As part of efforts to make the Sagamu Interchange and its environs a no-go area for criminals, the Ogun State Government has provided illumination at the under-bridge area along the Lagos – Ibadan Expressway and subsequently at the four intersections of the Interchange.
The Ogun State Government, which took this step after clearing the illegal shanties, shops and stalls in the area in order to deprive criminals of a cover in the area, undertook adequate illumination of the area through solar street lights.
Recently, the State Government, in a statement issued by the Special Adviser on Media and Strategy to Governor Dapo Abiodun, Hon Kayode Akinmade, had said that it was fully apprised of the situation in the area and would never allow criminals to continue to launch attacks on innocent citizens.
Previously, as part of its response to the reported activities of criminals in the area, the government had deployed police and Amotekun operatives to the area to make it safe for residents and travellers.
Apart from mandating personnel from the Bureau of Electrical Engineering Services to deployed solar street lights under the bridge, the Ogun State Government has extended the solar streetlights to the roundabouts, and along the inward and outward routes of the four intersections.
This intervention is part of the Light-up Project of the Dapo Abiodun Administration in Lighting up key infrastructural projects in the state.
While the Lagos Ibadan Expressway is a federal highway, the intervention is meant to stem the security concerns widely circulated on social media by residents of the State.
This Light up project is meant to further enhance the security apparatus of the area and assist law enforcement agents in adequately securing the area.
Former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, has disclosed how he intervened to prevent the execution of former President Olusegun Obasanjo during the late General Sani Abacha’s regime. Gowon recounted the tense moment while speaking at the maiden Interdenominational Unity Christmas Carol and Praise Festival organized by the Plateau State Government.
In 1995, Obasanjo was accused of plotting a coup against Abacha’s government, a charge he vehemently denied. Despite his protests, Obasanjo was sentenced to death but later had his punishment commuted to imprisonment. He spent three years in detention before his release in 1998, following Abacha’s sudden death.
During the event in Plateau State, Gowon revealed that he took a personal risk to ensure Obasanjo’s life was spared.
“I wrote a letter to Abacha, pleading with him not to execute Obasanjo,” Gowon shared. “I reminded him that God made him a leader to do good and not evil. I sent my wife with the letter in the middle of the night to Abuja, urging Abacha to reconsider.”
Gowon expressed gratitude that his plea contributed to Obasanjo’s eventual release and rise to become Nigeria’s president in 1999.
“This is something that only prayers and sincerity can achieve,” he said. “I am delighted that today, myself and Obasanjo can stand together to celebrate the unity of Plateau State.”
Both Gowon and Obasanjo were special guests of honour at the event, which they praised as a powerful initiative to foster peace and unity in the state.
General Gowon also commended Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang for organizing the carol, describing it as a timely avenue for the state’s citizens to reflect and bond.
“Plateau has faced many security challenges, but initiatives like this carol are essential for promoting peaceful coexistence,” Gowon said.
The Unity Christmas Carol brought together citizens from different backgrounds, sending a strong message of reconciliation and hope as the festive season approaches.
The Oyo State Government has assured its citizens that there will be no strike in the State even as the National body called for a nationwide strike from Monday.
The State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade, gave this assurance in a Press Statement from his office on Saturday.
According to him, the on-going negotiations between the State Government and the leadership of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) are at an advanced stage and on the verge of implementation.
Besides, the Commissioner said that both parties have unfettered confidence in the sincerity of the negotiations and in the track record of the State Government to fulfil its promises.
Prince Oyelade said that Governor Seyi Makinde did not negotiate with the Labour leaders before he announced a generous ₦80,000 minimum wage which will be implemented as soon as the Consequential Adjustment negotiations are concluded.
He noted that the present administration has not only been worker-friendly with its prompt payment of salaries and pensions on the 25th of every month but has also expanded the workforce with large-scale record recruitment exercises across board.
In the meantime, workers are already looking forward to the prompt payment of the December salaries and the 13th month bonus as it has always been since the Inception of the Seyi Makinde administration.
The recently held international conference of National Association of Macroeconomic Modellers NAMM offered a myriad of ideas on the best possible way to revive Nigerian economy as experts, policymakers, academicians and other stakeholders renewed the call for evidence-based research and data-driven policy making as only effective way of resuscitating Nigerian economy.
The call for evidence-based policy making was made known at the recently concluded 2-day conference of National Association of Macroeconomic Modellers which began on Wednesday 27th-28th of November, 2024.
