to his family while appreciating the past Chairman for the solid foundation he laid by putting the forum in good stead.

1.The forum thanked all member Governors for their support and commitment to the "Asaba declaration" which was a resolve to ensure that Southern Nigeria produced the Presidential Candidate. The forum also thanked their counterparts in the North under the auspices of the Northern Governors’ Forum for their unwavering support for the resolution.
2. The Forum commended the laudable economic recovery reforms and policies of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR and the implementation of the Renewed Hope Agenda (RHA). The Forum unanimously reaffirmed their support for him in his unwavering resolve to reposition the country and build a great future for all of us.
3. The Southern Governors applauded the President for conceptualizing and commencing the construction of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road project, which cuts across eight states. The forum noted that this laudable project will create employment in the construction industry ecosystem, boost productivity by drastically reducing travel time, promote tourism, and open up and integrate all the Southern States to more investment opportunities.
4. The Southern Governors advocated that the Federal government should rehabilitate, repair, and reconstruct Trunk A roads and transfer roads to states that have expressed interest in taking them over.
5. The Forum will commission a regional multimodal transport master plan that prioritizes connectivity by rail, road, air, and water to enhance regional connectivity and facilitate the interstate and intra-region ease of doing business.
6. Being the economic and industrial hub of the country, the Forum highlighted the need to address the inadequate power supply in the region. To achieve 90,000 MW of electricity to adequately serve the estimated 90 million people in the Southern Region (using the rule of thumb of 1,000 MW per 1 million population), member states were encouraged to take advantage of the recent constitutional amendment that now allows states to regulate, generate, transmit and distribute electricity whilst also considering renewable sources of energy. The forum also noted the pressing need for an alternative power infrastructure grid to reduce the impact of grid collapse in the region.
7. The Forum recognized the necessity of total PMS (petrol) deregulation and pledged support to the Energy Transition program of Mr. President. The Forum urged member states to implement a quick transition to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Electric Vehicles (EVs) as a condition precedent to full deregulation to cushion effects on citizens.
8. Members of the Forum commended Mr. President on the different food palliative support to the states by way of rice and grains. Governors were also commended for complementing Mr. President in their various states through several initiatives ranging from food palliatives to transport allowances. The forum resolved to be more aggressive and intentional about food security. All states were enjoined to intensify their agricultural resurgence/revolution initiatives based on the cash and food crops best suited for each region to achieve food sufficiency, self-reliance, and employment generation. States are encouraged to set up special agro-processing zones to extract the most value from the agro-value chain.
9. The Forum discussed the minimum wage issues demanded by labour and unanimously agreed that the minimum wage should be reflective of the cost of living and that each state should be allowed to negotiate its minimum wage. This led to the forum’s discussion on fiscal federalism and devolution of powers.
10. Southern Governors resolved to continue to advocate for the creation of state police against the success of community-based regional security outfits that have significantly helped intelligence gathering. It is believed that this will enable Governors to be Chief Security Officers indeed.
11. The Forum, still on fiscal federalism, discussed the issue of solid mineral exploration and exploitation which today remains on the exclusive list in the constitution. Member Governors expressed concern over current practices where minerals licenses are issued, and exploitations are undertaken without recourse to state governments. These continue to be carried out often attracting criminal activities and attendant negative environmental impact, ecological degradation with no remediation commitments, and no revenue accruing to both States and the Federal Government.
12. The Forum expressed concern over the controversy of the tenure of Local Government Chairmen in Rivers State and took a common stand in support of the position of the law and constitution.
13. The Forum members resolved to remain united and very committed to oneness of purpose noting that the physical boundaries that divide us do not compare to the strong bonds of enterprise, resilience, and culture that we share and unites us. Member States resolved to be deliberate about intra-region trade, partnerships, and investment facilitation and promotion which was agreed will require a structured and coordinated collaborative approach.
14. The Southern States Development Agenda (SSDA) will be set up and will comprise a team whose primary responsibility is to outline a holistic plan to foster trade and investment, sustainable growth and development, economic prosperity, social harmony, and food security for the region. They will work hand in glove with individual states' Investment Promotion and Facilitation Agencies, the Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), and other multilateral agencies.
15. The Forum unanimously chose His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun CON, to provide the needed leadership and appointed His Excellency, Professor Charles Soludo CFR as Vice Chairman.
16. Members expressed their support for the newly appointed Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Forum.
17. The Forum concluded that its meetings should be held quarterly and rotated among member states.

