The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Wanted drug kingpin ‘Kanmo-Kanmo’ arrested 12 years after murder of three NDLEA officers

    Wanted drug kingpin ‘Kanmo-Kanmo’ arrested 12 years after murder of three NDLEA officers

    …as Agency recovers illicit drugs from his hideout

    …nabs ex-convict, female online vendor, others in states’ raids

    Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have successfully apprehended an alleged long-wanted drug kingpin, Lekan Jimoh, popularly known as “Kanmo-kanmo”, ending a 12-year manhunt following his involvement in the brutal killing of three NDLEA officers.

    Director, Media & Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja, Femi Babafemi, made this known in a statement on Sunday.

    Babafemi said Kanmo-Kanmo, who is notorious for drug trafficking, evading arrest, and mobilizing armed thugs against security agents, was on Friday, 16th January 2026, tracked to his hideout in Owode town, Ogun State by tactical teams of the Agency following credible intelligence.

    The Spokesman said during the clinical operation, the suspect was found in possession of 69 kilograms of skunk, a strain of cannabis.

    Babafemi said the arrest marks a significant breakthrough in the Agency’s commitment to ensuring that no fugitive, regardless of how long they evade justice, remains beyond the reach of the law.

    “Lekan Jimoh’s criminal history is marked by extreme violence and lawlessness. As a result, on 15th June 2014 orchestrated a barbaric mob action against a team of NDLEA officers who had attempted to arrest him at his enclave. The attack resulted in the cold-blooded murder of three NDLEA officers, including Rabiu Usman Kazaure and two others, who were killed by armed thugs mobilized by Jimoh. While the suspect managed to escape the scene that day, the Agency remained resolute in its pursuit of justice for the fallen heroes,” Babafemi said.

    He said in another encounter with Jimoh on 12th August 2023, when NDLEA operatives stormed his residence in Ado-Odo town, Ogun state, he managed to escape while operatives succeeded in recovering 139 sacks of skunk with a total weight of 1,922 kilograms.

    Babafemi said following assets forfeiture proceedings instituted in court by the Agency, the house in Ado-Odo, which served as a warehouse for his illicit drug trade, has since been finally forfeited to the Federal Government.

    Read Also: Umahi commends MTN Nigeria for Progress on Enugu–Onitsha road reconstruction

    “Meanwhile, NDLEA operatives in Edo state on Tuesday, 13th January, raided the Arokpa forest, Uzebba town, Owan West LGA, leading to the arrest of another drug lord, Isihor Edika, 53, and seizure of 320kg skunk and seeds. In the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, operatives on Friday, 16th January, tracked and arrested a 44-year-old lady, Yinka Agboola, following intelligence on her online sale of illicit substances.

    “At the time of her arrest, 2.2kg skunk and litres of cannabis oil, which she produces in her kitchen and sells through online advertisement, were recovered from her home at the Kaura district, Abuja. Another suspect, Tordue Pius Richard, 30, was on Tuesday, 13th January, with 148.3 grams of cocaine and skunk at his 12 Biskira Street, Abacha Estate, Abuja home,” Babafemi said.

    He said while 118.1kg of skunk was seized from the duo of Dauda Kareem and Saheed Obisesan at Fadeyi area of Mushin, Lagos on Friday, 16th January, not less than 116kg of the same substance was recovered from a warehouse at new market area of Enugu, Enugu state same day.

    “Two suspects: Zaharadeen Yahaya, 25, and Sanusi Maman, 23, were arrested on Thursday, 15th January, by NDLEA operatives along Onitsha -Asaba expressway, Delta state, while conveying 410,800 pills of tramadol; 84.2 litres of codeine syrup; 82,250 tablets of diazepam; 900 tabs of swinol and 65 pills of Molly.

    “In Oyo state, Adetunji Ahmed Abayomi, 33, was nabbed on Thursday 15th January at Moniya, Ibadan, with 321 litres of skuchies, and 2.5kg Colorado, a synthetic strain of cannabis, while Rasheed Ajao, 28, was caught same day at Odo-Ona, Ibadan, in possession of 5.4kg Scottish Loud; 1.696kg skunk and 2.5kg Colorado, bringing the total weight to 9.696 kilograms. In another raid at Agbeni area of the state capital, 52,430 pills of tramadol and bromazepam were recovered from the store of Orji Edwin, currently at large, on Saturday, 17th January.