The conference has the theme: ‘’Macroeconomic Modelling and Data Science for Economic Development’’.
In his opening speech, the President of NAMM, Prof. Philip Alege, said employing advanced analytical tools was key in understanding and resolving the Nigerian economic situation and that there is need for collaboration between researchers and government parastatals to be able to make effective policies for socioeconomic development of Nigeria.
The chairman of the occasion, Prof. Akin Iwayemi, affirmed that data and models are integral part of socioeconomic development and that concerted efforts must be made by all policymakers to ensure that every decision made is supported with evidence-based research.
Consequently, the Federal Government has vowed to prioritize evidence based research and data-driven policies to unlock economic potentials of Nigeria.
The Federal Government disclosed this through the Minister of Budget and Planning, Atiku Bagudu who was represented by the Chief Planning Officer, Macroeconomic Analysis Department, Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Mrs. Ijeoma Ofiah.
The minister, who was one of the guest speakers, said the federal government recognised the importance of reliable and timely data, flexibility in models, and close collaboration with stakeholders.
Bagudu said the government was committed to addressing the challenges hindering the optimal application of reliable models, including limited data quality, technical capacity gaps, and funding constraints.
The minister said: ‘’We’re also leveraging the Integrated Planning and Reporting Toolkit (IPRT) to align our national development plans with the Sustainable Development Goals and Agenda 2063. The Medium-Term Fiscal Framework (MTFF) remains a cornerstone of our fiscal management strategy, prioritizing fiscal sustainability and discipline.
‘’As we move forward, we recognise the importance of reliable and timely data, flexibility in our models, and close collaboration with stakeholders. We are committed to addressing the challenges hindering the optimal application of reliable models, including limited data quality, technical capacity gaps, and funding constraints.
‘’In conclusion, the effective application of economic models is crucial to evidence-based policy-making. By harnessing the power of these tools and fostering strong collaborations, we can unlock Nigeria’s full economic potential’’.
Other scholars and experts present stressed the need for adequate funding for evidence based research and the development of data driven policies to rescue Nigeria’s economy from doldrums.
Among those who graced the conference were the Statistian-General of the Federation, Prince Adeyemi Adeniran, who was represented by Dr. Ayo Anthony; Prof. Chris Kalu of Nnamidi Azikiwe University, Prof. Afees Salisu of the Centre for Econometrics and Applied Research [CEAR], President of Nigerian Economic Society NES, Professor Adeola Adenikinju, Dr. Seedwell Hove of the African Development Bank, Dr. Princess Nwankwo of the Centre for Petroleum, Energy Economics and Law of UI, Prof. Olusanya Olubusoye and a host of others.
The conference was concluded yesterday after a technical paper presentation by researchers followed by a vote of thanks by the Vice President of NAMM, Professor Olusanya Olubusoye.
The Ogun State Signage and Advertising Agency has placed a fine of N5 million on anyone caught with fake mobile advert permits in the state.
The agency’s General Manager, Mr Fola Onifade, disclosed this at the unveiling of the 2025 mobile advert permit for the state held at the agency’s office in Abeokuta, the state capital on Wednesday.
Onifade said that just like Oyo and Lagos states, Ogun has also migrated from the printed stickers for the mobile advert permit to e-stickers, saying that this has greatly helped to reduce the incidence of counterfeiting and other activities aimed at sabotaging and shortchanging the government.
He said, “The emergence of e-stickers has greatly reduced the incidence of counterfeiting and the activities of the miscreants. We have been able to reduce the incidence of fake stickers and where this occurred, we were able to identify and deal with it immediately.
“Another challenge that we have also been able to overcome is getting stickers from other states. Some people bring stickers from other states to come and market here. We are ready to cooperate with states that have similar rates to our own but where there is a great discrepancy, we will feel that such effort is directed at swindling the state. We won’t allow it.
“Our rate is N13,500; some states charge as low as N6,500. It would be unfair to allow them to come and sell such in the state. We are ready to cooperate with states that charge similar rates like ours.”
For those who have perfected the act of faking these stickers, Onifade said, “Let me assure you that all hands are on the deck that you don’t succeed in this act of sabotage. The officers of the agency will be all out to check these sabotaging acts and ensure that such people are arrested and punished.
“In addition to daily enforcements, the agency will also carry out unannounced quarterly enforcement and anybody found wanting for non-compliance would be seriously sanctioned. The fine is N100,000, and when a fake sticker is found on your vehicle, the fine is N5m.”
