₦airaland Forum

*Ogun Partners Arise IIP on World’s Largest Garment Factory: A $2 Billion Investment Set to Transform Nigeria’s Textile Industry*

In a bold and strategic leap toward industrial revitalization, the Ogun State Government has entered into a groundbreaking partnership with Arise Integrated Industrial Platform (IIP), an Indian-headquartered multinational, to establish what is projected to become the world’s largest garment manufacturing facility. With a financial outlay of between $2 billion and $2.25 billion, this transformational initiative is poised to alter the landscape of Nigeria’s textile sector, resuscitate cotton farming, and place Ogun at the center of Africa’s industrial map.

Planned for siting within the Special Agro Processing Zone at Ogun Airport City, the factory’s development will commence with a landmark groundbreaking ceremony slated for September 2025. Steering the implementation is a Joint Project Implementation Team composed of both state and Arise IIP representatives, charged with managing timelines, pre-groundbreaking logistics, and stakeholder coordination across critical sectors such as agriculture, industry, and regulation.

Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun, hosting a delegation from Arise IIP and AFRIXEM Bank at the Governor’s Office in Oke-Mosan, expressed profound optimism regarding the impact and scope of the project. He described it as a game-changing development with the capacity to produce up to 1,000 tons of garments daily and directly employ between 120,000 and 150,000 individuals. The ripple effects, the governor noted, will be felt across Nigeria’s economy, from increased agricultural demand to export expansion.

At the heart of the initiative lies a commitment to backward integration—particularly into cotton farming. The Governor revealed that 10,000 hectares of farmland have already been allocated to cotton cultivation in Ogun State, and a strong growers’ association is in place to support sustainable production. Arise IIP will supply high-quality cotton inputs, and local farmers will serve as outgrowers under secure offtake arrangements, ensuring not only consistent supply but also stable pricing and guaranteed market access.

The employment potential of the factory is immense. Beyond the over 120,000 direct jobs, the project will indirectly create over 300,000 roles in logistics, warehousing, transportation, trade, and allied services. Governor Abiodun remarked on the revitalization of Nigeria’s cotton farming culture and the catalytic effect this will have on the agricultural economy. Ogun State, he added, boasts some of the best-quality cotton in the country, a factor that further enhances the viability of the garment operation.

Proximity to critical infrastructure—including seaports, airports, and energy corridors—was a key factor in Arise IIP’s choice of Ogun. Mr. Gagan Gupta, President of Arise IIP, affirmed the strategic logic behind the location, praising the enabling environment and hands-on facilitation provided by the Ogun State Government. He described Nigeria as being fully equipped to become Africa’s textile hub and emphasized Arise IIP’s commitment to actualizing this vision through its partnership with Ogun.

Corroborating this view, Mr. Raja Rajaburu, CEO of ATMS, reiterated the group’s readiness to commit the entire investment value to the project, noting that the infrastructure and investment climate created by Governor Abiodun's administration had made Ogun the natural home for such a vast undertaking. Mr. Arvind Mathor, CEO of Textiles at Arise IIP, projected that the garments produced would not only meet domestic consumption needs but also be competitively exported across ECOWAS countries, contributing significantly to Nigeria’s foreign exchange reserves.

Though the Ogun State Government leads this partnership, the role of the Federal Government has been instrumental in creating an enabling macroeconomic and policy environment. The Nigeria Industrial Revolution Plan (NIRP), the National Cotton, Textile and Garment (CTG) Policy, and export incentives have collectively laid the groundwork for investor confidence. The presence and support of institutions like AFRIXEM Bank, the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, the Nigeria Customs Service, and the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission further demonstrate critical federal-level coordination.

Governor Abiodun specifically commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for creating the policy stability and investor-friendly climate necessary to attract a multibillion-dollar investment of this magnitude. He emphasized that it was the president’s broader economic vision that had made Ogun—and by extension, Nigeria—a destination of choice for major global investors.

The socio-economic implications of this project for Ogun State are extensive. It will drastically reduce unemployment, energize the agricultural economy, boost the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), and serve as a springboard for foreign direct investment (FDI) and technology transfer. Youth empowerment and skill acquisition will be integrated into the factory’s operations, ensuring long-term benefits for the next generation of Ogun indigenes.

Beyond immediate job creation and production output, the garment factory symbolizes a shift toward sustainable industrial development. It reflects the government’s commitment to economic diversification, rural development, and strengthening of Nigeria’s non-oil export base. As such, it represents a vital component in the country’s broader drive for industrial self-sufficiency and global competitiveness.

The alliance between Ogun State and Arise IIP, underpinned by federal policy support and international financing, sets a new benchmark for public-private partnerships in Nigeria. It signals not just the rebirth of the textile industry, but the emergence of Ogun State as a continental leader in industrial innovation and inclusive economic growth. With vision, collaboration, and leadership, Ogun is poised to weave the fabric of Africa’s future—one garment at a time.

*Tayo Mabeweje*
Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Governor of Ogun State

*Not Power, But Precision: Abiodun, the Governor Behind the Southern Consensus*

In the intricate weave of Nigerian politics—where discord often disguises itself as diversity—few leaders have chosen subtlety over spectacle. Governor Dapo Abiodun, Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum, is one of them. While others shout to be heard, he engineers alignment with quiet deliberation, threading consensus through a region once marked by fragmented ambition.

His leadership is not forged in fanfare, but in finesse.

Since taking the reins of the Forum, Abiodun has redefined its identity—not as a ceremonial gathering of 17 southern governors, but as a unified body charting a shared path to development. Under his guidance, the Forum speaks with a coordinated voice, prioritizing collaboration over competition, and laying the foundation for a region that acts together in the national interest.

At the core of his strategy lies a pragmatic five-point focus: security, agriculture, infrastructure, transportation, and true federalism. These pillars aren’t just policy—they are the blueprints for sustainable southern synergy. His proposal for a Southern Development Agency is a masterstroke: embedding long-term cooperation into institutional memory, beyond political cycles.

Where previously Southern states operated in silos, they now move in synchrony—exchanging ideas, building joint solutions, and reinforcing a shared political posture on issues vital to their people. It is a quiet transformation—but a powerful one.

But Abiodun’s reach extends beyond the mechanics of governance. Within the All Progressives Congress (APC), he has emerged as a stabilizing force—resolving disputes, restoring fractured relationships, and smoothing rough edges worn by ego and ambition. His approach is diplomatic yet firm, a blend of strategic listening and timely intervention. He does not impose authority; he inspires cohesion.

From Ogun to Osun, and into the creeks of Rivers, he is stitching trust back into the party’s regional structure—carefully, consistently, and with enduring effect. His interventions aren’t loud, but they leave no seams exposed.

On the national stage, his voice has grown in influence—not through confrontation, but through clarity. His calls for regional security coordination and devolution of power are marked by logic and patience, not provocation. He isn’t seeking disruption—he’s crafting redesign.

In an era defined by political turbulence, Governor Abiodun offers something rare: the discipline of precision. He governs with a craftsman’s care—tightening knots of consensus where others might unravel threads of unity.

As the Southern region steadily transforms from a mosaic of interests into a cohesive bloc, it becomes clear that this is not accidental. Behind the scenes, methodically and modestly, stands a governor for whom leadership is not performance, but purpose.

And in the silent cadence of political progress, it is Dapo Abiodun’s precision—not power—that is guiding the South into its most coherent and collaborative chapter yet.

*Tayo Mabeweje*
Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Governor of Ogun State

Adeleke has no business in APC- Jackson Lekan Ojo

A leading Security Expert in Nigeria and Global Affairs Analyst, High Chief Jackson Lekan Ojo, has described the rumoured defection of Governor Ademola Adeleke from the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) as a dangerous step in the wrong direction.

Ojo, in an exclusive interview with newsmen on Saturday in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital said the Governor has already possessed every factor that is needed to win election in any political clime.

He explained that while the expected performance of every politician in Nigeria is around 40 per cent, Adeleke on his part has surpassed 80 per cent performance record, which guarantees success for him in his reelection bid.

The security expert insisted that with the level of unprecedented performance Adeleke has recorded in Osun, he would have defeated ten opposition parties combined as an independent candidate if Nigeria's constitution permits it.

Ojo noted that the speed and consistency in which the Governor had built roads across the nooks and crannies of Osun State, in the same manner he had uplifted the agricultural sector to ensure food security and his aggressive interventions among artisans, peasants and rural dwellers, majority of the serious voters in the state are with him.

He added that performance and not party affiliations guarantees victory for politicians in every political setting, warning Adeleke to have a change of mind and consolidate his performance towards victory.

"My candid advice and opinion about the rumoured defection of Governor Ademola Jackson Adeleke of Osun State from PDP to the APC is that the biggest and the largest strategy any politicians could deploy for electoral success is good performance.

"In the case of Ademola Adeleke, he has performed credibly beyond the threshold of expectations, which is around 40 per cent in Nigeria, as it stands, Governor Ademola Adeleke has performed beyond 80 per cent, surpassing any of his predecessors across party lines.

"The salient question now is that what is attracting Adeleke to APC? what is his fears? Ironically, it is the APC that needs him based on his sterling performance and they know this for sure, that is why they are strategically posing as friends to him purposely to draw him closer and mess him up.

"Adeleke's performance in the areas of infrastructural development is massive, ranging from inter-local governments roads, inter -state roads and various interventions in the most rural areas where no government in the history of the state has ever reached.

"In Osun today, the governor is paying workers and pensioners as and when due unlike the APC government that was paying half salary, the education and health sector are growing steadily and everyone in the state is happy, so what is the Governor looking for in APC that has lost touch with the people.

"I want Governor Adeleke to know that those Governors and lawmakers that are defecting to APC are doing that to get electoral victory through rigging in the ruling party, after loosing the confidence of their people or being apprehensive of EFCC based on their corrupt practices".

PRESS RELEASE
15th July, 2025

*Egbe Bobagunte Okunrin (Akile) Ijebu Mourns the Passage of Awujale, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, GCON*

Egbe Bobagunte Okunrin Akile-Ijebu, one of the foremost age-grade groups in Ijebuland, has expressed profound grief over the passing of the Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, Oba (Dr.) Sikiru Kayode Adetona, GCON. The group described the monarch’s death as an irreplaceable loss that comes at a time when Ijebuland needed his stabilising presence the most.

During an interaction with journalists at Ogbagba Court in Igbeba, Ijebu Ode, where the monarch’s remains were laid to rest, the Giwa of Egbe Bobagunte, Otunba Giwa Adesanya Yusuf, speaking on behalf of the Board of Trustees, Giwa-in-Council, and the entire membership of the Egbe, noted that the passage of the Awujale was both deeply personal and historically symbolic.

According to him, “Kabiyesi was our guiding light. His ascension marked the beginning of our generation, and Egbe—Bobagunte—was named in alignment with that new royal dawn in 1960.” He further remarked that the bond between Egbe Bobagunte and the revered monarch ran deeper than tradition, stating that “for us, this loss is very personal. We have lost our moral compass.”

Otunba Adesanya Yusuf recalled that the late monarch was not only a towering symbol of authority, but also the spiritual and cultural anchor of Ijebuland. He stated that “it is painful that Baba left us just when his voice was needed most—at the height of the Ijebu State agitation. He was our rallying point, our unifier, our boldest defender. His courage lit the path we now walk.”

The Egbe Bobagunte lauded the late monarch’s legacy of fearless leadership, visionary reform, and unwavering commitment to the dignity and progress of the Ijebu nation. His reign, which spanned an extraordinary 65 years, was marked by intellectual depth, cultural revivalism, and principled advocacy for good governance.

