Oduduwa News

Ogun State Government, on Monday, dismissed the allegation that it stopped the constituency projects being executed by Gbenga Daniel, the senator representing Ogun East in the National Assembly, out of spite.

It declared that Daniel’s projects in some areas were stopped because they were substandard and did not meet Federal Government specifications, adding that the government has a constitutional right to ensure that projects were done appropriately and in consonance with standards.

The government, which made this declaration in a statement signed by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Strategy, Hon Kayode Akinmade, said the contractors doing works that do not conform to the Federal Ministry of Works’ specifications were instructed to provide approved specifications and drawings for the road projects that had been awarded to them.

This, the government said, would enable the Ogun Ministry of Works to do proper monitoring of the projects, adding: ” Those contractors who complied have since been given the go-ahead to continue with the road projects.

“At the same time, a designated engineer from the Ogun State Ministry of Works is assigned to conduct routine supervision to enforce compliance with the specifications.”

On Daniel’s suspension, Akinmade said that it is a party affair, adding that the Dapo Abiodun-led administration could not re-admit the Ogun East senator into the Ogun APC fold when it did not suspend him in the first place.

He advised Daniel to exert his energy and media efforts on proving his innocence to the party, instead of blaming everybody but himself
Akinmade said: “It was not the Ogun State Government that suspended Senator Gbenga Daniel; it was the party, APC in his ward, and the suspension was then ratified by the State Working Committee.

“Before then, the party gave him ample opportunity to defend himself, but he shunned the summons.

“That he is launching media attacks on the State Government rather than facing the party that gave him a ticket to contest election, and against which he committed punishable acts, is illogical.
“It shows that he has no regard for the party or its leadership, and no sense of accountability or responsibility. He is just chasing shadows, blaming everyone but himself because of his huge ego.”

On alleged persecution of the senator by Governor Abiodun, Akinmade said that the senator’s claims are laughable.

He said that Daniel had consistently talked and acted as if he was still in charge of affairs as Governor of Ogun State, adding that the senator wanted everyone to automatically kowtow to him no matter what he did.

He said: “Daniel claims that the Government stopped his constituency project, a project meant to be executed with federal funds, simply because he was asked to follow due process. Is he the only federal lawmaker in Ogun State? Is he the only one executing constituency projects?

“Why is he the only former governor constantly at war against law and logic in Ogun State, and always staging a pity party using a pliant media whenever he is tasked with taking responsibility for his actions?

” In Ogun State today, there is peace and stability, unlike his crisis-ridden tenure when he was constantly at war with everyone in the State, including members of the state House of Assembly and the state’s representatives in the National Assembly. Daniel just can’t deal with not being in a position to manipulate things to his advantage.

“He cannot be bigger than the party that gave him a ticket for the Senate. He should sort out his issues with the party if he still has any shred of conscience or integrity.”

He added that the Ogun State Government had better things to do than to be constantly responding to Daniel’s tantrums.

The Osun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has hinted that Governor Ademola Adeleke may no longer pursue the party’s governorship ticket for the 2026 election. According to party sources, the escalating internal crisis at the national level has created widespread uncertainty, forcing the governor to reconsider his political plans.

The PDP has been battling prolonged leadership disputes, factional struggles, and internal mistrust, all of which have weakened confidence among key stakeholders. These challenges are said to be affecting strategic decisions for the 2026 elections, with Adeleke reportedly worried about the party’s ability to provide a stable platform for his re-election bid.

This development comes as a surprise to many, considering Adeleke’s repeated public declarations earlier in the year affirming his loyalty to the PDP. He had consistently dismissed rumours of defection or withdrawal, insisting that he remained fully committed to the party’s structure and would contest under its banner.

However, with the national crisis deepening and several high-profile members expressing frustration, political analysts believe Adeleke’s hesitation could signal a major shift in Osun’s political landscape. If he eventually withdraws from the PDP ticket, it could open the field for new aspirants and significantly alter the dynamics ahead of the 2026 governorship race.

The Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Lanre Ogunlowo, has confirmed the abd¥ction of six marketers working for a Lagos-based real estate company at Oyebola village in Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area of the state.

Ogunlowo disclosed the development on Sunday during a telephone interview with our correspondent. This followed an earlier alert from a resident of a neighbouring community, who spoke on condition of anonymity and reported that the incident occurred on Friday.

According to the Commissioner, the victims were seized while on an inspection tour of the company’s property in the area. “So, they brought some marketers from Lagos to come and see the land so that they can have the requisite information to market the land for the members of the public who are interested.

