Oduduwa News

The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade I, is set to install Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu, as Okanlomo of Yorubaland in a grand ceremony on Sunday, December 21, 2025, in Oyo Town.

The prestigious title, meaning “beloved child of Yorubaland,” recognizes individuals who contribute to Yoruba unity, culture, and community development. The ceremony will also honor former Zamfara Governor Abdul’Aziz Yari with the title Obaloyin of Yorubaland.

The Alaafin’s decision underscores his authority over traditional Yoruba titles and comes amid ongoing discussions about cultural leadership across Yorubaland, generating significant public and social media interest.

The Fidipote Ruling House of Ijebu-Ode has formally declared its intention to present candidates for the vacant Awujale of Ijebuland stool, following what it described as the failure of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House to act within the time allowed by law.

In a letter addressed to the Secretary of the Ijebu-Ode Local Government and the Ogun State Government, the Fidipote family stated that Fusengbuwa, which was first entitled to nominate candidates, did not submit any name within the 14-day period stipulated under the Ogun State Chieftaincy Law, 2021.

According to the letter, Fusengbuwa was officially notified on December 2, 2025, but failed to present any candidate before the statutory deadline of December 16, 2025.

Relying on Section 16(1)(c) of the Ogun State Chieftaincy Law and the Awujale Chieftaincy Declaration of 1959, the Fidipote Ruling House maintained that it is now legally next in line to present candidates to the kingmakers.

The family has consequently informed the relevant authorities of its readiness to nominate candidates and has invited the local government secretary, or a designated representative, to witness its general meeting scheduled for Saturday, December 20, 2025, in Ijebu-Ode.

The Fidipote Ruling House assured that its selection process would be conducted in a peaceful and transparent manner, in strict compliance with the law and established traditional procedures.

The Oyo State House of Assembly has passed the 2026 Appropriation Bill into law, approving a budget of about N892 billion with a strong tilt towards capital expenditure and infrastructure development.

Addressing journalists shortly after the passage of the budget on Wednesday, the Chairman of the House Committee on Finance, Appropriation and State Economic Planning, Hon. Olasunkanmi Babalola, described the exercise as a historic moment for the state legislature.

Babalola, who represents Egbeda State Constituency and serves as the Deputy Leader of the House, said the budget was subjected to a detailed review across all Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

According to him, the Assembly effected key adjustments aimed at strengthening development spending, including the transfer of N2 billion from overhead costs to capital expenditure.

“The total size of the 2026 budget is about N892 billion. We carefully examined the allocations and moved funds from overheads to capital expenditure. Overhead was reduced from N389 billion to N387 billion, and the N2 billion difference was added to capital expenditure for infrastructure development,” he said.

He noted that capital expenditure now stands at over N504 billion, close to N505 billion, representing a significant portion of the total budget and reflecting the House’s resolve to prioritise development over recurrent spending.

“This clearly shows that the state is investing more in capital projects rather than consuming resources on overheads. The implication for citizens is simple. The people of Oyo State will continue to enjoy the dividends of democracy under this administration,” Babalola added.

The lawmaker assured residents that the House would intensify oversight functions to ensure strict compliance and value for money across all MDAs.

He also explained that the Assembly’s decision to pass the budget before the end of the year was deliberate.

“It has become our culture to pass the budget before the year runs out. The motivation is to allow the state to begin implementation from the first day of the new year without delays,” he said.

The passage of the reviewed budget follows the presentation of the 2026 Appropriation Bill by Governor Seyi Makinde, tagged the “Budget of Economic Expansion,” with an estimate of N891,985,074,480.79.

While presenting the proposal at the House of Assembly Complex, Agodi, Ibadan, the governor said the budget was designed to accelerate economic growth and position Oyo State for global market integration.

Makinde equally explained that the proposed capital expenditure was N502.8 billion, representing 56.7 per cent of the budget, while recurrent expenditure was pegged at N389.1 billion, or 43.3 per cent.

He disclosed that infrastructure would receive N210.02 billion, education N155.2 billion, health N70.8 billion and agriculture N19.9 billion, noting that the allocation to education exceeded UNESCO’s benchmark.

