The Oyo State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening family planning services, increasing government ownership and ensuring sustainable healthcare delivery across the state.

The commitment was reiterated at the Oyo State Bi-Annual Stakeholders Coordination Meeting organised by the Oyo State Ministry of Health and the Oyo State Primary Health Care Board, in collaboration with the Society for Family Health (SFH), at Jogor Hotel, Liberty Road, Ibadan.

The meeting focused on strengthening family planning integration, government ownership and accountability under the State Health Investment Programme (SWAp)/MAMII at both state and local government levels.

Speaking at the meeting, the Executive Secretary, Oyo State Primary Health Care Board, Dr. Muideen Olatunji, said the changing funding landscape had made it imperative for government to strengthen its institutions and assume greater responsibility for sustaining essential health programmes.

Olatunji disclosed that the state invested N50 million in family planning commodities in 2025 and had earmarked another N50 million for 2026 to ensure the continuous availability of essential commodities and prevent disruptions in service delivery.

He also disclosed that the state had recruited nearly 4,000 healthcare personnel as part of efforts to strengthen the health workforce and improve healthcare delivery, particularly at the primary healthcare level.

According to him, Ward Development Committees across the state’s 351 political wards were also being leveraged to promote community participation, increase awareness and encourage greater utilisation of family planning services.

Representing the ALGON Chairman, Oyo State Chapter, Hon. Sikiru Sanda, the Vice Chairman, Hon. Olayanju Kazeem, called for increased awareness and sensitisation on family planning among women and families.

He stressed the importance of providing accurate and accessible information to enable individuals to make informed decisions, particularly against the backdrop of prevailing economic realities.

Similarly, the Iya Loja of Ibadan Land, Alhaja Risiwa Oyinlola Amiringun, called for sustained sensitisation and training of market women on family planning, noting that inadequate information and limited literacy could affect women’s understanding and utilisation of available services.

During a presentation on the Society for Family Health’s Delivering Innovation in Self-Care (DISC) 2.0 interventions, members of the DISC team—Mrs. Paulina Adeyemi, Mr. Afeez Tijani and Mrs. Oluwabunmi Olajide—disclosed that more than 1,000 healthcare workers from 573 health facilities had been trained on family planning and counselling for choice.

The team said the training equipped healthcare workers with the knowledge and skills to address myths and misconceptions surrounding family planning methods and provide clients with accurate information. They added that providers were also trained to counsel clients on possible menstrual bleeding changes associated with some family planning methods.

The DISC team further disclosed that Community Health Extension Workers, community mobilisers and Ward Development Committees had been equipped with family planning messages to strengthen awareness and demand creation at the community level.

They added that local government monitoring and evaluation officers had also received training aimed at improving data quality, reporting and accountability.

An assessment presented at the meeting showed that Oyo State recorded 65.2 per cent institutional readiness for family planning, while nine local government areas had incorporated key family planning activities into their routine programmes.

However, Ibarapa North, Saki West and another local government area were identified as requiring further strengthening to improve institutional readiness and programme implementation.

The stakeholders, comprising government officials, local government authorities, development partners, community structures and healthcare workers, reviewed progress and identified areas requiring further intervention.

They emphasised the need for stronger coordination, sustained government investment and effective community engagement, stressing that family planning should remain an integral component of the state’s primary healthcare system through adequate commodity supply, quality counselling, community participation, reliable data and improved accountability.

Presidential candidate of the Accord Party, Dr. Gbenga Hashim, has revealed the extraordinary family secret behind why his Hausa and royal identity remained concealed from him for almost three decades.

Hashim, grandson of the 40th Seriki of Yauri, said his late father, Alhaji Hashim Abdullahi Yauri, deliberately kept his royal heritage away from him as a child after receiving a warning from an Islamic cleric about possible dangers within the royal family.

According to him, the cleric advised his father against exposing the child’s identity prematurely, prompting him to take what was ultimately a life changing decision, to protect his son by keeping his identity secret.

“He chose protection over inheritance,” Hashim said.

As a result, Hashim was relocated and raised in the Borgu Emirate under a different identity.

Although he was named Abdulmalik at birth, he grew up within a Yoruba cultural environment, largely removed from the Hausa traditions, royal connections and family history of his paternal lineage.

For almost 27 years, he said, he lived without knowing the full circumstances surrounding his identity.

The extraordinary story is detailed in Chapter 13 of his forthcoming autobiography, Sunrise At Midnight, scheduled for publication soon .

The chapter provides an account of his childhood, his father’s decision and the eventual discovery of the heritage that had been deliberately kept from him.

Hashim has previously spoken publicly about his unusual childhood. In an interview with THISDAY, he disclosed that he was born in Yelwa, Yauri, in 1969, while his father was a young police officer. He subsequently grew up with the family of his stepfather, Julius Bamidele Olawepo.

