The Nation Newspaper

Category: South West

  • Makinde’s wife distributes food items, cash to widows

    Makinde’s wife distributes food items, cash to widows

    Wife of Oyo Governor, Mrs Tamunominini Makinde has reiterated commitment of the State Government to support for widows and the less privileged.

    Mrs Makinde, while reflecting on challenges faced by widows, celebrated their courage and resilience in the face of those challenges. 

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    Speaking in Ibadan at a program theme:” Accelerating the achievements of gender equality for widows” to commemorate this year’s International Widows Day, Mrs Makinde, who was represented by lawmaker representing Ogbomosho North Constituency 1 at the Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Bisi Oluranti lamented that widows have been facing stigma, economic hardship, harmful traditional practices, while some of them have even been denied their inheritance.

    The Governor’s wife also distributed food items, cash and others to widows at the event.

    Read Also: Hold governors accountable, not just Tinubu, APC chieftain tells Nigerians

    According to her: “This year’s theme is calling on us to do more than just acknowledge these challenges, but rather transform our sympathy into services, and our concern into concrete action, widowhood should not be a sentence of suffering.

    “Widows often bear the weight of profound loss. You not only lose your life partners but, at times, you also lose your security, social status, and hope for the future. Yet, despite these hardships, many of you stand as pillars of strength within your families and communities. 

    “You are mothers, caretakers, entrepreneurs, leaders, and I salute your courage in the face of adversity.

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    “In order for us to accelerate the achievement of gender equality for widows in line with this year’s theme, all of us including civil society, religious leaders, and families must work together in creating supportive environments for widows.

    “We must ensure widows have access to legal protections, economic empowerment programs, healthcare services, and psychosocial support. We must also challenge the cultural norms that discriminate against widows and ensure they are treated with dignity and respect.

    “To all the widows here today, your pain is acknowledged and your strength is celebrated. This day belongs to you, not as a reminder of loss, but as a celebration of your courage and promise of continued support.”

  • Oyo First Lady reaffirms government’s commitment to supporting widows, less privileged

    Oyo First Lady reaffirms government’s commitment to supporting widows, less privileged

    Wife of the Oyo State Governor, Mrs. Tamunominini Makinde, has reiterated the state government’s commitment to supporting widows and the less privileged across the state.

    Speaking in Ibadan during an event themed “Accelerating the Achievements of Gender Equality for Widows” to commemorate the 2025 International Widows Day, Mrs. Makinde, represented by Hon. Bisi Oluranti, the lawmaker representing Ogbomosho North Constituency I, commended the resilience of widows in the face of adversity.

    She lamented the challenges widows often face, including economic hardship, social stigma, harmful traditional practices, and denial of inheritance rights.

    “Widows often bear the weight of profound loss. You not only lose your life partners but sometimes your security, social status, and hope for the future. Yet, many of you remain pillars of strength within your families and communities,” she said.

    Mrs. Makinde urged society to go beyond expressing sympathy by translating concern into concrete support for widows.

    “This year’s theme calls us to action to transform our sympathy into services, and our concern into tangible help. Widowhood should not be a sentence of suffering,” she added.

    The event also featured the distribution of food items, cash, and essential materials to widows as part of the government’s efforts to ease their burden.

    Read Also: Oyo First Lady charges women to lift others, inspire positive change

    “You are mothers, caretakers, entrepreneurs, leaders, and I salute your courage in the face of adversity.

    “For us to accelerate the achievement of gender equality for widows in line with this year’s theme, all of us, including civil society, religious leaders, and families, must work together in creating supportive environments for widows.

    “We must ensure widows have access to legal protections, economic empowerment programs, healthcare services, and psychosocial support. We must also challenge the cultural norms that discriminate against widows and ensure they are treated with dignity and respect.

    “To all the widows here today, your pain is acknowledged and your strength is celebrated. This day belongs to you, not as a reminder of loss, but as a celebration of your courage and promise of continued support.”

    She, however, commended her husband, Seyi Makinde for his constant support in ensuring that he put a smile on the faces of widows in Oyo State.

  • RECALP 2025: Ekiti speaker, others charge youths to self-development

    RECALP 2025: Ekiti speaker, others charge youths to self-development

    The Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Stephen Adeoye Aribasoye has called on Nigerian youths to actively envision and work towards a better future instead of relying solely on government support.

    He made this call at a one-day youth convention tagged RECALP, organised by the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Strong Tower Sanctuary, Ogudu Road, Ojota, Lagos.