    “In Kwara state, NDLEA operatives on Tuesday 13th January raided a residential building at Gamo area of Ilorin where they seized 42 bags of skunk that weighed 387.40kg, while a total of 157,519 bottles of codeine syrup were discovered in a container at the Apapa port in Lagos during a joint examination of the shipment by NDLEA, Customs and other security agencies on Friday 16th January.

    “An ex-convict, Gaddafi Ammani, 26, was arrested with various quantities of skunk and Exol-5 pills along with his accomplice ⁠, Ahmed Sani, 32, at Nassarawa GRA, Ringim LGA, Jigawa state on Saturday, 17th January. Before Gaddafi’s arrest, he attempted to escape by climbing the roofs of many houses in his bid to escape. He was armed with a machete, which he used to threaten NDLEA operatives and even inflicted injury on one of the officers,” the statement reads.

    Babafemi said across all Commands and formations of the Agency nationwide, NDLEA officers continued their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitization activities in schools, worship centres, workplaces and communities among others in the past week.

    These, he said, include: WADA enlightenment lecture to students and staff of Umar Bin Khathab Islamiyyah School, Kurna, Kano; Tumbey College, Kajola Maya, Ikorodu, Lagos; Anglican Secondary School, Makurdi, Benue;  members of Katsina emirate, Katsina; and residents of Maitumbi community, Minna, Niger state, among others.

    “While commending the officers and men of the Ogun, Lagos, Apapa, Edo, Delta, Oyo, FCT, Enugu, and Kwara Commands for the arrests and seizures, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) acknowledged their commitment and enjoined them as well as their colleagues nationwide to maintain the current tempo of their balanced approach to the Agency’s drug control efforts,” the statement reads.

    He described the arrest of Kanmo-kanmo as a triumph of justice and a testament to the Agency’s long memory, adding that the arrest sends a clear and unambiguous message to all drug barons and fugitives: “You may run, and you may hide for a season, but the long arm of the law will eventually find you.”

    “The arrest of Lekan Jimoh is particularly significant because it closes a painful chapter that began on June 15, 2014. For twelve years, this individual lived with the blood of our gallant officers—Rabiu Usman Kazaure and two others—on his hands.

    “He mistakenly thought that time had erased his crimes. Today, we have proven that the NDLEA does not forget its own. We do not forget the sacrifices of those who laid down their lives in the service of our fatherland. This arrest is for the families of those three officers who have waited 12 years for justice”, Marwa said in a tribute to the officers lost over a decade ago.

  • NAF airstrikes kill over 40 terrorists, disrupt planned attacks on civilians

    NAF airstrikes kill over 40 terrorists, disrupt planned attacks on civilians

    Airstrikes by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) have killed over 40 terrorists at Musarram in the Tumbuns general area and along the Azir axis of Borno State.

    According to a statement on Sunday by the NAF spokesperson, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the strikes were carried out on Thursday, January 25, and Friday, January 16, following credible intelligence that terrorists were assembling in canoes with plans to launch attacks along the Baga and Fish Dam axis.

    Ejodame said that when the surveillance aircraft sighted approximately 10 canoes and over 40 suspected terrorists at the location.

    He said, “The terrorists were engaged in three successive passes, forcing them into disarray. Some fleeing elements were trailed to nearby tree cover and subsequently engaged, while additional survivors who regrouped at an assembly area were equally acquired and neutralised using available mission stores.

    “Feedback from ground forces and local communities later confirmed that the operation effectively dismantled the terrorist concentration and disrupted their planned attacks.”

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    The NAF spokesperson added that airstrikes also conducted strikes on Friday, January 16, killing several terrorists along Azir and Musarram areas.

    He said the NAF aircraft operating under the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI, responded to a situation involving hostile terrorist actions at Azir.

    According to him, acting on a real-time situation report, the aircrew arrived overhead, where friendly forces were observed engaging terrorists withdrawing from the area.

    Ejodame said further scans revealed terrorist elements attempting to regroup and take cover under nearby trees.