…………………………………………….
H.E. Prince Dapo Abiodun CON
Governor, Ogun State
Chairman, Southern Governors’ Forum






………………………………………..
H.E. Prof Charles C. Soludo CFR
Governor, Anambra State
Vice- Chariman, Southern Governors’ Forum
………………………………………..
H.E .Engr. Seyi Makinde
Governor, Oyo State

………………………………………..
H.E. Babajide Olusola Sanwoolu
Governor, Lagos State
………………………………………..
H.E. Mr Godwin Obaseki
Governor, Edo State

………………………………………..
H.E Sen Hope Uzodinma
Governor, Imo State
………………………………………..
H.E. Abiodun Oyebanji
Governor, Ekiti State

………………………………………..
HE Duoye Diri
Governor, Bayelsa State
………………………………………..
H.E. Ademola Adeleke
Governor, Osun State

………………………………………..
H.E. Pastor Umo Eno
Governor, Akwa lbom State
………………………………………..
H.E. Sir Siminalayi Fubara GSSRS
Governor, Rivers State

………………………………………..
H.E. Bassey Edet Otu
Governor, Cross Rivers State
………………………………………..
H.E. Rt. Hon. Francis O. Nwifuru
Governor, Ebonyi State

………………………………………..
H.E. Lucky Orimisan Ayedatiwa
Governor, Ondo State
………………………………………..
H.E. Dr Peter Ndubuisi Mbah
Governor, Enugu State

………………………………………..
H.E. Rt. Hon. (Elder) Sheriff Oborevwori
Governor, Delta State
………………………………………..
H.E. Lucky Orimisan Ayedatiwa
Governor, Ondo State

………………………………………..
HE Dr Alex Otti OFR
Governor, Abia State

President Tinubu's travelling in chartered aircraft, a national embarrassment-Aviation expert

An aviation expert, Dr Godwin Emmanuel, has expressed grave concerns over recent developments that caused President Bola Tinubu to travel abroad on chartered flights.

Emmanuel, who said that the public shame that befell Nigeria, Africa's most populous country, as its president flew abroad for engagements in chartered flights was unquantifiable, urged the Presidency to prepare a supplementary budget providing new aircraft for the president and Vice President Kashim Shettima, and pass it to the National Assembly for legislative approval without delay.

Speaking in Lagos on Thursday, Emmanuel said President Tinubu's trip on chartered flights had reduced his personality, image, and security, as Nigerians could not guarantee the safety of the hired aircraft.

He said: "Nigeria must not toy with the safety of the president.

"It is on record that most of the planes in the Presidential Air Fleet are already old, and some of them are in deplorable condition.

"The 23-year-old Gulfstream GV is said to be due for major engine overhaul, while Falcon 7x, which is 13 years old, is undergoing C check, as two of the three engines are in engine shop for an overhaul.

"Nigerians must also note that the 19-year-old B 737 is also undergoing major maintenance.

"It is a national shame and disgrace that the Presidency has no functional aircraft.

"It's on record that the president can not use the aircraft in the fleet for his regular foreign trips to woo investors, build goodwill, and communicate with the external world in Nigeria's interest.

"Of late, the vice president, who was going to United States of America, had to shelve the trip because his plane developed technical faults.

"The President's wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, suffered a similar fate. This is a terrible development.

"God forbid that bad thing should happen to the president, vice president, or their spouses.

"The president and vice president represent the image, integrity, and symbol of the Nigerian government, and we should save ourselves from this shame by ensuring that they have functional aircraft."