    The convention featured speakers from various sectors, addressing topics including relationships, entrepreneurship, career, arts, leadership, and politics.

    Speaking with journalists at the event, Hon. Aribasoye stressed the need for government commitment to youth development, but also urged young people to take responsibility for their future.

    “Youths should not consent to the very injuries they would complain about tomorrow. You must be ready to make a difference by getting involved, especially in politics. Be part of the solution,” he advised.

    Delivering the keynote address, Pastor Bayo Olugbemi emphasised that the goal of RECALP is to empower and prepare young people for the future. “The essence of RECALP is to train, retrain and empower youths in all spheres of life,” he said.

    He also encouraged financial discipline among youths: “No matter your income, after paying your tithe to God, pay yourself a tithe—save, invest, and prepare for the future. Tomorrow must come.”

    Convener of the programme, Pastor Femi Aminu, noted that RECALP has consistently delivered a life-changing impact for young people. “Many youths have testified about how the programme has inspired and mentored them through real-life experiences shared by our speakers,” he stated.

    Leadership expert and business consultant, Niyi Adesanya, challenged youths to take advantage of meaningful gatherings: “Privileged information is accessed in privileged gatherings. Attend them, learn, and act on the insights.”

    The convention served as a rallying point for youth empowerment, equipping participants with practical knowledge and motivation to take charge of their destinies.

  • NIHORT chair vows to push for increased research funding, improved staff welfare

    NIHORT chair vows to push for increased research funding, improved staff welfare

    The newly appointed Chairman of the Governing Board of the National Horticultural Research Institute (NIHORT), Ibadan, Hon. Bello Ayuba, has pledged to advocate for increased budgetary allocations to boost research activities at the institute.

    Ayuba made the commitment during a two-day working visit to the institute in Ibadan on Friday, where he assured the management of his readiness to engage the National Assembly and relevant ministries in support of NIHORT’s mandate.

    He also vowed to prioritise the welfare of staff and management, emphasizing that improved conditions would enhance service delivery and productivity.

    Accompanied by key members of the Borno State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ayuba expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for entrusting him with the role and promised to justify the confidence reposed in him by adding value to the institute’s operations.

    He said, “My being here is not just to come and go, we have a very serious task, we have to make sure we work hard to make this institute a more greater institute. 

    “With the calibre of researchers and staff at the institute, it is a clear manifestation that they are equal to the task. 

    “In research institute of this nature, you have to boost the morale of the management staff. The welfare of the staff matters a lot. You cannot engage people in research when they are not comfortable. Therefore, our own part, we will do our best to make sure that the welfare of the staff of the institute is considered. 

    “Research requires a lot of funding, you cannot engage in research without fund. We have to travel far and wide, we cannot restrict ourselves to our country in the name of research, we have to explore other areas, we have to ensure we make contacts, and you can not do that without fund. 

    “The responsibility of this is on us and we have to make sure that the institute is funded in the budgetary provisions. We have to make sure that the budgetary provision should be there, if the budget is not there, the institute will be handicapped, we’ ll do our best to make sure the fund is provided for research.”

    He commended the synergy and sense of responsibility among the management staff. 

    He identified adequate funding, high sense of duty and improvement in welfare of management staff, as three areas which are critical in making an institution vibrant and meaningful in any society. 

    Read Also: NIHORT unveils new tomato, pepper varieties

    He expressed satisfaction with the management saying, what is important for him is to take the institute to enviable heights.  

    He said the institute is capable and equal to the task adding that with adequate attention to the institute, the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s administration will be achieved especially in the area of food security 

    The Research institute which specializes in genetic improvement, production of fruits and vegetables as well as ornamental plants comprises researchers and management staff 

    Earlier, in his welcome address, the Executive Director, NIHORT, Ibadan, Professor Mohammed Atanda, revealed plans of the institute to introduce new varieties of horticultural crops into the Nigeria market such as additional tomato varieties, garden egg, plantain/banana, onion, 

    Fruit bearing pawpaw and melon

    Atanda highlighted the critical needs of the Institute to include; state-of-the-art research infrastructure and equipment, additional office buildings for staff, increased funding for breeding and developing new varieties of horticultural

    crops, as well as for the multiplication of breeder and foundation seeds of mandate crops.

    Others are, staff development through training and retraining programs, more research vehicles to support dissemination and outreach activities , upgrading the current pilot fruit juice processing plant to advance research and development of value-added products

    “With these, it will significantly enhance our efficiency and contribution to the development of horticultural value chain” he said.