Egbe Bobagunte, whose members were born around the time the Awujale ascended the throne, noted that the Awujale was more than a king; he was the heartbeat of a people and the voice of a generation. His passing marks the end of an era and leaves behind a vacuum that will be difficult to fill.

The group extended its deepest condolences to the Royal Family, the Awujale-in-Council, the traditional institution of Ijebuland, and the entire Ijebu people at home and in the diaspora. They prayed that Almighty God grants the departed monarch eternal rest and strengthens the people of Ijebu to carry forward his enduring legacy.

Signed:
Gunte Tayo Mabeweje
Akede, Egbe Bobagunte Okunrin Akile-Ijebu

Ogbonna Igbojianu: The blatant lies of a pardoned convict

By Kayode Akinmade


Human angle stories are about drama of life, and it can be no surprise that they frequently appeal to emotion. Humans are intensely emotional beings, and so it is natural for such a story as that of Ogbonna (Ogbonnaya) Igbojianu, a man convicted of armed robbery and murder by the court of law but who now insists that he never committed the crime, having been recently pardoned by the Governor of Ogun State, to elicit intense feelings. As presented in the story entitled "Cruel fate: How man wasted 26 years on death row for crime he never committed," Igbojianu is supposedly a victim of miscarriage of justice, having merely bought a stolen generator and having been railroaded into jail. Says the report: "Igbojionu stated that, in what appeared a pre-arranged stuff, the police beat him up and forced him to sign a statement they wrote by themselves while refusing to let him read through the statement. The businessman said he was still in a state of confusion and disbelief when he was taken to court without having the opportunity to defend himself."


Happily, though, as the story said, “Igbojionu’s joy knew no bounds as he praised Otti for being there for him when all hopes appeared lost and remaining the instrument God used to save his life and give him a second chance. After visiting the governor, Igbojionu moved straight to his village in Ikwuano, Umuahia to see his octogenarian mother, whom he saw last 26 years ago.” As the story spread on different platforms, various imputations were ascribed to the case, which predictably generated ethnic bashing by the usual suspects. The claim was made, very boldly, that Igbojionu was the victim of Yoruba conspiracy, having been kept in jail while the real criminal, one Segun Ajibade, was pardoned.


But a few salient points must be noted here. First, ever before any social media outcry, Governor Abiodun had, in exercise of the prerogative of mercy, commuted Ogbonna Igbojionu’s death sentence to life imprisonment in 2021. That was before the recent intervention which led to his release. And until you read the statement by the Ogun State Government setting out the circumstances surrounding the case, you are most likely to join the bandwagon of those casting Ogbonnaya as a victim. As pointed out in a statement released by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice Oluwasina Ogungbade, SAN, Ogbonna was convicted on January 14, 2003 by the Ogun State High Court and sentenced to death for his involvement in an armed robbery that resulted in the death of a security guard, Moses Bankole. The court found Ogbonna guilty of participating in an armed robbery at an ELF petrol station, where a gang of robbers stole a 10 KVA Lister generator and killed one of the guards.


Hear the Ogun AG: “Ogbonna did not merely buy a stolen generator. Indeed, there is no evidence till date, that Ogbonna ever bought the generator in issue. The true facts are that around 10:00 pm on 3 October 2000, a gang of armed robbers attacked ELF petrol station along Abeokuta-Lagos road and stole a 10 KVA Lister generator. The armed robbers overpowered and detained the two guards at the fuel station. They hit one guard – Yusuf Akanni – with an iron rod on his head and on his leg, breaking his femur. They hit the second guard – Moses Bankole – on the head with an iron rod as well, then they bound both guards. Moses Bankole died on the spot, while bound, while Ogbonna and the other armed robbers made away with the Lister generator. Yusuf Akanni, the surviving guard, was the first prosecution witness for Ogun State. Ogbonna was a generator technician so he was the robber who specifically loosened the generator from where it was secured in ELF filling station.


“At 2:30 am a few days later, around Toll Gate, Ota, the Police randomly stopped a vehicle which was loaded with firewood and pure water bags that had been used to conceal a big generator. That generator turned out to be the same generator stolen from ELF. Ogbonna was in the vehicle alongside the vehicle's driver, Sunday Oloyede and one Kolawole Oladeji. When confronted by the Police, none of them could produce a receipt for the generator, so the Police decided to impound he vehicle and arrest its occupants. As the Police were planning to move the vehicle to the station, the driver and Kolawole Oladeji zoomed off with the vehicle, leaving Ogbonna behind. Ogbonna was detained in one of the cells at Toll Gate but before morning, Ogbonna escaped by breaking the asbestos in the cell's ceiling.”


Ogbonna(ya) was later rearrested, and made two confessional statements without objection. During the trial, the prosecution called 11 witnesses, and Ogbonna did not call any witnesses or present evidence in his defense. Long and short: Ogbonna’s guilt was established beyond reasonable doubt. It is, therefore, most scandalous for journalists to published biased reports affirming the innocence he could not prove in the court of law. Ogbonna/Ogbonnaya fully participated in the robbery he was accused of, and attempts to deodorize his grievous crime amount to inflicting further damage on the psyche of the relations of his victims. Ogbonnaya has reunited with his aged mother but Moses Bankole never will. He is gone forever, cut down in his prime by Ogbonnaya and his gang.

The words of the Ogun AG are instructive, and will close this rebuttal: "If, as the viral reports now claim, Segun Ajibade has truly led a quiet life since his release, it likely suggests genuine remorse for his crimes and his gratitude for his freedom. This is the exact opposite of Ogbonna's intransigence today and could explain why Ogbonna was not considered for release when Segun was. Ogbonna's crime hobbled a business, terrorised Akanni Yusuf, and killed Moses Bankole. These victims or their relations remain today and attempts to sanitise Ogbonna's conduct with falsehoods does fresh injustice to the victims. Those who, in a misguided quest for justice, are recreating Ogbonna as a victim will do well to remember Moses Bankole – the true and irredeemable victim of Ogbonna's crime.If Ogbonna is truly reformed, he should silently and gratefully enjoy his freedom and pursue honest pursuits. Presently, his honesty is highly doubtful, and the world is hereby notified."

Akinmade is Special Adviser media and Strategy to Ogun State Government

Southern Governors congratulates Okpebholo

Ogun State Governor and Chairman of the Southern Governors' Forum (SGF), Prince Dapo Abiodun, has described the Supreme Court's validation of Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo's governorship election as a well deserved victory.

Abiodun, who stated this in a statement issued on behalf of the forum in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Thursday, said the verdict had laid to rest any insinuation that the victory of Okpebholo, who won the September 21, 2024 governorship election with 291,667 votes, defeating his closest challenger, Asue Ighodalo, who garnered 247,655 votes, was a fluke.

He said that with the apex court's verdict, the Edo State Governor now has the opportunity to devote full attention to actualising the agenda for which the Edo electorate gave him an overwhelming mandate, without any political distractions.

He said: "On behalf of my brothers in the Southern Governors' Forum (SGF), I heartily welcome the verdict of the Supreme Court today, Thursday, affirming what Edo State people and Nigerians had known all along, namely that on September 21, 2024, Edo State voters gave Governor Monday Okpebholo a mandate to pilot their affairs for the next four years.

"The verdict shows that, as announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and earlier validated by the Election Petitions Tribunal, the Court of Appeal, the legitimacy of Governor Okpebholo's mandate cannot be questioned.

"No doubt, this victory is great news for democracy in Nigeria, for the people of Edo State, for our great Party the All Progressives Congress, and for good governance and the development of our dear country.

"Democracy may be imperfect but it represents the best form of government available to us as a people, and there is no doubt that this victory further consolidates and strengthens it Nigeria.

"Significantly, the victory represents the arrival of good things for the great people of Edo State and Nigeria as a whole.

"I have no doubt in my mind that the expectations of the people will be fully met by the pro-people, focused and dynamic government of my dear brother, Governor Monday Okpebholo."

IMBIL Telecom gets global certification, strengthens Nigeria's ICT sector



In recognition of its lofty standards and excellent services, IT services provider, IMBIL Telecom Solutions Nigeria Ltd, has received the ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certification for Information Security Management Systems (ISMS).



By the certification, IMBIL Telecom is now in pole position to attract enterprise clients, public sector agencies, and international partners seeking secure and standards-compliant telecom solutions.



The certification, which honours its commitment to information security and global best practices, was
issued by Pacific Cert, an internationally accredited certification body based in New Delhi, India, on
July 2.


It is expected to be valid until July 2, 2028, subject to successful surveillance audits, the first of which is scheduled for July 1, 2026.



As highlighted in the recognition, the scope of Certification covers the company's core services, including IMBIL TALK,IMBIL CONNECT, IMBIL MVNA/E, as well as all business activities, support functions, infrastructure, and personnel responsible for service delivery and management.



Responding to the certification, Managing Director of the company, Mr Akeem Ogunkoya, said the company was proud of this achievement, being "a testament to our unwavering commitment to information security, customer trust, and global best practices."

*Diplomacy Meets Delivery: How Abiodun’s Presence in Brazil May Unlock New Partnerships for Ogun*

Governor Dapo Abiodun’s participation in the recent bilateral meeting between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva represents more than ceremonial diplomacy — it signals a shift toward strategic subnational engagement in global economic affairs. As President Tinubu seeks to eliminate barriers hindering Nigeria’s agricultural and livestock potential, Governor Abiodun stands poised to translate international agreements into concrete local development for Ogun State.

The bilateral meeting, held in Copacabana, Brazil, focused on accelerating cooperation in agriculture, food production, livestock development, and trade. Tinubu’s assurance that all bottlenecks will be removed, paired with Brazil’s readiness to streamline partnerships, sets the stage for a new wave of international collaboration. And in this emerging phase of economic diplomacy, Governor Abiodun’s marketing skills and investment-driven leadership place Ogun at the centre of Nigeria’s next agricultural and industrial leap.

Over the last five years, Ogun State has transformed into Nigeria’s top investment destination — thanks to a deliberate strategy anchored in infrastructure renewal, public-private partnerships, and ease of doing business. Governor Abiodun’s leadership has attracted large-scale agro-processing companies, expanded farm estates, and improved access to rural roads. With Brazil now offering collaboration in mechanised farming, livestock genetics, and fertiliser distribution, Ogun has both the vision and capacity to implement pilot projects and draw significant foreign investment.

Brazil’s global reputation in agribusiness is undisputed, and its partnership with Nigeria could introduce cutting-edge research and development into Ogun’s agricultural value chain. Governor Abiodun has already expressed the state’s readiness to complement federal efforts. His consistent advocacy for food security and agricultural commercialisation resonates with Brazil’s offer to support livestock health systems, improved sanitary services, and blue economy expansion — all areas where Ogun has comparative advantages.

The inclusion of a business forum as part of the Brazil-Nigeria state visit further amplifies the potential for Ogun to attract capital, technical expertise, and partnerships. As Governor Abiodun noted, injecting fresh ideas and resources into the system will fast-track results and deepen subnational ownership of national policies.

Ultimately, diplomacy without delivery is rhetoric. But in the hands of a governor who has consistently turned policy into progress, international partnerships like this offer real prospects. For Ogun State, the message is clear: the world is paying attention — and Governor Abiodun is making sure the state is ready.

