The Nation Newspaper

Category: South West

  • Lagos monarch condemns Costain market demolition, calls action unlawful, inhumane

    Lagos monarch condemns Costain market demolition, calls action unlawful, inhumane

    …shops, mosque demolished

    A property owner and traditional leader of the Otumara community, High Chief Kehinde Kalejaiye, has condemned the demolition of the popular Costain Market in Lagos by the state government, describing it as unlawful, excessive, and insensitive to the plight of struggling citizens.

    Kalejaiye said the demolished land had valid Federal Government allocation papers, questioning the legality of the operation carried out by the Lagos State Task Force, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), and the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI).

    According to him, the destruction, which displaced dozens of traders and destroyed properties worth millions of naira, reflected a growing disregard for due process and human welfare.

    “This demolition is not only unjust but also heartless,” Kalejaiye said. “Many of these traders have nowhere else to go. They are breadwinners who invested their life savings here. The government should have considered a humane alternative.”

    Eyewitnesses said officials stormed the market in the early afternoon, dispersing traders and passersby with teargas before bulldozing rows of shops, stalls, and even a mosque.

    A snack producer, Alfred Wisdom, who claimed to have lost over ₦5 million in goods and cash, lamented that the demolition occurred without prior notice. 

    “Before I could return from a delivery, they had broken into my shop and taken everything. They said my business was illegal. This is disheartening,” he said.

    Similarly, the Imam of the demolished Markaz-ul-Mahani Mosque, Ustadz Abdulsallam Olawale, confirmed that religious centers were also affected. 

    “They said they were clearing commercial buses, but then turned on traders and worshippers. Many victims of the earlier Otumara demolition had stored their belongings here — all gone now,” he lamented.

    Olawale appealed to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to show compassion and reconsider the human cost of such operations. “We are pleading with the government to act with empathy. People are suffering,” he said.

    “The officials came in a commando manner, unleashing terror on innocent traders,” he said. “When I tried to ask for an explanation, I was verbally assaulted. This must stop. It was when I challenged him and query why him, being an S.A to the Governor on Transport would meddle into property demolition that he called in officials of the Lagos State Task Force and KAI into the scene to embark on the demolition. This is nothing but misuse and abuse of government power and authority.”

    As of press time, the Lagos State Government had yet to issue an official statement explaining the reason for the demolition or whether affected traders would receive any form of compensation.

  • Sultan seeks protection of women’s rights

    Sultan seeks protection of women’s rights

    • By Sherifdeen Amusa

    The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, has urged Nigerians to remain resolute in protecting the rights of women and the girl-child.

    Abubakar made the call yesterday during a high-level town hall meeting on promoting peace and security through women’s inclusion and access to justice, in Sokoto.

    The meeting, organised by Global Rights in collaboration with UK International Development and The Kukah Centre, served as a platform for inclusive dialogue on the interlinking issues of peace, justice, and women’s participation in conflict response and recovery.

    Abubakar, represented by the District Head of Gagi, Alhaji Sani Umar, emphasised that Gender-Based Violence (GBV) has become a growing phenomenon that requires an all-inclusive approach, describing it as a grave offense against humanity.

    “We must stand for women. They are our mothers, wives, and daughters. Violating their rights is a violation of humanity, and protecting them is non-negotiable.

    ” It is evidently clear that ending GBV in Sokoto and Nigeria is possible, and the path is clear for all of us.

    “Moreover, women are peacebuilders and community-oriented; they remain the foundation of our brighter future,” he said.

    Abubakar commended the state government for its sustained efforts in including more women in decision-making processes, noting that such initiatives have continued to yield positive results.

    He also appreciated Global Rights and its partners for organising the meeting and urged participants to take full advantage of the opportunity to strengthen the initiative’s success.

    In her remarks, Mrs Abiodun Baiyewu, Executive Director of Global Rights, expressed concern that the North-West region continues to face persistent security challenges.

    “In the face of insecurity and violence, women continue to demonstrate resilience, sustaining families and building communities.

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    “Their experiences and leadership are of immense value, yet they continue to suffer various forms of violence.

    ” Women’s participation in peace and security processes, as well as their access to justice, remain very limited,” she said.

    Baiyewu stressed the need to change societal perceptions about women, urging communities to recognise women as agents of peace, security, and justice.

    She called on the participants to use the dialogue as a platform to promote inclusion, equity, and justice for sustainable peace in the North-West and across Nigeria.