Onifade pleaded for the cooperation and support of the companies and partners working with the agency to record another success story for the 2025 mobile advert permits.
Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has said he’s hale and hearty even though some people want him to die, News360 Nigeria reports.
Speaking in Osogbo during the inauguration of the Old-Garage/Oke-Fia Road reconstructed by Governor Ademola Adeleke, Obasanjo said those who wanted him dead were spreading rumour of his death in the social media.
He said “I heard the rumour that I was dead. I saw it in the social media. I quickly told my children and my relations that it was not true and that I’m alive. Those that want me dead, that is their wish but God still keeps me alive.”
Obasanjo lauded Adeleke for his performance in Osun and charged the governor to keep up the work.
On his part, Adeleke assured the people of the state that his administration would complete all the ongoing projects.
“My dear people of Osun state, our administration has constructed over 120 kilometers of roads across the state. Two major flyovers are also progressing to completion at Osogbo while works are progressing at the Ile Ife Flyover and Ilesa dualisation.
“I have redirected our efforts and plan at the completion of Iwo-Osogbo road. We have added the dualisation of Odoori – Adeeke Road inside Iwo to be executed in two phases. The first phase will reach Post -Office and Oluwo Palace while the second phase will take off from Post Office to Adeeke Junction.
“I want our people to note for the record that for all our projects and programmes, we did not obtain any loan. We only block leakages in the state finance and employ local content to moderate project cost and enforce high standards.
“For the second half of our government, I reassure all sons and daughters of Osun State that the government under my leadership will complete all ongoing projects. We will continue to address the infra and social needs of our people. We will strike a balance between hard and soft infrastructure.”
The police command in Ogudu says it is hunting for a woman, who allegedly fought and hit the head of a 65-year-old Morenike Oladega against the wall and she died in Ipokia area of the state.
SP Omolola Odutola, the Spokesperson of the command, made this known, in a statement, on Saturday in Abeokuta.
Omotola said that the tragic incident was reported by one Ibrahim Oladega about 4:20p.m on Nov. 21
The woman (names withheld) was alleged to have pushed the deceased, who hit her head against the wall during the fight and collapsed.
Omotola said that the suspect had since taken to her heels, adding that efforts were on to arrest her.
She said the deceased had been deposited at the General Hospital, Ilaro morgue for autopsy.
According to her, on Nov. 21, about 6:20 p.m, one Ibrahim Oladega, a resident of Isunba Street, Ipokia, reported the incident at the police station.
Omotola said that Oladega told the police that earlier that day, around 4:20 p.m, the deceased had an argument with the suspect.
“This confrontation escalated into a fight during which the deceased was pushed, causing her to hit her head against a wall and collapse.
“Upon receiving the report, detectives were dispatched to the scene, where they found the victim lying on her back.
“A photograph was taken, and her body was transported to the General Hospital in Ipokia, where she was pronounced dead by a medical doctor,” she said.
Odutola explained that preliminary investigations were ongoing, and the case would be transferred to the State Criminal and Investigation Department in Abeokuta for further investigation.
The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, has boldly stated that those who have previously served as governors of Lagos State, from Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the incumbent Babajide Sanwo-Olu, are not better than him. He asserted his qualification and readiness to contest for the governorship if he decides to do so.
Speaking on Thursday, Obasa addressed speculations surrounding his political ambitions, making it clear that while he possesses the experience and capacity to govern Lagos State, his current focus remains on strengthening the All Progressives Congress (APC) and mobilizing support for the party.
“If I decide to contest for governor, I will do so from Agege,” Obasa affirmed. “I do not lack the local validity or the experience to lead Lagos State. Those who have served as governors, from Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Babatunde Raji Fashola, Akinwunmi Ambode, to Babajide Sanwo-Olu, are not better than me.”
Obasa attributed rumors about his governorship aspirations to “political detractors” misinterpreting his efforts to consolidate party support.
“My primary concern has been to solidify the party in Lagos, ensuring that we maintain our connection with the people,” he said.
Although the Speaker stated he has not given serious thought to the governorship race, his remarks have sparked renewed interest in his potential candidacy for the state’s highest office. Observers suggest that Obasa’s comments may indicate an eventual declaration of intent as he continues to expand his political influence across Lagos State.
I’m Qualified to Be Lagos State Governor, Those Who Have Governed Are Not Better Than Me – Obasa
The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, has boldly stated that those who have previously served as governors of Lagos State, from Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the incumbent Babajide Sanwo-Olu, are not better than him. He asserted his qualification and readiness to contest for the governorship if he decides to do so.