*Tayo Mabeweje*
*Media Consultant to the Executive Governor of Ogun State*

Association of Dangerous Characters (ADC) in Nigeria

By Olaniyi Ajibola

Thomas Edward Lawrence, the late British Army Officer, Archeologist and prolific writer, who painstakingly documented the popular Arab Revolt, having witnessed the struggles for independent and unified Arab State and attendant failure, submitted that", ALL MEN DREAM, BUT NOT EQUALLY, THOSE WHO DREAM BY NIGHT IN THE DUSTY RECESSES OF THEIR MINDS WAKE IN THE DAY TO FIND THAT IT WAS VANITY; BUT THE DREAMERS OF THE DAY ARE DANGEROUS MEN, FOR THEY MAY ACT ON THEIR DREAMS WITH OPEN EYES TO MAKE THEM POSSIBLE".

The above postulation of Lawrence rightly and explicitly captures the recent development in Nigeria, the coming together of political players of multiple colours, with history in the power corridors spanning decades, who suddenly realized the need to 'rescue ' Nigeria and Nigerians.

While some Nigerians have described them as desperate and deceptive, others see them as disgruntled and dejected, having lost free access to treasury and seriously in need of patronage. These schools of thought might be correct in a way, considering what every Nigerian knows about those characters in coalition under ADC.

They would have been forgiven if they come out in the open and assert their fundamental rights of forming a political association to get the machinery of government and continue enjoying political booties as before rather than promising Nigerians a better tomorrow.

The salient question to ask these obscurantists is whether they were sleeping yesterday while they held sway individually in different capacities but failed woefully despite being younger and agile and not now that they are closer to where they are going than where they are coming from.

It is indeed pertinent to dissect the antecedents of the leading members of the coalition to awake the consciousness of Nigerians, especially the youths, in order to safeguard our country against agents of economic retrogression and political malady.

Let's start from Senator David Mark, the Acting Chairman of their party, this is the man that was actively involved in the process that resulted in the abortion of democracy in 1993, he was a Minister of Communication that declared rather callously that mobile phones were not meant for poor people in the country where majority are poor.

Because of the lopsided nature of our political system, strangely, the same Mark became Senator and even rose to become the Senate President, the position he enjoyed for good eight years and couldn't do anything to address the deplorable road that leads to his village. That is the character that is leading a coalition that will change Nigeria to paradise.

Another character is Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, an eloquent leftist with overt religious inclination rooted in active political consciousness. If pontification is an instrument of success in power, Aregbesola would have emerged as the best Governor in Nigeria, unfortunately, governance is not a rocket science and that is why the man terribly failed as a Governor of Osun State and as Minister of Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Ogbeni Aregbesola as Osun State Governor was notorious of various policy summersaults that disrupted the system and Osun society beyond imagination, among which is reclassification policy in the educational system and half salary model for civil servants.

It will shock Nigerians to know that Aregbesola claimed to have copied the 'Single Uniform' model, that almost set Osun on fire from Republic of Benin. Asides the single uniform imbroglio, which was surrounded with array of allegations of corruption and wastage through the popular Omoluabi Garment , the disruption of academic sequence of 6-3-3-4 as part of his reclassification policy almost turned Osun to a theatre of religious war.

The humongous debt his administration incurred without any significant projects to justify the financial burden on Osun except dilapidated structures called Mega Schools is still affecting the finance of the state till today.

His tenure as a Minister of Interior was a disaster, Aregbesola couldn't successfully solve the age-long problem surrounding issuance of passports, as Nigeria experienced the highest incidents of jail breaks during his time as Minister.

That is the man who is championing a new Nigeria though ADC, and his greatest focus for the party is to go to South Africa to study the modus operandi of ANC, what a political utopian!

Let's briefly discuss another member of the gang, Mallam Nasir El-rufai, who will go down in history as the Governor of Kaduna State that superintended the most volatile Kaduna ever, when the state recorded deaths more than projects.

Every Nigerian understands the thinking of El-rufai that informed his membership of the coalition, the Mallam is simply on the journey of vendetta against President Bola Tinubu, having failed in his bid to become a Minister under Tinubu, after serving at different capacities at the Federal level since 1999 and later spent eight years as Governor of Kaduna State.

He is now on a mission to change Nigeria and make it better than ever after leaving Kaduna in shambles.

Peter Obi on his part is a confused politician of all times, asides being allegedly benefitted from the Military establishment, Peter Obi was the Governor of Anambra State for eight years without democratic local government administration, he was one of the pioneering Nigerian Governors that killed local government administration in Nigeria.

Instead of embarking on enduring projects of values, he was known to have discriminated strongly against people that were not from his state, including neighbouring Abia and Imo and that is the man that is ready to lead heterogeneous Nigeria.

Atiku Abubakar can easily be defined by the account of his boss, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, who made us to know that the compass of Alhaji Atiku's movement lies with marabouts and soccers, that the man was over ambitious to the point of dangerous desperation.

Obasanjo who worked closely with Atiku for eight years can not vouch for his integrity over management of resources. Beyond that, the former Vice-president has changed political parties more than any other politicians in Nigeria, reflecting his mindset about consistency and dignity.

In conclusion, Nigerians must be wary of these day dreamers, they are intrinsically dangerous as Lawrence posited, they are without doubt on their way to Golgotha.

Olaniyi Ajibola, Ibara, Abeokuta.

National Chairmanship: APC must consider North Central for fairness , equity - Jackson Lekan Ojo

....says Region and Religion remain top priority

A leading Security Expert in Nigeria and Global Affairs Analyst, Jackson Lekan Ojo has advised the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to zone the National Chairmanship of the party to the North Central Geo-political axis of Nigeria.

The security expert argued that his position was predicated on the fundamentals of peace, equity and justice, adding that every consideration for the Chairmanship of the ruling party must critically revolves around sensitivity of Region and Religion.

He noted that there is serious erosion of fairness and equity if both the President and the Vice-president are Muslims, including the National Secretary of the APC, saying it is always appropriate and morally correct to appoint a Christian as the National Chairman.

Ojo further dissected the development and observed that even among the six states of the North central, only Plateau state remains to be considered for significant position at the national level, especially in the ruling APC.

The security expert explained that when Benue , Nasarawa and other states in the region has been adequately compensated, Plateau remains in the cold and neglected.

He asserted that one of the chieftains of the APC in Plateau, Mr Amos Gizo, who was recently endorsed by the APC Forum is appropriately capable and possesses requisite political and academic credentials to pilot the affairs of the ruling party.

"Having clearly stated my position as you said on the coalition, however, I want to emphatically say that what greatly determines my interest is anything that guarantees peaceful co-existence and tranquility in Nigeria irrespective of my political leanings at any point in time.

"I am apolitical on every issue concerning national development, peace, security and economic deliverables and that is why I want to comment about the controversy surrounding the appointment of National Chairmanship of the APC following the exit of Umar Ganduje.

"It is crystal clear that the constitution of APC stipulates that the Geo-political zone that produces the national chairman of the party automatically produces replacement in case the incumbent is being removed or becomes incapacitated.

"Unfortunately, when Abdullahi Adamu left the position, the political exigency as at that time produced Ganduje from the North West against the party's extant law and agreement, with attendant agitation and vociferous clamour for redress.

"Fortunately now, with the exit of Ganduje, the opportunity for redress has naturally presented itself and the ruling party must conscientiously grab the opportunity and use it judiciously to avert serious crisis that could affect governance and national development.

"The two fundamentals to be considered in this case is Region and Religion, first and foremost, the chairmanship position must be zoned automatically to the North central in line with the dictates of the APC constitution and preponderant agreement, secondly, the person must be a Christian, it is utterly unacceptable and unfair to have Muslims as President, the Vice-president and even the National Secretary of the party.

"It is on that note that I want to align with the position of the APC Unity Forum and other popular endorsement of Mr. Amos Gizo from Plateau state; going through his credentials and pedigree, he is the most qualified and appropriate person for the position of Chairman of the party.

"A man with over forty years in politics and who have served the ruling party in different capacities meritoriously, including as the Special Adviser/National Coordinator, Independent Campaign Council, (ICC)-2023, Director , Artisans Presidential Campaign Council, (PCC) in 2023 and Patron /Board Chairman, Independent Support Groups, 2019-2023 among others.

"Of course, he is a scholar of high repute, having combined teaching with journalism and financial management, this man is the the best for the APC at this time".

2027: Coalition on a rescue mission to end autocracy in Nigeria- Jackson Ojo

A leading Security Expert and Global Affairs Analyst, Jackson Lekan Ojo, has declared that the newly formed coalition on the platform of African Democratic Congress(ADC) against the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) was conceived to rescue Nigeria from 'autocratic government '.

Ojo, in a media chat with newsmen on Wednesday in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital noted that the quality of personalities that constitute the coalition gives high hope of total redemption and attendant prosperity for Nigeria .

He argued that every Nigerian irrespective of tribe or religion is in support of the coalition and ready to give them their mandates, saying the coalition genuinely represents the real progressive movement for true welfarism.

Ojo further explained that in the same manner Jesus Christ was adored and received as the saviour among the Christendom, so also the coalition must be embraced by all Nigerians as the long awaited saviour.

He, however, warned the ruling APC never to take the coalition for granted, adding that ADC remains the party that will form the next government in Nigeria .

"Nigerians from all walks of life have been crying, wailing excruciatingly because of the harsh economic situation, because of the weak educational system, because of the battered heath system as well as the high level of insecurity across the country.

"There is no any alternative in sight because both the PDP and Labour Party are no longer there, they have been destroyed either by themselves or from covert external forces.

"However, I want to assure you that the coalition is the only answer. Having people like David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola on board gives a complete confidence and assurance of a better tomorrow in Nigeria .

" There is no doubt in the fact that the coalition has come to stay with clear and undiluted rescue mission, it truly represents a progressive front that will surely birth government of the people by the people and for the people .
Little did the present government and it's party APC know that they are not contesting against the coalition party comes 2027 but it is a contest against the general populace that had been disappointedly abandoned and left to suffer o er the year.

"The coalition will definitely end political autocracy in Nigeria and change this present ugly scenario of hunger and misery; they will surely succeed , I am too sure about this", Ojo asserted .

Ogun Govt Gives Clarification On Traditional Burial Rites

Ogun State Government has given an explicit clarification on the media reports and attendant public discourse over burial rites of the traditional institutions, describing the comment of Hon. Justice P.O Akinside on the subject matter as personal opinion.

It would be recalled that Hon. Justice P.O Akinside of the Customary Court of Appeal, Ogun State recently delivered a lecture where he submitted that traditional rulers in Ogun State must submit to the customs and burial rites of the traditional institutions they voluntarily joined, having voluntarily joined the traditional institutions.

He added that traditional rulers therefore, forfeit the right to opt out of those same customs even in death.

However, in a statement signed by the Special Adviser to Ogun State Governor on Media and Strategy, Hon. Kayode Akinmade, the comment by the learned judge during the lecture does not amount to a judicial pronouncement in the state as falsely reported by some media platforms.

The statement therefore ,reemphasized the position of law as enshrined in Oba and Chiefs Law of Ogun State 2021, which specifically provides guidelines for the preservation and regulation of traditional rites for traditional rulers .

"For the avoidance of doubt, it is important to reiterate that the comments made by the Honorable Judge were made during a public lecture and do not amount to Judicial pronouncement made in a Judgement in any matter as erroneously reported by some media forums and perhaps as mischievously misrepresented by some members of the public.

"Furthermore, While the statements reflect the personal opinion of the learned judge, it is important to restate the extant position of the law for the avoidance of public misunderstanding.
Traditional rulers are indeed custodians of and are expected to abide by the customs of the traditional institutions they belong to.

