Chief Alabi Ogundepo, a renowned Saki-born poet, writer, cultural enthusiast and respected community leader, has died at the age of 84.

The Ogundepo family announced his death on Sunday, August 24, 2026, describing his passing as a profound loss to the people of Saki, Oyo State, and the wider Yoruba literary and cultural community.

In a statement signed by Dupe Ogundepo Falana on behalf of the family, the family said it received the news of the elder statesman’s death with deep sadness, while acknowledging his remarkable contributions to literature, culture and community development.

Chief Ogundepo was widely respected for his passion for Yoruba language, poetry, culture and intellectual expression. Through his writings and engagement with traditional and contemporary Yoruba cultural values, he contributed to the preservation and promotion of the rich heritage of the Yoruba people.

Born and raised in Saki, in the Oke-Ogun area of Oyo State, Ogundepo remained closely connected to his roots and was regarded as one of the notable voices who promoted the cultural identity and traditions of the community.

His literary works and cultural engagements earned him recognition beyond Saki, particularly among those committed to the preservation of Yoruba literature, oral traditions and indigenous knowledge.

Beyond his literary and cultural pursuits, the deceased was also regarded as a respected community figure whose wisdom, experience and commitment to his people made him an influential voice within his community.

The family described his death as a significant loss, noting that his departure has left a vacuum that will be difficult to fill.

Tributes are expected to continue to pour in from family members, friends, literary figures, cultural organisations, community leaders and admirers as news of his death spreads across Oyo State and beyond.

Chief Alabi Ogundepo is survived by his children, grandchildren and other members of his extended family.

Details of his burial arrangements are expected to be announced by the family.

His death marks the passing of another notable custodian of Yoruba culture and literary heritage, leaving behind a legacy that is expected to endure through his writings, cultural contributions and the lives he influenced.

Political stakeholders, emerging leaders and policymakers in Oyo State have called for greater inclusion of youths and women in political leadership and decision-making ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The call was made on Monday at the 2026 Oyo State Emerging Political Leaders Summit held at the Ibadan Civic Centre, Agodi GRA, Ibadan.

The two-day summit, themed “Bridging the Gap, Uniting Political Strength, and Mobilizing Emerging Leaders for 2027,” was convened by Hon. Wale Ajani to foster collaboration, reconciliation, strategic engagement and peaceful political participation among emerging political actors across the state.

In his welcome address, Ajani said the summit was designed to sensitise young people to the importance of active participation in politics and governance. He urged youths to reject violence and resist being used as instruments of political thuggery.

He also acknowledged the Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service, Dr. Zacch Adedeji, whom he said encouraged him to organise the summit in Oyo State.

Speaking at the event, AI governance leader, researcher and institution builder, Dr. Success Ojo, criticised the continued marginalisation of youths and women in politics, describing their relegation to the “back bench” as unacceptable.

Ojo urged young people and women to look beyond temporary political incentives such as rice, stipends and other handouts, encouraging them to acquire skills that would make them economically independent and better positioned to influence governance.

She particularly encouraged participants to embrace Artificial Intelligence and other emerging technologies, noting that they could create new opportunities for creativity, productivity and sustainable development.

Representing the Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service, Mr. Abdulraheem Adebayo said the agency had recorded significant growth in revenue generation under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Adebayo urged youths to take a more active role in politics, stressing that their participation was crucial to shaping policies, providing solutions and contributing meaningfully to national development.

Former Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Ashimiyu Alarape, charged emerging political leaders to prepare themselves for future responsibilities.

Alarape advised young politicians to educate themselves, remain proactive and develop the capacity required for effective leadership. He, however, cautioned them against desperation, stressing that political opportunities would come at the appropriate time.

According to him, “politics is turn by turn.”

The Oyo State APC Youth Leader, Hon. Olalekan Glory, said the party remained committed to supporting young candidates and creating opportunities for their success in the 2027 elections.

Glory urged youths to reject the notion that their place in politics was limited to political thuggery, saying they should instead position themselves as active contributors to the political process and governance.

Also speaking, the APC Oyo State Women Leader, Dr. Felicia Opatunde, called for stronger representation of women in political decision-making.

“Women must no longer be content to occupy the audience; they must be at the table where decisions are made,” she said.

The summit featured panel discussions, networking sessions and tactical workshops focused on grassroots mobilisation, party unity, strategic political engagement and leadership development.