    Also speaking, Mr Cliff Gai, Senior Programme Manager, UK Integrated Security Fund (UK ISF), described the meeting as a strong demonstration of commitment to promoting access to justice in Sokoto and across the country.

    “This gathering is not just a meeting but a strong commitment to promoting community participation in ensuring justice and addressing all forms of violence in our society,” he said.

  • Take ownership of infrastructure in your communities, Oyebanji urges residents

    Take ownership of infrastructure in your communities, Oyebanji urges residents

    • Governor opens two township roads in Ado-Ekiti

    Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji has called on residents to take ownership of road infrastructure within their communities, noting that protecting and maintaining the roads are key to ensuring their longevity.

    He spoke yesterday in Ado-Ekiti while inaugurating the newly completed Bovas-Spotless Road and Palace-Okeage-Idolofin Road, as part of activities marking the third anniversary of his administration.

    Governor Oyebanji, represented by his wife, Dr Olayemi Oyebanji, said his administration remained committed to delivering infrastructure across the state to improve living standard of the people.

    He said the sustainability of the projects depended on the collective responsibility of the citizens.

    The governor urged the people not to engage in acts capable of damaging the roads such as indiscriminate dumping of refuse in the drainage, unauthorised excavation along road shoulders, among others.

    He said: “Let me urge all road users and residents to maintain and work together to preserve this road. It is an investment in our collective future and we all have a role to play in maintaining it.’’

    Affirming that his administration placed high premium on good road network, Governor Oyebanji said roads were not just pathway for vehicles, but were also lifeline that connected communities, promoted trade, improved security and contributed to the overall quality of the people.

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    He added that the Palace-Oke-Age-Idolofin and Bovas-Spotless township roads would ease traffic congestion, reduce travel time and open new vista of economic opportunities for the residents and business in the area.

    “Let me assure you again that we will not rest on our oars in bringing the dividends of democracy to all the citizens of Ekiti State. I also seek your cooperation, bearing it in mind that the development of our state is our collective responsibility,” the governor said.

    Works Commissioner Mr Sola Adebayo said the project represented a milestone in the government’s efforts to enhance the accessibility and aesthetics of Ekiti State, adding that the event stood as another testament to the commitment of Governor Oyebanji to the progress and infrastructural transformation of the state capital.

    He said the road projects embarked on by the administration were in deplorable state for years before the government embarked on their rehabilitation or reconstruction.

    He added that the kind of road network Governor Oyebanji envisaged for the state capital was one capable of easing traffic flow, enhancing accessibility and improving the general quality of life for residents and communities.

    Expressing appreciation to Governor Oyebanji on his giant strides in repositioning road infrastructure in the state, the commissioner said the completion of the roads underscored his dedication to improving road connectivity and promoting economic activities within the communities.

    He urged the residents to take ownership of the road as well as ensure its proper maintenance by desisting from acts that would shorten its lifespan, such as dumping refuse in the drainage or constructing unauthorised speed bumps, as the sustainability and durability of the roads remained the collective responsibility of all and sundry.

    Also at the event were Deputy Governor Monisade Afuye, Secretary to the State Government Prof. Habitat Adubiaro, Head of Service Folakemi Olomojobi, Chief of Staff Niyi Adebayo, members of the House of Assembly, members of the state executive council, among others.

  • Key figures in PDP, SDP, AA defect to Ondo APC

    Key figures in PDP, SDP, AA defect to Ondo APC

    The opposition camp in Ondo State became weakened yesterday, following the defection of prominent figures from the parties to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Notable leaders from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Social Democratic Party (SDP) and Action Alliance (AA), under the umbrella of Nigeria Workstation, have formally joined the APC.

    Among the defectors are the former publicity secretary of PDP, Kennedy Peretei; ex-chairman of Akoko North-West Local Government and SDP chieftain, Olutope Adebambo; and Mrs Rachael Ajayi, the 2020 deputy governorship candidate of SDP.

    Others include Blessing Ologun, ex-assistant state treasurer of the PDP, and Omotayo Obolo, popularly called Mitchel, a former special assistant to ex-governor Olusegun Mimiko.

    In a statement issued in Akure yesterday, Mr Adebambo, who serves as the director of Mobilisation of Nigeria Workstation, confirmed the final arrangements for the defection.

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    He said APC state Chairman, Ade Adetimehin, along with members of the state Executive Committee, would formally receive the defectors into the ruling party.