"This is however not without limitations as such customs and traditions must conform with and operate within the bounds of the law. Specifically, Sections 55 of the Obas and Chiefs Law of Ogun State 2021 provides a framework for the preservation and regulation of traditional burial rites for traditional rulers. While subsection (ii) of the section acknowledges the right of a traditional ruler to be buried in accordance with customary practices, subsections (iii) to (v) establish procedural safeguards for the application of such customs. The relevant provisions are reproduced below:

“(ii)a Traditional Ruler shall be entitled to be buried in accordance with the customs and traditions of the land, save however, that his body shall not be subjected to any mutilation or cannibalization”

(iii)notwithstanding anything contained in this section, it shall be the responsibility of the relevant Traditional Council to determine the Customary Law and the nature of the Traditional burial rites.

(iv)the determination endorsed by those referred to in (iii) above shall be made by a declaration to be registered with the Commissioner within Twenty-One (21) days of it been so made or of any amendment(s) thereof;

(v)the receipt of the declaration by the Office of the Commissioner shall be deemed to be sufficient proof of the registration.

"From the foregoing, the law clearly recognises the significance of the relevant traditional council on matters of customary law and nature of traditional burial rites, but underscores that their application must be registered, transparent, and subject to oversight by the State Government.

"In addition, Sections 55 and 56 of the Law expressly prohibit certain practices under any circumstances, including but not limited to mutilation, cannibalism, human rituals, and obstruction by anybody of the burial of a deceased traditional ruler by the family. See More importantly, Section 56(ii) makes it a criminal offence to kill or use human parts in the course of any burial rite or installation an Oba or Chief within Ogun State.

"This statutory position remains the definitive authority on what is legally permissible in the conduct of customary burial rites for traditional rulers. Accordingly, while customs are deeply valued and respected, they cannot override the provisions of the law.

"This clarification is necessary to ensure that the public is accurately informed, and to reiterate the unwavering commitment of the Ogun State Government to upholding strict observance to rule of law and promoting lawful cultural practices", the statement read.

Let's imbibe culture of maintainance-Fedpoly Ede Council Chairman

The Chairman, Governing Council, Federal Polytechnic, Ede, Prof. Taiwo Akanbi Olaiya, Esq has advised the Students Union Leadership (SUL) of the institution to imbibe the culture of maintainance.

He gave this advice during the presentation of the refurbished Toyota HIACE BUS, which took place on Thursday, 26th June, 2025

Prof. Olaiya also used the occasion to enjoin the students not to indulge in any behaviour capable of tarnishing the good reputation of the institution, he, therefore, advised them to utilise the bus effectively and also urged them to drive carefully on the road, in his words, to whom much is given much is expected.

The Chairman also emphasised the need for students to reciprocate the management gestures by complying with the extant law of the Polytechnic and they should be seen as a great Ambassador of the institution where ever they found themselves.

In his vote of thanks, the President of the Students Union Leadership (SUL) Comrade Damilare Ayanyemi. Alias Royal thanked the Governing Council and Management for their show of love and guidance always. He then pledged on behalf of the students populace to reciprocate the good gestures by ensuring a crisis free academic activities in the institution

In a related development, the Polytechnic, penultimate Friday, 27th June, 2025 hosted the victorious Team of the institution at the just concluded Nigeria Polytechnic Games (NIPOGA) and Osun State Tertiary Institution Games (OSTIGA) respectively.

Speaking at the occasion which took place at the Conference Room 1of the institution, Prof. Olaiya, enjoined the athletes not to relent in their quest to put the name of the Polytechnic in a global map, he implored coaching crew to redouble their efforts in other games apart from football and Athletics

He also assured the team of Council support always. Earlier in his address, The Rector of the institution, Engr Dr. Sani Man Yahaya, fnse eulogized the exemplary behaviour of the Athletes throughout the games, pledging his total commitment to the welfare of the Athletes, as he charged them to sustain the tempo .

In his remarks, the Assistant Chief Coach, Oluwadare Owoeye thanked the Governing Council and Management for their contributions to the success of the team, Coach Owoeye also used the occasion to inform the management that at the just concluded NIPOGA GAMES in Offa, Kwara State, three (3) athletes excelled in various sports

Ifeoluwa Ajayi won gold medal in Taekwando, he also represented Nigeria in the last All African Games, the same athlete also won a bronze medal in the just concluded National sports festival tagged Gateway 2025. Two female athletes won silver medal in Taekwondo and Athletics for the institution at the NIPOGA games

In his vote of thanks, Owoeye thanked the Governing Council, Management and entire staff of the institution for their show of love and passion for the Athletes, he pledged on behalf of the coaching crew not to relent in their efforts but to build skillful athletes not only for the Polytechnic but Nigeria at large.

Present at the occasion were members of the Governing Council and Top Management of the institution

E-signed
Sola Lawal, mnipr
Ag. Director, Information, Protocol and Public Relations.

PRESS RELEASE

The Governor of Ogun State, His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun, CON has approved the constitution of the underlisted Boards in the State This was contained in a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Tokunbo Talabi.

The newly constituted boards include;



OGUN STATE UNIVERSAL BASIC EDUCATION BOARD (SUBEB)

Hon. Ifede Joshua - Chairman

Barr. Femi Odufowokan - Member

Hon. Isiaka Aderounmu - Member

Abiodun Donald Ajayi - Member

Rt. Hon. Akeem Balogun - Member

Mrs Kemi Adeogun - Ex-Officio Member

Hon. Wale Adeogun - Ex-Officio Member

Hon. Waheed Ogundele - Ex-Officio Member

Stephen Kolawole Odusanya - Ex-Officio Member

Hon. Moroof Paramole - Ex-Officio Member



OGUN STATE HOUSING CORPORATION

Hon. Yemi Adelani ​ - Chairman

Hon. Suraju Logere -​Member

Fatai Ajigbare​​ -​Member

Olalotan Olusegun​​ - ​Member

Sunday Sowunmi​​ -​Member

Chief Sogbamu Ayinde​ -​Member

Mr. Kolawole Isola​​ - ​Member

Alhaji Abiola Logere​ -​Member

Hon. Idowu Olumuyiwa​ -​Member

Mr. Adeyinka Adeleye​ - ​Member

Adenle Nojeem​​ -​Member



OGUN STATE WATER CORPORATION

​Johnson Fatoki​​ -​Chairman

​Akeran Jimoh​​ -​Member

​Engr. Femi Oyebanjo​ -​Member

​Hon. Gafar Balogun​​ -​Member

Hon. Omowunmi Adewale -​Member

Mrs Ganiyat Abiola Busari -​Member



OGUN STATE TRAFFIC COMPLIANCE AND ENFORCEMENT BOARD

Hon Wale Habeeb Ajayi - Chairman





OGUN STATE AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

Hon. Waliu Taiwo - Chairman






Signed

Mr.Tokunbo Talabi
Secretary to the State Government

Tax reform: Abiodun commends Tinubu, says reform will benefit Nigerians



Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has congratulated President Bola Tinubu on signing the tax reform bills into law, saying that the bills would benefit Nigerians and assist in the growth of the economy.



Abiodun, who highlighted the expected gains of President Tinubu's tax reform to include relief for low-income earners, support for small- businesses, increased revenue generation and simplified tax payments, said it was particularly gratifying that the President allowed broad-based consensus by welcoming inputs and criticisms from diverse groups and accommodating people's concerns.



He added that it is particularly significant that the bills are focused on fair and equitable distribution of VAT revenue, enabling states to fund more projects independently.


He said: "To all intents and purposes, President Bola Tinibu's signing into law of four new tax reform bills passed by the National Assembly represents a huge milestone. They are, as the President said, pivotal to Nigeria' s prosperity.


"The bills have been well thought out, grounded in economic research and reflective of the inputs of diverse groups, including the business community, regional organisations, and the Nigerian Governors Forum, among others.


"The bills represent a crystallization of advocacy over the years for transparency and efficiency in tax administration, linking tax transparency to public fund utilization. This is something all Nigerians should be proud of.


"By streamlining taxation and exempting the poor from undue tax burdens, the bills respond to a major demand of economic growth. They will make it easier to attract investment, enhance the ease of doing business, and incentive job creation.


"The message, really, is that good times are ahead for all Nigerians."

Dapo Abiodun and the fake news enterprise

By Kayode Akinmade

IN case you read anything this week claiming that the Ogun State Government announced a multimillion dollar diary deal with Qatari firm, Baladna, just know that it was the fake news enterprise at work. Was Baladna in Ogun State to explore investment opportunities? Yes. But did the Ogun State Government announce that it had reached an agreement with the diary giant? Absolutely not. So how was such a straightforward news misrepresented so badly? Well, the opposition never sleeps, and its reach is wide. It thrives in chaos because the Dapo Abiodun administration is fulfilling its promises and the Ogun populace is taking ample notice, excited at the prospects that lie ahead. This is too much for the naysayers, the men and women of yesterday who told everyone, before the 2015 polls, that Dapo Abiodun was going to be a monumental failure, to bear. Daily, they see the remarkable progress that Ogun is making and it drives them nuts because it is cementing their political burial, confining them into depths of oblivion. That is all there is to it, folks.



What happened? The Head of Products and Solutions Architecture at Baladna, the dairy producer that supplies over 95 percent of the Qatar’s fresh dairy products, Mr. Aidan Thomas Tynan, accompanied by the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), Aisha Rimi, paid a courtesy visit to the Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, in his office at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, expressing the intention to establish a multi-million dollar food factory in Ogun State. Stating that Nigeria and Ogun State, like Algeria, would achieve remarkable results in dairy farming with the expertise, technology, and capital from the organization, he said the purpose of the visit was to explore possibilities in the country regarding land acquisition and also to hold talks with the government of Ogun State on collaboration in order to develop plans and feasibility studies to push the plan through. Hear him: “We can build farms that are highly efficient with world-class yields, and we can address not just dairy, meat, but also crop production.”




In response, Governor Abiodun observed that Nigeria’s demand for milk has jumped to 1.6 billion liters per year, with about 50-70 percent coming from imports. His words: “A lot of people have been running around pretending to set up dairy farms. They applied for import substitute permits, but what we have seen today is that all they do is bring in powdered milk because powdered milk has been very profitable, and that is very unfortunate. I think that you represent the kind of company that we would like to work with, and we are confident that you will work with Nigeria to achieve the Renewed Hope Initiative in agriculture. If within one month you were able to achieve 35 percent of milk supply in Qatar and within six months you became self-sufficient, I have no doubt that you can achieve that here in Nigeria. Your operations here will be like a walk in the park since we do not have deserts here.” While calling on the company to consider establishing itself in the state, Prince Abiodun noted that the company’s vision aligned with that of the state, assuring of seamless cooperation devoid of official bottlenecks.


Clearly, Baldana’s visit was exploratory, and this was the information that the Ogun State government communicated to the outside world, confident that Baldana’s dream would come to fruition. Sadly, this information was twisted to mean that Governor Abiodun had announced a deal with the company. This is extremely concerning, because inaccurate reporting of a governor’s statements can have significant consequences for the public, including loss of trust in media, spread of misinformation,. public confusion and polarization, erosion of public confidence in institutions, and sabotage of informed decision-making. Besides, it can also create a situation where skepticism towards all information becomes the norm. As media scholars recognise, fake news can indeed breed conflict in various ways. It can exacerbate ethnic tensions, fuel polarization, undermine institutions, and negatively influence public opinion and behaviour. It can erode public trust and societal cohesion. Tthat is why supporting fact-checking initiatives is so crucial.


