Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, says former President Goodluck Jonathan had no concrete strategy to rescue the Chibok schoolgirls.
He added that Tinubu’s demand for Jonathan’s resignation at the time was legitimate.
Bwala made the remark while explaining the government’s stance on negotiating with terrorists during an interview on Channels Television.
He said although previous administrations sometimes entered talks to save abducted citizens, the Tinubu government maintains a strict zero-tolerance policy on negotiations and ransom payments.
“So the Federal Government does not tolerate the idea of negotiation,” he said.
Bwala added that negotiation only empowers terrorists financially and strengthens their capacity for violence, which the current administration seeks to avoid.
His comments come amid a surge in school kidnappings and escalating insecurity across multiple states, raising concerns over student safety and government response mechanisms.
The recent wave of abductions has attracted national and international scrutiny, with many Nigerians questioning the federal strategy for combating insurgency and banditry.
Health activities across major state-owned hospitals in Oyo State have been severely disrupted as health-records officers, laboratory attendants, pharmacy technicians and other allied health-workers under the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) continue their nationwide strike. Visits to facilities such as Jericho Specialist Hospital, Adeoyo Maternity Teaching Hospital, Ring Road State Hospital and other general hospitals in the Ibadan zone showed that the strike has forced many departments to operate below capacity, with only skeletal services available to patients.
At Jericho Specialist Hospital, health-workers in departments critical to patient flow including Records, Laboratory, Pharmacy, Radiology and General Support stayed away from duty, leaving long queues of patients unable to complete basic processes such as registration, laboratory tests or drug collection. Doctors and nurses on duty struggled to attend to patients, but the absence of essential support staff meant only emergency or very limited outpatient consultations were possible.
A similar situation played out at Adeoyo Maternity Hospital, where antenatal mothers, children and emergency cases were delayed due to the non-availability of laboratory services, incomplete documentation and limited clerical support. While wards and clinics remained open, staff confirmed that only “bare-minimum operations” were possible since the strike began, adding that admissions, diagnostics and drug dispensing were significantly slowed down.
Across other state hospitals in Ibadan, Oyo, Ogbomoso and Iseyin, allied health-workers’ absence has crippled the non-clinical backbone of service delivery. Patients who require laboratory tests, imaging, record retrieval, drug refills or referrals are being turned back or asked to return when “full operations resume.” Hospital officials say the skeletal service level will continue until the government resolves JOHESU’s demands over the long-standing CONHESS salary adjustment, which triggered the nationwide action.
The Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adewale Egbedun, on Tuesday issued a strong warning to Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, urging him to desist from what he described as attempts to “import brigandage and political intimidation” into Osun State.
Speaking during a press briefing at the Assembly Complex in Osogbo, the Speaker said emerging political activities linked to external forces were becoming “worrisome and unacceptable,” stressing that Osun would not tolerate any form of destabilization.
Egbedun accused Governor Makinde of allegedly bankrolling and encouraging certain political actors in Osun to stoke unrest ahead of the 2026 election cycle, claiming such moves were aimed at widening Makinde’s national political reach.
According to the Speaker, “If Governor Seyi Makinde is desperate to become Nigeria’s President in the future, he should not use Osun State as a launch pad for that ambition. He has Oyo State—his own territory—to experiment with. Osun people will not fold their arms while external forces attempt to pollute our peaceful political environment.”
He added that Osun remained committed to peace, stability, and democratic processes guided by local decisions rather than external dictates.
Egbedun called on political stakeholders in Osun to maintain vigilance and resist what he described as “backdoor infiltration tactics” capable of undermining the state’s progress under Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administration.
He further urged security agencies to monitor the situation closely to prevent any escalation.
“Osun is not a battleground for anyone’s presidential ambition. We will defend our peace, our government, and our people,” the Speaker declared.
The development has stirred political reactions across the South-West, with analysts suggesting that the comments may intensify already tense relations between Osun and Oyo political blocs within the PDP.
In a letter to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, President Tinubu conveyed General Musa’s nomination as the successor to Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, who resigned on Monday.
General Musa, 58, on December 25, is a distinguished soldier who served as Chief of Defence Staff from 2023 until October 2025. He won the Colin Powell Award for Soldiering in 2012.