Hashim also paid tribute to his late father, whom he described as a highly influential police officer who rose to become a Police Commissioner and Commandant of the Police College, Kaduna.

Popularly known as “Zaki” the Lion, Alhaji Hashim Abdullahi Yauri was widely respected across Northern Nigeria.

Hashim said the nickname reflected his father’s courage, discipline, strength and commanding personality.

Hashim and his siblings recently marked the 30th anniversary of their father’s passing with commemorative advertisements in major Nigerian newspapers.

For Hashim, the story of his father is inseparable from the story of his own identity.

The father who kept his royal lineage secret was also a man who, in Hashim’s account, carried a formidable reputation in public service.

Hashim’s account also takes him further back into the history of his paternal family, to his grandfather, Seriki Abdullahi Jibril, popularly known as Maiy Yauri.

He described his grandfather as one of the prominent traditional rulers of Northern Nigeria in his era and part of a generation of educated Northern royals who combined traditional authority with modern education, administration and commerce.

According to Hashim, Seriki Jibril, the 40th ruler of Yauri was particularly distinguished by his knowledge of finance and trade, financial prudence, transparency and commitment to education.

He described him as a prominent royal of Hausa ancestry who was honoured with the Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) during the colonial period.

Hashim further recalled that British records portrayed his grandfather as an unusually independent traditional ruler who, during the Second World War, exercised a degree of administrative autonomy that distinguished him from many of his contemporaries.

But for Hashim, the story is ultimately bigger than royalty.

It is the story of a father who chose secrecy as an act of protection; a child who grew up between cultures without knowing the full story of his origins; and a family history that eventually returned to him decades later.

“For 27 years, I lived without knowing the full story of who I was,” Hashim said.

He said discovering his Hausa and Yauri heritage did not diminish the Yoruba cultural environment in which he was raised. Rather, it gave him a deeper understanding of the different cultural and historical strands that shaped his identity.

His story, he said, is ultimately about family, sacrifice, identity, heritage and the strange ways in which history can remain hidden for decades before finding its way back into a person’s life.

The Oyo State Government has dismissed as false and provocative, claims by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike that the Federal Government gave the state N50 billion for the reconstruction of the Ibadan airport.

The government in a press statement signed by the Special Adviser on Media to Governor Seyi Makinde, Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju on Monday, said the Federal Government did not give Oyo a kobo for the airport project.

According to the statement, President Bola Tinubu’s minute on the proposal submitted to him by Governor Makinde was

“Approved at no cost to the Federal Government”, adding that the records are with the presidency and the Oyo State Government.

The Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA) has warned residents against buying suspected adulterated palm oil, following concerns over increasingly sophisticated methods being used to manipulate the popular cooking oil.

The warning followed a technical presentation at the 2026 Lagos State Food Safety Conference and Exhibition by Dr Nurah Oseni, a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Food Technology at Auchi Polytechnic. In her paper, “Palm Oil Adulteration: Emerging Risks, Detection Strategies and Regulatory Control,” Oseni identified the use of potentially carcinogenic Sudan and Azo dyes among emerging methods of adulterating palm oil.

She also raised concerns about the practice of mixing palm oil with recovered or recycled oils, including spent cooking oil, as well as the use of multiple adulterants designed to evade basic quality checks. According to her, palm oil is particularly vulnerable because of its high volume of trade, consumers’ preference for deep-red colour, price differences and informal market practices.

Oseni advised consumers to carry out visual checks as an initial precaution, noting that genuine palm oil may naturally separate into layers, with the lower portion appearing orange to red-yellowish rather than uniformly deep red. She, however, stressed that visual inspection alone cannot confirm whether palm oil has been adulterated, making laboratory testing important for reliable detection.

The General Manager of LASCOPA, Afolabi Solebo, urged Lagos residents to remain vigilant and report suspected adulterated palm oil and unscrupulous traders through the agency’s official channels. He said market surveillance had been intensified across the state and warned that persons found selling adulterated products would be arrested and prosecuted under relevant laws.

The Vice-Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Professor Kayode O. Adebowale, mni, FAS, fspsp, has described the appointment of the first female Bursar of the university in its 78-year history as a reflection of its enduring tradition, culture and commitment to excellence.

He made this statement at the assumption of office of the new Bursar, Mrs Mariam Adetoun Zakariyah, FCA.

Professor Adebowale asserted that the foundation of the University of Ibadan was laid on an enduring foundation of excellence.

He commended the outgoing Bursar, Mr Adewuyi Popoola, for maintaining the University’s financial stability throughout his tenure.

