A family in Akure, Ondo State, has been thrown into mourning following the tragic death of three siblings, including 11-year-old twins, whose bodies were reportedly found near the bank of a small river on a farm around the Owena Army Barracks.

The incident, which has left residents of the area in shock, reportedly occurred when the children went to the farm. The circumstances surrounding how the siblings died remained unclear as of the time of filing this report.

The victims were said to include a pair of 11-year-old twins and their sibling. Their bodies were reportedly discovered close to the river, raising concerns among residents about the possible cause of the tragedy.

The development has generated tension within the community, with residents awaiting further information from the relevant authorities to determine exactly what happened to the children.

The identities of the victims and further details about the incident were not immediately available. It was also unclear whether the children drowned or died under other circumstances.

Security and emergency authorities are expected to investigate the incident and establish the cause of death. The bodies were reportedly recovered and taken for necessary procedures as the grieving family comes to terms with the tragedy.

The incident has renewed concerns about the safety of children around rivers, streams and other potentially dangerous areas, particularly in farming communities where children may have access to waterways without adequate supervision.

Unveils 3,000 shut-in oil wells recovery plan

Insists N605 per litre petrol price viable

Presidential candidate of the Accord Party, Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, has unveiled what he described as the production backbone of his Energy First Presidential Agenda, promising to raise Nigeria’s crude oil production to a minimum of four million barrels per day; within 24 months of an Accord administration.

Hashim made the declaration when he appeared on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme, over the weekend, where he outlined his strategy for using Nigeria’s existing petroleum assets to rapidly expand production.

At the centre of the plan, said Hashim, is an investment programme to bring approximately 3,000 currently non-producing oil wells back into productive operation.

“We have oil wells that have already been drilled, assets that have already been discovered and infrastructure that have already been built. Our first task is to put these assets back to work for Nigeria.”

Hashim maintained that government should prioritise the recovery of existing productive assets over committing scarce public resources to projects like Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, arguing that the road may not bring any revenue to government in the next 20years.

The announcement comes against the backdrop of Nigeria’s current crude production of about 1.5 million barrels per day.

Moving from approximately 1.5 million to four million barrels daily would represent an increase of almost 2.5 million barrels per day, or more than 160 percent above current crude production.

The Accord presidential candidate argued that Nigeria’s fundamental problem is not the absence of petroleum resources, but the failure to convert existing resources and productive assets into reliable energy supply.

He said his administration would, therefore, make production recovery one of the first priorities of government.

The proposed programme would identify why each viable inactive well is not producing and deploy the necessary capital and technical interventions required to restore production. These interventions could include well workovers, well intervention, artificial lift systems, repairs to gathering infrastructure, pipeline rehabilitation, improved evacuation arrangements and other field specific interventions.

For Hashim, the 3,000 wells are not merely dormant petroleum assets. They represent what he described as Nigeria’s wasted productive capacity.

“The question is not how much oil Nigeria has underground. The question is why we are not producing the oil that our existing assets are capable of producing,” he added.

He said an Accord administration would establish a National Production Recovery Dashboard to track every intervention, investment and additional barrel generated.

Operators would be expected to provide clear production timelines while government agencies would be required to remove bureaucratic obstacles standing between investment and actual production.

Hashim’s four million barrel production target is also central to his earlier petrol-pricing proposal.

He has proposed ₦605 per litre as the starting price of petrol, with a longer term objective of bringing the price down to between ₦200 and ₦300 per litre.

The philosophy, he said, is straightforward; reduce the cost of producing energy and the cost of energy can ultimately fall.

“That is why increased crude production, domestic refining, lower operating costs, transparent petroleum sector accounting, infrastructure rehabilitation and exchange rate stability are central to the Energy First plan.

“You make energy cheap by making the cost of producing energy cheap.”

Hashim stressed that his four million-barrel target is not designed merely to increase crude exports.

His vision is for Nigeria to produce more crude and refine more crude domestically, with the ultimate goal of creating an energy economy in which Nigeria can supply its own petrol, diesel, aviation fuel and other petroleum products while also exporting surplus refined products to international markets.