It was during their visit to this land that the six people were abd¥cted. It happened on Friday, and the command had been on it since, and we shall definitely ensure that these people regain their freedom,” the CP said. The att+ck is the latest in a series of abd¥ctions recorded across the country in recent weeks. These include the k+dnapping of 38 worshippers in Kwara State and 24 students in Kebbi State, all of whom have since been released.

Meanwhile, many others remain in captivity, among them over 250 persons abd¥cted from St. Mary’s Secondary and Primary School, Papiri, in Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State, where gunmen reportedly k+lled a security guard and whisked away around 300 pupils, students, and staff during a recent att+ck. Fifty students were said to have escaped afterwards.

Former Secretary to the Osun State Government, Moshood Adeoti, has formally withdrawn his allegiance to former governor Rauf Aregbesola and exited the African Democratic Congress (ADC), following growing tensions over the party’s 2026 governorship ticket.

Adeoti’s exit comes amid reports that the ADC leadership has chosen former Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Najeem Salam, as its preferred governorship candidate. The development reportedly triggered discontent among Adeoti and Senator Lere Oriolowo, both of whom hail from Iwo in Osun West.

Adeoti, who served under Aregbesola during his administration, first left the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2018 to contest the governorship election on the platform of the African Democratic Party (ADP), where he polled 49,745 votes. He later returned to the APC in 2020 during the height of the political rift between Aregbesola and former governor Adegboyega Oyetola.

Ahead of the 2022 governorship election, Adeoti emerged as Aregbesola’s preferred aspirant in the APC, a decision that unsettled members of The Osun Progressives (TOP) and intensified internal party tensions. His political trajectory shifted again when he, alongside Salam, Senator Oriolowo and others, was later suspended from the APC over alleged anti-party activities. The affected politicians subsequently formed the Omoluabi Progressives bloc under Aregbesola’s direction before defecting to the ADC.

Reports had indicated that leaders of the Omoluabi Progressives were advocating that the ADC’s 2026 governorship ticket be zoned to Osun West. However, fresh indications emerged over the weekend that the party hierarchy had settled on Salam as its consensus candidate, sidelining Adeoti and further widening internal divisions.

Reacting to the development, Adeoti formally withdrew from Aregbesola’s political camp, the Omoluabi Progressives and the ADC. In a letter dated November 30, 2025, and personally signed by him, he wrote:

“I, Alhaji Moshood Olalekan Adeoti, the Deputy Leader of Omoluabi Progressives in Osun State, hereby tender this letter of withdrawal from the group, which I co-founded with other progressive-minded individuals across the state.”

Adeoti described the move as a difficult but necessary decision, noting the emotional and financial investments he had made toward sustaining the group since its formation. He added that his family had urged him to step back and take a temporary break from political activities.

“My decision to withdraw was never an easy one, especially each time I looked back and considered all my investments into ensuring the survival of the group throughout its turbulent period from its inception to date,” Adeoti wrote.

He expressed appreciation to members of the Omoluabi Progressives for the trust they placed in him and wished the current leadership success in its future activities.

His withdrawal marks another major shift in Osun State’s evolving political landscape ahead of the 2026 governorship contest.

There was mild drama in Lagos on Thursday when Fuji icon K1 De Ultimate publicly acknowledged his 15-year-old son with Nollywood actress Bisola Badmus for the first time.

The emotional moment happened during K1’s live performance, when Malik Anifowoshe, aware that his father was the one on stage, walked up to greet him.

At first, K1 appeared confused and did not recognise the boy, witnesses said.

But after taking a closer look, he suddenly pulled Malik into a warm embrace, prayed for him, and openly accepted him, ending 15 years of silence and denial.

However, while those inside the venue were touched by the gesture, Nigerians online reacted differently.

For over a decade, the paternity saga had lingered, with Bisola Badmus repeatedly hinting at raising Malik alone, even as she battled a brain tumour that kept her in and out of hospital.

Although sources close to the family claim K1 occasionally supported Bisola during her illness, he had never publicly acknowledged the boy until Thursday’s encounter.

This history made many Nigerians criticize the timing of the reconciliation.

One user wrote on Facebook, “He waited for the boy to walk up to him on stage before accepting him? Why not years ago?”

Another commenter said, “They’re forcing the son on his father. Something doesn’t feel right.” A third comment read, “From the way K1 looked at first, he didn’t even recognise his own child.”