Those in attendance included Alhaja Tawa Alli, wife of the Oyo State APC governorship candidate, representatives of public institutions, political stakeholders and emerging leaders from across the state.

The summit is expected to continue on Tuesday with a rally walk at the Aleshinloye Museum, Ibadan, as participants seek to strengthen political collaboration and promote increased participation of youths and women ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, has declared that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu deserves to remain in office for a long time, citing what he described as the President’s efforts and achievements in the country.

Ladoja made the statement on Monday during the flag-off of the reconstruction and dualisation of the 56.5-kilometre Ibadan-Ijebu-Ode Road in Ogun State. Tinubu was represented at the ceremony by Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun.

Speaking at the event, the traditional ruler said the President’s intervention in infrastructure, particularly the long-awaited Ibadan-Ijebu-Ode road project, demonstrated his commitment to development.

“I’ve been hearing everybody talking APC, APC. Bola Tinubu is not an APC man, no. Bola Tinubu is working and deserves to be president for a long, long time,” Ladoja said.

The monarch also recalled his previous engagement with President Tinubu over infrastructure and security challenges affecting communities in Oyo State and the wider South-West.

According to him, the Ibadan-Ijebu-Ode road is strategically important because it will improve economic and social ties between the people of Ibadan and Ijebu, while also addressing transportation and security challenges along the corridor.

Ladoja said he had been assured that the road project would be delivered within 24 months.

The project, valued at about N297 billion, covers 56.5 kilometres and is expected to improve connectivity between Oyo and Ogun states and strengthen access to the Lagos-Ogun economic corridor.

The Olubadan’s latest endorsement also comes weeks after he led a delegation of traditional rulers from Oyo State to the Presidential Villa, Abuja, to appreciate Tinubu over the successful rescue of teachers and pupils abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

During that visit, Ladoja commended the Federal Government’s intervention in road infrastructure and specifically identified the Ibadan-Ijebu-Ode Road, Ogbomoso-Ilorin Road and Badagry-Sokoto Highway as important projects for the economic development of Oyo State.

At Monday’s flag-off, Works Minister David Umahi disclosed that the Federal Government had also approved the reconstruction of the Ibadan-Abeokuta Road and 15 other roads in the South-West.

He, however, acknowledged that some of the projects may extend beyond the current administration’s tenure, saying they are expected to be completed and commissioned by 2031.

The Ibadan-Ijebu-Ode project is therefore being presented by the Federal Government as a major infrastructure intervention designed to facilitate the movement of people and goods, boost commercial activities and strengthen economic integration between communities in the South-West.

The remains of veteran Nollywood actor, Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, have been laid to rest in his hometown, Ilaro, Yewa South Local Government Area of Ogun State.

The 66-year-old actor was buried on Monday in accordance with Islamic rites, bringing to an emotional end the life and career of one of the most recognisable faces in the Yoruba film industry.

The burial attracted family members, friends, colleagues in the entertainment industry, community leaders and sympathisers, who gathered to pay their final respects to the late actor.

Emotions ran high as mourners struggled to come to terms with the death of the veteran thespian, whose career spanned several decades and earned him a strong following among lovers of Yoruba-language movies.

The remains of Ogogo were conveyed to his final resting place as mourners offered prayers and paid their last respects before his interment.

His death has continued to generate tributes across the Nigerian entertainment industry, with colleagues and admirers remembering him for his contributions to Nollywood and his distinctive presence in Yoruba cinema.

Ogogo was widely regarded as one of the veteran actors who helped shape the Yoruba film industry, appearing in numerous movies and earning recognition for his acting, stage performances and versatility.

His passing has left a significant void among his family, colleagues and fans, many of whom have taken to social media to express their grief and celebrate his legacy.

As the burial concluded in Ilaro, mourners prayed for the repose of his soul and offered condolences to his family.

The veteran actor is survived by family members, while his body of work remains part of the enduring history of Nigeria’s Yoruba film industry.

At least five people are feared dead following a violent clash over the control of a motor park at Naira and Kobo Garage in Ikire, Irewole Local Government Area of Osun State.

The incident occurred on Monday amid escalating tensions surrounding the control of motor parks and transport union structures in the state.

Reports indicate that the victims allegedly included three commercial bus drivers and two passersby. However, the Osun State Police Command has confirmed that shootings occurred at the garage but said it was still gathering information to establish whether there were casualties.

The police spokesperson, Abiodun Ojelabi, confirmed the shooting, saying security authorities were working to obtain accurate information about the incident.