Emmanuel, who added that no one should toy with the safety and security of the president as it would de-robe and detract from Nigeria's standing in the comity of nations, said that the president should be able to travel when the need arises, in order to build bridges and guarantee Nigeria's development and well-being.

Idanre community to honour Akinyelure, Akin Deko, Akintan, others

In recognition of their great contributions to the development of the ancient kingdom of Idanre, Ondo State, the Idanre Development Assembly (IDA) has penciled down prominent sons and daughters of the town for a grand reception and award ceremony.

Among those to be honoured at the awards scheduled to be held in the ancient town on Saturday, July 6, are the Chairman, Board of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd, Chief Pius Akinyelure; a post humorous award to former Minister of Agriculture and former LISA of Idanre Kingdom, Late Chief Gabriel Akin Deko; a former Executive Director of Wema Bank, late Prince Afolabi Ayinuola; a retired justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, Hon.Justice Samuel Akinola Akintan, as well as Chief Mrs Omolara Iwayemi Ogomudia, the wife of former Chief of Defence Staff, General Alexander Ogomudia.

The awards will be presided over by the Owa and Paramount Ruler of Idanre Kingdom, Oba (Dr) Fredrick Adegunle Aroloye, JP CFR and will have the governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, as one of the special guests.

This was made known in a statement issued by the President-General, IDA, Dr Anthony A.Omolola, and made available to newsmen in Lagos on Friday.

Referencing the profiles of the honorees, the statement described Akinyelure as a distinguished technocrat with a proven track record in the Oil and Gas sector, a seasoned administrator, businessman, foremost industrialist, philanthropist and astute politician.


It noted that following a stellar 35-year career, including two as a consultant with Exxon Mobil Oil, Chief Pius Akinyelure retired from Exxon Mobil on June 1, 1997, having held board level positions of several companies and financial institutions in the past, including NNPCL, Wema Bank Plc., Credite Bank Ltd., Odu’a Investment Limited, Oluwa Glass PLC., Okitipupa Oil Palm PLC., Odu’a Telecommunications Limited, Cocoa Industries Nig. Ltd, Hallmark Bank and West African Portland Cement Plc, among others.

It added that the eminent jurist, Akintan, an alumnus of the Holborn College of Law and Lincoln’s Inn London, began his career in the Federal Ministry of Justice on July 20, 1964 as a pupil counsel and rose through the ranks to serve on the Bench of the Supreme Court between 2004 and December 2008, when he retired, following which he served as a member of the Police Service Commission (PSC) and later the National Judicial Council (NJC) for five years.

It, therefore, described Akin Deko, a building contractor and former regional Minister for Agriculture in the Western region of Nigeria from 1957 to 1963 and a personal friend of Obafemi Awolowo, as the brain behind an agriculture settlement scheme that employed and paid an initial amount of capital to new graduates from established agriculture training colleges.

MFM and erring pastors’ poisonous tales


By Funmi Branco

AS a church, the Mountain of Fire and Miracles (MFM) organization is known for its emphasis on holy living, anti-demon fervor, and evangelistic preoccupation. With its investments in the spiritual and social wellbeing of its members, there is no doubt that over the years, it has been placed at a vantage position as one of the churches that God is using to change lives. The church, relying on its divine mandate, has been used to save many people from physical and spiritual challenges. Testimonies abound of people who encountered massive turnarounds through the church, living glorious lives after decades of demonic oppression. That the church has done a lot for many cannot be doubted. Beyond evangelism, the church has been performing its social responsibilities creditably; it has invested massively in youth empowerment, helping to lift up the Nigerian society through sports and steer the youth away from crime. The church has various sports clubs that have produced notable star players who have gone on to display their mettle on the international stage. First class graduates from the church are given huge sums of money as a form of encouragement, the objective being to channel youthful energies towards profitable endeavours. There have been occasions in the past when these high-flying graduates were given cars, the thinking being that others would be able to take them as role models and strive towards excellence in their academic pursuits.