He said that the process that saw the appointment of the new Bursar was fair, adding that it was without gender or religious bias.

The Vice-Chancellor reiterated that the University of Ibadan was established on a tradition of smooth transition, which he identified as one of the sources of its institutional strength.

He stated that the reputation of UI extended beyond its immediate environment, stressing that its activities are rooted in a commitment to excellence, integrity and service.

He described the appointment of Mrs Zakariyah as a significant milestone, noting that the enduring foundation of UI has sustained its reputation as the first and best university in Nigeria.

The VC emphasised that the standing of UI is not determined merely by its physical structures, but by the way it conducted its affairs and uphold sound values.

The new Bursar, Mrs Mariam Adetoun Zakariyah, FCA, expressed appreciation to the Vice-Chancellor for ensuring that the appointment process was fair and seamless.

She reaffirmed her commitment to lead the Bursary in fulfilling its mandate and ensure effective service delivery.

Mrs Zakariyah promised to deploy her expertise to justify the confidence reposed in her, while soliciting continued support from the universiy management.

The Chief Imam of the University of Ibadan, Professor Ibrahim Olatunde Uthman and the Chaplain of Chapel of the Resurrection, The Venerable Dr. Victor Idowu Oladele, offered prayers for a smooth transition and a successful tenure of the new Bursar.

A support group of friends and family called “Boys4Bidon” has rallied support for the ambition of Okunrin Jeje Abiodun Oni, who is contesting for the House of Representatives seat in the Irepo/Orelope/Olorunsogo Federal Constituency.

As part of their efforts, the support group generously donated four boreholes to be located in Kishi, Igboho, Igbope, and Igbeti, along with solar lights for the town halls in these four major towns within the constituency. This donation is part of the group’s commitment to helping Okunrin Jeje Abiodun Oni give back to and light up his constituency.

Expressing his appreciation for the gesture, Okunrin Jeje Abiodun Oni explained that when he commenced his community engagement, residents shared that traveling long distances to fetch water was one of their major challenges. He noted that the timely support from Boys4Bidon in providing these boreholes and solar lights will significantly mitigate the water scarcity and lighting challenges in the area.

Oyo State Governor and presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Seyi Makinde, on Monday attended the Young, United and Unstoppable (YUU) concert organised by Ajiboye Sangogade, erstwhile Personal Assistant to former Minister of Power, Bayou Adelabu popularly known as Boye Nation and the JAF Movement at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan.

The event, which combined entertainment with political mobilisation, culminated in the formal declaration of Boye Nation’s support for the APM. The gathering attracted youths and supporters from across Oyo State.

Makinde’s appearance at the event followed earlier announcements by the organisers that he would receive members of the movement into the APM fold as part of activities marking the gathering.

The programme also featured performances from prominent artistes, including Pasuma, Taye Currency and Qdot, alongside other entertainers.

The Adamasingba gathering adds to the ongoing political mobilisation by the APM ahead of the 2027 general elections, with the party increasingly engaging youth groups and support movements in Oyo State and beyond.

The Ondo State Government has formally requested the constitution of a Coroner’s Court to investigate the deaths linked to the consumption of suspected toxic alcoholic and herbal concoctions in parts of the state.

The State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Olukayode Ajulo, SAN, disclosed this in Akure, saying he had written to the Chief Judge of Ondo State to constitute a coroner’s court to establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths and determine their immediate and remote causes.

The development follows a health crisis that has reportedly claimed 49 lives, with hundreds of people affected across communities including Odigbo, Araromi-Obu, New Town, Odole, Okele, Orita Odigbo and Oniparaga, as well as parts of Irele Local Government Area. Earlier laboratory findings by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) confirmed high concentrations of methanol in samples of the suspected drinks.

NAFDAC said 182 cases of illness and 48 deaths had been recorded as of September 17, while five victims suffered total blindness and two others partial blindness. The agency also reported that 11 of 15 samples tested positive for Cannabis indica, while further confirmatory tests were ongoing to determine the precise concentration of methanol and identify other potentially toxic substances.

Ajulo said the proposed inquest would go beyond determining the cause of death, as it would also examine whether the tragedy could have been prevented and identify measures needed to prevent a recurrence. He added that the state government had commenced a review of the regulatory framework governing the preparation, production, distribution, sale and consumption of locally produced alcoholic and herbal products.

The Attorney-General further warned that anyone found to have criminal responsibility for the deaths would face prosecution, stressing that no person would be shielded because of status or influence. He, however, said suspects would be accorded due process under the law. Meanwhile, investigations by the police and relevant health authorities remain ongoing, with suspects already arrested in connection with the alleged production and distribution of the substances.