  • Insecurity: Army seeks media partnership to end terrorism

    Insecurity: Army seeks media partnership to end terrorism

    The Nigerian Army has called for a robust collaboration between the armed forces and the media as part of efforts to tackle the nation’s security challenges.

    Chief of Army Staff (COAS)  Lt. Gen.  Olufemi Oluyede made the call during the opening of the Nigerian Army Civil-Military Cooperation quarterly media chat in Akure,   Ondo State. 

     The theme of the one-day event was  ‘’Military-Media Collaboration: Panacea for Enhanced National Security and Development, held over the weekend in Akure, the Ondo State capital.

    It brought together reporters, media executives, communication scholars, senior military officials and personnel.

      Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede said the military has not relented in combating the security challenges through deliberate kinetic and non-kinetic operations.

      Represented by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 2 Division Nigerian Army, Ibadan, Maj.-Gen. Obinna Onubogu noted that it was important for all  Nigerians, including stakeholders, to play a role in the efforts to secure the nation.

    READ ALSO: States seek $500m World Bank’s facility to tackle poverty

    He stated that the media have a critical role to play in keeping the public well informed of the activities of the   Army in its “matrix of the whole-of-nation approach” in dealing with security challenges. The COAS  said: “I believe that the great debate on whether the pen is mightier than the sword is over, the pen has won the debate, and it is accepted that the pen is indeed mightier than the sword.

    “However, in a time of varied security threats to our society, there is a need for enhanced cooperation and collaboration between the pen and the sword, representing the media and the military.

    “The collaboration and partnership between the Nigerian Army and the media remain fundamental to achieving national security objectives, which is crucial for maintaining peace, harmony, and securing the territorial integrity of Nigeria. 

      ‘’I urge media people at all levels to uphold responsibility, accuracy, and fairness when reporting the Nigerian Army activities and to balance national security interests with the people’s right to information.

    “This is also crucial to avoid misinformation or inflammatory content that could undermine national unity and security. To this end, I encourage the media   to always verify information before disseminating it to the public.’

  • Osun APC’s support base larger than other parties, says governorship aspirant

    Osun APC’s support base larger than other parties, says governorship aspirant

    A governorship aspirant on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, Omooba Dotun Babayemi, has said the party has larger supporters and admirers in the state than other political parties.

    According to him, this would guarantee the electoral success of APC at next year’s gubernatorial election, noting that it would be made easier if members of the party would stay united and form a formidable front to face other political parties at the polls.

    The Gbongan-born Prince stated this while rounding off his consultative meetings with leaders and stakeholders of the party in Olorunda and Osogbo local government areas where hundreds of the party members received him amid singing and dancing.

    Babayemi has visited other councils to meet with elders and stakeholders of the party in his quest at getting the ticket of the party as its torchbearer in the governorship election.

    READ ALSO: A President and a comrade

    The governorship hopeful, who described the APC as a progressive party, urged members to begin door-to-door awareness programmes ahead of the election.

    He said such a move would help to solidify the support base of the party, a development Babayemi added, would assist in making the victory of the party less stressful.

    “For this to however be achieved,we must stay strong and united. Above anything, the love for our party must take priority.If we can do this, our party will triumph. If all members can join hands together,then our victory will be beyond comprehension” he maintained

    In their responses, leaders and chieftains of the party in the areas commended Babayemi for setting a worthy standard for others to follow, noting that his peaceful disposition to politics and others related things, was worthy of emulation.

    The leaders described him as a man worthy of becoming the candidate and governor of the state in 2026, hailing him for being a distinct leader who continues to preach unity, adding that his presence since rejoining the party,has been praiseworthy.

    They assured him of their support, urging Babayemi not to forget them if he wins.

  • Sanwo-Olu parleys APC stakeholders

    Sanwo-Olu parleys APC stakeholders

    Lagos Governor, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu will tomorrow at noon at the State House, Marina hold a stakeholders’ parley with the leaders, elected and appointed officials and candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on the July 12 state council elections.

    The meeting will serve as the rallying point for mobilisation of our troops towards the local government elections.

    It will be recalled that the presentation of flags to the 57 APC chairmanship candidates in the elections marked the official take off of campaigns held last week at the state party secretariat at Ogba.

    READ ALSO: A President and a comrade

    The colorful ceremony, which had in attendance who-is-who in government and party hierarchy, was a morale booster for all party stalwarts for another victorious outing.

    Lagos APC acknowledges and appreciates the trust and confidence of Lagosians in our progressive philosophy which explains the continuous, unparalleled and unprecedented growth across all sectors in the state.