During its visit, Baldana spoke eloquently about its portfolio and Governor Abiodun urged it to invest in Ogun State, because a core part of his job is to bring business into the state. But political adversaries went to work and twisted what the Ogun State Governor said, with intent to score cheap popularity. Thinking that they could embarrass the government, they contacted the parent company, which then issued a disclaimer, saying that it was a publicly quoted company and would not do anything in secret. And a report amplified the falsehood, saying “Company denies signing agreement on dairy production.” Whoever said there was an agreement?


Going forward, though, do not expect the naysayers to relent. They hate good things and would rather oppose their own government even if it means undermining the interest of the state they claim to love. Struck by the fact that with verifiable achievements, Dapo Abiodun has become one of Nigeria's Grade A governors, they do everything in their dirty books to incite the public against the governor. But the governor is unmoved by the noise of the market: he is busy trading on behalf of the Gateway State, bringing in stupendous profit. In the last two years, more than 30 investors have knocked on Ogun’s doors, drawn by the business-friendly climate the Abiodun government has created. President of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, said as much when he returned to the state earlier this year, announcing investments in cement production and deep seaports. What’s there not to be excited about?


The media would do well not to join saboteurs in their game.

Akinmade is Special Adviser, Media and Strategy to Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun.

Ogun, Four Other States Bag CIPM Awards

Ogun and four other states have bagged Awards of Excellence by the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM).
The awards were bestowed on the States at a dinner in honour of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation and Heads of Service of the 36 states and the FCT, held at the Fraser Suites, Abuja.

Other recipient states are Lagos and Osun in the Southwest, Abia in the Southeast, and Akwa Ibom in the South-South regions.

The National President of CIPM, Mallam Ahmed Ladan Gobir, said the institute presented the Award of Excellence to the top five states in recognition of their outstanding achievements in membership drive for the institute by encouraging Human Resources (HR) staff to join the Institute and enhance professional development in their states.

He said the states also encouraged the professionalization of HR, which fosters a culture of professional HR management among members, adding that their efforts have, in no small measure, promoted excellence and best practices in the Civil/Public Service, among other things.

Gobir said the awardees deserve the honour and urged them not to relent in their efforts to take the Civil/Public Service to greater heights.

The Ogun State Head of Service, Mr. Kehinde Onasanya, noted that the deliberate efforts at promoting professionalism, discipline, and ethical values within the Service are key factors for effective and efficient service delivery.

According to him, the special recognition award for supporting CIPM membership drive in Ogun State Civil Service is dedicated to all the hardworking Civil/Public Servants of the State who inspire daily progress through diligence and quiet impact, noting that the award is a source of pride and honour to him personally and to the State at large.

The Head of Service thanked the State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, for repositioning the State Public/Civil Service for efficient service delivery, pointing out that capacity building and professional development of workers are very key in the scheme of things.

He said the recent one-week intensive training for Permanent Secretaries and the top echelon of the Civil Service by the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies at the Oba (Dr.) Sikiru Kayode Adetona Institute of Governance Studies, OOU Ago-Iwoye, was unprecedented, pointing out that various cadres of the workforce have continued to be rejigged to enhance excellence in the conduct of government business.

Mr. Onasanya commended the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, for her visionary leadership and various ongoing efforts at transforming the Federal Civil Service and supporting states across the federation in the same regard. He noted that her emphasis on collective cooperation and innovation is driving reforms that are both strategic and sustainable.

He also described the Study Tour of the Singapore Civil Service by some Heads of Service, including that of Ogun State earlier this year, as a bold step that will continue to shape the trajectory of service innovation in the country.

"I am most delighted and deeply honored to be named as a recipient of this Public Service Award of Excellence. I remain immensely grateful to the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM) for this thoughtful recognition and commend the Institute for hosting such a noble and unifying event. I must say, the Ogun State Branch of the Institute has remained a dependable partner in progress and a regular guest in my office. I am proud to always identify with their commitment to professionalism, human capital development, and the advancement of ethical public service.

"This award is for the State and for our highly focused Governor, and indeed for the entire Civil/Public Service of Ogun State, and it is indeed a source of pride and honor. In addition to the celebration of the progress and reforms within the Office of the Head of Service of Ogun State, it also reflects personal recognition of the collective efforts of all bureaucrats in the Gateway State. These gains, I must admit, have been made seamlessly possible by the enabling environment and earnest support of our visionary Governor, His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun, whose strong belief in a purposeful and empowered Public Service continues to guide our path," the Head of Service said.


In her executive charge, the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, appreciated the organizers of the award for the honour done to her and all the Heads of Service of the Federation.

She urged the topmost echelons of the Civil Service to continue to sustain professionalism and commitment in their various states for efficient service delivery.

SANWO-OLU AT 60: ALPHA-BETA CONSULTING LLP HAILS LAGOS GOVERNOR’S TRANSFORMATIVE LEADERSHIP
...Describes him as symbol of progressive governance

LAGOS — Leading revenue administration and consulting firm, Alpha-Beta Consulting LLP, has joined millions of Lagosians and well-wishers across the country in celebrating the 60th birthday of the Executive Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu.

In a congratulatory message released on Tuesday, June 25, and signed by its Group Managing Director, Barrister Akinsanya Doherty, the firm lauded Governor Sanwo-Olu’s visionary leadership, describing him as a “symbol of progressive governance, innovation, and resilience.”

“Governor Sanwo-Olu’s six years in office have witnessed significant strides in infrastructure development, digital innovation, healthcare delivery, and fiscal reform. His commitment to building a Greater Lagos has set a benchmark for transformational leadership,” the statement noted.

Alpha-Beta Consulting, which has maintained a long-standing partnership with the Lagos State Government in revenue optimization and administration, praised the Governor for fostering an enabling environment for private-sector collaboration.

“Our working relationship with the Sanwo-Olu administration has been defined by mutual trust, shared goals, and a focus on results. His understanding of the importance of strong institutions and sustainable fiscal systems has been instrumental in the state’s revenue performance,” Doherty added.

The firm also extended prayers for continued strength and wisdom for the Governor as he celebrates this milestone age. “We pray that God grants Mr. Governor continued wisdom, sound health, and divine strength to carry on the good work. May his administration continue to flourish and deliver lasting legacies to the people of Lagos State.”

Alpha-Beta reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Lagos State in enhancing its fiscal structures and achieving long-term development goals through transparent and accountable revenue systems.

Governor Sanwo-Olu turned 60 on June 25, 2025, and celebrations have poured in from across the nation, reflecting the widespread admiration for his service and accomplishments.

Political Landscape Shifts in Ogun as Opposition PDP, APM Leaders Align with APC



Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun on Monday welcomed key members of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Allied Peoples Movement (APM) to his office in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, in a notable political shift in the state,


The delegation, led by Dr. Sikirulai Ogundele, a former chairman of the PDP in the state and Hon. Adekunle Abdulkabir Akinlade, engaged in discussions that are widely viewed as a precursor to their anticipated formal alignment with the All Progressives Congress (APC), the ruling party in the state.

Other prominent members of the delegation were Dr. Ekelojumati, Hon. Olowo Fuja, and several influential grassroots mobilizers from various local government areas.

The meeting, which was held behind closed doors, was characterized as both cordial and strategic, signaling a pivotal moment in the political reconfiguration ahead of upcoming elections.

Governor Abiodun expressed his appreciation for the delegation's commitment to fostering unity within Ogun State, highlighting the APC's dedication to inclusive governance and sustainable development.

"This is not merely a political maneuver; it is a patriotic decision aimed at consolidating progress, promoting stability, and building a future of shared prosperity for our people," he stated.

Dr. Sikirulai Ogundele, while speaking on behalf of the delegation, praised the Governor's open-door leadership and the transformative initiatives being implemented across the state. He affirmed that the visit marks a significant step toward solidifying their decision to join the APC.

Hon. Akinlade, another respected political figure and former member of the House of Representatives and former gubernatorial candidate of the APM, reiterated the group's intention to enhance the APC's mission and contribute to the ongoing growth and peace of Ogun State.

The delegation is set to make their formal declaration and integration into the APC in the forthcoming weeks, a development that promises to strengthen the ruling party and highlights Governor Abiodun's emerging role as a unifying force within Nigeria's political arena.

FedPoly Ede Governing Council reschedules principal officers' interview

....as Council Chairman harps on rebranding of citadel of learning

The 7th Governing Council of the Federal Polytechnic, Ede, Osun State, has rescheduled the interview for the two principal officers of the institution; the Registrar and the Bursar.

This decision was taken at the 70th Regular meeting of the Governing Council held on Monday, 23rd June, 2025, alongside critical stakeholders of the institution.

The Chairman of the Council, Prof. Taiwo Akanbi Olaiya, Esq , stated that the decision was necessitated in respect of the official letter received from the Federal Ministry of Education, which called for more comprehensive process to ensure high degree of efficiency and requisite effectiveness.

It would be recall that the two positions became vacant following the expiration of the tenure of former principal officers on Monday, 31st March, 2025

The Council Chairman also used the occasion to assure the Polytechnic community that the rescheduled interview would be an all- inclusive exercise with total transparency and fairness.

In a related development, the Chairman of the Governing Council also used the occasion to canvass for the rebranding of the institution, asserting that the Federal Polytechnic, Ede has attained great goals in academic pursuit, which according to him made every certificate issued in the institution to be well rated and recognised in other institutions of higher learning.

He also implored the entire workforce to shun any act capable of tarnishing the good reputation of the Polytechnic in the public space, advising them to jettison acts that negate institution's superior interests.

He added that many issues of interest could be settled amicably without resorting to unnecessary litigation and embarrassing posts on social media.

Prof. Olaiya, however, promised to look into all the suggestions tabled before the Council by some stakeholders, including regular dissemination of information by the management, proper orientation for students in all departments, retreat for members of staff, trust among categories of staff as well as spirit of unity and forgiveness, among others

In attendance were members of the 7th Governing Council, Rector, the four (4) union leaders in the institution, Chairman, Committee of Deans and other top Polytechnic functionaries.

E- signed
Sola Lawal, mnipr
Ag. Director, Information, Protocol and Public Relations.

Ogun, in the hands of a responsive leader

By Olaniyi Ajibola

Among several connotations adduced to the word, 'responsiveness' it is only one that appears most instructive and appropriate to me , and that is " Ability to adjust to changes and fulfil needs effectively ".

Many descerning Nigerians will subscribe to the assertion that the greatest malady and trauma that have ravaged the civil service in Nigeria in the last decades is the menace of nonpayment of gratuities and pensions to civil and public servants, with resultant records of avoidable deaths and protracted sickness without medical care.

Scores of these senior citizens had embarked on several protests out of frustration in the past, when they couldn't bear the intensity of hunger and misery anymore; regrettably, those protests mostly ended up in calamity as many of them tragically lost their lives.

Of course, many analysts have argued that this anomaly partly responsible for erosion of diligence, loyalty, high productivity and commitment in the service, coupled with high degree of corruption due to cat race by civil servants to secure their future by all possible means while in active service.

However, the situation is practically different in Ogun State, since the emergence of Prince Dapo Abiodun, whose world view remains a total departure from that of his predecessors, with distinct pedigree of decency and compassion.

The Governor, on assumption of office summoned courage to crush the humongous backlog of pensions and gratuities left behind by his immediate predecessor, and swiftly moved to pay the state and local government retirees steadily and consistently without noise.