    He said, “The NAF aircraft promptly acquired and engaged the targets in successive, well-coordinated passes, resulting in the neutralisation of several terrorists.

    “A post-engagement assessment confirmed no further threats in the area. Subsequent reports from ground troops, corroborated by local authorities and community sources, confirmed the devastating impact of the air strikes on the terrorists and the restoration of relative calm in the area.”

    The NAF’s spokesperson said that the Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, while reacting to the troops’ successes, reaffirmed the NAF’s unwavering resolve to provide prompt and effective air support to ground forces.

    “These operations highlight the Nigerian Air Force’s readiness to respond decisively whenever our troops are in contact.

    “Through effective intelligence utilisation and close coordination with ground forces, we will continue to deny terrorists the ability to regroup, manoeuvre, or carry out attacks,” Ejodame reportedly said. 

  • FG, King Psychiatry partner to expand mental health services nationwide

    FG, King Psychiatry partner to expand mental health services nationwide

    The federal government has taken a major step toward strengthening mental healthcare delivery with the signing of a partnership agreement between the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals and King Psychiatry Limited.

    The collaboration, formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), is aimed at expanding access to mental health and substance abuse services across the country, beginning with a pilot programme in 12 states spanning the six geopolitical zones.

    Speaking at the signing ceremony on Friday in Abuja, the SSAP-SDGs, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, said the partnership reflects growing concern over rising drug abuse, psychiatric disorders, and their impact on crime, productivity, and social stability.

    Stressing the importance of the MoU that addresses SDGs 3.4 and 3.5, Orelope-Adefulire noted that good health remains the foundation for economic participation and national development, adding that untreated mental illness continues to deprive many Nigerians of dignity and opportunity.

    Represented by Mohammed Bala Saulawa, Secretary of Programme, the Presidential aide explained that the pilot scheme will utilise existing SDGs-supported health facilities, focusing on prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and community outreach.

    According to her, the programme is designed to complement ongoing efforts by other government agencies and development partners.

    Read Also: Rivers CJ receives Assembly’s letters, pileof documents against Fubara

    “We believe that while some crimes may be committed by people in difficult circumstances, there are actions that go beyond what a healthy mind can rationalise.

    “Today, many individuals may appear physically well, yet their mental state is severely affected, underscoring the urgent need to address mental health challenges in Nigeria.

    “Good health is the foundation of everything, food, shelter, employment and productivity. Without sound mental and physical health, people cannot work, contribute meaningfully or live with dignity.

    “What we are doing together today is about helping our people, strengthening our nation and making Nigeria a better place for all.

    “This initiative is ultimately about humanity, and we deeply appreciate the partnership supporting this cause because this is all about ensuring that, by 2030, if not eliminated, all those serious health issues are minimized to the barest minimum level,” the SSAP-SDGs said.

    Co-CEO of King Psychiatry Limited, Dr. Oluwatoyin Oladejo, described the agreement as a deliberate step toward rebuilding Nigeria’s mental health system, aligned with global development goals.

    She said services would prioritise affordability, community-based care, stigma reduction, and collaboration with states and local institutions.

    According to her, the program will cater for children, adolescents, and adults, with services initially delivered through outpatient facilities and gradually expanded into communities.

    “This project is for children, adolescents, and adults, and we’re currently running outpatient facilities right now. However, what this entails is to see us more in the community rather than in a private setting,” Oladejo said.

    She added that the initiative would prioritise community engagement and awareness, noting, “We’re going to be open to the community. We’re going to be in the schools. We’re going to be in the churches. We’re going to provide education.”

    Addressing stigma, she said, “One of the greatest things we have to work on, the challenges, is stigma. Letting people know that it is okay to talk about mental health just the same way you would talk about your physical health.”

    Beyond awareness, the programme will also include clinical services. “You’re going to see inpatient facilities. In terms of substance use and abuse, you’re going to see all substance use disorders,” she said, adding that detox centres would be established where possible.

    “We’re going to have education, therapies, psychotherapy, counselling, and places where you can go if you’re having mental health issues,” she stated.

    On implementation, she explained, “Because we’re starting as a pilot, if we’re not able to manage it with the facilities that we have now, we’re going to collaborate with other facilities, other government facilities.”