While some social media users praised the eventual acceptance, others described it as late and performative, given Bisola’s long struggle and the boy’s years without public recognition.

Sunday Dare, Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication to President Bola Tinubu, has accused former President Olusegun Obasanjo and other critics of attempting to undermine the administration’s efforts to combat terrorism.

In a statement posted on his X handle on Sunday and titled “Between Tinubu’s Capability and the Ignobility of Pseudo Statesmanship,” Dare criticised recent comments by Obasanjo and several opposition figures who suggested the government is failing to protect Nigerians.

Obasanjo, speaking at an event in Plateau State on Friday, had argued that citizens have the right to seek international intervention if the government cannot guarantee their safety. He lamented continued killings and said the Federal Government had shown an inability to curb the violence.

But Dare described the former president’s remarks as “hypocritical,” insisting that Boko Haram’s early growth occurred under Obasanjo’s watch.

“It is historical fact that the ideological foundations and early cells of Boko Haram were incubated during Obasanjo’s civilian presidency,” he said. “For the leader under whom the first seeds of terrorism were allowed to germinate to now issue public lectures is not just ironic, it is reckless.”

He added that calling for foreign governments to take over Nigeria’s internal security “is not statesmanship; it is capitulation.”

Dare defended the Tinubu administration’s approach, saying it is pursuing a mix of military action, intelligence operations, governance restoration, and counter-radicalisation programmes. He warned that public statements questioning government capacity could embolden terrorists.

“When former leaders disparage the nation’s capacity, they hand psychological victories to the very terrorists murdering, kidnapping, and extorting Nigerians,” he said.

The presidential aide urged former leaders to support ongoing efforts rather than “rewrite history,” and called on Nigerians to unite behind the government’s security strategy.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains committed to securing every inch of Nigeria,” he said. “This administration will not be distracted by selective amnesia wrapped in elder-statesmanship.”

The Oyo State Government has terminated its ₦8.2 billion contract for the 11-megawatt Independent Power Project (IPP) managed by Elektron Energy, citing persistent underperformance and eventual shutdown of the plant.

The State Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Professor Dahud Kehinde Shangodoyin, confirmed the development during a media briefing in Ibadan.

Professor Shangodoyin explained that upon assuming office in May, a technical assessment revealed that the first phase of the project—expected to supply 5MW—was generating only about 2.6MW, out of which the state was receiving approximately 1.5MW.

He added that despite several meetings and a two-month grace period granted to the private operator to enhance output and extend power supply to nearby communities, no meaningful progress was recorded. By July 2025, the operators had shut down the plant, forcing the government to revoke the agreement.

Following the termination, the state government has shifted attention to a new 12-megawatt power project, which is expected to take off within the next four months.

Professor Shangodoyin reaffirmed the government’s commitment to providing sustainable energy solutions, stressing that the new project aligns with Oyo State’s broader development agenda.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has forwarded the names of 32 additional ambassadorial nominees to the Senate for confirmation, expanding on the first batch of three nominees sent last week.

In two separate letters addressed to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, President Tinubu requested the expedited screening and confirmation of 15 career ambassadors and 17 non-career ambassadors. The new list features strong female representation, with four women among the career nominees and six among the non-career nominees.

Prominent figures on the non-career list include former presidential aide Barrister Ogbonnaya Kalu (Abia), Reno Omokri (Delta), former INEC Chairman Mahmud Yakubu, former Ekiti First Lady Erelu Angela Adebayo, and former Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.

Also nominated are Tasiu Musa Maigari, former Speaker of the Katsina House of Assembly; former Plateau Commissioner Yakubu N. Gambo; former UBEC deputy executive secretary; former Plateau senator Prof. Nora Ladi Daduut; former Lagos deputy governor Otunba Femi Pedro; former aviation minister Chief Femi Fani-Kayode; and Barrister Nkechi Linda Ufochukwu (Anambra).

From Oyo, former First Lady Florence Ajimobi made the list, alongside former Lagos Commissioner Lola Akande, former Adamawa senator Grace Bent, former Abia governor Victor Okezie Ikpeazu, and Ondo businessman and senator Jimoh Ibrahim. Also nominated is Ambassador Paul Oga Adikwu, former envoy to the Holy See.

The career ambassadorial nominees include Enebechi Monica Okwuchukwu (Abia), Yakubu Nyaku Danladi (Taraba), Miamuna Ibrahim Besto (Adamawa), Musa Musa Abubakar (Kebbi), Syndoph Paebi Endoni (Bayelsa), Chima Geoffrey Lioma David (Ebonyi), and Mopelola Adeola-Ibrahim (Ogun).