Like a miracle, Prince Dapo Abiodun demystified the myth attached to payment of gratuities and pensions in Ogun State, which made it appeared as an onerous responsibility of sorts with almost impossibility.

The Governor had convincingly made it clear at different fora and events that those who have diligently and meritoriously served their father land must live decently and comfortably during retirement, thereby making the payment of their gratuities and pensions a prioritised consideration at all times.

Governor Dapo Abiodun, on every occasion of interventions in the State has continued to consider retirees alongside those in active service to give the senior citizens necessary sense of belongings and make them appreciate the active parts of their existence they have used to serve the State.

In the way the Canadian Writer and Litigation Lawyer, Robin Sharma, rightly puts it", Real Leadership is about Transforming Limitations into Possibilities", and that is exactly what the Prince of Iperu has done for the thousands of retirees in Ogun State.

Speaking on Thursday, 1st May, at the 2025 Workers' Day Celebration held at the Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta, Prince Dapo Abiodun proudly announced in utmost fulfilment that his administration had paid the whopping sum of N179bn in pensions and gratuities since his assumption of office in 2019 for both state and local government retirees.

Governor Abiodun, excitedly disclosed to the sheering crowd of workers in the State that backlog of pensions from 2012 to 2017 had been cleared, just as the backlog of National Housing Scheme remittances has also been cleared to ensure easy access to mortgage loans.

He added that about 12,500 workers have benefited from car and motorcycle loans, which his administration has increased to the tune of N1.6 billion.

Prince Abiodun asserted,"As a worker-friendly administration, we have made deliberate efforts to deepen our partnership with labour to improve working conditions and enhance the welfare of our workers across the state.

"This administration, since its inception in 2019, has cleared the pension backlog, and pensions are now paid alongside salaries. We have paid for the period from 2012 to 2017.

"A total of N179.7 billion has been disbursed as pensions and gratuities to both state and local government pensioners. The backlog of National Housing Scheme remittances has been cleared, easing access to mortgage loans.

"We have increased car and motorcycle loans to the tune of N1.6 billion, disbursed to about 12,500 beneficiaries as N8 billion was used to provide palliatives to state workers and pensioners between July 2023 and March 2024 to cushion the effects of subsidy removal on fuel".

In addition to the above, the Governor also disclosed at the event that 350 hectares of land at Ijemo/Onisela has been acquired and launched under a Sites and Services Scheme to support the aspirations of workers in the state to become property owners through mortgages.

He hinted that the sites would be named as 'Prince Dapo Abiodun Bureaucrats Estate' to symbolise the organic bond between him and the workforce and his total commitment to their wellbeing and welfare.

The Governor said that the Sites and Services Scheme is a government initiative that provides essential infrastructure like roads, water, and electricity to an area, allowing individuals or businesses to develop properties at a lower cost, saying that the cooperation between the state government and the workers has positioned the state as a beacon of innovation, enterprise, and human capital development, placing the state on the path of sustainable development.

"With your support and cooperation, our administration has fully deployed available resources, culminating in a conducive business environment that has attracted and encouraged both local and foreign investors to strengthen our economy," the Governor said.

Meanwhile, considering the level of creativity, proactiveness and determination Governor Dapo Abiodun has displayed in transforming the State from stagnation to this level of solvency and industrial viability, with the best ease of doing business index across the country, resulting to business boom with attendant job opportunities for the teeming youths, one can safely and confidently go to town and announce that: OGUN STATE IS IN THE HANDS OF A RESPONSIVE LEADER.

Olaniyi Ajibola is a Senior Special Assistant to Governor Dapo Abiodun on Strategic Media.

*They Asked for Roads. He Brought Transformation — Ijebu-Ode Celebrates Abiodun’s Promise-Keeping Leadership*

In the symphony of governance, few leaders strike the chords of trust, progress, and fulfillment as harmoniously as Prince Dapo Abiodun. What began as a campaign promise etched in the sands of aspiration has now solidified into concrete reality—quite literally—on the streets of Ijebu-Ode.

They asked for roads.
He brought transformation.

Not just gravel and tar, but a renaissance of faith in leadership.

For years, Ijebu-Ode was a town caught between nostalgia and neglect, where potholes told tales of abandoned promises and every rainy season brought a flood of disappointment. But under the watchful stewardship of Governor Abiodun, the narrative has shifted. Now, roads are not just pathways; they are metaphors of movement, signals of a state inching towards its full potential.

In Tam-Balogun, where residents once danced around craters to get to school or market, new asphalt now tells a story of redemption. Osinubi Road and the historic 12.5-kilometer stretch of Obalende-Abeokuta are no longer symbols of stagnation, but signs of sincerity—of a governor who meant every word he said on the campaign trail.

“When a leader speaks and the ground responds with action, the people begin to believe again,” said Alhaji Kehinde Sanni, a lifelong resident. “We’ve waited, we’ve hoped, and now we’re witnessing the results with our own eyes.”

The mantra “Building Our Future Together” has become more than a slogan; it is a living covenant between a leader and his people. It resonates in the steady hum of construction equipment, in the renewed ease of daily commute, and in the laughter of children playing on once-forgotten streets.

Dayo Oluwaremilekun, a young entrepreneur, summed up the mood in one poetic line:
“Where once there were puddles, now there is progress. We see it, we feel it.”

The roads are coming, yes. But more importantly, confidence is returning. In a political climate where promises often vanish after the ballot is cast, Dapo Abiodun is crafting a legacy built on the bricks of accountability and cemented with the mortar of integrity.

He is not just repairing roads.
He is rebuilding the social contract.

And the people of Ijebu-Ode? They’re not just thankful.
They are inspired, mobilized, and ready to walk—on sturdy new roads—into a future they finally believe in.

*Tayo Mabeweje*
*Media Consultant to the Executive Governor of Ogun State*

Ogun Monarch Lauds Abiodun on Infrastructural Development, Others

The Ologere of Ogere-Remo, in Ikenne Local Government Area, Oba James Obafemi Saliu, has lauded Governor Dapo Abiodun for ensuring equitable distribution of developmental projects across the state.

Oba Saliu stated this while fielding questions from newsmen in his palace at Ogere. He noted that Ogere has benefited from the administration with the construction of the Awomosu-Agbato road and the rehabilitation of Christ Church School in the town.

According to Oba Saliu, the governor has positively touched many lives in the state, scoring him high in road infrastructure, health, education, agriculture, and human capital development.

He said: "In Ogere here, he has reconstructed the Awomosu-Agbato road; that road is very important to us because it has enhanced the economic performance of our people at the toll gate market and Ogere in general.

"There is a toll gate market in Ogere which is very popular, and that market is a place where we have all the tribes in Nigeria: the Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, Igede, and many more. You cannot talk of commerce without roads; roads are very important to commerce, and he has really tried.

"He is a listening governor despite the fact that he has to deal with the many challenges facing the state. Ogun State belongs to him; all the towns belong to him. People will be saying they need this and that, and he has been listening and responding accordingly.

"For example, in Ogere, our request that was taken to him was listened to, and he responded very well. The request was for the renovation of Christ Church School, and he has renovated the school.

"If you go to that school now, the pupils are very happy, the teachers are very happy, and I am also very happy as the king of the town because that was the primary school I went to. So he listened and responded very well positively."

He emphasized that Ogere is gradually becoming the most industrialized town in the state as a result of the daily emergence of industries, hence the need for the government to give it a special place in terms of allocating more infrastructure.

The monarch commended the governor for providing the enabling environment for investors.

"Let us thank the governor for giving them the opportunity through a friendly business environment because if the governor did not give them the chance, companies would run away; they would not stay.

"He performed very well in terms of roads compared to any governor I have seen in my lifetime in Ogun State," he added.

He called for adequate provision of security in the area, as the town has a large population of people from other parts of the country who live and engage in commercial activities.

*When Singapore Met Ogun: The Spirit of Visionary Governance*

History is shaped not just by grand events, but by the quiet resolve of leaders who choose the harder path—the path of nation-building. When one examines the bold, transformative steps taken by Prince Dapo Abiodun, CON, in Ogun State, one cannot help but be drawn to the spirit of a leader from a different time and place: Lee Kuan Yew of Singapore. Though worlds apart, their visions converge. And in that convergence lies a compelling metaphor: When Singapore met Ogun.

Lee Kuan Yew’s Singapore was a small island with no natural resources, yet he envisioned a nation that would rise on the wings of planning, discipline, and unshakable focus. “I always tried to be correct, not politically correct,” he once said. It is a sentiment that echoes unmistakably in Abiodun’s approach to governance. In Ogun, political correctness has given way to correct policies. The result? A state that is beginning to rise beyond rhetoric—one reform, one project, one institution at a time.

The Ogun State Agro-Cargo Airport is more than infrastructure—it is vision turned into velocity. Where many saw only vast stretches of untapped land, Abiodun saw an international trade and logistics hub that would connect Ogun to global agricultural markets. That is not mere ambition; that is what Lee once described as the “audacity to imagine the improbable—and the discipline to make it inevitable.”

Ogun, under Abiodun, is not experiencing development by accident; it is undergoing transformation by design. Just as Lee transformed Singapore into a first-world economy through institutional reforms and strategic foresight, Abiodun is systematically rewiring Ogun’s governance framework. Tax systems are going digital, service delivery is becoming more efficient, and public institutions are slowly shifting from reactive to proactive governance.

But this transformation is not loud. Like Lee, Abiodun governs in a manner that avoids flamboyance. “I am not interested in being popular; I am interested in being right,” Lee once asserted. Abiodun shares this DNA. He doesn’t grandstand; he builds. He doesn’t chase clout; he cultivates continuity. And this deliberate modesty is what separates builders from mere occupiers of office.

Consider the renewed investments in infrastructure across Ilaro, Sagamu, Ijebu Ode, and Abeokuta—roads constructed not for press photos, but for trade, transport, and territorial cohesion. Housing estates in Kobape and Ijebu Ode are not vanity projects, but carefully designed solutions to urban migration and shelter inequality. His education reforms, with increased focus on technical and vocational training, reflect Lee’s belief that “a nation’s future is decided in the classroom.”

In both men, we find a mutual disdain for mediocrity. Lee didn’t build Singapore with platitudes, and Abiodun isn’t building Ogun with press releases. He is doing it with plans, partnerships, and performance. His Gateway Agenda is not political poetry—it is a development playbook rooted in metrics, timelines, and measurable impact.

This is not to say the terrain is easy. Like Lee, who faced opposition, skepticism, and resource constraints, Abiodun too governs in an era of economic pressures and competing interests. But he remains, as Lee once described leadership, “a gardener—planting seeds, pruning weeds, waiting for harvest.” It is a patience grounded in purpose.

What happens when Singapore meets Ogun? A model emerges—one that fuses African ambition with Asian-style execution. A leadership ethos that sees beyond elections and thinks in generations. A man who knows, like Lee, that true success is not in applause, but in the prosperity of the people long after the applause fades.

In Dapo Abiodun, Ogun has not just a governor, but a quiet revolutionary. One who is writing history not with fanfare, but with footprints. If Lee Kuan Yew built a city-state from the impossible, Abiodun is building a subnational legacy from the improbable.

And someday, when Ogun’s story is told as a reference for visionary governance in Africa, we may look back and say: That was when Singapore met Ogun.