    She stressed that the initiative would rely on broad partnerships, saying, “This is not a one-person initiative; we’re going to collaborate with the community, with the sub-national and national organizations.”

    On cost, she clarified, “It won’t be free; it will be subsidized. Our goal is to make sure it is affordable, accessible, and quality mental health care.”

  • NECABN endorses Tinubu’s second-term bid, plans nationwide grassroots mobilisation

    NECABN endorses Tinubu’s second-term bid, plans nationwide grassroots mobilisation

    The Network Capacity Building for Nigeria (NECABN) has endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term ahead of the 2027 presidential election, pledging extensive grassroots mobilisation across the country in support of his re-election.

    Addressing journalists at a briefing in Abuja, NECABN President, Dr Hussena Otaru, described the endorsement as a vote of confidence in the President’s leadership and reform agenda, saying the organisation would deploy its nationwide structure to galvanise voter engagement and consolidate support for the administration.

    Dr Otaru said NECABN’s network spans the six geopolitical zones and boasts more than 72 million registered members, alongside 419 affiliated non-governmental organisations involved in training and community development.

    According to her, the group’s capacity would be fully leveraged to promote the President’s vision of national renewal as preparations for the 2027 polls intensify.

    She recalled that NECABN, formerly registered as Nigerian Women and Youth Empowerment, had a long history of political mobilisation, contributing to major electoral victories since 1993, including support for the late Chief M.K.O. Abiola, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, and subsequent administrations.

    Describing President Tinubu as a bold reformer and committed democrat, Dr Otaru said four years was insufficient to reverse decades of systemic challenges, arguing that continuity was essential for reforms to deliver lasting impact.

    She dismissed criticism from opposition figures as politically motivated, urging Nigerians to remain steadfast in their support for the administration.

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    Acknowledging the economic difficulties faced during the first year of the Tinubu presidency, she commended Nigerians for their sacrifices and expressed confidence that recent reforms were beginning to yield gains.

    She cited improvements in investment inflows, regulatory transparency, energy diversification, education financing, and local government financial autonomy as evidence of progress.

    Dr Otaru highlighted the Nigeria Education Loan Fund initiative, noting that over ₦150 billion had been invested to support about 788,000 students nationwide.

    She also pointed to reforms in tax administration, improved revenue performance, narrowing fiscal deficits, and declining debt-service ratios as indicators of stronger economic management.

    According to her, NECABN believes a second term for President Tinubu is about stability, continuity, and development rather than politics.

    “We need to allow President Bola Tinubu to complete what he started,” she said, adding that sustained leadership would enable ongoing reforms to mature and deliver broad-based prosperity for Nigerians.

  • WASA strengthens army–civilian bonds in Katsina, says Army commander

    WASA strengthens army–civilian bonds in Katsina, says Army commander

    The Commander of the 17 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Brigadier General M. I. Ibrahim, has described the Nigerian Army’s 2025 West African Social Activities (WASA) as a historic tradition that continues to reinforce military–civilian relations and cultural cohesion.

    Speaking on Sunday at the opening ceremony held at the 17 Brigade, Natsinta Barracks, Katsina, Ibrahim noted that WASA remains an essential platform for fostering enduring interaction between the Army and host communities.

    He explained that the annual event serves to bring soldiers and their families together to mark the end of the year and welcome a new one, while also strengthening social bonds within the service.

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    “WASA serves as an avenue for fostering good relationships between Army personnel and the host community,” he said, adding that the event further encourages socialization across the force.

    The Katsina State Government pledged continued support for the Nigerian Army and other security agencies operating in the state.

    The Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Honourable Sirajo Yazid, who represented Governor Dikko Umar Radda at the ceremony held at the Natsinta Cantonment Parade Ground, commended the troops for their discipline and professionalism.

    Radda said the relative peace being experienced in the state is largely attributable to the efforts of the 17 Brigade and other security formations.

    The event featured cultural performances by Fulani, Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba, and other cultural troupes, as well as an inspection of dishes and the presentation of awards and souvenirs to outstanding officers and personnel.

