Oduduwa News

The Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has described the late Oba Adeleke Adelekan Idowu-Basibo, the Alaperu of Iperu, as a dependable, reliable, and quintessential monarch.

Governor Abiodun stated this during a condolence visit to the palace of the Alaperu on Saturday night.

Prince Abiodun, who described the death of the monarch as a personal loss and a significant loss to the entirety of Iperu and Remoland, said it is a void that will take several years to fill.

He acknowledged the contributions of the late monarch, who retired from the Customs to serve his people, noting that Oba Idowu-Basibo brought all his networks of goodwill into developing the town of Iperu.

“Kabiyesi brought all his networks of goodwill into developing Iperu. If you look back at the last 22-23 years and compare what Iperu was before he assumed the throne and today, the difference is already clear; it speaks for itself.

“Kabiyesi was very passionate about the progress, peace, and development of this town and its entire community,” he said.

Governor Abiodun noted that the late monarch, whose official appointment letter was dated February 6, 2002, was also called home by God on the 6th of February, 2025.

He admonished the sons and daughters of the town to maintain law and order during the mourning period for the late Alaperu.

“I want to plead with all of us, and I want to thank the Lisa, Oluwo, and the high chiefs, Erelu, and all those who have ensured that there has been peace and orderliness since this happened.

“While I was busy grieving and mourning, I received some information that was really disturbing. I want to thank all those who ensured that orderliness was restored.

“I want to admonish that we ensure we sustain this peace and orderliness at this time.

“The whole town is grieving and mourning, and this is the least that we can do for our monarch. Let us accord him the respect and dignity that he deserves,” he said.

The Governor noted that the state government would be setting up a committee to be headed by the Secretary to the State Government, working with members of the cabinet, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, and members of the Iperu/Remo traditional council to ensure that the monarch is given a befitting send-off.

Earlier, in his remarks, the Lisa of Iperu, Chief Rotimi Odubona, thanked the Governor for his support to the family, even as he urged him to help the town and the family by ensuring that the monarch is buried without any delay.

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has issued a directive prohibiting police officers from carrying assault rifles while dressed in civilian attire (mufti). The announcement was made during a virtual meeting with strategic police managers on February 10, 2025.

During the meeting, the IGP emphasized the need for professionalism and warned tactical squads against the misuse of power and improper dressing. He reiterated that all operatives must wear their approved uniforms while on duty to maintain discipline and proper identification.In addition, the IGP issued a stern warning against human rights violations, stating that any officer found guilty would face severe consequences.

He also prohibited the indiscriminate transfer of cases without his written approval, citing concerns over delayed justice and undue burdens on affected parties.The IGP urged all officers to uphold professionalism and ensure that their actions do not tarnish the reputation of the Nigeria Police Force.

This directive aims to enhance public trust and reinforce discipline within the force.Lagosians and law enforcement stakeholders are expected to closely monitor the implementation of these directives to ensure compliance and effectiveness in maintaining law and order.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar on Monday led a delegation to meet with his former boss, ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo at the hilltop residence of the former Nigerian leader in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

The former vice president was accompanied by former Governor of Cross River State, Liyel Imoke and Senator Aminu Tambuwal who is a former governor of Sokoto State.

The agenda of the meeting was not known as of press time but it comes amid plans by opposition politicians to map out strategies to trounce the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and win the 2027 presidential election.”

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has explained how his administration blocked godfathers from milking the funds meant for the state.

In an exclusive interview on Channels Television’s Political Paradigm, Adeleke said he was able to block all leakages to the extent that no godfather can take advantage of the system.

When asked how he was able to make money to carry out infrastructural projects despite the debt owed by the previous administration, Adeleye replied: “From taxes, from Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). So we improved it, we changed the system. I blocked all the leakages to the extent that no godfather can take advantage of the system. Where it’s not necessary to spend money, I block it. I am a very prudent administrator. I check it myself, that is why I am successful. I didn’t owe anybody any favours because nobody financed my campaign.”

The governor also reeled out his achievements within the last two years in office as Osun leader.

“Two years with a lot of challenges. I was cheated in 2018. Everyone knew that I won that election but that one is over now. I went back to prepare more, and I believe in God. Then God said that my time will come and it was a street victory. It is not easy to defeat an incumbent in Africa, especially in Nigeria here. But I did, there’s nothing they could do about it. I see that as God telling me that it’s my time. A lot of people did not give me a chance because when I was a senator, they called me ‘dancing senator’, that oh, I will just go to the Government House. All I’ll be doing is to be partying. I mean, dancing every day, having parties and everything,” he said.