*Tayo Mabeweje*
*Media Consultant to the Executive Governor of Ogun State*

Ede Fed. Poly's Rector bags ASUP Ambassador Award

...as institution embarks on beautification of solar street lights and construction of Ogberin security gate

The Rector, Federal Polytechnic Ede, Engr. Dr Sani Man Yahaya, fnse has been conferred with award of Ambassador of Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics(ASUP)describing him as a well- refined administrator and a season technocrat

The National President of the Academic staff union of Polytechnics, Comrade Sunday Shammah Kpanja, superintended the conferment at the Ogun State Institute of Technology, Igbesa.

Kpanja stated that the award given to the Rector became imperative in recognition of Engr Dr Sani Man Yahaya exemplary leadership, strategic administrative style, and sustainance of industrial harmony in the institution

In his remarks, The Chairman Governing Council, Federal Polytechnic, Ede Osun State, Prof. Taiwo Akanbi Olaiya, Esq, who was represented by a member of the Governing Council, Prof. Gbadebo Olagunju described Engr Yahaya as a man of vision, full of wisdom, who is on the verge of taking the institution to the next level

The Council Chairman also used the occasion to enjoin the entire workforce and students of the institution to join hands, and sustain the current peaceful atmosphere being enjoyed presently in the Polytechnic

Also present at occasion were internal members of the Governing Council and other Polytechnic functionaries and well wishers

In another development, The Rector, Federal Polytechnic Ede, Engr Dr Sani Man Yahaya has equally commenced the beatification of the institution with the installation of Solar street lights and the construction of Ogberin security gate both in the north campus of the institution

Speaking about the development, the Chairman, Governing Council Prof. Taiwo Akanbi Olaiya, Esq commended the foresight of Engr Sani Man Yahaya led Management, he , therefore, pledged the full support of the Governing Council to complete all laudable projects currently in the pipeline before the expiration of their tenure.

Ede Fed. Poly's Rector bags ASUP Ambassador Award

...as institution embarks on beautification of solar street lights and construction of Ogberin security gate

The Rector, Federal Polytechnic Ede, Engr. Dr Sani Man Yahaya, fnse has been conferred with award of Ambassador of Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics(ASUP)describing him as a well- refined administrator and a season technocrat

The National President of the Academic staff union of Polytechnics, Comrade Sunday Shammah Kpanja, superintended the conferment at the Ogun State Institute of Technology, Igbesa.

Kpanja stated that the award given to the Rector became imperative in recognition of Engr Dr Sani Man Yahaya exemplary leadership, strategic administrative style, and sustainance of industrial harmony in the institution

In his remarks, The Chairman Governing Council, Federal Polytechnic, Ede Osun State, Prof. Taiwo Akanbi Olaiya, Esq, who was represented by a member of the Governing Council, Prof. Gbadebo Olagunju described Engr Yahaya as a man of vision, full of wisdom, who is on the verge of taking the institution to the next level

The Council Chairman also used the occasion to enjoin the entire workforce and students of the institution to join hands, and sustain the current peaceful atmosphere being enjoyed presently in the Polytechnic

Also present at occasion were internal members of the Governing Council and other Polytechnic functionaries and well wishers

In another development, The Rector, Federal Polytechnic Ede, Engr Dr Sani Man Yahaya has equally commenced the beatification of the institution with the installation of Solar street lights and the construction of Ogberin security gate both in the north campus of the institution

Speaking about the development, the Chairman, Governing Council Prof. Taiwo Akanbi Olaiya, Esq commended the foresight of Engr Sani Man Yahaya led Management, he , therefore, pledged the full support of the Governing Council to complete all laudable projects currently in the pipeline before the expiration of their tenure.

*Over 1,200km of Roads and Counting: Abiodun’s Administration Keeps Building*

In Ogun State today, roads are no longer just physical paths—they are lifelines of commerce, veins of opportunity, and the visible handwriting of a government committed to legacy. Governor Dapo Abiodun understands this deeply. As Chief Obafemi Awolowo once remarked, “A government that cannot provide good roads is not ready for the responsibility of development,” and in alignment with that philosophy, the current administration has made infrastructure a top priority.

Governor Abiodun's most recent intervention in the Ijebu-Ode axis is a vivid reaffirmation of this belief. On June 5, 2025, he commissioned the reconstructed Awokoya–Igbeba–Yidi Road, a stretch once riddled with floodwater and frustration, now reborn as a durable and dignified carriageway. This road, which binds together communities like Igbeba, Yidi, and Idofoyin, was once a scar in the city’s geography—today, it is a smooth ribbon of progress rolled out under the watch of a listening government.

The Governor revealed that 22 road projects have been awarded in Ijebu-Ode since 2019—16 completed, 6 ongoing. The transformation of Awokoya–Yidi isn’t just about laying asphalt; it is about restoring dignity, unlocking commerce, and breathing ease into daily commutes. It is in moments like these that one remembers the words of Chief Awolowo: “When the roads are good, education is possible, health becomes reachable, and prosperity has a path to walk on.”

Governor Abiodun’s calm resolve reflects this timeless truth. His administration has constructed and rehabilitated over 1,200km of roads statewide. These projects, executed in both urban and rural settings, are not mere political tokens—they are foundations of a modern Ogun. According to Chief Olusegun Osoba, “You can make promises with words, but roads are promises cast in stone. They cannot be denied or hidden—they are the loudest testimony of leadership.”

This testimony is loudest in communities like Ifo, where the Ojodu–Abiodun–Denro–Ishasi–Akute Road now pulses with traffic and opportunity, and in Yewa South, where the Oke-Erinja–Ilobi Road has rekindled rural commerce. In Ijebu North-East, roads like Molusi College Road and the Atan–Erunwon Road stretch across once-forgotten lands like arteries of new life.

Each of these roads forms part of a grander vision—one that sees Ogun as more than a state, but a strategic frontier. With construction ongoing on the Sango–Ijoko–Akute, Alagbole–Akute, and Agbara–Atan–Lusada corridors, Governor Abiodun is planting stakes into the soil of economic relevance. These roads aren’t just for driving—they are for drawing in industry, decongesting Lagos, and rerouting prosperity into Ogun’s industrial heartlands.

Closer to home in Ijebu-Ode, other projects such as the Oba Erinwole Dual Carriageway and the continuation of Molusi College Road are rewriting the urban narrative. Roads are opening up landlocked communities, reducing travel time, and catalyzing new development. As Chief Awolowo said, “A nation that cannot connect its people cannot connect its potential.” The Abiodun administration is clearly connecting both.

And the benefits are not abstract—they are real and rippling. From easier access to markets to the rising property values in serviced areas, from construction jobs to revived local economies, the ripple effect of each completed road is felt in homes, wallets, and dreams.

Governor Abiodun has reaffirmed his commitment: no zone left behind. From the dusty outskirts to the bustling centers, Ogun’s new roads are more than infrastructure—they are the veins of a future envisioned and steadily being realized. As Chief Osoba aptly observed, “Roads may wear out, but the memory of the leader who built them never fades.”

In Ogun today, that memory is being forged in stone, in asphalt, in bridges, and in dust turned smooth. Governor Abiodun isn’t just fixing roads—he is laying down the very grammar of legacy, one kilometre at a time.

*Tayo Mabeweje*
**Media Consultant to the Executive Governor of Ogun State*

Ogun Kicks Off Akute-Lambe-Agbado Road Reconstruction Project



Succor is on the way for motorists plying the Akute-Lambe-Agbado road in Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State as the contracting firm, Craneburg, has moved to the site to begin the reconstruction of the ever-busy road.

Soon, the people of the area will join millions of other residents of Ogun State in driving on motorable roads as part of the effort of the Prince Dapo Abiodun-led administration to make life easier for the populace through sustained infrastructure development across the state.

Craneburg has commenced the mobilization of heavy-duty equipment to the site. The execution of earthworks has also started across multiple sections of the road, and construction work proper is expected to begin immediately.

The strategic project, which will benefit several communities in the area, covers critical stretches and landmarks, including Akute Bridge, Oke Aro Stream, and Agbado Bridge, among others. When concluded, it will serve as a vital link between several densely populated communities in Ifo Local Government Area of the state.

Eyewitness reports from the site of the project revealed that road grading and leveling works are actively ongoing, while the roadbed is being shaped with SEM 920F Motor Graders and bulldozers.
Construction of drains and laybys is expected to commence soon.

"Excavators and dump trucks are moving in to deposit lateritic soil as part of the base preparation, with clear evidence of material layering to ensure durability," an eyewitness added.

This road project is part of a broader effort by the Ogun State government to enhance infrastructure, improve transportation, and stimulate economic growth in the area. The project is also aimed at addressing long-standing infrastructure challenges and improving the overall quality of life for residents of Ifo Local Government Area and its environs.

Several road projects have been carried out in the area by the Dapo Abiodun-led administration, focusing on improved connectivity. These include the Akute-Ajuwon road in Ifo II State Constituency, Alagbole-Akute road, Akute-Ijoko-Oke Aro road, Sango-Ijoko-Akute road, and Denro-Ishashi-Oluwakemi road.

The onslaught on Dapo Abiodun by political Judases

By Funmi Branco


THERE is something common to all Judases: baying for the blood of their benefactors. On the political scene, that is incredibly easy to do once you have the cash. Hack and hired writers are ten a penny, ever ready to betray their heritage and family for a bottle of beer. Keep that in mind as you read the high-sounding but intellectually empty and pathetic piece titled “Dapo Abiodun, Gbenga Daniel, and Ogun State’s theatre of political deceit” by one 'Toks Oguntuga, and you cannot but marvel at the sheer buffoonery of political revisionists. For a writer boasting his credentials as a “seasoned academic researcher, strategic communication expert, political analyst, and speechwriter,” you can be forgiven for expecting at least a modicum of logic. But what emerges from his Bolekaja offering is nothing but character assassination built on blatant falsehoods, innuendo, and diatribes against the Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, and false valorization and lionization of his master, Gbenga Daniel, the man under whose government the Gateway State was almost always in the news for the wrong reasons.

For a writer with vaunted credentials, Oguntuga’s piece is astoundingly banal. Setting up a binary dichotomy in which his lord and savior, Daniel, is an angel and in which anyone remotely opposed to him is the devil himself, Oguntuga invests every possible invective that he can muster on the Ogun State Governor, a man about whom he has nothing positive, even by implication, to say, and yet he expects reasonable people to take him seriously. It is clear that when these ruffians write, they lose every sense of objectivity, driven by their fawning obsession with the political pirates on whose behalf they throw reason out of the window, placing personal gain over reasoned debate.

In the ridiculous piece under reference, the writer fawningly robes his paymaster in the garb of “a calculating maestro of the past,” “a battle-tested political gladiator whose grassroots tentacles penetrate every village square and urban corner, whose cross-party goodwill spans many local government councils, whose Rolodex of loyalists reads like the guest list of political royalty across the entire state.” This is excessive demagoguery and hero worship that no one who claims sanity should be associated with, but we are dealing with a vainglorious clown. Even if Daniel is your liege lord, at least spare a thought for your family, for as the Yoruba say, “Bibi re o se f’wo ra.” (Good breeding cannot be bought with money). Why lie with such Luciferic recklessness, saying that Governor Abiodun’s election in 2019 was the handiwork of Daniel? Are we talking about the same Daniel who only joined APC a few days before the governorship election that saw Dapo Abiodun defeating Ibikunle Amosun and all the arsenal of the state ranged against him on all sides?