  • Tinubu has ended southeast roads nightmare – Umahi

    Tinubu has ended southeast roads nightmare – Umahi

    Minister of Works, David Umahi, has said that President Bola Tinubu has broken the long-running cycle of failed road contracts in the Southeast, unveiling tougher engineering standards, strict deadlines, and new technology to secure highways across the region.

    He stated this at the weekend during a press briefing in Enugu, after an extensive inspection tour of major federal road and bridge projects across the South-East and South-South regions.

    The Minister said the federal government has placed a nationwide ban on all forms of mining activities within a 10-kilometre radius of bridges, as part of measures to safeguard critical infrastructure and enhance safety on federal highways.

    Umahi said the directive followed an approval of the Federal Executive Council (FEC), stressing that enforcement mechanisms, including water patrols, would be deployed to ensure compliance, particularly around major bridges.

    “In line with the Federal Executive Council directive, there will be no mining of any sort within a 10-kilometre radius of bridges nationwide.

    “We are deploying patrol boats, just like we have done at the Third Mainland Bridge, to monitor compliance,” he said.

    The minister also announced a comprehensive rollout of CCTV surveillance systems and solar-powered street lights on federal highways, beginning with completed and critical corridors.

    According to him, the initiative—already implemented on the Second Niger Bridge and Third Mainland Bridge—is aimed at improving road safety, preventing criminal activities, and ensuring rapid emergency response.

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    “Our commitment to deploying CCTV and solar lighting is not limited to bridges alone. Any completed federal highway will have CCTV, solar lights, and dedicated security vehicles. Our response time to incidents will not exceed five minutes,” Umahi stated.

    He noted that two operational vehicles have been procured for the police, with a monthly maintenance support of ₦3 million provided by the ministry to patrol the Second Niger Bridge.

    Umahi expressed satisfaction with the progress of the 17.5-kilometre eastern bypass of the Second Niger Bridge, being executed by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCCC) at a cost of about ₦179 billion.

    He said about 30 percent of the project funding had been released, with plans to increase it to 50 percent, adding that part of the project is expected to be commissioned by April 20.

    The bypass includes two bridges and two flyovers, which the minister described as “impressive and well executed.”

    On the long-troubled Enugu–Onitsha Expressway, Umahi described the project as a major intervention driven by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to the South-East.

    The 107-kilometre dual carriageway project, initially awarded to MTN under a tax credit scheme, had suffered years of delay.

    Umahi said the scope was recently reviewed due to inflation and exchange rate fluctuations.

    “This is a road previous governments abandoned for decades. It is the audacity and determination of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu that is ending this nightmare,” he said.

    He disclosed that 15km and 18km sections of the road are being reconstructed with reinforced concrete, while other, less-damaged sections will be handled with asphalt.

    He added that the first 15km carriageway is expected to be completed within two weeks, alongside the installation of solar lights.

    The minister further announced a new policy prohibiting the removal of existing asphalt from federal roads.

    “No place in the country should remove asphalt from our roads again. We now have different treatments for different roads,” he said.

    He explained that future designs will feature concrete shoulders on both sides, while carriageways will be strengthened using stone base, cement stabilization, and improved asphalt layers.

    Umahi also provided updates on the Enugu–Port Harcourt Expressway, confirming that 61km on the Enugu-bound lane and 3km on the Port Harcourt-bound lane have been fully completed. He assured that the entire corridor would be fixed before 2026.

    On the Enugu–Ebonyi road, the minister said the Federal Government is reconstructing the stretch beyond the section already dualised by the Enugu State Government.

    The ₦180 billion project, he said, would be executed in phases, with the first phase to be completed within the year.

    Umahi issued a stern warning to underperforming contractors, particularly CGC, handling parts of the Second Niger Bridge bypasses.

    He said the company would be given 60 days to improve performance or risk contract termination and possible recovery of funds through performance guarantees.

    The minister concluded by reaffirming the Federal Government’s resolve to deliver durable, safe, and modern road infrastructure across the South-East and the country at large.

  • PDP will win in 2027 despite legal intrigues against party — Gbenga Hashim

    PDP will win in 2027 despite legal intrigues against party — Gbenga Hashim

    Presidential aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Gbenga Hashim, has declared that the All Progressives Congress (APC) will be removed from power in the 2027 general elections, insisting that no legal or administrative manoeuvres can derail Nigeria’s multiparty democracy.