The violence reportedly erupted following a dispute over who should control the Naira and Kobo Garage, with rival political and transport groups allegedly laying competing claims to motor parks across Osun.

Sources said the development is connected to the prolonged crisis involving factions of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and the broader political struggle over control of transport garages in the state.

The latest confrontation has reportedly caused panic among residents and transport workers in Ikire, with some businesses and markets hurriedly closing as the situation escalated. A video circulating online purportedly showed bodies at the scene following the shooting.

The crisis comes against the backdrop of heightened political tensions following the August 15 Osun governorship election and competing claims over the control of motor parks and grassroots political structures.

The dispute over motor parks is not entirely new. In July, the Osun State chapter of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) suspended the activities of transport unions across public motor parks in the state following a series of violent incidents. ALGON also called on security agencies to take over motor parks and garages across the state to protect lives and property.

The latest violence has renewed concerns about the safety of commuters, commercial drivers, traders and residents who depend on the affected garages for transportation and economic activities.

Security agencies are expected to intensify their presence in Ikire and other motor parks across the state to prevent further escalation.

As of the time of filing this report, the exact number of casualties remained unconfirmed by the police, while investigations into the shooting were ongoing.

The Nigerian film industry has been thrown into mourning following the reported death of veteran Yoruba Nollywood actor, Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, at the age of 66.

Ogogo reportedly died on Sunday, August 23, 2026. Reports circulating online say the veteran actor had been battling cancer before his death.

Born on September 15, 1957, Taiwo Hassan was one of the prominent figures in Yoruba-language cinema, earning widespread recognition for his powerful interpretation of diverse roles and his longstanding contribution to the Nigerian film industry.

His reported passing has triggered an outpouring of tributes from colleagues, fans and admirers across the entertainment industry, with many describing him as a respected veteran whose contribution to Yoruba Nollywood will not be forgotten.

Ogogo’s death comes as another painful loss to an industry that has in recent times mourned several of its veteran talents.

The veteran actor’s remains are reportedly expected to be laid to rest following Islamic burial arrangements.

Taiwo Hassan ‘Ogogo’ is survived by his family. May his soul rest in peace.

Says Atiku’s U-turn without accountability is dishonest; calls for restoration of subsidy regime with intelligent application

Presidential Candidate of the Accord Party, Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, has described former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as the “father of subsidy removal” in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic, saying his recent reversal on fuel subsidy removal deserves an explanation and an apology to Nigerians.

Hashim said he had consistently opposed the removal of subsidy on petroleum products and reiterated his position during an interview on Trust TV last week, where he advocated restoring subsidy on petroleum and other strategically important products as part of measures to protect citizens and productive sectors from excessive economic shocks.

According to Hashim, the subsequent change of position by politicians who previously advocated subsidy removal raises questions about the sincerity and originality of their new positions.

“Some candidates who campaigned in the last election to remove subsidy are now reversing themselves without even regretting their earlier display of ignorance and lack of compassion for the people.”

Hashim specifically criticised Atiku for changing his position without acknowledging his previous advocacy for subsidy removal.

“Atiku’s recant on subsidy removal without an apology is dishonesty. If you change your position because circumstances or evidence have changed, tell Nigerians why you changed. There is nothing wrong with changing your mind. What is wrong is pretending that you never held the position in the first place.”

He said Atiku, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Peter Obi all campaigned on subsidy removal during the 2023 presidential election, while he, Omoyele Sowore and Prince Adewole Adebayo opposed the policy.

Hashim argued that Atiku’s position on subsidy removal predates the Tinubu administration, describing the former vice president as one of the earliest major advocates of subsidy removal and wholesale privatisation during Nigeria’s Fourth Republic.

“The truth of the matter is that Atiku, before Tinubu, on the National political scene, has been the father of the idea of subsidy removal and wholesale privatization in this republic, he and his so-called economic team.

We combatted them vigorously during the early period of the Obasanjo government.”

‘We opposed subsidy removal when it was politically inconvenient’
Hashim recalled that in 1999, during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, when Atiku served as Vice President and headed the government’s economic team, the administration increased petroleum product prices and removed subsidy.

He said he and other PDP officials publicly opposed the decision.

According to him, Alhaji Iro Dan Musa, then PDP Deputy National Chairman; Harry Marshall, National Vice Chairman, South South; Abubakar Magaji, National Vice Chairman, North Central; Emmanuel Ibeshi, National Publicity Secretary; and himself, then Deputy National Publicity Secretary, jointly addressed a press conference condemning the increase in petroleum prices and subsidy removal.