He said an Accord administration would use the expanded petroleum production base to support a wider energy transformation involving gas-to-power, independent power projects, captive and embedded generation, mini-grids, petrochemicals and industrial energy infrastructure.

Nigeria, he said, must first have enough affordable and reliable energy to power its factories, farms, transport system and homes before allowing the energy transition debate to become disconnected from the country’s enormous energy deficit.

Hashim said his objective is to make Nigeria a country capable of providing the world with a stable, reliable and consistent supply of both crude oil and finished petroleum products.

“We want Nigeria to become an energy power, not merely a country that happens to have oil,” he said.

The Lagos State Government has reminded parents and guardians of their consumer rights, warning schools against unnecessarily compelling them to purchase approved books, uniforms and stationery directly from the schools.

The government, through the Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA), issued the reminder on Sunday as schools prepare to reopen across the state.

LASCOPA urged parents and guardians to be aware of their rights and report cases involving consumer protection concerns.

According to the agency, parents are often given lists of approved books, stationery and uniforms after completing their children’s admission process.

However, the government noted that where equivalent approved items are reasonably available from other suppliers at lower prices, parents should not be unnecessarily compelled to buy them directly from the school.

The agency said the move is aimed at protecting consumers and ensuring that parents and guardians are treated fairly.

A pastor identified as Bidemi Odukoya of the Celestial Church of Christ, Iri Orun Parish, has allegedly killed his wife during a domestic altercation at their residence in Ogooluwa community, Akiode Ibogun, Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State, before reportedly taking his own life.

The incident reportedly occurred around 2am on Monday, August 31, 2026, after the couple allegedly engaged in a domestic fight. Odukoya, who was said to be the father of three boys, reportedly attacked his wife during the altercation.

A neighbour, identified as Oseni, said the couple had a history of domestic disputes, revealing that neighbours had previously intervened in their disagreements. She said police were also once involved in one of the couple’s disputes, after which residents believed the matter had been resolved.

According to Oseni, the couple’s 14-year-old son, Daniel, raised the alarm after his father allegedly attacked his mother. She said she and another neighbour rushed to the residence, where they reportedly found the woman lying lifeless with severe injuries to her head.

The neighbour alleged that Odukoya used a machete and a wooden stool during the attack. She added that the pastor was also reportedly seen holding a cutlass at the scene.

The community youth leader, Seun Adelana, said allegations of infidelity were believed to have contributed to the disagreement between the couple. According to him, Odukoya had allegedly accused his wife of having an affair with another man, while there were also claims within the community that the pastor himself was involved with another woman.

Adelana said the alleged accusations reportedly escalated the disagreement between the couple, eventually resulting in the fatal attack.

Following the incident, Odukoya reportedly left the area and headed towards the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway. The Baale of the community, Taiwo Akiode, said witnesses reportedly saw the pastor crossing the expressway several times before eventually sitting on the median.

According to the traditional ruler, Odukoya subsequently moved into the path of an approaching truck and was reportedly struck by the vehicle. He reportedly died from the impact.

The incident has reportedly thrown the Ogooluwa community into shock, particularly because of the history of domestic disputes involving the couple. Residents are also concerned about the welfare of their three children following the deaths of both parents.

The circumstances surrounding the wife’s death and the pastor’s subsequent death are expected to be investigated by the police to establish the sequence of events and determine the facts surrounding the incident.

Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, has warned traditional rulers in the state against getting involved in partisan politics, saying monarchs who choose to participate in political activities should be prepared to face public criticism.

Makinde gave the warning while stressing the need for traditional institutions to preserve their neutrality and remain fathers to all, irrespective of political affiliation.

The governor said traditional rulers occupy a sensitive position in society and should therefore avoid actions that could create divisions among their subjects or make the palace appear to be supporting one political party against another.

“Any traditional institution that gets involved in politics, we will abuse them. Traditional institutions should accept all of us as their children. Any traditional ruler who interferes in politics will be equally insulted,” Makinde said.

The statement is coming amid renewed debate over the political activities of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, who was a former governor of Oyo State and has recently made comments on political developments ahead of the 2027 elections.

