₦airaland Forum

The Senator representing the Ogun West senatorial district, Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, has hinted that Ogun State will soon join oil-producing states in Nigeria as drilling of crude oil will commence soon at Tongeji Island, located in the Ipokia Local Government Area of the state.

Adeola, while speaking in Ota at the 2nd Edition of the Town Hall Meeting/Mega Empowerment and Thank You Tour of Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area,

said modalities are being put in place to commence drilling of crude oil at the island on the fringe of the border between Nigeria and the Republic of Benin.

He attributed the feat to the economic reforms by the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration and the investor-friendly Ogun State Government of Governor Dapo Abiodun.

He commended the president for taking the bull by the horns and giving the country’s economy a new direction and praised Abiodun for espousing the infrastructural and socioeconomic development of Ogun State.

He noted that Tinubu has attracted more Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into Nigeria within two years in office, and Abiodun has transformed Ogun into the best investor destination of choice.

The senator added that when the drilling activities commence in the oil-rich Tongeji Island, Ogun State will witness astronomical economic growth and prosperity while Nigeria’s crude oil production will soar.

Adeola commended the Ogun State governor for completing the agro-cargo airport, which has attracted other mega projects from the private sector, establishing a dry sea port, and delivering other infrastructural projects across the state.

Adeola declared that the governor will be remembered as the best in terms of the delivery of infrastructural and socioeconomic development.

On the empowerment programme, Adeola explained that he decided to decentralise the programme to empower more constituents in the senatorial district.

In another development, the senator declared that the nation’s affairs, particularly the economy, are no longer in the hands of the cabal.

He stated that various reforms introduced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his assumption of office have rendered members of the cabal who held the country’s economy by the jugular impotent, stressing that Nigeria is now on the path of economic recovery.

Adeola defended the tax reform policy of the incumbent administration in Nigeria, noting that it is to salvage Nigeria’s economy from the members of the cabal.

Adeola added that the tax reform policy supported by the majority of members of the National Assembly has brought holistic change and liberation to the country’s economy.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has taunted political economist and politician, Prof. Pat Utomi, over his declaration of a coalition shadow government, describing him as an “intellectual drama king”.

Utomi had earlier in April 24, said he is mobilizing 7.2 million Nigerians from all geo-political zones that will converge in Abuja for a protest tagged “Freedom Converge,” against the government of President Bola Tinubu and the APC.

He noted that the protest aims to reclaim the country from “entrenched systems of state capture and self-serving leadership” and return power to the masses.

He lamented that “The recent spate of defections to the APC provides further evidence that all is not well with democracy in Nigeria”.

Reacting to the issues, the National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Felix Morka dismissed Utomi’s claim that the shadow government was a response to the “policy missteps” of the federal government, which he said had worsened poverty and silenced dissenting views.

Morka said Utomi had always enjoyed the full liberty to express his thoughts and form coalitions, regardless of their lack of realism or traction.

“Utomi’s unilateral declaration of a ‘shadow government’, in a presidential democracy, is, in and of itself, an exercise of democratic freedom and free speech, in the extreme,” the statement reads in part.

Morka described as “reckless” and “irresponsible” Utomi’s comparison of Nigeria’s current political climate to Adolf Hitler’s Nazi Germany.

He added that such comparisons were beneath Utomi’s intellectual standing and revealed a descent into “sensational and virulent discourse.

He argued that President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s tolerance of dissent is evident in the freedom Utomi has to make such pronouncements without consequence.

Morka said Utomi’s string of failed political attempts, from seeking the APC governorship ticket in Delta in 2019 to his involvement in Peter Obi’s 2023 campaign, has taken a toll on his sense of judgment.

He said Utomi was revising history by accusing the government of weaponising the removal of the petrol subsidy.

“Simply exploiting and dramatizing what are inevitable initial difficulties associated with the policies Nigerians have had to endure for sustainable growth and prosperity is not genius; it smacks of crass political opportunism and desperation,” Morka said.

He added that it is not the duty of the ruling APC to organise or educate opposition parties on how to manage their internal affairs.

He said opposition figures who claim to have superior solutions for Nigeria’s challenges should first show capacity by managing their parties effectively.