Born in Sokoto in 1967, General Musa received his primary and secondary education there before attending the College of Advanced Studies in Zaria. He graduated in 1986 and enrolled at the Nigerian Defence Academy the same year, earning a Bachelor of Science degree upon graduation in 1991.
General Musa was commissioned into the Nigerian Army as a Second Lieutenant in 1991 and has since had a distinguished career. His appointments include General Staff Officer 1, Training/Operations at HQ 81 Division; Commanding Officer, 73 Battalion; Assistant Director, Operational Requirements, Department of Army Policy and Plans; and Infantry Representative/Member, Training Team, HQ Nigerian Army Armour Corps.
In 2019, he served as Deputy Chief of Staff, Training/Operations, Headquarters Infantry Centre and Corps; Commander, Sector 3, Operation Lafiya Dole; and Commander, Sector 3 Multinational Joint Task Force in the Lake Chad Region.
In 2021, General Musa was appointed Theatre Commander, Operation Hadin Kai. He later became Commander of the Nigerian Army Infantry Corps before being appointed Chief of Defence Staff by President Tinubu in 2023.
In the letter to the Senate, President Tinubu expressed confidence in General Musa’s ability to lead the Ministry of Defence and further strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture.
Iwo was agog with academic energy as 216 brilliant students from nine schools converged at Salinsile Events Centre for the MECAMA Games Competition. The Busy Brains 4.0 Edition, held from November 24 to 26, 2025. The three-day event, organized by Algorithm Educational Concepts in partnership with the Dexterity Progressive Organized Private Schools of Nigeria (DEPROPSON), Iwo Chapter, showcased outstanding intellectual performance among young learners.
Conceptualized and convened by Mr. Akinwole Adebayo Najeem, a lecturer from the Mathematics Department, Federal College of Education, Iwo, the competition aimed at strengthening teamwork, critical thinking, and problem-solving among pupils and students.
Participants from schools including Daaru Qalam School, At-Tawfeeq Model Academy, At-Tawheed School, Kunfayakun Erudite School, Excellent Model School, Olohunlogbo School, Aonullah International School, and Al-Abadillah School formed 108 creatively named teams, adopting titles inspired by ornaments, gems, flowers, and elements such as Alabaster, Bamboo, Alexandrite, Pearl, and Bismuth.
To ensure fairness and transparency, 27 umpires—among them respected lecturers of the Federal College of Education, Iwo, such as Mrs. Hamdallah Orisadare, Mr. Akereyeni Kehinde, and Mr. Nurudeen Adefajo—supervised the contest.
Following a keenly contested first round, 56 teams advanced to the second stage. The semifinal rounds were intense, with students thrilling the audience with their speed, accuracy, and strategic collaboration across diverse academic challenges.
In the grand finale, exceptional young minds emerged winners. In the Primary Category, Team Bismuth (Daaru Qalam School) clinched the top prize, followed by Team Bamboo (At-Tawfeeq Model Academy) in second place and Team Plutonium (At-Tawheed School) in third. In the Secondary Category, Team Nitrogen of At-Tawfeeq Model Academy took first place, while Team Pearl and Team Milestone—both from Kunfayakun Erudite School—won second and third respectively. Winners received cash prizes of ₦50,000, ₦30,000, and ₦20,000.
MECAMA Games Development Manager, Mr. Hafeez Adewoyin (Diamond), expressed satisfaction with the event’s success, applauding participating schools, umpires, and students for their dedication. He reaffirmed MECAMA’s commitment to nurturing young talent and promoting educational excellence across Osun State and beyond.
Inventor and convener of the MECAMA Games, Mr. Akinwole Adebayo Najeem, lauded the students for their brilliance, describing the edition as a display of creativity, teamwork, and modern problem-solving skills. He called for support from government, organizations, and individuals to sustain and expand the initiative.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun State, on Wednesday, pressed ahead with its gubernatorial primary election in Osogbo—and in a significant outcome, Fatai Rauf Yekini Oladimeji (FRYO) emerged as the party’s governorship candidate, despite internal turmoil triggered by Senator Ademola Adeleke’s recent resignation from the party.