The MFM General Overseer, Dr. DK Olukoya, is a well-known firebrand preacher who gives no quarter to demons and demonology. He has never hidden his desire to see people worshipping and living in a climate of freedom, totally divested from demonic bondage. He is one of the potent instruments that God has been using to depopulate the kingdom of darkness. That being the case, he and the church he presides over cannot escape censure, persecution and serial attacks by the cosmic powers whose activities have been hampered or even hobbled by the church. The agenda of the naysayers who love evil and resist the activities of Olukoya and the church is to derail heaven-bound people by attacking the message of sanctification and holiness that the church preaches. That is understandable. How can the kingdom of darkness rest when so many people are being delivered from witchcraft and foundational problems? Satan’s agents cannot cease casting aspersions on the church, but truth is constant irrespective of their devious antics. This is the background from which the recent falsehood purveyed against the church by certain ex-members must be seen.



When two ex-members and pastors recently rose against the church with their salacious stories, many immediately began barraging and de-marketing the church with gusto, giving no thought to the need to hear the other side of the story. But as the leadership of the church reacted to the falsehood, it became clear that the ex-pastors were merely playing to the gallery. It turns out that at no time did the church frame up its ex-members identified as Femi Jimoh and Caleb Oloruntele. Recently, the three individuals who testified against the former members in court over the alleged act narrated how the duo approached them to solicit their assistance on how to hire a gun to rob the “first fruits” offering of the church in 2008. These individuals, namely Akeem Omojomolo, Tajudeen Usein, and Fatai Adebayo, revealed how they played along in the plot, leading to their arrest. By their narrative, it became clear that Pastor Jimoh’s allegation in a recent interview that the church was behind his imprisonment for nine years without trial over alleged armed robbery is nothing but sheer bunkum.



Jimoh had claimed that his ordeal started when he met the chief security officer of the MFM founder at a native doctor’s house, while Caleb claimed that Olukoya wanted him dead because he refused to give false testimony against a pastor identified as Femi Agboola. Strangely, as revealed by the Chief Legal Adviser of the church, Davidson Adejuwon, with documentary evidence, the claims of the duo are based on pure mischief. Hear Adejuwon: “Is it not curious to push a narrative that Dr Olukoya, the General Overseer, locked them up when all members of their family refused to get two individuals for nine years to stand as their sureties for them to be released? A case of planned armed attack on credible intelligence against the church which could have led to the death of any member cannot be treated and handled internally by the church. We must report such to the law enforcement agency saddled with the responsibilities to investigate and deal with such issues. And that was exactly what we did as a responsible church.”



Whereas the accused claimed that they were detained by Olukoya for years, the evidence says just the opposite. On page 1 of the judgment delivered by the High Court of Lagos State on July 1, 2016, in the case between the people of Lagos State and Oluwafemi Jimoh, Henry Aiyewero and Caleb Oloruntele (LCD/19/2009), the court made the following pronouncement: “The prosecution dragged its feet, closed and reopened its case, and sought for endless adjournments. What makes it more worrisome is that the defendants continued with this pattern of delay when it was their turn to present their defence, in spite of the fact that the Ist and 2nd defendants who had been granted bail did not meet the conditions of bail, so they remained in custody.” There you have it: the accused remained in custody because their families did not rally round them to meet the bail conditions imposed upon them by the court, not because Olukoya ordered them remanded permanently in jail!


In this social media era where people rush to judgment without hearing the facts, many people easily build hell for themselves here on earth. Bloggers possessing no moral background peddle fake news with vigour. Therefore, there is a need to let the world know what actually transpired. Contrary to Pastor Jimoh’s claim that Olukoya and MFM do not forgive, there is ample evidence of the church’s toleration of his improprieties. He was redeployed several times following complaints by members of his congregation. In a letter dated October 14, 2002, he was directed to proceed from the Warri, Delta State branch of the church to Lagos for reorientation, at the completion of which he could be redeployed in accordance with the discretion of the appropriate authorities. The letter was signed by Pastor Moses Odunsi, the Regional Overseer. The second letter of redeployment, signed by the zonal pastor, Kayode Oyejide, conveyed his redeployment from Gbagi zone to the Regional Headquarters. It was dated August 19, 2003. The third, dated June 27, 2005, conveyed his redeployment from SWII to the Regional Headquarters in Lagos. It was signed by Pastor Martins Adeneye, SWII Regional Overseer.