According to the governor, improved internally generated revenue, achieved through automation and efficiency without introducing new taxes, would help drive the budget.

He highlighted major projects underpinning the economic expansion drive, including the Oluyole Free Trade Zone, the Special Agro-Processing Zones, the dry port and logistics hub, the upgrade of the Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport, and the 110-kilometre Rashidi Ladoja Circular Road.

Makinde also recalled the completion of key infrastructure such as the Ibadan Central Bus Terminals and Phase One of the Ibadan Airport upgrade, stressing that these investments were opening the state to trade, logistics, tourism and new investments.

In his remarks, Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin, commended the governor for what he described as visionary leadership and sound fiscal management.

He said the structure of the budget aligned with the state’s Medium-Term Expenditure Framework for 2026 to 2028 and demonstrated a commitment to inclusive growth and long-term sustainability.

Ogundoyin assured that the legislature would work closely with the executive to ensure judicious implementation of the budget and accountability in project execution.

The budget presentation and passage ceremony was attended by top government officials and dignitaries, including the Deputy Governor, Barr. Bayo Lawal; former Deputy Governors; past Speakers of the House; the Chief Judge of Oyo State, Justice Iyabo Yerima; members of the State Executive Council; lawmakers; traditional rulers; religious and labour leaders; and other stakeholders.

Governor Makinde also noted that Oyo State would mark its 50th anniversary in February 2026, describing it as an opportunity to celebrate the state’s history, creativity and identity while laying a foundation for future generations.

The approval, conveyed in a letter dated December 16, 2025, and addressed to the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), granted the airport a provisional interim operational permit to begin scheduled flight services.

This development followed the completion of major upgrade works undertaken by the Oyo State Government in its bid to upgrade the facility to international airport status. The improvements include the extension and widening of the runway, enhanced airfield lighting systems, the construction of a 500,000-litre aviation fuel storage facility, a new Protocol Lounge, and other critical infrastructure.

According to the NCAA, the decision was based on a thorough review of updated safety-critical facilities, operational frameworks, and mitigation measures at the airport, taking into account recent developments and additional information submitted by FAAN. The authority also noted that it had previously approved the airport for non-scheduled flight operations.

The NCAA emphasized that the provisional interim permit is conditional upon strict adherence to specified requirements, particularly the full activation of emergency response arrangements, in accordance with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations.

Former presidential candidate, Dr. Gbenga Hashim, has declared that he is not intimidated by either legal or political manoeuvres aimed at weakening the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), insisting that Nigeria’s multiparty democracy is too deeply rooted to be destroyed.

In a strongly worded statement, Hashim said he was “not intimidated by the legal and political subterfuges sponsored by the ruling APC”, stressing that no individual or party can monopolise power in Nigeria.

According to him, Nigeria has historically embraced pluralism as a tool for managing its diversity, noting that the nation’s founding fathers deliberately chose a multiparty system at independence.

“Nigeria has always been committed to multiparty democracy,” Hashim said. “Even in the First Republic, political power was never concentrated in the hands of one man or one party.”

He recalled that despite the towering influence of Sir Ahmadu Bello as leader of the Northern People’s Congress, other political forces such as Aminu Kano’s NEPU, J.S. Tarka’s Middle Belt Congress, and Sir Kashim Ibrahim’s Borno People’s Union coexisted with significant influence and representation.

Hashim noted that similar political diversity thrived in the South West, where the Action Group competed with the NCNC, alongside regional parties such as the Ibadan People’s Party.

“Our democracy has never been a democracy of one star flying in its firmament,” he said. “In our sky are thousands of stars.”

Drawing lessons from history, Hashim likened the current political climate to the failed self-succession agenda of late military ruler, General Sani Abacha, who attempted to impose himself as the sole presidential candidate of all five registered political parties at the time.

“We are living witnesses to the failure of that plot,” he said, warning that although today’s situation carries “a more sinister twist,” the outcome would be no different.