Ladoja had, in May, said politicians were free to use his name in their campaigns, but maintained that it would ultimately be the electorate who would determine who governs Oyo State. More recently, controversy has surrounded the monarch’s public engagements and comments perceived by some political actors as having political implications.

Makinde’s latest comments therefore appear to reinforce his earlier position that traditional institutions should remain above partisan politics. In April, Ibadan elders similarly urged the Olubadan to stay away from partisan politics and maintain the position of a father to politicians across party lines.

The governor’s position is also significant against the backdrop of the increasingly visible political contest ahead of the 2027 elections, with traditional institutions expected to play their historic roles of promoting peace, unity and stability rather than becoming aligned with competing political interests.

Makinde stressed that traditional rulers should embrace everyone within their domains as their children, regardless of whether they belong to the ruling party or opposition. His remarks are likely to generate fresh discussion about the appropriate boundaries between traditional authority and partisan politics in Oyo State.

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has said the removal of petrol subsidy by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration has significantly increased the financial resources available to state and local governments across Nigeria.

Sanwo-Olu said the policy, though initially difficult for Nigerians, had resulted in a substantial increase in federal allocations to the subnational governments, giving states and local councils greater capacity to execute development projects and meet their obligations.

The governor made the remarks while defending the Tinubu administration’s economic reforms and dismissing calls by some politicians for the return of fuel subsidy. According to him, politicians promising to restore the subsidy are engaging in populist politics and making promises that may not be sustainable.

Sanwo-Olu noted that monthly allocations to states and local governments have more than doubled in naira terms since the removal of the subsidy. He argued that the increased allocations have provided subnational governments with additional resources to fund infrastructure, social services and other development programmes.

He maintained that before the subsidy removal, a significant portion of government resources was committed to maintaining the subsidy regime, limiting the funds available for development at the state and local government levels. The reform, he said, has changed the fiscal position of the subnational governments.

The Lagos governor therefore urged Nigerians to consider the long-term benefits of the reform rather than calls for a return to the old subsidy regime. He said reversing the policy without addressing its fiscal implications could undermine the gains recorded in government revenue and funding for the states and local governments.

Sanwo-Olu’s position comes amid renewed debate over the impact of fuel subsidy removal on Nigerians, particularly following calls by opposition figures and other stakeholders for measures to reduce the hardship associated with higher petrol prices.

He maintained that the focus should now be on ensuring that the additional revenues accruing to governments are translated into tangible improvements in the lives of citizens through effective governance, infrastructure and social interventions.

Ogun State Government has intensified preparations against possible flooding as the state braces for an expected 72-hour period of heavy rainfall, with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and Ogun State Emergency Management Agency (OGSEMA) conducting a full-scale flood disaster response simulation exercise in Abeokuta.

The exercise, held at the Apo River area of Owu, Abeokuta, brought together emergency management agencies, security organisations, health personnel, fire services, volunteers, community representatives and other stakeholders to test the state’s preparedness and strengthen coordination ahead of possible flood emergencies. NEMA said the simulation was designed to improve communication, interoperability and the efficiency of emergency responders.

Speaking at the exercise, Ogun State Deputy Governor, Noimot Salako-Oyedele, who represented Governor Dapo Abiodun, said the exercise was timely given the flood risks identified in the 2026 Seasonal Climate Prediction and Annual Flood Outlook. She said the practical exercise would allow stakeholders to test their preparedness, identify gaps in their response systems and determine how quickly affected communities could be reached during an emergency.

The Deputy Governor said the state government had continued to strengthen its partnership with NEMA through training, provision of rescue equipment, ambulances and other emergency-response resources. She stressed, however, that disaster management should not be left to government agencies alone, urging traditional rulers, community leaders, local governments, security agencies, health workers, volunteers and the media to play active roles in disseminating early-warning information.

Salako-Oyedele particularly called on residents to take early-warning information seriously, avoid building on waterways and drainage channels, and desist from indiscriminate dumping of refuse. She also urged residents to cooperate with authorities whenever evacuation or other preventive measures become necessary.