The race for the Oyo North Senatorial District is beginning to attract attention, with Chief Hannah Ogunesan of the APC, Hon. Shina Peller of the APM and Dr. Yisa Yusuf (YY Muslim) of the Accord Party emerging as notable contenders in the unfolding contest. Beyond the political parties and personalities, the election is shaping up as a test of what the people of Oyo North want from their next representative.

Oyo North has produced notable senators over the years, including Braimoh Yusuf, Robert Koleosho, Hosea Agboola, Gbenga Babalola and the incumbent, Senator Fatai Buhari. While the district has historically seen strong representation from Oke-Ogun, Ogbomoso remains an important component of the senatorial district. With 13 local government areas, the next senator will inherit the responsibility of representing a diverse constituency with different political, economic and developmental interests.

Buhari’s tenure has also raised the expectations surrounding the office. His admirers highlight constituency interventions, empowerment initiatives and human-capital development, while his sponsorship of the legislation that led to the establishment of the Federal University of Agriculture and Technology, Okeho, has become one of the major issues associated with his representation. The university is particularly significant to Oke-Ogun, where the demand for a higher institution of federal significance had featured prominently in development discussions.

For Chief Hannah Ogunesan, who had held the position of Head of Service in Oyo State, the APC platform provides access to an established political structure and an opportunity to present a new agenda to the electorate. Her challenge will be to translate that platform into a compelling message about representation, development and inclusion across the entire district, including both Oke-Ogun and Ogbomoso.

Hon. Shina Peller comes into the contest with previous legislative experience, having represented Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Kajola/Iwajowa Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives. His political profile and familiarity with legislative responsibilities give him a distinct background, while his decision to contest under the APM means that he will also have to demonstrate the strength of his personal political network beyond the structures of the major parties.

Dr. Yisa Yusuf popularly known as YY Muslim, representing the Accord Party, brings another option to the contest. His candidacy provides voters with an alternative outside the APC and APM establishments. His task, however, will be to build sufficient grassroots visibility and organisation across the 13 local government areas while convincing voters that his platform can translate into effective representation at the Senate.

Ultimately, the contest should be about more than where a candidate comes from or which political platform he or she represents. Oyo North needs a representative capable of connecting Oke-Ogun and Ogbomoso, attracting meaningful federal interventions, supporting education and agriculture, empowering young people and creating opportunities across the senatorial district.

The electorate will therefore have the opportunity to weigh different personalities, records, political platforms and visions for the future. Fatai Buhari may have raised the bar; the question now is who will inherit the responsibility of meeting it and potentially raising it further.

Oyo North has the cap. The people will decide who wears it.

The All Progressives Congress (APC), in Oyo State has described Governor Seyi Makinde’s presidential project as a script packaged to create an avenue for him to escape from the country before May 29, 2027 in his desperate bid to evade justice in view of many alleged cases of graft and abuse of office hanging on his neck.

Makinde, who is in his second and final term in office as the Executive Governor of Oyo State, is the presidential candidate of the Allied People’s Movement (APM) in the 2027 general elections, daily squandering resources of Oyo State on random political activities.

In a statement issued at the weekend and made available to journalists in Ibadan by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, Oyo APC faulted the reported declaration of Monday (September 21) as a public holiday in the state, so as to popularize a musical concert organized to entertain some fun-seeking youths in Ibadan, describing the development as an abuse of office by the governor.

“Many political watchers have been wondering how an accidental governor like Seyi Makinde would dream of becoming a president at a time when a master of the game has his hands on the lever. Some pundits have also described Gov. Makinde’s tall dream as a mere show of comedy since it is devoid of any substance, clear-cut strategy and seriousness on his part as a contestant.

“Meanwhile, we can authoritatively inform the whole world that Makinde is only out to hoodwink Nigerians, distract the anti-graft agencies which are on his cases and also secure an escape route from the country anytime from January 1, 2027. We are working on the details of his plans even as relevant security agents are already on red alert because he (Makinde) will be made to answer for all his atrocities since he was sworn in as governor in May 2019.

“False asset declaration, diversion of local government council funds, contract sum variation, money laundering, land grabbing, sponsorship of violence, illegal sale of government properties, collection of fraudulent loans, contempt of the court and disobedience to court orders among other crimes are too weighty to be swept under the carpet. The governor and the handful number of individuals who are liable to prosecution over these cases know what lies ahead of them and this explains why they want to run away before May 29, 2027.

“After he had played an inglorious role in the relegation of the PDP, Makinde made it to a colourless APM and he hijacked the party’s presidential ticket. The same APM was roundly beaten in the by-elections held in six different constituencies across the country over the weekend as it can only boast of a few members in Oyo and Bauchi states out of the 36 and the FCT. How then can Makinde contest and win presidential election in the country under the unpopular political party?” APC queried.