    He added that Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa would receive the “instrument of surrender’’ from the grassroots politicians, many of whom had posed a formidable challenge to his administration and APC in past elections.

    The development is viewed as a significant political realignment expected to further strengthen APC’s dominance ahead of future elections in the state.

  • Lagos APC: ADC’s threat alarm unfounded

    Lagos APC: ADC’s threat alarm unfounded

    Lagos State chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC) has noted, with a mix of amusement and pity, the latest attention-seeking outburst from African Democratic Congress (ADC), accusing “Tinubu’s APC” of trying to silence the opposition before 2027.

    Spokesman Seye Oladejo, in a statement yesterday in Ogba, Lagos, said: ‘’Let’s set the record straight – you can’t silence what Nigerians have already tuned out. ADC’s statement is the political equivalent of a mosquito accusing a lion of roaring too loudly. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and APC are too busy reshaping Nigeria’s destiny to bother about political spectators, who only appear during election season to make noise and vanish after the poll.

    ‘’While APC is building stronger structures, refining strategies and consolidating internal unity for more result-oriented governance, the opposition – led by the ADC  – is preoccupied with compiling the names of members to expel from its already starving register. Its executives are now more concerned about who may ‘escape’ than who may join.

    ‘’It is laughable that a party which exists only on newspaper pages and WhatSapp groups claims to be ‘under threat.’  From whom, exactly? Nigerians have long moved on from empty political vessels. ADC’s brand of politics has no base, no followers, and no relevance – just a statement and a logo that may soon need a missing person’s announcement.

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    ‘’Worse still, it is a strange and cynical brand of politics for a party to start preparing ready-made excuses for its imminent defeat before the polls. ADC’s strategy seems to be to blame its opponents in advance, while ignoring its own tragic flaws, internal chaos and complete lack of grassroots connection. You don’t lose elections because your opponents silence you  – you lose because the people don’t believe in you.

    ‘’Under President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, APC is too focused on results to be distracted by professional complainers. The only thing being “silenced” in Nigeria today is failure, confusion and the politics of bitterness the opposition has perfected as an art form.

    ‘’ADC should stop hallucinating about persecution and start learning basic political arithmetic. You cannot accuse APC of silencing you when your own silence is self-inflicted and deafening – the result of irrelevance, disunity and absence of purpose.

    ‘’If ADC spends half as much time organising as it does issuing statements, perhaps Nigerians may actually remember it exists. But for now, its biggest electoral victory remains trending briefly on Twitter before vanishing into the fog of political obscurity.

    ‘’APC remains unwavering in its mission to build a nation of opportunities, unity and prosperity under President Tinubu. We will not be distracted by political comedians seeking attention through cheap drama.

    ‘’As for ADC, stop crying wolf; the nation has moved on.’’

  • Aspirant lauds conferment of Fellow on Oyetola

    Aspirant lauds conferment of Fellow on Oyetola

    An Osun East Senatorial District aspirant, Francis Olaniyi, has lauded the conferment of award of honorary Fellow of the Centre for Leadership and Management on the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, by the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), in recognition of what it called his exceptional contributions to national development, public service and visionary leadership.

    The conferment took place at the university auditorium during the institution’s first Distinguished Lecture and Conferment of Award Ceremony, organised by the UNILORIN Centre for Advancement.

    Olaniyi, who was at the event to felicitate the former Osun State governor, congratulated him on the honour bestowed on him by the institution.

    Olaniyi, the Majobaote of Ipetu Ijesa, said: “The award is a well-deserved one. It’s a recognition of our leader’s selfless service to the people of Nigeria. It’s a recognition of his sterling performances in the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.’’

    Olaniyi, whose political structure is popularly known as Ijoba Federal, told the audience that naming the centre after the minister was a good step in the right direction,

    “The minister is working effectively to transform the country’s blue economy into sustainable national development,” he said.

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    The ceremony featured unveiling of Adegboyega Oyetola Centre for Blue and Regenerative Economy, established by the university to promote research, innovation and sustainable development in Nigeria’s maritime sector.

    The centre was named in honour of the minister for his role in advancing the nation’s blue economy agenda.

    Delivering the maiden Distinguished Lecture titled: ‘The Nexus between Blue Economy and Higher Education for Sustainable Development in Nigeria’, Oyetola described the blue economy as a transformative pathway for sustainable national growth, driven by the responsible use of ocean, sea and inland water resources..