“Well, I didn’t listen to them because I know what I’m going to do. I laid out my blueprints silently and immediately I was sworn in, I began with action.

It was challenging at first. I first went around. I’m not a governor that sits around the office in the air conditioner. I put on my sneakers, my cap, and go around and inspect projects so that the contractors will know that I mean business.”

On probing the previous administration, Adeleke said he decided against taking any action, saying: “No, because if you try to do that, you will be wasting your time. I did not even probe anybody and the money they owed was crazy. I showed it to everyone, I even called all the obas (kings) that this is what I met on the ground. Osun State, with our little resources, owed close to N60 billion, apart from others that we discovered later. Why do I need to waste my time to start probing? So I just forgot about that and went straight to work.”

He also listed some of his accomplishments as governor of Osun state.

“Infrastructure is very important. I’m not doing the ones that people will see. I go inside villages and everything because our people are mostly farmers. And if they don’t have good roads, how are they going bring their goods to town? So that’s the first agenda. I made sure that I fit in the infrastructure, the roads and even bridges that I’m doing at the same time. The first plan that I had was N100 billion infrastructure plan but people believe that we’re just going to turn Osun State into the construction site and won’t be able to meet up. But guess what, two years, I met the target. If you come to Osogbo now, to other cities, I’ve done about 150 kilometres. As I’m doing it, I’m putting lights on the streetlight. When you come at night, it’s so beautiful. Everywhere you go, at least you have road construction. Every little town, we have at least 1.5 kilometres of roads, so you cannot say I did not touch anywhere.

“That makes me happy that I’m fixing the roads, fixing bridges in Osogbo. I am fixing bridges, fixing roads. In Ilesha, they’ve never had it so good.”

When asked if he collected any security vote, governor Adeleke said, “I don’t collect, it’s there. I use it like every month, whatever security challenge that we have.”

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has apprehended two drug kingpins who excreted a total of 125 wraps of heroin at the Port Harcourt International Airport and the Murtala Muhammed International Airport.

In a statement released on Sunday, Femi Babafemi, the Director of Media and Advocacy at NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja, confirmed the arrests, stating that operatives successfully intercepted the illicit consignments before they could be smuggled into the country.

One of the suspects, identified as 30-year-old Onyekwonike Elochuckwu Sylvanus, was found to be using dual identities to facilitate his cross-border drug operations. He was also discovered to possess a Sierra Leonean passport under the name Kargbo Mohamed Foday.

The NDLEA continues its crackdown on drug trafficking, urging members of the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities related to narcotics smuggling.

The National Leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, on Saturday, met with the former Minister of Interior and ex-Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, at his Lagos residence.

While details of their discussion remain undisclosed, sources within the Osun chapter of the NNPP suggest that national politics was a key topic.

The meeting comes at a time when Aregbesola’s political future has become a subject of speculation following the recent exit of his loyalist group, Omoluabi Progressives, from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State. The group cited victimization and internal conflicts as reasons for their departure, fueling rumors about their next political move.

Confirming the meeting, Osun NNPP Chairman, Dr. Tosin Odeyemi, emphasized its significance in shaping the country’s political landscape.

“The meeting reflected a shared commitment to strengthening democratic institutions and fostering national development. NNPP, as the third force in Nigeria’s political space, remains committed to making Nigeria great again,” Odeyemi stated.

With the 2027 general elections on the horizon, the political alliance between Kwankwaso and Aregbesola may signal a major realignment in Nigeria’s opposition landscape. Observers are keenly watching for Aregbesola’s next move, as his departure from the APC could reshape the political dynamics in Osun and beyond.

The Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources has sealed a building in the Papa Ajao area of Mushin over the illegal storage and sales of retreaded tyres, citing serious environmental and safety concerns.

The premises, which had been unlawfully converted into a tyre storage and sales facility, were operating in a densely populated residential area, posing a significant risk to residents, especially school children in the neighborhood.

The Lagos Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, made this known in a statement shared via his X handle on Friday, February 7.

“Following complaints from a concerned citizen, the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources has taken swift action to address a serious hazard at No. 6, Bello Street, Papa Ajao, Mushin. The premises in question had been illegally converted into a storage and sales facility for retreaded tyres, operating in a densely populated residential area, endangering residents, particularly the children attending the school,” the statement read.

The Ministry promptly sealed the building to prevent further risk and ensure compliance with environmental and urban planning regulations. This action highlights the importance of vigilance and community participation in reporting illegal or hazardous activities that threaten public safety.

The Lagos State Government reaffirmed its commitment to enforcing environmental and planning laws to protect residents and maintain orderly urban development. Authorities urged citizens to report similar violations to relevant agencies to promote a safer and more sustainable Lagos.