Representing the Director-General of NEMA, Zubaida Umar, the Director of Search and Rescue, Commodore Nature Usman, said flooding remained one of Nigeria’s most recurrent and destructive natural hazards, with serious consequences for lives, livelihoods, infrastructure and communities. He stressed that increasing flood risks made early warning, anticipatory action, preparedness and coordinated emergency response essential.

NEMA said the 2026 flood outlook identified 31 states, including Ogun, as being at high risk of flooding, reinforcing the need for proactive measures. The agency explained that the simulation was intended to test existing emergency plans and procedures, identify operational gaps and strengthen collaboration among agencies before an actual disaster occurs.

The development comes days after the Ogun State Government issued a fresh flood alert ahead of the second phase of the 2026 rainy season. The state Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, said NiMet’s seasonal prediction indicated that Ogun could experience intense rainfall averaging about 360mm in September. He warned that prolonged rainfall, possible controlled overflow from Oyan Dam and tidal fluctuations could increase the risk of river and coastal flooding in vulnerable areas.

The government had identified several areas requiring heightened vigilance, including Isheri, Arepo, Mawere, Magboro, Akute and Warewa, parts of Abeokuta and several coastal and riverine communities in Ogun Waterside, Ijebu East and Ipokia. Fish farmers operating within floodplains and river corridors were also advised to take precautionary measures to minimise potential losses.

Authorities have therefore urged residents to remain vigilant, monitor official weather and emergency alerts, keep drainage channels free of refuse and avoid activities that could obstruct the free flow of water.

The government said lessons from the simulation exercise would be used to improve preparedness, communication, evacuation procedures, search-and-rescue operations and inter-agency coordination, with the ultimate objective of protecting lives and property should severe flooding occur.

The Oyo State House of Assembly has passed the Oyo State Supplementary Finance Bill, 2026, approving an additional N210 billion to finance the state’s supplementary appropriation for the 2026 fiscal year.

The passage followed the presentation and adoption of the report of the House Committee on Finance, Appropriation and State Economic Planning during plenary on Thursday.

The report read by the Chairman, Committee on Finance, Appropriation and State Economic Planning, Hon. Sunkanmi Babalola considered the Bill clause by clause, taking into account inputs from the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning and projections contained in the Oyo State Government Medium Term Expenditure Framework adopted by the House.

With the approval of the supplementary finance, the total amount approved under the 2026 Finance Law now rose from Eight Hundred And Ninety-Two Billion, Eighty-Five Million, Seventy-Four Thousand, Four Hundred and Eighty Naira, Seventy-Nine Kobo (N892,085,074,480.79) to One Trillion, One Hundred and Two Billion, Eighty-Five Million, Seventy-Four Thousand, Four Hundred and Eighty Naira, Seventy-Nine Kobo (N1,102,085.074,480.79) Only.

The Committee recommended that the N210 billion supplementary finance be granted from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of Oyo State for the year ending December 31, 2026, with the sources of the funds set out in the schedule to the Bill.

The passage brings the total approved 2026 financial provision for the state to over N1.1 trillion.

Resident doctors at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Teaching Hospital have staged a protest over unpaid wage arrears, poor working conditions and severe understaffing affecting the hospital’s operations.

The doctors expressed concern that delays in the payment of their salaries and other entitlements have placed significant financial pressure on medical personnel, despite the demanding nature of their duties. They called for urgent action to resolve the outstanding payments.

The protesting doctors also highlighted the shortage of medical personnel, warning that the situation is increasing the workload on existing staff and could negatively affect the quality and efficiency of healthcare services provided to patients.

They appealed to the Oyo State Government and relevant authorities to intervene promptly by addressing the outstanding wage arrears, improving working conditions and recruiting more doctors and other healthcare professionals to fill existing vacancies.

The doctors stressed that resolving the challenges would not only improve their welfare and morale but also strengthen healthcare delivery at LAUTECH Teaching Hospital. They urged the government to engage with the affected workers and implement lasting measures to prevent a recurrence of the problems.