Delegates began arriving at the Osogbo City Stadium early in the morning, with accreditation and security measures set up across multiple entry points. The turnout reflected the party’s determination to proceed with its political calendar, even as analysts predicted that Adeleke’s exit could destabilize the PDP structure in the state.
Adeleke’s abrupt resignation on Monday deepened existing tensions within the party, exposing long-standing rifts between factions loyal to the former governor and those aligned with Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde. His departure was widely perceived as a reaction to losing control of the party’s structure and the governorship ticket to the rising Makinde-backed bloc.
Despite the escalating crisis, the PDP leadership remained resolute, with insiders confirming that Makinde’s political network played a key role in ensuring that the primary held as scheduled. Delegates widely described the election as a “battle for the soul of Osun PDP,” one that ultimately produced FRYO as the consensus choice.
As voting progressed, it became increasingly clear that FRYO enjoyed significant support from the Southwest PDP power base linked to Makinde, giving him a decisive edge over other aspirants. Party officials later announced his victory to loud cheers from supporters who celebrated the result as a new direction for the party in the state.
Speaking after the announcement, a senior PDP chieftain noted that the emergence of FRYO demonstrated the party’s resolve to move past the Adeleke episode and rebuild ahead of the 2026 elections.
“Adeleke’s resignation was unfortunate, but the PDP cannot be held hostage,” the official said. “Today’s primary, and the emergence of FRYO, shows that the party is ready to reposition itself. Governor Makinde’s stabilising influence helped to prevent a total breakdown.”
Political observers say the choice of FRYO may mark the beginning of a reshaped PDP leadership dynamic in Osun—one less centred on Adeleke dominance and more aligned with the regional strategy driven by Makinde within the Southwest zone.
Despite lingering grievances within the Adeleke camp, party leaders expressed confidence that FRYO’s candidacy could unify members, restore internal order, and re-energize the PDP’s grassroots base ahead of the 2026 governorship election.
The party is expected to present FRYO formally as its candidate after completing the final ratification process.
Okeho was aglow with colour, culture, and celebration on Saturday as dignitaries from across Nigeria and the diaspora converged for Okeho Day 2025—a vibrant festival that showcased unity, heritage, and the town’s renewed march toward progress.
The high point of the ceremony was the regal arrival of the Onjo of Okeho, His Royal Majesty Oba Abdulrafiu Osuolale Mustapha, Adeitan II, whose warm welcome set the tone for the festivities. The monarch expressed deep gratitude to guests and explained that the brief pause in past celebrations was tied to major community-driven development initiatives. He extended special appreciation to Governor Seyi Makinde, his Deputy Chief Bayo Lawal, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade I, and other royal fathers for their steadfast support. In a symbolic gesture, the Onjo presented Senator Abdulfatai Buhari with a “Thank You” banner for his significant contributions to Okeho’s advancement.
Representing Governor Makinde, Deputy Governor Chief Bayo Lawal celebrated the people of Okeho for their resilience and achievements. He reiterated the government’s commitment to strengthening infrastructure and ensuring a thriving environment for residents. Lawal highlighted the establishment of the Federal University of Agriculture and Technology, Okeho (FUNATO) as a milestone divinely aligned with the town’s aspirations and made possible through the dedication of leaders including Professor Segun Gbadegesin and Senator Fatai Buhari.
The atmosphere became even more electrifying with the arrival of the Alaafin of Oyo, His Imperial Majesty Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade I, who commended the unity of Okeho people and encouraged them to continue backing the Onjo in steering the town’s future.
Speaking on behalf of the community, the President of Egbe Omo Ibile Okeho, Dr. K. Alarape Salawu, described this year’s celebration as one centred on gratitude. He highlighted key achievements—rehabilitation of the Iseyin–Okeho–Iganna Road, installation of a 33 KVA power line, reopening of a commercial bank, and the establishment of new tertiary institutions. He appealed to the state government to prioritize the rehabilitation of the Alaga–Ado-Awaye Road.
Chairman of the Okeho Day Planning Committee, Captain Adegboyega Olopoenia, applauded the resilience and contributions of all supporters. He stressed the need for enhanced security across Okeho and surrounding communities despite the encouraging progress.