  • Why Tinubu should be re-elected, by Oki

    Why Tinubu should be re-elected, by Oki

    A chieftain of ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Fuoad Oki, has explained why President Bola Ahmed Tinubu deserved a second term.

    He said the President came at a difficult time to rescue the country, adding that he was delivering on his campaign promises.

    But Oki called for what he described as holistic cleansing of the seat of power, Aso Villa Abuja, for Tinubu to succeed in his rescue operation.

    Oki, who spoke with reporters in Lagos, said records had shown that those who went into Aso Villa with clean records and laudable ideas towards improving the well-being of the people, most times, left with bad records.

    He said the President and those who wanted him to leave good legacies after exiting office should consider the advice as a matter of urgent national importance.

    The APC chieftain said the candidate on the ballot would determine the voting pattern and not the party.

    He predicted that the highest valid votes cast in Lagos during the 2027 general election would be around 3.5 million, despite that the number of registered voters in the state ‘’is now close to six million.’’

    He said Lagosians should be properly mobilised for the voter registration.

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    Oki said rigging would be difficult during the 2027 general election if the ongoing electoral amendment that made BIVAS compulsory before voting scaled through and if the elections were conducted on a day.

    He said after Tinubu’s second term, it would take the next 40 years for someone from Yoruba land to return to power as President.

    He said Nigerians should re-elect President Tinubu in 2027 because he meant well for the country. 

    Oki said the President was on a crucial, but very difficult mission to rebuild the country from years of misrule and misplaced priorities.

    He expressed worry that the last 15 years had thrown up the sentiments of ethnicity and religion that did not augur well for the country.

  • ‘Oyo people seeking APC’s return in 2027’

    ‘Oyo people seeking APC’s return in 2027’

    The lawmaker representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency, Aderemi Oseni, has said Oyo State people were yearning for a change in 2027.

    He said the change the people wanted was return of All Progressive Congress (APC) to power in the state.

    Speaking in Ibadan at the first anniversary and endorsement rally organised by Remi Oseni Committee of Friends (ROCOF) progressive workers and traders group, Oseni affirmed commitment towards building a progressive state where workers, traders, youths and women could thrive with dignity and hope.

    He described the event as a movement driven by passion to rebuild and reposition Oyo State and Nigeria on the platform of Renewed Hope Agenda.

    The lawmaker noted that the party would not rest until its members’ names appeared on the ballot papers in 2027 as agents of good governance reform and transformation.

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    He said his group, ROCOF, would mobilise at least one million votes across Oyo State to ensure the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027.

    Oseni described the President as a visionary reformer, whose Renewed Hope Agenda was laying a solid foundation for a prosperous Nigeria.

    He said ROCOF structure, built from the grassroots, had become a veritable platform to support Tinubu’s developmental agenda and advance progressive governance in Oyo State.

  • Osun 2026: Ex-Ogun governor’s aide joins race in APC

    Osun 2026: Ex-Ogun governor’s aide joins race in APC

    Dideolu Falobi, an aide of Ogun State former governor Gbenga Daniel, yesterday joined the 2026 Osun State governorship race on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    He said agitation by some APC members for zoning the governorship ticket favoured Osun East Senatorial District more than Osun West.

    Falobi, engineer, addressing reporters at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre in Osogbo, said there was need to rescue Osun State from the current administration which, according to him, was not addressing the needs and welfare of the people.

    Speaking about the concentration of infrastructures in Ede, the hometown of Governor Ademola Adeleke, he said development must be evenly distributed.

    Falobi said: “If you singled out a place and developed it, other places that you did not develop would begin to look like a junk hill. So, whatever you do as a leader, try and do what is called across-the-board development.

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    “My administration will design an agenda for development, which will cut across all the towns and villages in Osun State. Just like under the leadership of my former principal, Gbenga Daniel. What we did was to design Ogun State’s master plan, which covered every area and aspect of the state.

    “Everything he did in his eight years is according to that plan we designed. When they were building the stadium in Ilaro, they went and built the one in Ijebu-Ode, they went and built the one in Abeokuta, and they were constructing the one in Sagamu.

    “When they established a polytechnic in Sapade, they picked four other areas and established polytechnics there. When we went to China to get investors to come in, I remember we brought some people to Lagos-Ibadan axis. Some people, we brought them to Itokun axis, some people we took them to Iloko axis, etc.