    Hashim, a long-standing figure in Nigeria’s pro-democracy movement, alleged that the ruling APC is engaging in legal and institutional actions aimed at weakening opposition participation ahead of the next election cycle.

    He described the situation as part of a broader pattern that raises serious concerns about the future of democratic competition in the country.

    According to him, such developments mirror past attempts to undermine political pluralism in Nigeria, efforts he said were ultimately defeated by the collective will of the people.

    “We have travelled this road before under Abacha’s dictatorship, and it ended in victory for the forces of genuine democracy, while the plotters of one-man rule were disgraced,” Hashim stated.

    The PDP chieftain reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to multiparty democracy, noting that the nation’s founding fathers deliberately chose political pluralism at independence and embedded it in the country’s constitutional framework.

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    “Our founding fathers opted for multiparty democracy, and by the grace of God, that legacy will be preserved. No group, no matter how clever or determined, will succeed in destroying Nigeria’s democratic system by the Grace of God,” he said.

    Hashim warned against any drift toward authoritarianism, drawing parallels with the political history of Zaire under the late Mobutu Sese Seko, where prolonged one-man rule eroded democratic institutions. “One-man rule or one-party rule will not happen here. This is Nigeria. We will not allow anyone to reduce our democracy to a tragic parody, as was the case with Zaire under Mobutu Sese Seko,” he added.

    He also expressed concern over what he described as selective administrative decisions in the political party registration process.

    Hashim alleged that while some qualified political associations have reportedly stalled in the process, others perceived to be aligned with the ruling party have received interim recognition.

    Describing these trends as warning signs of democratic backsliding, he called on Nigerians and the international community to remain vigilant in defending democratic norms.

    Hashim urged “lovers of democracy across the world” to consider lawful and targeted accountability measures against individuals allegedly working to undermine Nigeria’s multi-party system. He noted that such measures, when supported by credible evidence and due process, could include travel restrictions and the freezing of assets.

    He emphasized that his concerns extend to the conduct of political actors and institutions, stressing that democracy can only be safeguarded through transparency, accountability, and strict adherence to constitutional principles.

    Hashim concluded by expressing confidence that, despite current challenges, Nigerians would rise to defend democracy and remove the APC from power peacefully, constitutionally, and through the ballot in 2027.

  • Tinubu’s economic reforms tough but necessary, says Ex-Ondo commissioner

    Tinubu’s economic reforms tough but necessary, says Ex-Ondo commissioner

    A former Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development in Ondo State, Hon. Bamidele Ologunloluwa, has said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu means well for Nigerians with the economic reforms being implemented by his administration.

    Ologunloluwa stated this while speaking with reporters in Akure on Sunday, describing the President’s reforms as bold, deliberate, and necessary to reposition Nigeria’s economy for sustainable growth.

    He acknowledged that many Nigerians were currently grappling with hardship occasioned by policies such as the removal of fuel subsidy and foreign exchange unification, but insisted that the measures would yield positive results in the long run.

    According to him, the reforms, though painful, were designed to address the fundamental weaknesses of the nation’s economy.

    “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu means well for the country. The economic and structural reforms he has embarked upon are bold and deliberate. While they may be painful at the moment, they are aimed at fixing the fundamentals of our economy and will, in the long run, bring smiles to the faces of Nigerians,” Ologunloluwa said.

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    The former commissioner urged Nigerians to exercise patience with the Tinubu-led administration, stressing that meaningful reforms often come with short-term challenges before delivering long-term benefits.

    Hon. Ologunloluwa, who has declared interest in contesting the House of Representatives seat for Akure North and South Federal Constituency on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, said effective representation at the National Assembly was key to ensuring that the President’s policies translated into tangible benefits at the grassroots.

    He added that if elected, he would work to attract more federal presence and opportunities to his constituency, especially at a time when major economic reforms were being implemented.

    The APC chieftain also highlighted his experience in governance and party administration, noting that he had served in several capacities, including Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Political Matters and Chairman of the Ondo State Football Agency.