    We’re confident that the landmark achievements of our local government councils in education, primary health care, housing and social interventions , among others, will be rewarded with massive votes at the polls for all our candidates.

  • OPC hails Tinubu for honouring Fasehun

    OPC hails Tinubu for honouring Fasehun

    Yoruba socio-cultural group, the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) has praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for posthumously awarding Dr. Frederick Fasehun, the group’s founder, the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON).

    This recognition, announced on June 12, is seen as a long-overdue tribute to Fasehun’s pivotal role in the country’s democracy.

    In a statement, the OPC President, Otunba Wasiu Afolabi, called on the government to follow up on the award by compensating victims of military brutality during the June 12 pro-democracy struggle, in line with recommendations by the Oputa Panel.

    OPC highlighted the sacrifices made byFasehun and its members, many of whom were killed, maimed, or lost livelihoods during the military regimes of Generals Babangida and Abacha. Fasehun suffered arrests, incarceration, and loss of property, yet remained committed to the democratic cause, he added.

    The statement reads: “Hundreds of OPC members, committed to the struggle to restore democracy to Nigeria, were attacked, maimed for life and murdered by General Abacha’s security forces, especially after OPC became affiliated with the umbrella organ for the June 12 struggle, NADECO.

    READ ALSO: States seek $500m World Bank’s facility to tackle poverty

    “Dr. Fasehun was brutalised, arrested and incarcerated several times; his hospital, hotel and other businesses collapsed; but he remained undaunted and true to the struggle. “But as God would have it, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a NADECO chieftain and frontrunner in the June 12 struggle, has become the country’s President and Commander-in-Chief.”

    The group condemned recent killings in Benue State, attributing them to deliberate destabilisation by enemies of the country’s progress.

    It urged President Tinubu, a former NADECO chieftain, to address the growing insecurity in Nigeria and to resist foreign and local threats to the country’s stability.

  • 2026: Southwest PDP confident of victory in Ekiti governorship poll

    2026: Southwest PDP confident of victory in Ekiti governorship poll

    • Group rallies support for Oyebanji ‘s re-election

    The Southwest chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed confidence that the party would wrestle power from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, saying the PDP is united and determined to win the election.

    The PDP Zonal Publicity Secretary, Chief Sanya Atofarati, said the PDP is united and more determined to win the election, urging the APC to prepare to leave the Oke-Ayoba Government House.

    Speaking during the inauguration of the committees and sub-committees set up to galvanise support for a frontline governorship aspirant, Dr. Wole Oluyede, Atofarati, said Ekiti people are tired of the APC’s alleged maladministration in the state.

     He noted that the APC’s tactics of divide-and-rule would no longer work, urging

    party leaders and members remain steadfast in the task to take over power from the broom party.

     “There is no more place for the antics of divide and rule they are orchestrating in our party again. We are appealing to all our people in Ikere Ekiti and the South Senatorial District of the state not to accept any deputy governorship ticket from anybody, but only accept a governorship ticket.

    READ ALSO: States seek $500m World Bank’s facility to tackle poverty

    But, an advocacy group, Progress Mandate has endorsed Governor Biodun Oyebanji for a second term.

    The group, in a statement in Ado-Ekiti by its Director-General, Yomi Oso, said the governor deserves a second term, citing his achievements in infrastructure development, education, youth empowerment, health sector, job creation and agriculture.

     The group lauded Oyebanji for his humility and inclusive leadership style, which has brought lasting peace.

    It described the governor Oyebanji’s style as “quiet but impactful” and praised his zero tolerance for corruption as well as demonstrable  financial reforms which has re-engineered the state’s finances.

    The group explained that its decision to declare support for the governor was informed by his understanding of Ekiti’s challenges, inclusive governance style and humility in leadership which gives voice to all segments of society.

    It noted that Oyebanji’s re-election would ensure continuation of his development agenda and further consolidate the gains made so far for the betterment of Ekiti people.

    “The Progress Mandate does not give blind endorsements. We are an advocacy platform solely driven by verifiable data, integrity, and public interest. Our support for Governor Oyebanji is informed by his understanding of Ekiti’s challenges and tailored solutions.

    “Governor Oyebanji’s administration has redefined leadership in Ekiti through a quiet revolution rooted in substance over sensation. Unlike the usual traditional, flamboyant approach to governance, he has adopted a uniquely inductive style, one that begins at grassroots, examines the peculiarities of each local issue, and develops policy from the bottom up.