“While Abacha sought to make himself the sole candidate of all parties, the current agenda is to ensure that no major party is strong enough to field a credible candidate,” Hashim stated.

Expressing confidence that such efforts would collapse, he added, “Just as the Abacha plot ended unrealised, this infantile machination will end in disaster for its authors, by the grace of God.”

Hashim also recalled his personal involvement in the struggle against military rule, emphasising that the resistance was led from within Nigeria, not from exile.

“We fought the self-succession plot here at home, not as self-styled exiled democrats sipping cognac in foreign embassies,” he said.

He revealed that he was part of the internal resistance delegation present at Fort IBB on June 8, 1998, during a critical moment in Nigeria’s history, even as heavy military movements threatened the nation’s future.

Concluding, Hashim expressed firm belief that history would repeat itself.

“The same God who granted us the grace to witness the collapse of the Abacha plot will also help us see the end of the APC-or-no-other-party agenda,” he said.

The Mogajis in Ibadanland, the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), Monarchs, Baales, the Ibadan Compound Peace Initiative (ICPI), and other prominent sons and daughters of the ancient city have cautioned the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Abimbola Owoade, against taking Ibadan for granted.
The stakeholders stressed that the people of Ibadan would not accept any action capable of diminishing the status of the Olubadan stool or the Ibadan traditional system.
The position followed concerns that arose over a sitting arrangement involving the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, and a representative of the Alaafin of Oyo at a recent security meeting held in Ibadan.

In a statement signed by the President of Ibadan Mogajis, Mogaji Asimiyu Ariori, and the Coordinator of the Ibadan Compound Peace Initiative, Mogaji Dr Nurudeen Akinade, the stakeholders maintained that Ibadanland should not be regarded as subordinate to Oyo or any other town in Yorubaland.

The statement noted that Ibadan has consistently upheld its dignity and standing within Yoruba tradition and would continue to do so.

The group called on leaders across Yorubaland to engage the Alaafin of Oyo on the matter, adding that the peaceful disposition of the people of Ibadan should not be misinterpreted.

They also stated that the issue surrounding the chairmanship of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs had been settled and should not be reopened.

The stakeholders further highlighted the background of Olubadan as a former senator, governor, and accomplished businessman, stressing that the stool should continue to be accorded due respect.
“Ibadan will never be a slave to anyone. Ibadanland has always maintained its dignity in Yoruba tradition, and this will not change.”

The statement highlighted Olubadan’s distinguished background as a former Senator, Governor, and successful businessman, emphasizing that he will not be subjected to any form of ridicule.

“Ibadan mesi, won o go” (Ibadan has spoken, we won’t go back), the statement concluded, indicating the resolve of the people of Ibadan to defend their dignity and tradition.
“Ibadanland deserves respect, and any attempt to undermine its traditional institutions will be met with resistance. The people of Ibadan are united in their determination to protect their stool.

The Department of State Services has arrested an Osun State–based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Daood Imran Molaasan, following a pro-Palestine protest held in the state, according to Western Post.

Sheikh Molaasan, who leads the Islamic group Ta’awunu Muslimeen, was taken into custody after a video surfaced online showing him and his followers calling for the liberation of Palestine, which is under Israeli occupation. The footage, which featured members of the group waving Palestinian flags, quickly went viral and triggered widespread debate on social media.

The protest raised security concerns among members of the public, especially given Ta’awunu Muslimeen’s history of organising similar demonstrations in support of Palestine, including one held in 2018. The group describes itself as committed to Islamic teachings and advocacy for Muslim causes globally.

During the march in Iwo, participants were seen pledging allegiance to the Qur’an and Sunnah. However, some actions captured in the video, particularly coordinated arm gestures, drew criticism, with observers likening them to Nazi-style salutes.

Concerns were further heightened by the presence of children chanting intense religious slogans, a development that has unsettled many Nigerians amid the country’s ongoing struggles with security and religious extremism.

The Oyo State Civil Service Commission has just received Governor Seyi Makinde’s approval to proceed with the issuance of letters to qualified officers seeking conversion and transfer of service.