Speaking on Thursday, Obasa addressed speculations surrounding his political ambitions, making it clear that while he possesses the experience and capacity to govern Lagos State, his current focus remains on strengthening the All Progressives Congress (APC) and mobilizing support for the party.
“If I decide to contest for governor, I will do so from Agege,” Obasa affirmed. “I do not lack the local validity or the experience to lead Lagos State. Those who have served as governors, from Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Babatunde Raji Fashola, Akinwunmi Ambode, to Babajide Sanwo-Olu, are not better than me.”
Obasa attributed rumors about his governorship aspirations to “political detractors” misinterpreting his efforts to consolidate party support.
“My primary concern has been to solidify the party in Lagos, ensuring that we maintain our connection with the people,” he said.
Although the Speaker stated he has not given serious thought to the governorship race, his remarks have sparked renewed interest in his potential candidacy for the state’s highest office. Observers suggest that Obasa’s comments may indicate an eventual declaration of intent as he continues to expand his political influence across Lagos State.
The Oyo State Government has said about Fifteen Thousand candidates will sit for its forthcoming Computer based test for recruitment into different cadres in the civil service.
The Chairman, Oyo State Civil Service Commission, Alh. Kamoru Abiodun Aderibigbe disclosed this today in Ibadan at his office.
According to him, the examination will hold from Monday, November 25, 2024- Thursday, November 28, 2024.
He said approval was given by Governor Seyi Makinde for about Nine Hundred (900) Officers to be recruited into over 60 Cadres across MDAs in the Mainstream of the Civil Service.
Speaking further, the Chairman said out of Twenty-Two Thousand, Two Hundred and Thirty-Five (22,235) applications received by the Commission, Fifteen thousand were qualified to sit for the CBT.
Aderibigbe said the recruitment is unprecedented in the history of Oyo State, as there has never been a time in the last two decades when such recruitment was done, as it has always been on cadre basis.
“For instance, the present administration had recruited 60 Environmental Health personnel in 2020, 692 Education Officers, 30 state Counsel in the same year, while 19 officers were recently recruited for the Ministry of Lands.”
“As for the ongoing process, 22,235 applications were successfully submitted into the State government job portal out of which roughly 15,000 which is about 67% were qualified for recruitment into the cadres for which they have applied in line with the scheme of service and the parameters stated in our Tribune advertisement of 7th October, 2024”, he said.
Consequently, Alh. Aderibigbe said similar cadres have been grouped to sit at the same centre, stressing that applicants have been divided into two groups of examining for competence.
Those seeking employment as Education Officers, Environmental Health personnel, Social Welfare and Youth will sit CBT at the Arch. Bamidele Samson CBT Center, Opposite UCH, on Monday 25th and Tuesday 26th November, while others will sit for theirs at the Distance Learning CBT Center, Ajibode, Ibadan, on Thursday, 28th November, 2024.
He said invites are already being sent to successful applicants, advising applicants yet to get invite, to visit the Oyo State Government portal and refresh if qualified by all the parameters stated in our publication.
Aderibigbe advised applicants to come to the examination centre at the indicated time on their individual invitation Slips, with printed copy of their application form and invitation Slip.
While thanking Governor Seyi Makinde for the very rare oportunity to lift many youth out of poverty to prosperity with employment of thousands, Aderibigbe appealed to applicants to be good ambassadors of the State.
A $5 million Cassava Support Initiative is set to be launched in Oyo State in the coming days, with the Vice President of Nigeria, Senator Kashim Shettima, expected to preside over the ceremony.
The decision was among the key resolutions reached at the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting held today at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. The meeting, chaired by the Vice President, was attended by state governors and other senior officials, including the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Barr. Abdul Raheem Adebayo Lawal.
The initiative aims to enhance cassava production in Oyo State, positioning the state as the nation’s hub for cassava farming while promoting food security across the country.
Addressing the pressing issue of food insecurity, NEC also directed the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) to revive all non-functional tractors and farm equipment nationwide. States were urged to collaborate closely with federal efforts to ensure these goals are achieved.
Additionally, the council announced December 5 as the date for signing a contract for the Special Agro-Processing Zone project. This multi-million-dollar project, funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB), is designed to boost agricultural production and processing capabilities, further advancing food security in Nigeria.
The meeting underscores NEC’s commitment to addressing critical agricultural challenges and fostering sustainable economic growth across the country.