Hashim added that the National Assembly also passed resolutions against the policy, after which the executive reversed its decision.

“We opposed subsidy removal when it was politically inconvenient to do so. We did not suddenly discover the suffering of Nigerians because another election is approaching.”

He said the historical record demonstrated that his opposition to subsidy removal was not an electoral strategy.

Hashim proposes targeted subsidy system. Hashim said the debate should move beyond the simplistic argument that every subsidy is wasteful and instead focus on designing a transparent and sustainable system that protects citizens and productive economic activity.

He argued that subsidy can be deployed strategically to reduce production costs, protect purchasing power, support industrial activity and prevent sudden economic shocks. He argued there is subsidy in America and Europe, only ignorant and wicked people make blanket argument against subsidy”

“Our position is simple: restore subsidy on petroleum products and other strategic products where necessary, but do it intelligently. Subsidy should be targeted at protecting the Nigerian economy and Nigerian people, not at enriching intermediaries.”

He proposed that any future subsidy regime should be built around targeting, transparency, measurable economic outcomes and strict accountability, rather than open-ended payments to importers or politically connected intermediaries.

According to him, “our own government would identify strategic products and sectors where price shocks have economic wide consequences, establish clear eligibility criteria, publish the fiscal cost and beneficiaries, and periodically assess whether the intervention is delivering measurable economic benefits.”

He also assured that stronger domestic production would be an essential component of a sustainable subsidy policy.

“The objective would be to use subsidy as a bridge to greater domestic productive capacity not as a permanent excuse for dependence on imports.”

Hashim also criticised sections of the media for failing to sufficiently scrutinise changing political positions.

He alleged that politicians with greater access to media platforms could appropriate ideas previously advanced by less powerful political actors and subsequently present them as their own.

“They lack originality and their fans in the media never take them to task.

Instead, they promote these corrupt and dishonest politicians as major candidates.”

He added that, “only God knows how many of our ideas they would pirate before the election and use their big megaphone to amplify.”

Hashim said the 2027 Presidential election should be defined by competing ideas and credible economic programs rather than political imitation.

“Nigeria needs originality, courage and compassion in leadership. We cannot continue recycling people because they have the biggest megaphone. We must begin to ask who said what first, who stood by the people when it was difficult, and who has a credible plan to rebuild the economy.”

He reaffirmed his commitment to an economic programme focused on affordable energy, Strategic market repositioning as a reliable supplier of energy to the world, protection of domestic productive capacity, industrialisation, job creation, stronger purchasing power and strategic government intervention in critical sectors.

“The Nigerian people are not laboratory animals for politicians to experiment on and then return to them during election season with a new script. We must learn from our mistakes, tell the truth about them and build a better economic future,” Hashim said.

Fear has gripped residents of Igbojaye farm settlement in Itesiwaju Local Government Area of Oyo State following the reported killing of a farmer by suspected Fulani herdsmen.

The victim, identified by community sources as “Jeje,” was reportedly attacked while working on his farm and allegedly macheted repeatedly by the attackers until he died from his injuries.

The incident, which reportedly occurred on August 18, is said to be the latest in a series of attacks allegedly targeting farmers in the area within the past two months.

According to information from the community, a farmer was allegedly attacked and wounded on June 28, while another farmer reportedly escaped a similar attack on August 17, a day before the latest killing.

The recurrence of the incidents has reportedly heightened fear among farmers in Igbojaye and surrounding farm settlements, with some residents now concerned about going to their farms.

Community members fear that the attacks could threaten agricultural activities and livelihoods in the area if urgent security measures are not put in place.

They are therefore calling on the Oyo State Government and security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, Amotekun Corps and the Department of State Services, to urgently investigate the incidents, identify and arrest the perpetrators, and increase security patrols around vulnerable farm settlements.

The residents also appealed to traditional rulers, local government authorities, farmers’ representatives and herder leadership to engage in urgent dialogue to prevent further attacks and possible reprisals.

The latest incident has further heightened concerns over the safety of rural communities in Itesiwaju LGA, with residents urging authorities to take immediate action to restore confidence and protect farmers during the farming season.

The report is based on information obtained from community sources. The identity of the perpetrators and other details of the incident are yet to be independently confirmed by security authorities.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu have renewed their political and economic battle over fuel subsidy, with both sides trading sharp words over how best to address Nigeria’s rising cost of living.

Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has fired back at President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the President’s criticism of his proposed intervention in Nigeria’s petroleum sector.

The latest exchange followed Atiku’s proposal for a new petroleum-sector intervention aimed at reducing the impact of high petrol prices on Nigerians. The proposal has reignited the long-running debate over the removal of fuel subsidy, one of the most consequential economic policies of the Tinubu administration.

Atiku, through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, rejected Tinubu’s description of the proposal as evidence of “serious ignorance on governance and economy.”

Instead, Atiku accused the President of presiding over an economy in which government revenues have increased while the purchasing power of ordinary Nigerians has declined.

He argued that the removal of the subsidy had triggered higher petrol, transportation and production costs, while the depreciation of the naira and rising food prices had further intensified the pressure on households and businesses.

Atiku insisted, however, that his proposal should not be interpreted as a return to the former open-ended petrol subsidy regime.

According to him, what he is proposing is a targeted, capped, budgeted and time-bound production-support mechanism tied to domestic refining and subject to independent auditing. He said the objective would be to support local production and protect consumers from severe price shocks while reducing dependence on subsidy over time.

The former vice president also questioned the government’s claim that petrol subsidy had been completely eliminated.

He cited what he described as approximately ₦17.5 trillion in petroleum-related under-recoveries and energy-security costs reportedly contained in the accounts of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, asking why such costs still existed if subsidy had truly disappeared.

Atiku further challenged the administration to explain about ₦30 trillion in Federation Account revenues, deductions, savings and transfers, as well as other fiscal figures he said deserved greater transparency.

He maintained that economic reforms should ultimately be judged by their impact on citizens rather than simply by the amount of money accruing to government.

“Economic reform is not measured by how fat government accounts become while citizens grow poorer,” Atiku said.

Tinubu’s position

President Tinubu and the Presidency have defended the removal of fuel subsidy, arguing that the old system had become financially unsustainable and was draining public resources.

The Presidency has also challenged Atiku to explain how his proposed subsidy intervention would be funded without imposing another burden on Nigeria’s finances.

The administration maintains that subsidy removal was necessary to free government resources, improve fiscal sustainability and strengthen the capacity of the Federal Government and states to fund development.

Tinubu had criticised Atiku’s proposal, describing it as evidence of what he regarded as a lack of understanding of governance and economics. The Presidency subsequently accused Atiku of attempting to revive a policy that the current administration believes had become unsustainable.

Atiku, however, dismissed that argument, maintaining that changing economic circumstances could justify a different policy approach.

He argued that supporting domestic refining and introducing a controlled intervention would be fundamentally different from the former subsidy system, particularly if every barrel and government expenditure were independently tracked and audited.

2027 political battle enters economic territory

The dispute comes as Nigeria’s political atmosphere intensifies ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with Tinubu seeking another term and Atiku emerging as the ADC presidential candidate.

The renewed subsidy controversy has therefore become more than an economic argument, with both camps using the debate to present contrasting visions of how Nigeria’s economy should be managed.

While the Tinubu administration points to increased government revenues and the need to maintain its reforms, Atiku is focusing on the effect of those policies on household purchasing power, fuel prices and the broader cost-of-living crisis.

The latest exchange has effectively reopened one of Nigeria’s most contentious economic debates: whether the removal of petrol subsidy should be maintained as a permanent reform or whether government should introduce a carefully controlled intervention to cushion consumers and support domestic petroleum production.

With both men already positioned on opposite sides of the 2027 political contest, the subsidy debate is likely to remain a major issue as the election approaches.

The Oyo State Government has declared Thursday, August 20, 2026, a work-free day for public servants in the state to commemorate this year’s Isese Day celebration.

Isese Day, observed annually on August 20, celebrates Yoruba indigenous culture, traditions and traditional religion. The occasion provides an opportunity for adherents to observe their spiritual traditions while promoting the preservation of Yoruba cultural heritage.

The declaration is consistent with Oyo State’s recognition of August 20 as Isese Day. The state has previously used the occasion to promote cultural heritage and encourage peaceful coexistence among adherents of different faiths.

The 2026 observance falls on Thursday, August 20, with Oyo among the Southwestern states expected to observe the day as a state-level public holiday. It is not a nationwide public holiday.

The celebration is expected to feature various cultural and traditional activities, including prayers, cultural displays, traditional music and other programmes aimed at preserving indigenous heritage.