The Commission’s Chairman, Alhaji Kamorudeen Aderibigbe, confirmed the development today while responding to questions from Oduduwa News correspondent on the status of the interview earlier conducted for officers applying for conversion and transfer of service.

According to Aderibigbe, the exercise has now reached its final stage following the Governor’s approval granted today.

“Good afternoon. We just got the Governor’s approval now. In fact, I am already working on the press release for it,” he said.

The Chairman disclosed that arrangements have been concluded to issue individual approval letters to successful applicants, noting that 654 officers were cleared in the exercise.

“We hope to release individual letters to the 654 successful officers before the end of the year,” Aderibigbe added.

He assured officers who participated in the interview that the process was conducted transparently and in strict compliance with due process, urging beneficiaries to remain patient as final administrative procedures are being completed for the formal issuance of letters.

The approval marks a significant step toward addressing career progression concerns within the Oyo State Civil Service and underscores the Makinde administration’s commitment to effective personnel management and service delivery.

The Federal Government has introduced stiffer penalties for tax non-compliance under the Nigeria Tax Administration Act, 2025, signalling a tougher stance on revenue leakages and weak compliance across the tax system.

Under Chapter Four of the Act — Offences and Penalties, taxable persons who fail or refuse to register for tax will now face graduated administrative sanctions.

According to Section 100 of the Act, any taxable individual or entity that defaults on tax registration is liable to a fine of ₦50,000 in the first month of default and ₦25,000 for every subsequent month the failure continues.

In a further clampdown, the Act provides that any statutory body or company that awards contracts to unregistered persons will be penalised ₦5 million, a move aimed at blocking informal operators from public-sector transactions and strengthening the tax net.

Beyond registration, the Act imposes heavier sanctions for failures across the tax compliance chain.

Section 101 states that failure to file tax returns—or knowingly filing incomplete or inaccurate returns—will attract a penalty of ₦100,000 in the first month and ₦50,000 for each additional month of default.

Taxpayers are also mandated to maintain proper accounting records.

Section 102 prescribes penalties for failure to keep books and records or to present them upon request by tax authorities.

Individuals face a ₦10,000 fine, while companies will pay ₦50,000.

Under the proposed reforms, low-income earners on ₦100,000 or less per month will no longer be required to pay personal income tax from January next year.

Beyond the exemption for low-income earners, the reforms are also designed to reduce the tax burden on middle-income workers. Individuals earning between ₦100,000 and about ₦2 million per month will pay less tax under the new regime, effectively increasing their disposable income without any corresponding salary increase.

The Act introduces technology-driven enforcement measures as well.

Under Section 103, refusal to grant access to tax authorities or failure to deploy required tax technology within 30 days of official notice attracts a ₦1 million penalty on the first day, followed by ₦10,000 for each subsequent day of default.

Similarly, failure to process taxable supplies through the government-approved fiscalisation system will attract a ₦200,000 fine, plus 100 per cent of the tax due and interest at the prevailing Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Monetary Policy Rate.

Further provisions target withholding tax violations. Section 105 stipulates a 40 per cent penalty on taxes not deducted or withheld, while failure to remit withheld taxes attracts the principal amount, a 10 per cent annual penalty, and interest. Serious breaches may result in up to three years’ imprisonment or fines exceeding the principal tax liability.

Analysts say the new law reflects the government’s determination to boost non-oil revenue, improve tax discipline, and align Nigeria’s tax administration with global best practices, especially as fiscal pressures continue to mount.

……Urges Makinde To Wade in, Sanction Erring Personnel

The Iseyin community, under the aegis of Iseyin Development Union (I.D.U) has lamented what it called deliberate sabotage of academic activities by some lecturers and staff members of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH)’s College of Agricultural Science and Renewable Natural Resource, Iseyin campus.

The body alleged that a group of lecturers, led by the Dean of Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, have been at the forefront of thwarting efforts of the community to ensure that the College achieve stability and development.