It is clear that the church tried to reform Pastor Jimoh to no avail. What is more, he and his family are the architect of his long stint in detention, not the MFM. Not having imposed the bail conditions, the church was in no place to help him meet them. The case was between him and the state.



Branco sent this piece through funmibranco@naver.com

Agriculture:Legislator Distributes 3500 Fertilizers, Pumping Machines in Kwara


A member of the Red Chamber in the National Assembly, representing Kwara Central Senatorial District, and Chairman, Senate Committee on Agriculture, Production Services and Rural Development, Senator Saliu Mustapha, has flagged off the distribution of 3, 500 bags of 50kg fertilizers and 1000 modern pumping machines to farmers across the four local government areas he represents.

Speaking on the sidelines of the exercise, Mustapha explained that the gesture was aimed to enhance the drive towards food security and sustainability in the district, adding that it was the first phase of an embedded broader strategy to boost the sector.

During the distribution of the farm inputs, which took place at the playing ground of Lower Niger River Basin Development Authority in Ilorin, the State capital, the lawmaker assured the people that more farmers would benefit from the scheme in the second phase of the distribution exercise.

He said the scheme tagged: “Empowering Kwara Central Farmers: Unlocking self- sufficiency in food production,” is aimed at supporting agricultural productivity and improve crop yields for local farmers.

“The impact of climate change and over cultivation of farm land has negatively affected the quality of the soil for farming. This has resulted in lower yield of crop produce.

"Meanwhile, the distribution of such a significant quantity of fertilizers demonstrates a substantial investment in the agricultural sector, reflecting a commitment to enhancing food security and supporting the livelihood of farmers to boost food production in the state", Mustapha noted.

The Kwara lawmaker, therefore, used the opportunity to reel out his achievements in office in the last one year as a legislator to include facilitating the reconstruction of one kilometer asphaltic road opposite Al-Hikmah University leading to Oke-Foma link road in Ilorin West local government area.

He added that solar-powered motorised boreholes and street lights were also installed across the four local government areas of the senatorial district to complement the state government’s effort in ensuring that the people have access to safe water.

The Senator also revealed that over 3000 students benefitted from his JAMB and WAEC scholarship scheme recently. This is apart from facilitating employment opportunities for over 20 indigenes of the district at the federal level.

He then commended the Kwara State Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and Federal Government led by Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for their investments in the agric sector in the state and the country at large, as he pledged sustainable collaborations with them to ensure food security.

Food Security: Legislator Distributes 4500 Fertilizers, Pumping Machines in Kwara


A member of the Red Chamber in the National Assembly, representing Kwara Central Senatorial District, and Chairman, Senate Committee on Agriculture, Production Services and Rural Development, Senator Saliu Mustapha, has flagged off the distribution of 4,500 bags of 50kg fertilizers and 1000 modern pumping machines to farmers across the four local government areas he represents.

Speaking on the sidelines of the exercise, Mustapha explained that the gesture was aimed to enhance the drive towards food security and sustainability in the district, adding that it was the first phase of an embedded broader strategy to boost the sector.

During the distribution of the farm inputs, which took place at the playing ground of Lower Niger River Basin Development Authority in Ilorin, the State capital, the lawmaker assured the people that more farmers would benefit from the scheme in the second phase of the distribution exercise.

He said the scheme tagged: “Empowering Kwara Central Farmers: Unlocking self- sufficiency in food production,” is aimed at supporting agricultural productivity and improve crop yields for local farmers.

“The impact of climate change and over cultivation of farm land has negatively affected the quality of the soil for farming. This has resulted in lower yield of crop produce.

"Meanwhile, the distribution of such a significant quantity of fertilizers demonstrates a substantial investment in the agricultural sector, reflecting a commitment to enhancing food security and supporting the livelihood of farmers to boost food production in the state", Mustapha noted.