    “We must also commend Mr Governor for the remarkable way he has united political, traditional, and community leaders across the state. Through humility and inclusive leadership, he has brought lasting peace and tranquillity to a once-divided political landscape. Today, Ekiti is speaking with one voice, and that is a legacy worth preserving.

  • Oyo 2027: Adelabu moves to unite APC for victory

    Oyo 2027: Adelabu moves to unite APC for victory

    • As party chair declares readiness to take over Agodi Govt House

    Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, has called for reconciliation in the All Progressives Congress (APC) to achieve victory in Oyo State come 2027.

    Noting that reconciliation is about sacrifice, he said aggrieved members must be ready to shift grounds to reclaim the state from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Also, the state party Chairman, Alhaji Olaide Abass assured that the party is working to resolve its differences  abd would win the state.

    The duo spoke after a meeting hosted by the minister at his Magara, Iyaganku GRA private residence, Ibadan at the wekkend.

    The meeting was attended by the State Executive Committee and chairmen of the 33 local governments areas in the state.

    He said: “Reconciliation is about sacrifice. Its mutual sacrifice. Everybody is going to put down something for us to reconcile. There is no reconciliation without sacrifice. No reconciliation without compromise. There is no reconciliation without cooperation, collaboration and partnership.

    READ ALSO: A President and a comrade

    “What matters most is the party’s success at the next election. And nothing is too much for anybody to sacrifice. And everybody knows that there will always be terms and conditions that will be beneficial to all the members of the party.”

    Giving the highpoint of the meeting, Adelabu said Oyo APC will soon make a declaration on where it stands concerning the bid of President Bola Tinubu to seek a second term.

    Adelabu said: “We have met to review the situation and status of the party. It is my personal meeting with the extended excos of the party, which is made up of the State Executive Committee and all the chairmen of all the 33 local governments. I invited them for this meeting and they did. I am very grateful for that. We discussed the progress of the party.

    “We discussed the activities and success recorded at the federal level by the captain of the ship, by our leader, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in making sure that Nigeria is brought to an era of prosperity, an era of peace, an era of harmony, an era of economic growth and industrial development through all his various programmes, from student loans programmes to agribusiness programmes, to business loans programmes, to the Zonal Development Commissions, to all the laudable efforts of Mr. President.

    “We met to review it and we are satisfied with his efforts so far. We are quite optimistic that in the next two years, he will hold better promises for Nigeria. We are confident in his efforts and activities. We are also endorsing him for the second time, come 2027. This will be done elaborately in a stakeholder statewide meeting that we are going to organise.”

    He said further: “We also review the progress of reconciliation efforts of the party. Where are we coming from? Where are we? And where are we going? And we are satisfied that the party, at the Excos level, has done very well. And they say to whom much is given, much is expected.

    “We haven’t seen that. We won’t rest on our words. We say we have a long way to go to ensure that this reconciliation is achieved 100 per cent.”

    He added that, he also at the meeting briefed the stakeholders of his activities, as the state representative at the federal cabinet, assuring that many more laudable feats are still achievable in the second half of the ongoing tenure.

    “I also reported on my own efforts as their representative at the federal level, as the Honourable Minister of Power. My efforts, my activities, and how it has impacted the lives of Nigerians. The modest achievement we have made. And I also promised that we are going to do more. And we now talked about 2027. Well, we are confident and believe that this party, this state, is going to return to APC.

    “All the efforts and what we are going to do is what we discussed. And how we are going to even extend and emphasise democratic principles, internal democracy within the party, so that the best candidates will actually emerge to represent APC at the election of 2027. This is the first stakeholders’ meeting that we are going to be doing.

    “I am also going to meet with all my colleagues in the National Assembly: the three senators, the nine House of Reps that we have. But first, the party is supreme. We need to let the party know the steps we are going to take before we start taking those steps. That is what today’s meeting is all about.”

    Also, the state Chairman, Chief Abass said the meeting was part of an effort to reconcile the members and build a united front ahead of the election years.

    He said: “Well, I’m so delighted to be here today for this meeting at the instance of the Honourable Minister, and it was a very successful meeting. It was about finding lasting peace in the party. I’m quite happy with the outcome of it. The people should expect us to recover our position in the Government House in 2027.

    “We have been going around to reconciling the aggrieved members of the party. We have been doing that and we are on course. And today’s meeting has signalled the fact that we are having success at that. We have been doing what we are doing here in silence. This one is just an outward show of what we have been doing behind the scenes.”