In his speech at a Press Conference held on Monday at the Aseyin’s palace in Iseyin, Iseyin local government, the National President of I.D.U, Alhaji Mubasiru Azeez commended the Governor of Oyo State for relocating the LAUTECH College of Agricultural Science and Renewable Natural Resources to Iseyin as well as approving needed financial and logistic supports for the takeoff of the campus.

The body was particular in condemning the attack on the Iseyin campus by the group of lecturers and staff members who have refused to teach their students in Iseyin since the resumption of academic activities in the campus on October 13, 2025, as lecturers in departments like Crop Production and Soil Science, Crop and Environmental Protection, Agricultural Economics have not shown up to teach till date.

I.D.U further stated that only one lecturer showed up to teach in each of Animal Nutrition and Biotech, Animal Production and Health department, while only four lecturers showed up to teach students in Agricultural Extension and Rural Development.

“The Aseyin of Iseyinland, Oba Sefiu Oyebola Adeyeri 111, Ajirotutu 1, the Iseyin Council of Traditional Chiefs, Community and Religious leaders, Iseyin Elders and the entire people of Iseyin community will never be tired of expressing our heartfelt gratitude to His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde for the uncommon love and kind gesture of his administration has extended to the community, we shall forever be grateful.

“We particularly appreciate the relocation of LAUTECH College of Agricultural Science and Renewable Natural Resources to Iseyin and the approval of the needed resources for its takeoff and development, we are also happy to report the support and collaboration of the community for the successful takeoff and development of the college, we are also grateful to the Governong Council, the Vice-Chancellor and management of the institution for their support.

“We have been monitoring events in the college since its successful takeoff and we have made some observations that are worrisome and seriously making us uncomfortable, we hitherto did not want to allege deliberate sabotage but the lapses cannot be ignored because they are too obvious and tend to put the future of the students and the college in a serious jeopardy unless serious action is taken to reverse the trend.

“We are very worried about the disposition and attitude of a few disgruntled members of academic staff towards the newly-established college which may not be in tandem with the good intention and kind gesture of the Government of His Excellency, Engr. Oluseyi Makinde, our observations are premised on the conviction that the multi-campus system is not new to the management of LAUTECH, they are familiar with the template used in running the College of Health Science in Osogbo during the era of joint ownership of LAUTECH, this is why we feel that the management of the new college in Iseyin should not pose much problem if there is sincerity of purpose.

“Against the forgoing, we shall summarize our observations and concerns as follows: it will be recalled that students took to the street and protested on January 20, 2025, mainly as a result of deliberate teaching inadequacies on the part of some lecturers, more than 50% of students have been forced to go back to Ogbomoso and they are working in the private livestock farms/farmland of their lecturers and supervisors.

“400 level results of students currently in the 500 level are not released deliberately in order to frustrate the system and force the students to cry out, sadly too, the lecturers who are willing to work, prepared a compromised timetable for different courses to hold simultaneously in the same halls, they created this confusion to make the classes rowdy and even incited the students to go on riot in the town on Monday, December 8, 2025.

“They instigated Ogbomoso community against the State government’s good intentions on this campus, instigated parents and students to open protest against the government policy on education development, they instigated the parents and students to sue government and university authority, engage in negative propaganda against Iseyin and Oke-Ogun communities, despite paying levies to the faculty for 2025 farm practicals, no practical work is assigned to students.

“500 level students are made to shuttle between Ogbomoso and Iseyin for their project supervision when all lecturers are expected to have relocated to Iseyin, these lecturers bluntly refused to comply and do not care about the stress put on the finances and safety of students in their care, all in an attempt to frustrate the students and blackmail the State government.

“We humbly plead with Governor Seyi Makinde to please intervene and help restore sanity,” the Union prayed.

The Chairman, National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Oyo State Chapter, Comrade Tiamiyu Taiwo who led a delegation of students of LAUTECH Iseyin campus students to the occasion, sought the immediate attention of the major stakeholders in the LAUTECH Iseyin campus development to commence work towards enforcing the compliance of all concerned lecturers of the campus, so as the stress students have been going through because of the continuous absence of some lecturers will come to an end.