The Kwara lawmaker, therefore, used the opportunity to reel out his achievements in office in the last one year as a legislator to include facilitating the reconstruction of one kilometer asphaltic road opposite Al-Hikmah University leading to Oke-Foma link road in Ilorin West local government area.

He added that solar-powered motorised boreholes and street lights were also installed across the four local government areas of the senatorial district to complement the state government’s effort in ensuring that the people have access to safe water.

The Senator also revealed that over 3000 students benefitted from his JAMB and WAEC scholarship scheme recently. This is apart from facilitating employment opportunities for over 20 indigenes of the district at the federal level.

He then commended the Kwara State Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and Federal Government led by Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for their investments in the agric sector in the state and the country at large, as he pledged sustainable collaborations with them to ensure food security.

Ogun: An Era of Transformation Without Affliction

By Olaniyi Ajibola

The present pace and tempo of development in Ogun State, Southwest Nigeria, indeed call for critical evaluation, considering the past experience of the residents in the Gateway State since the inception of the fourth republic in particular, especially the period between 2003 and 2019.

While every citizen desires transformation in their socioeconomic life towards prosperity and abundant life where security of life, social justice, affordable health care delivery and infrastructural development among others are guaranteed, it was a different ball game for the people of Ogun State during the period under review.

Developmental agenda of those dark days were characterized with deception, injustice, sectional tendency, pathological lies and propaganda, making life more difficult for the people rather than addressing their challenges and aspirations.

However, the turn of political events on the dawn of 29th May, 2019, when a board room guru and political pundit, Prince Dapo Abiodun, came into the saddle as the Governor of the State against all odds and machinations of gang of power mongers permanently changed the narrative to the greatest happiness of the generality of the populace.

Prince Dapo Abiodun, strictly walking his talks during the campaign and his avowed resolution to change the old order of affliction in Ogun State initiated an inclusive style of governance that was a total departure from the past and the one which brought hope and sustainable relief to all irrespective of status.

His ISEYA mantra was a robust masterplan in which all the administration's laudable projects were predicated, with consistent and eloquent slogan of inspiration for social mobilization", Buidling Our Future Together ". As the Vice-president, Senator Kashim Shettima, GCON, rightly observed during the Expanded National MSME Clinics held in Abeokuta, the State capital recently, Governor Dapo Abiodun had brilliantly and sagaciously formulated and implemented projects that have maximally explored the state's proximity to the Nigeria's commercial city of Lagos.

Of course, the political will and capacity, amidst limited resources by which Prince Dapo Abiodun has constructed over 500km of roads across the three senatorial districts of the state in less five years and with adherence to the best global standard implicitly corroborate the observation of the Vice-president.

In the same vein, the level of courage and determination the Governor exhibited by turning an hitherto tick forest to a world class airport at Ilisan-Iperu axis of the State, a continguos area to Lagos also give credence to the submission of Alhaji Kashim Shettima.

The Gateway Agro-Cargo Airport, which has been adjudged by leading aviation experts as having the longest runway in Nigeria and in the West Africa corridor, as well as the biggest apron and control tower in that regard speaks to the unassailable fact that the Prince of Iperu is serious about the business of governance in the same way he successfully ran his private business.

Furthermore, Abiodun's relentless efforts towards establishing a seaport and a dryport in addition to the airport, for the purpose of relieving thousands of Manufacturers in his State the frustration of congested ports in Lagos remain a remarkable legacy of a focused helmsman.

Every Nigerian can attest to the pioneering role the Governor of Ogun State has taken to make life more comfortable for his people. His impressive and prompt response to the removal of fuel subsidy in 2023, announcing an immediate palliatives of different kinds to the civil servants and other residents of the State was widely applauded across the country and beyond.

Abiodun's social Welfare and Wellbeing initiative, where thousands of market women had been empowered and supported in their businesses with several billions of naira, through the popular 'Oko'wo Dapo, had significantly impacted on the socioeconomic life of these vulnerable segment of the society.