“The wave of defections into the APC… is a clear endorsement of the visionary and inclusive leadership of President Bola Tinubu,” Morka said.
He said those joining the APC have chosen “patriotism over partisanship” and are ready to help reposition Nigeria under Tinubu’s leadership.

sharone21:
Itsekiri: Yorubas, Igalas and Binis.

Olukunmi: Yorubas ( still have ties with Binis).

However to safeguard themselves due to the issues they have with their 'neighbors' in Delta( Ijaws and Urhobos), they will emphasize more on their Yoruba ancestry to get Federal help.

The African Union Simulation has nominated the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, as the Grand Patron of Traditional Institutions in Africa ahead of the 2025 Africa Day celebration.

In a statement by the palace’s Director of Media and Public Affairs, Moses Olafare, the nomination was formally conveyed to the monarch during a high-powered delegation visit to the Ooni’s palace on Friday.

According to Olafare, the delegation was led by Africa Coordinator of the African Union Simulation and Director of Parliament for Africa, Caribbean & Pacific Joint Sessions, Dr Piero Omatseye.

Olafare said the recognition was in appreciation of the Ooni’s continental influence, leadership, and unrelenting promotion of culture and youth empowerment across Africa.

Olafare quoted Omatseye as saying, “We are here today on behalf of youths and leaders across 54 African countries to inform His Majesty that Africa Day will be commemorated through a blend of cultural traditions, training expeditions, and youth empowerment initiatives.

“Ooni of Ife, being a natural symbol of tradition, unity, and visionary leadership, has been unanimously nominated as the Grand Patron of the traditional institution in Africa.”

The 2025 Africa Day celebration in Abuja will feature African Heads of State, ministers, resident ambassadors, global development partners, and experts in agriculture, energy, technology, and economics. The celebration aims to empower young Africans through cross-sectoral engagement.

In his response, the Ooni expressed heartfelt gratitude for the continental honour, affirming his continued dedication to youth empowerment.

“I thank the entire delegation and African youth who have traveled from across the continent to present this honour. I pray for the success of the Africa Day celebration and assure you of my support and presence, God willing,” the Ooni stated.

A granddaughter of the late Obafemi Awolowo, Funke Awolowo, has resigned her membership of the Labour Party Executive Committee in Lagos State.

Awolowo was, until her resignation, the party’s Head of the Mobilisation and Integration Team in Lagos.

Her resignation was contained in a statement in which she said recent developments within the party had made it increasingly difficult for her to continue her membership on the committee.

The statement, which she signed and addressed to Dayo Ekong, Lagos State Chairman of the party, said the integrity of the committee was being compromised, adding that the situation had damaged her reputation.

“I am writing to formally resign my position as a member of the Lagos State Executive Committee, effective immediately.

“This decision comes after deep reflection and considerable personal introspection. Recent developments have made it increasingly difficult for me to continue in this role in good conscience.

“I have observed with growing concern that the integrity of the committee is being compromised and, regrettably, is being leveraged for purposes that conflict with the values and principles I hold dear.

“More troubling is the damage this has done to my personal reputation, as my name has been unfairly associated with actions and motives that I neither support nor condone,” the statement read.

She said that despite stepping away from her role, her commitment to public service and the political process remains steadfast.

PlasmaTV:
This seems like an insensitive comment. He who wears the shoes knows where it punches.

Nigerian troops have rescued the 31 kidnapped passengers along the Apata-Obajana road in Kogi State.

Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency expert focused on the Lake Chad region, disclosed this in a post on his X handle on Friday, saying the rescue operation was carried out in collaboration with the police and local hunters.

Makama stated that he was reliably informed by intelligence sources that the incident occurred on May 8, when two Toyota Hiace buses traveling from Lagos to Kano and Katsina, respectively, were attacked by armed hoodlums.

The security expert narrated that the first bus, with registration number DTF 773 XA and driven by Saminu Yahaya, was heading to Kano with 17 passengers, while the second, with registration number KNA 170 XA and driven by Bashir Dahiru, was en route to Katsina with another 17 passengers.

“A distress alert was received from a local hunter, prompting a swift response by the troops, who engaged the assailants in a fierce gun duel, which forced the attackers to abandon 31 of the 38 victims and flee into the forest.