    “When you are doing 100km of road in Ede, you should do the same for other towns based on a cross-board development plan.”

    Speaking about zoning, he said: “I am not aware zoning is formal in the APC. I stand to be corrected, it is an informal arrangement. By my calculation, since 1999, Osun Central has ruled thrice, Osun West twice and Osun East once, which I belong to.

    “When Aregbesola from Osun East left, it went to Oyetola from Central and now Adeleke from West, so even if they are doing zoning, it should come back to Osun East.”

  • Abiodun to residents: let’s build state that works

    Abiodun to residents: let’s build state that works

    Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to inclusive governance anchored on citizens’ participation, transparency and accountability.

    He said consulting widely with the people before presenting the state budget remained a defining feature of his government.

    Abiodun made this known during the Town Hall Meeting for the Egba Division, held as part of the preparations for the 2026 Budget.

    He urged residents and stakeholders to continue partnering with government in building “a state that works for everyone.”

    Represented by the Commissioner for Finance and Chief Economic Adviser, Mr. Dapo Okuboyejo, the governor said his administration had over the years implemented strategic public financial management reforms aligned with international best practices, ensuring fiscal discipline and effective service delivery.

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    According to him, the ISEYA Development Agenda continues to guide the administration’s policy direction, resulting in remarkable progress across critical sectors, including infrastructure, health care, housing, education, agriculture, security and youth empowerment.

    “In the last 12 months, our administration has recorded notable achievements made possible through enhanced fiscal discipline, transparency and efficiency, which have collectively driven socio-economic progress and laid a solid foundation for sustainable growth,” the governor said.

    Abiodun listed ongoing road construction, reconstruction and rehabilitation projects across the state—including the Egba Division—as part of efforts to improve connectivity and boost economic activities.

    In the health sector, he highlighted the renovation and equipping of primary health care facilities, the installation of solar power systems, and the rollout of the Ogun State Health Insurance Scheme to expand access to quality healthcare.

    The governor also mentioned the installation of solar streetlights and deployment of transformers to improve electricity supply, as well as the completion of affordable housing projects such as the Olumo Residential Court Apartments and the Ibara GRA Regeneration Project (Phase I).

    On security, he disclosed that more Amotekun operatives have been recruited to strengthen community surveillance and crime prevention, while in education, the government has rehabilitated science laboratories, renovated technical colleges, and trained STEM teachers to enhance learning outcomes.

    Governor Abiodun noted that the state’s successful hosting of the 2024 Gateway Games reinforced Ogun’s reputation as a hub for sporting excellence and cultural unity.

    “We renovated and modernised all our sporting facilities to international standards, culminating in the inauguration of MKO Abiola Sports Arena, now a premier venue for continental and regional competitions,” he said.

    He added that Ogun State recently hosted the Confederation of African Athletics U18/U20 Championships and continues to host CAF competitions at the Arena, solidifying its status as a trusted venue for international sporting events.

    On job creation, the governor said the administration had inaugurated Ogun Job Centre and Work Hub at the Government Science and Technical College, Idi-Aba, Abeokuta — a one-stop centre for career guidance, entrepreneurial support, and employment opportunities.

    In the agricultural sector, Abiodun said the state had procured modern farm machinery, rehabilitated eight farm settlements, and upgraded the Ogun State Farmers Information Management System (OGFIMS) to a digital platform that enhances market access and supports farmers’ participation in government programmes.

    He also revealed plans to transform rural markets such as the Kila Market in Odeda into modern agro-logistics centres aimed at strengthening value chains, improving storage, and reducing post-harvest losses.

    As preparations continue for the 2026 Budget, Abiodun said his administration would focus on empowering young people, supporting small businesses, and strengthening social protection systems for vulnerable citizens.

    The governor emphasised that the 2026 Budget would consolidate gains in infrastructure, education, healthcare, youth empowerment, and job creation, reflecting citizens’ priorities gathered during the town hall sessions.

    Speaker of Ogun State House of Assembly, Oludaisi Elemide, commended the governor’s efforts in infrastructure development but urged the state government to engage the federal authorities on the rehabilitation of federal roads within the state.

    Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Mr. Olaolu Olabimtan, described the Town Hall Meetings as a vital pillar of participatory governance, transparency, and accountability, saying the initiative underscored the government’s belief that “meaningful progress begins with the people.”