A bit of history for these history rewriters: in 2002, Abiodun and Daniel contested for the PDP ticket in Ogun State. Actually, it was Abiodun who was in PDP before Daniel was brought in through the instrumentality of the then powers. Once Daniel emerged as the party’s candidate, Abiodun handed over his structures to ensure his victory. He gave Daniel money, donated vehicles, and handed over his secretariats. Throughout the eight years of Daniel in office, the years in which Ogun State was notorious for violence and political assassinations, the years in which, as Nigerians would no doubt recall, photographs of state lawmakers taking an oath of allegiance to the governor in their birthday suits adorned the pages of newspapers, Abiodun never requested any kind of support from him. He was an oil mogul and simply faced his businesses. And, in any case, the then governor was notorious for his imperial rulership, which brooked no opposition.

If Oguntuga still had a bit of memory, he would have remembered that in 2019, Daniel was the coordinator of the PDP presidential campaign and joined APC only a few days before Abiodun’s election, knowing that Alhaji Atiku Abubakar was certain to lose the presidential race. So when these clowns claim that he raised Dapo Abiodun’s hands and whatnot, it is clear that they are only dressing their god in the finery of falsehood. Nigerians are quite cognizant of the fact that throughout the eight years in which Ibikunle Amosun held sway at Oke Mosan, Gbenga Daniel was in political limbo, busy going in and out of EFCC offices. Indeed, Amosun, who gave him absolutely no quarter, was on the verge of demolishing his hotel in Abeokuta when Abiodun assumed office.

Daniel was rehabilitated and integrated into the Ogun APC fold, the same fold that Oguntuga and his ilk, in their worship of Daniel, say “has always resembled a magnificent but unstable mansion,” as if their god was forced to stay in the party. Sources say no sooner had Daniel been pulled out of political debris than he started seeing himself as all in all. Apparently, it was Amosun who understood how to deal with him, exterminating him from Ogun politics. The man rescued from political shipwreck started struggling with the state Governor, saying he had not consulted him before appointing commissioners! And yet, for all the falsehood perpetuated by his attack dogs, Abiodun actually accommodated Daniel’s men in his government. The list includes Hon. Lai Taiwo, Chairman of the House of Assembly Service Commission; Engnr. Akeem Adesina (S.A. Works), Otunba Fatai Sowemimo (Chairman, Water Corporation), Deji Kalejaye (SSA Inter-party), Ifekayode (SSA on Media), and Princess Ogunde (SA, Women Affairs, among several SAs). Daniel’s (wo)men are in Abiodun’s government, but he apparently wants the Governor, the same person that God used to bring him back to political reckoning after eight years in the wilderness, to be taking instructions from him.

As watchers of the Ogun political scene are no doubt aware, Senator Lekan Mustapha would have returned to the Red Chamber unopposed. He was a performing senator, but the Judases of our time lobbied the Awujale of Ijebuland and other monarchs, and the Ogun State Governor was prevailed upon to let him have the ticket of the party he had just joined. He got the ticket and was elected Ogun East senator but then teamed up with the PDP’s Ladi Adebutu to undercut Abiodun. It is a fact that all his boys worked against Abiodun, and that certain forces used their network in the North to sway the Election Petitions Tribunal against the Governor. Till today, Daniel’s so-called supporters are his PDP supporters.

A few days before the governorship election in 2023, he allegedly sent a note to his members asking them not to vote for Abiodun. Now, he reasons that the Governor, being from Ogun East, might contest the 2027 senatorial election, and has unleashed his attack dogs on him and his government. Amid his highfalutin offering, Oguntuga couldn’t help disclosing his boss’s morbid fear. Hear him: “Abiodun harbours ambitions that soar far beyond the confines of Oke-Mosan, with rumours swirling around about his burning desire for the very senatorial seat that OGD currently occupies.” Pray, is the Ogun East senatorial ticket Daniel’s birthright? Was the seat not occupied by someone before him? Assuming, but not conceding that Abiodun is intent on running for senator, why should that pose any threat to a man Oguntuga boasts is “a battle-tested political gladiator whose grassroots tentacles penetrate every village square and urban corner”?

Nigerians, expect more anti-Abiodun diatribes in the coming days as the political Judas prepares his return journey to political oblivion.

Ogun Govt dismisses PDP’s diatribe on Gov Abiodun, says party a carcass blind to good things

Ogun State Government, on Saturday, reacted to the criticism of Governor Dapo Abiodun’s administration by the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), saying that the party had become a carcass blind to good things at the state and federal levels.

It said that as a discredited opposition whose governorship candidate is being prosecuted for vote buying and sundry electoral crimes, Ogun PDP only latched on to the opportunity of June 12 appraisal to try and bring itself back into reckoning through the back door after being firmly rejected by the Ogun electorate following years of underperformance, corruption and violence.

In a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Strategy, Hon Kayode Akinmade, the Ogun State Government wondered how an administration widely acknowledged as turning Ogun State into a giant construction site and Nigeria’s top investment destination could be said to be underperforming.

It said that if the PDP cannot see the Gateway International Airport and the over 1,200 kilometers of road spread across the state, that is due to willful and deliberately self-induced amnesia.

It said: “PDP’s recent statement accusing Governor Dapo Abiodun administration of sundry concocted crimes, including alleged lack transparency, lopsided execution of infrastructure and neglect of hospitals and schools, is confounding, to say the least, because even the devil would grin with envy reading such barefaced lies that call the sanity of its authors into question.

“Having become a carcass in Ogun and nationwide, PDP goons can be forgiven for being blind to good things, and desperately trying to give themselves undue relevance on the pages of newspapers.

“With its membership in disarray, its governorship candidate undergoing prosecution for vote buying and sundry electoral crimes and its electoral fortunes dimmer than ever, PDP, overwhelmed with the success Governor Abiodun has recorded in six years, foolishly decided to bring itself into evil reckoning on the pages of newspapers.

“Among many other landmarks, the investment portfolios attracted by Governor Abiodun include the April 2022 $400m investment by Arise Integrated Industrial Platform, on the development of Olokola Free Trade Zone and Remo Agro Processing Zone; the over $500 investment by a steel conglomerate, African Industries Group; the $500 million investment by the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to enhance power infrastructure in Ogun State; the $300 million investment by the Chinese company, Inner Galaxy Steel Company Ltd, to establish a new steel plant for the production of specialised steel products in Ogun State, and the October 2024 establishment of a $5 million battery recycling plant by a British company.

“How is Governor Abiodun dragging Ogun State backwards with the investment by Codix Bio Pharmaceutical Company, a pharmaceutical outfit that specializes in the production of medication kits for the treatment of diabetes, hypertension and heart-related diseases; the $400 million hot rolled coiled steel factory in Ewekoro; the Special Agro-Cargo Processing Zone created by President Tinubu to serve the airport as a Free Trade Zone (FTZ), located very close to airport, etc?

“ On roads, is the PDP willfully blind to the Abeokuta-Sagamu Expressway; Obantoko Road; Idi-Aba-Elite-OkeLantoro; Ikoritameje-Adenrele; Panseke-Adigbe; City Gate Monument Development Flyover Bridge, Kuto; Arepo road, Somorin-Kemta-IdiAba; OlusegunOsoba-ToyinAgbado, Yakoyo Bridge to Mr. Biggs section along Akute; Owode-Siun roads, etc?
“Can it not see the Oru-Awa-Ilaporu-Ibadan expressway; Molipa-AsafaIsale-Ayegu-Ojofa; Asafa Oke-Fusigboye-Ojofa Street; Oba Erinwole road, Sagamu; Awujale road, Ejinrin-Idowa-Awa-Ibefun-Itoikin; Ijebu Ode-Epe-Sagamu-Benin Interchange Flyover Bridge; Esure-Ijebu Mushin road; Ogbagba Street, Ijebu Ode; Molusi College road, Ijebu Igbo, among others?

“What about the Ibooro-Imasayi-IganOkoto-Ayetoro road (Phase 1) in Yewa North, Ikola-Navy-OsiIkola; Raypower; Joju, Sango; Ilashe-Koko-Alari; Oke Ola, Imeko; Tollgate-Singer GRA, Ota; Ilaro-Iwoye (Phase 1); Iwoye-OwodeYewa Secondary School road, (Phase2); Owode Yewa Secondary School-Owode Yewa Junction road (Phase 3) roads?”

Akinmade added that PDP, whose deputy governorship candidate, Hon Abiodun Akinlade, recently joined APC, can say whatever it wants, but the Abiodun administration’s strides in roads, investment, housing and education cannot be ignored by decent people.

He said that Ogun indigenes excel in all spheres, adding that even in the area of sports, the recently concluded National Sports Festival held in Ogun State, at which the state’s contingent came second, was adjudged the best ever, and has become an international benchmark.

“Governor Abiodun, a leader recognized by Forbes Magazine in 2022 as the Best of Africa Governor in Industrial Revolution, is a compassionate leader par excellence.
“Does PDP want to condemn the N50 million Ijebu Development Initiative for Poverty Reduction (Eriwe) introduced to develop the fish subsector and the empowerment of over 40,000 agripreneurs in cassava cultivation, the 20,000-hectare rice farmland in Yewa; the Ogun State Teaching Experience Acquisition Channel (Ogun TREACH) that brought on board 5000 interns, with 1000 transitioned to permanent teachers; the over N3.5 billion disbursed through EDUCASH to assist students and their parents, with 150, 000 students benefitting the full accreditation secured for the first time in 45 years and the upgrade of the Ogun State Schools of Nursing and Midwifery to collegiate status; the inaugurated Sexual Therapy and Assaults Referral Centre in OOUTH), among others? It would be an insane undertaking.”

Appeal Court : No Vacancy in Osun Local Government Administration - ALGON

The Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), Osun State Chapter, has assured the people of the state that the local government administration in Osun State is intact under the leadership of All Progressive Congress (APC) elected Chai.rmen and Councilors asking the members to ignore the sponsored misinformation by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

ALGON said that the June 13th, 2025 Appeal Court judgment has no effects on the status of the APC's Chairmen and Councilors presently holding sway in all the local governments, arguing that it only reaffirmed the existence of February 10, 2025 which reinstated the chairmen and Councilors.

Osun State Chairman of ALGON, Hon Abiodun Idowu in statement in Osogbo, Osun State Capital, said the State government and PDP are only trying effortlessly to distort the verdict of the Appeal Court sitting in Akure.

He said the the association is not in anyway disturbed nor distracted with the PDP antics to undermine the local government administration in the state saying the February 10 Appeal Court judgment has come to stay except contrary position at the supreme court.

Abiodun urged elected chairmen and councilors to remain calm and be law abiding and continue to discharge their responsibility without fear adding that law enforcement agents have been alerted about the antics of the PDP to instigate crisis and breach of public peace.

Abiodun said " As legal authority in 30 local governments and area office in the state, we wish to reassure the people of the state that there is no vacancy in local government administration in Osun State and urge the public to ignore the blatant lies and misinformation being circulated by PDP about the court of Appeal Akure.

"For record purpose, the Appeal Court ruling only established potency of the judgment delivered on 10th February, 2025 which reinstated the Chairmen and Councilors elected on 15th October, 2022 and by implication and clearly there is no vacancy in Osun Local governments.

" Tody's Court of Appeal ruling is just the refusal of APC and our members application to relist the dismissed APP's judgment, the February 10 Appeal court judgment is still subsisting and valid except any other pronouncement by Supreme Court.

" We, therefore, assure our people that the local government administration is intact and of members should continue their official responsibilities in various council Secretariats in the state. We have alerted the security agents for protection and our members in all local governments."

" We, then, restate our commitment to our electoral promises to make life more abundant for the people at the grassroots level and assure the members of the state protection of life and property." Abiodun said.