That is the same way he has renewed the hope of thousands of students in the State,starting from elementary to tertiary institutions. The fifty thousand naira bursary distributed to all students of Ogun extraction in all the institutions of higher learning across Nigeria elicited great commendations among the students and parents alike.

Perhaps, the most emotional and humane of all Prince Dapo Abiodun's interventions to cushion the adverse effects of the present economic situation in Nigeria was the free Surgical Operations the Governor embarked upon for 70,000 residents who are in need of such medical attention but lack economic power to secure the service.

This programme recorded array of testimonies from thousands of residents in need of various surgical operations without financial strength, who have been suffering for years in silence until succour came their ways through the intervention.

The Governor, at an Expanded National MSME Clinics earlier mentioned, partly captured his efforts in this manner", The Expanded National MSME Clinics mirror the successful model of our own State MSMEs Business Clinics, which we have diligently organized and pursued since the inception of our administration in 2019.

" Our primary objective has always been to foster employment opportunities, particularly for our teeming youth. Today's event aligns perfectly with our on-going efforts to support our entrepreneurs, facilitate business formalization, and enhance their access to government and financial institutions for favorable loans.

"Our achievements in the SMEs subsector are testaments to the visionary policies, interventions, and programmes that we have implemented. By prioritizing Investors incentives such as land rebates, improved infrastructure, and enhanced security measures, we have cultivated a conducive environment for industrial growth. This commitment has garnered recognition, as evidenced by the prestigious Best of Africa Governor in Industrial Revolution Award bestowed upon me by FIN Forbes.

"Furthermore, we have leveraged technology to streamline business processes and enhance the Ease of Doing Business in our State, making us the best State in Nigeria in Ease of Doing Business Index . The implementation of various reforms, mostly rooted in advanced technology, planning and administration platforms have revolutionized permit requests, tax administration, land allocation and payment procedures, ensuring efficiency, effectiveness and transparency in all economic activities across all sectors.

"In our relentless pursuit of economic prosperity and self- reliance, we have established vital institutions such as the State Enterprise Development Agency (OGSEDA) and the Investment Promotion and Facilitation Agency (OgunInvest). These entities, along with others, serve as pillars of support for Small and Medium Enterprises, offering crucial funding opportunities, capacity-building and business advisory services.

"The decision to designate Ogun State as a host for one of your MSME Hubs is indeed a strategic positioning pregnant with economic potentials. With our burgeoning economic clusters and thriving Free Trade Zones, we are unarguably the industrial hub of choice in Nigeria and gateway to West Africa subregional market.

" I am particularly proud of our initiatives aimed at youth empowerment, including vocational training programmes and targeted loans disbursed through the Ogun State Agricultural and Multipurpose Credit Agency (OSAMCA). These efforts have not only nurtured budding entrepreneurs but have also contributed to the socio-economic development of our communities.

"The recent rating by BudgIT, ranking Ogun State 7th in overall Fiscal Performance and 1st in most improved Internally Generated Revenue, clearly affirmed our resilience and attractiveness to investors. We remain steadfast in our commitment to sustaining this momentum through progressive policies and technological innovation.

"As the Governor of a State endowed with vast resources and strategic competitive advantages, I am confident in our ability to serve as a beacon of prosperity and opportunities in Nigeria. I extend a heartfelt invitation to all prospective investors to explore the boundless investment oppourtunities that Ogun State has to offer".

The confidence and frequency in which Governor Dapo Abiodun constantly reel out the tempo of his transformative efforts in sequence at every opportunity clearly signify sincerity and clarity of purpose, conviction and capacity; unlike the era of vague transformation with palpable affliction.

Congratulations to the good people of Ogun State on this dawn of inclusive governance with human face.

Olaniyi Ajibola, writes from Abeokuta

Uk based financial expert, Dr Salaam commends Gov. AbdulRasak on infrastructural development

....urges contractors and newly appointed Development Officers to be dutiful

A UK based leading financial expert and Entrepreneur, Dr. Kazeem Olayimika Salaam, has lauded the giant strides of Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRasak, on infrastructural Development across the State, saying his commitment to speedy development is unprecedented.