Traditional rulers including the Olokaka of Okakaland, Oba Abdulazeez Olatunji Ayoola, and the Elero of Ilero Land, Oba Wasiu Oyedele Saka, also lauded the Onjo, expressing unwavering support for Okeho’s continued development under the Oke-Ogun Obas Consultative Forum.
A major highlight of the day was the public fundraising session, chaired by renowned legal icon Barrister Ahmed Raji (SAN). Among the notable contributions was the remarkable pledge by Barrister Beulah Adeoye, who committed to building a 200-bed student hostel for FUNATO, reinforcing Okeho’s rapid educational transformation.
Okeho Day 2025 ended on a jubilant note—an inspiring blend of culture, royalty, and community vision, reflecting a town firmly on the path to greater prosperity.
The Executive Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke has expressed sadness over the passing of the Chairman of the Governing Council of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Professor Abdulgafar Siyanbola Oyeweso, describing his death as a big loss.
Governor Adeleke who said he was deeply shaken by the news of the demise of the renowned historian, said Osun state and Nigeria has been denied the service of one of its best.
The Governor extends heartfelt condolences to the immediate family of Prof. Oyeweso, the Timi of Ede and the people of Ede, over this irreplaceable loss. He also condoles with the Management and the entire community of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), who lost a refined leadership of the institution.
“I am disheartened to learn about the unfortunate passing of Professor Abdulgafar Siyanbola Oyeweso, the Pro-Chancellor of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU). Professor Oyeweso was an erudite academia who dedicated most part of his life to shaping futures from the classrooms,” Governor Adeleke was quoted as saying in a condolences message.
“On behalf of the good people of Osun State, I convey my heartfelt condolences to his immediate family, the Timi of Ede and the people of Ede, the OAU community, mentees and everyone touched by this devastating loss.”
Governor Adeleke prays to Almighty Allah to repose his soul and grant his family, kin, associates and everyone touched by his passing the fortitude to bear the pain of the loss, adding that “it is my sincere hope that his good works in the time he spent here will not die with him”.
In a dramatic political development, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has announced his resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), effective November 4, 2025.
According to a resignation letter addressed to the PDP Chairman for Ward 2, Sagba Abogunde of Ede North Local Government, Adeleke cited the “current crisis within the national leadership of the PDP” as the main reason for his departure. 
In the statement released by his spokesperson, Governor Adeleke expressed gratitude to the party for giving him the platform to serve — first as a Senator and then as Governor — and thanked PDP members and supporters for their role in his political journey. 
His resignation comes just hours before the scheduled PDP governorship primary election in Osun State — a primary that has now been cancelled as the party grapples with deep internal conflicts. 
At this time, Governor Adeleke has not disclosed which political party he will join next — though speculation is already rife that he may seek a fresh mandate under a different banner ahead of the 2026 Osun State election.
Hon. Dele Adeola, representing Iseyin/Itesiwaju State Constituency in the Oyo State House of Assembly, has called on Governor Seyi Makinde to intensify security around forest zones and communities bordering Kwara State. He made this appeal during the presentation and deliberation of the 2026 Appropriation Bill, noting that Kwara is currently experiencing heightened insecurity that could spill over into Oke-Ogun.
The lawmaker urged the governor to strengthen surveillance, increase patrols, and enhance vigilance across forest belts within the Iseyin, Itesiwaju, Kajola, and Iwajowa corridors. He warned that farmers, travelers, and rural dwellers remain vulnerable unless security is tightened along the Oke-Ogun–Kwara boundary.
Hon. Adeola also stressed the need to improve access roads leading to the renowned Ado-Awaye Suspended Lake, one of Nigeria’s emerging tourism assets. He thanked Governor Makinde for awarding the facelift and rehabilitation project for the lake itself, but emphasized that without good connecting roads, the site cannot fully attract local and international tourists.
He highlighted the importance of tapping into the upgraded Ibadan Airport, which now receives international visitors, as a key advantage for boosting tourism in Oyo State. Improved access to Ado-Awaye, he noted, would significantly enhance the state’s tourism revenue and global visibility.
Hon. Adeola concluded by drawing attention to the shortage of Town Planning Officers across LGAs and appealed for new appointments to support sustainable development. He reaffirmed his commitment to effective representation and prayed for the continued success of Governor Makinde’s administration.