Others are Abimbola Samuel Reuben (Ondo), Yvonne Ehinosen Odumah (Edo), Hamza Mohammed Salau (Niger), Ambassador Shehu Barde (Katsina), Ambassador Ahmed Mohammed Monguno (Borno), Ambassador Muhammad Saidu Dahiru (Kaduna), Ambassador Olatunji Ahmed Sulu Gambari (Kwara), and Ambassador Wahab Adekola Akande (Osun).

The nominees are expected to be deployed to Nigeria’s key bilateral and multilateral missions, including China, India, South Korea, Canada, Mexico, the UAE, Qatar, South Africa, Kenya, the United Nations, UNESCO, and the African Union. Their specific postings will be determined after Senate confirmation.

Last week, the President submitted three nominees—Ambassador Ayodele Oke (Oyo), Ambassador Amin Mohammed Dalhatu (Jigawa), and Retired Colonel Lateef Kayode Are (Ogun)—who are under consideration for postings to the United Kingdom, United States, or France.

President Tinubu noted that more ambassadorial nominations will be announced soon.

The Association of Nigeria Theatre Arts Practitioners (ANTP) has dismissed circulating reports claiming that veteran Yoruba actor, Chief Lere Paimo, is dead.

In a statement released by its National Public Relations Officer, Adejonwo Oluwafemi, the association described the viral posts as false and misleading. ANTP confirmed that the iconic thespian, popularly known as Baba Eda Onile Ola, is alive and in stable condition.

According to the association, direct communication with Paimo’s family confirmed that the 86-year-old cultural figure is “very much alive.” His Personal Assistant (PA) also reaffirmed this, stating that the rumour was entirely baseless.

The ANTP cautioned the public against spreading unverified information, noting that such false reports can cause unnecessary distress to family members, colleagues, and fans of the respected actor.

Chief Lere Paimo remains one of the most celebrated figures in Yoruba theatre and the Nigerian film industry, with a career spanning several decades.

The newly established Federal University of Agriculture and Technology, Okeho (FUNATO) has officially announced the commencement of admissions into its approved undergraduate programmes for the 2025/2026 academic session.

This follows the successful conduct of a Resource Verification Exercise by the National Universities Commission (NUC), after which the regulatory body granted full approval for the institution to admit its pioneer set of students. With this approval, FUNATO is set to launch academic activities across 30 accredited programmes housed within six colleges.

As one of Nigeria’s newest federal universities, FUNATO says it is strategically positioned to drive academic excellence, strengthen research capacity, deepen technological innovation, and produce highly skilled graduates in agriculture, engineering, environmental sciences, computing, and related fields. The institution reiterated its commitment to developing industry-ready manpower capable of contributing significantly to national growth.

Approved Programmes Across Six Colleges

College of Livestock Development & Environmental Sciences
– Animal Science
– Fisheries & Aquaculture Management
– Forestry & Wildlife Management
– Environmental Management & Toxicology

College of Agricultural Development & Human Ecology
– Agricultural Economics
– Agribusiness
– Agricultural Extension & Rural Development
– Human Nutrition & Dietetics
– Hospitality & Tourism Management

College of Engineering & Technology
– Electrical & Electronics Engineering
– Mechanical Engineering
– Civil Engineering

College of Science & Computing
– Chemistry
– Microbiology
– Biology
– Physics with Electronics
– Statistics
– Mathematics
– Biochemistry
– Computer Science
– Software Engineering
– Cyber Security

College of Plant Science & Crop Production
– Soil Science
– Crop Science
– Horticulture & Landscape Management
– Plant & Environmental Biology

College of Environmental Design & Geospatial Technology
– Architecture
– Surveying & Geoinformatics
– Industrial Design
– Urban & Regional Planning

Admission Guidelines to Be Announced Soon

According to the University Management, detailed admission procedures, screening modalities, and application steps will be communicated to the public in due course through FUNATO’s official channels.

The institution advised prospective applicants, parents, and guardians to remain alert to upcoming updates.

Important Notice

FUNATO emphasized that only NUC-approved programmes will run for the 2025/2026 session.
The University also clarified that no part-time programmes are available at this stage.

The announcement marks a major milestone as FUNATO prepares to welcome its first cohort of students and commence full academic operations.