Salaam, who is presently the Secretary General of the Kwara State Association in the UK (KWASANG), and an Advisory Board member of the Central Association of Nigerians in the UK (CANUK) urged contractors and newly appointed community development officers to be dutiful and diligent in the handling of various projects in the three senatorial districts of Kwara State, in line with the vision and focus of the Governor.

"I want to passionately and conscientiously implore the newly appointed Community Development Officers across the 16 local government of the state to discharge their duties honourably, Ideally, the following duties are expected of them- monitoring and promoting economic development projects, establishing partnerships with local businesses and community organisations to promote community development programs among other functions".

He however, eulogised the Governor's impacful projects in the state capital and in Kwara South, which according to him has brought significant milestone in the state's progress.

He said", With a visionary approach, the Kwara State Government under the inclusive leadership of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRasak has prioritized strategic investments in infrastructural projects across the state. These initiatives underscore a dedication to enhancing connectivity, driving economic growth, and enriching the lives of citizens.

"In a strategic move to boost economic growth and enhance societal well-being, the government has demonstrated prudence and foresight by allocating resources to critical infrastructure projects across the State, and Kwara South in particular.

"This investment underscores the administration's dedication to fostering sustainable development and improving the quality of life for citizens across Kwara.
Without mincing words, infrastructure serves as the backbone of any thriving economy by facilitating commerce, connectivity, and community development.

"One of the major differences between advanced countries such as United Kingdom, United State of America and others, and developing countries like Nigeria is the wide infrastructural gap between the capital cities and other towns and villages Therefore, I commend His Excellency’s proactive approach in prioritizing infrastructure spending in these formerly neglected towns and villages and recognizing its pivotal role in driving innovation, fostering job creation, and fortifying the State in all ramifications ".


The expert, who is popularly known as Alabaja Omu-Aran, by his admirers added that the infusion of funds into infrastructural initiatives signifies a tangible commitment to addressing long-standing infrastructure challenges while laying the groundwork for future growth and prosperity.

"He continued: "Recent approvals by the Kwara State Executive Council, given for the construction and rehabilitation of Owu Falls Road phase (I); Omu Aran/Oko Road, Arandun Township Road, Roundabout-Esie-Oro Township Road; Ajase Ipo-Oke Iya Road in Irepodun local government, and the completion of the Idera-Alabe section of the Ilere District Road., would not only stimulating economic activity but also positioning the State for sustained competitiveness among the federating units.

"As an advocate of sustainable economic growth and development in our dear state, myself and the rest of the team in Nigeria are ready to collaborate with government, stakeholders, industry partners and community leaders to ensure the successful implementation of infrastructure projects that benefit all and sundry in Kwara State.

"Lastly, I want to commend His Excellency, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRasak for his unwavering dedication to infrastructure development and reaffirm my commitment to supporting initiatives that drive inclusive growth, foster innovation, and build a more resilient future for all".

NUJ South West Zone Commends Gov. Abiodun On Appointment Of Journalist As HoS

The leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) South West Zone has commended the Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, on the appointment of Mr. Kehinde Onasanya, as the Head of Service.

It would be recalled that Onasanya, a leading journalist in the service of Ogun State Government, was recently appointed by the governor as the 20th Head of Service.

In a communique issued at the end of the zonal meeting of the union held in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital on Friday, Abiodun was lauded for appointing Onasanya as the first journalist to become Head of Service in the State.

The NUJ also praised the governor for his unflinching support for the Ogun State Council of the Union since his assumption of office in 2019, calling on other State Governors to emulate Abiodun's exemplary gesture.

"The leadership of the NUJ Zone B specifically appreciated the Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, for appointing a journalist, Mr. Kehinde Onasanya, as the first NUJ member to be the Head of Service of the state.

"The Union appealed to other state governors to magnanimously elevate qualified journalists/information officers to the position of permanent secretary, Head of Service and other key public offices," the communique reads in part.