    “My aspiration is anchored on a clear commitment to responsive governance, effective representation, and measurable development that directly benefits the people,” he said.

    He stressed that his ambition to represent Akure North and South Federal Constituency was driven by a desire to deliver people-oriented representation rather than personal interest.

  • Oborevwori flags off construction of N59.7bn Agbor flyover project Monday

    Oborevwori flags off construction of N59.7bn Agbor flyover project Monday

    Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori will on Monday, January 19, 2026, perform the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the N59.7 billion Uromi Junction Flyover in Agbor, Ika South Local Government Area of the state.

    The project is part of his administration’s sustained push to expand critical urban infrastructure across the state.

    The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Festus Ahon, in a statement on Sunday, said the ceremony would commence at 11:00 a.m.

    Ahon urged all guests to be seated by 10:00 a.m.

    Ahead of the official flag-off, construction activities have already commenced at the project site along the Lagos–Asaba Expressway at Uromi Junction, Agbor.

    Read Also: Umahi commends MTN Nigeria for Progress on Enugu–Onitsha road reconstruction

    The CPS said the contracting firm, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, had mobilised to the site and begun preliminary works, thus underscoring the Oborevwori administration’s commitment to the timely execution of the landmark project.

    The Uromi Junction Flyover groundbreaking comes a week after the groundbreaking ceremony of the N39.3 billion Otovwodo Junction flyover project in Ughelli.

    With the addition of the Uromi Junction Flyover, the total number of flyover projects being executed by the Oborevwori administration now stands at five.

    The flyover projects form part of the state government’s broader infrastructure renewal agenda, aimed at easing traffic congestion, improving road safety, and stimulating economic activities across major urban centres in Delta State.

  • Lagos commissioner, pro-chancellor chart way forward for LASU

    Lagos commissioner, pro-chancellor chart way forward for LASU

    The Lagos State Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Mr Tolani Sule, has stressed the need for Lagos State University (LASU) to remain a centre of knowledge creation, research excellence, and problem-solving.

    He said the institution must continue to reflect the resilience, diversity, and dynamism of Lagos State.

    This was just as the newly-installed Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Governing Council of LASU, Mr Babatunde Ogala SAN, urged academics in the institution to engage in cutting-edge and result-oriented research.

    They spoke at the opening of the 13th LASU Governing Council and Management Retreat on Saturday in Lagos.

    The 3-day retreat had the theme: “Purposeful Governance: Charting a Strategic Roadmap for LASU.”

    Sule said the council must strike the right balance between ambition and sustainability, innovation and regulation, progress and prudence.

    He applauded the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, and the entire university team for convening the “timely and strategic” retreat.

    He sought a harmonious relationship between the governing council and university higher echelon, stressing the importance of cooperation, mutual respect, and shared responsibility.

    Read Also: Umahi commends MTN Nigeria for Progress on Enugu–Onitsha road reconstruction

    “For our students, the university must offer a safe, inclusive, and stimulating learning environment, one that nurtures talent, promotes discipline, and encourages holistic development.

    “For society, the university must serve as a moral compass, a reservoir of ideas, and a driver of social and economic development.

    “LASU, in particular, must continue to reflect the resilience, diversity, and dynamism of Lagos State,” he said.

    Ogala thanked Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, adding that the new council was poised to take strong and hard decisions when the need arose.

    “Distinguished council members, we have no excuse. We have to leverage the blue economy; we have the resources with over 200 professors.

    “Distinguished professors, go back and give us research papers on how we can leverage. It is a challenge and let us challenge ourselves,” he said.

    “If people can employ us to research them, then the university should employ itself. We have the transport and logistics; we must leverage them. We have the LASU Consult; we must leverage on it,” he said.

    LASU Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, described the retreat as an opportunity to critically examine governance structures, reassess strategic priorities, and collectively chart a sustainable road map to propel LASU to greater heights.

    She said as a university with a proud history and an even more promising future, LASU must continually reposition itself to respond effectively to evolving global standards, national priorities, and the aspirations of our students, staff, and stakeholders.

    “Purposeful governance demands that our decisions are guided by clarity of vision, fidelity to our mandate, and an unwavering commitment to excellence in teaching, research, and innovation,” she added.