“Four of the rescued passengers sustained machete injuries, while one victim was hit by a bullet in the left thigh. All injured victims were immediately evacuated to a hospital for medical treatment,” Makama said.

He added that efforts to rescue the remaining seven abducted persons have been intensified.

Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum, has announced the imminent closure of the Muna Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Maiduguri, as part of ongoing efforts to phase out all formal IDP camps within the state capital.

The governor disclosed this during an early morning visit to the camp on Monday, stating that the closure would take place in the coming weeks.

Established during the peak of the humanitarian crisis caused by the Boko Haram insurgency, the Muna camp currently shelters around 10,000 displaced persons.

However, Zulum revealed that approximately 75 percent of the camp’s residents have already been successfully resettled in their original communities.

He reassured the remaining inhabitants that the government is committed to supporting their transition through livelihood assistance and reintegration support, underscoring the administration’s commitment to sustainable recovery and long-term development.

“This move marks a critical step in our transition from emergency response to rebuilding lives and communities,” the governor said.

During his first term, Zulum pledged to close all IDP camps within Maiduguri, a goal he has steadily pursued. So far, over 12 camps have been closed as part of this initiative.

Seun:
We intend to make the bot more accurate. The first ban may have been a mistake. However, your second post was calling for violence.

Putindbutt:
Be like everybody dey collect. Sadly you still see some people brazenly insulting your parents and nothing happened to them.

ERockson:
See epistle because of a simple ban. Some of you just carry nairaland for head like product. Taka a year break from the platform and deactivate nobody will miss anybody bro

The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, says 24 federal institutions have been powered by solar energy under the “Energising Education Project” of President Bola Tinubu’s Administration.

Alausa, who disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja at the Collaboration Agreement Signing Ceremony with the vice chancellors of beneficiary institutions, added that eight more universities have signed collaboration agreements to join the fourth phase of the project.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that, before the signing ceremony, the minister undertook an inspection tour of the solar-powered facility at the University of Abuja, now Yakubu Gowon University.

Alausa, who described the project as a “new day for Nigeria”, hailed the transformative initiative under Tinubu, aimed at providing uninterrupted power supply to Nigeria’s federal tertiary institutions. He said the projects had wide-reaching benefits for education and the economy.

According to him, the University of Abuja, which now boasts a solar farm comprising 6,000 photovoltaic panels, is generating approximately 3.3 megawatts of electricity daily, enough to power the campus round the clock.

“This project brings continuous, 24-hour electricity to our institutions. It allows for increased academic activity, powers laboratories and libraries throughout the day and night, and improves living and learning conditions for both students and faculty,” he said.

The minister emphasised the economic ripple effect of the initiative, explaining how reliable electricity stimulates business within campuses.
“Any campus is a community by itself. With constant power supply, you unleash high economic activity,” he said.

The minister explained that the project was backed by the Renewable Infrastructure Fund established by Tinubu to support infrastructure development across sectors.

He, therefore, challenged vice chancellors of universities on innovative and creative ways of sustaining the project, noting that by 2027, every tertiary institution would have renewable energy generation.

On his part, the Managing Director, Rural Electrification Agency, Abba Aliyu, said that phases 1, 2, and 3 of the project have so far impacted over 600,000 students and 50,000 academic staff.
Aliyu said that the project had also generated over 100 megawatts of electricity to power university campuses and teaching hospitals.

He said the initiative, implemented through multiple phases, had already brought solar mini-grid infrastructure to 24 federal universities across the country.

“What you are seeing here is one of our interventions in the education sector, and the aim is to ensure that universities have a sustainable and affordable electricity supply,” he said

In addition to educational institutions, he said the Universal Public Health Project, part of phase 2, had successfully delivered clean energy to two universities and two teaching hospitals.

He added that Phase 3, which includes the electrification of eight more universities and one additional teaching hospital, is near completion and set to be commissioned in the coming two months.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the eight new beneficiary institutions include Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria; University of Nigeria, Nsukka; and Federal University, Wukari, Taraba State.

Others are Federal University Dutse, University of Benin, University of Ibadan, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife and University of Lagos.