The Nation Newspaper

Category: Southwest

  • Lagos lawmaker Kehinde Joseph emerges BATFC’s patron

    Lagos lawmaker Kehinde Joseph emerges BATFC’s patron

    …reveals unique move to advance quality education 

    The Bola Ahmed Tinubu Fans Club (BATFC) has inaugurated Hon. Kehinde Joseph, the Lagos State House of Assembly member representing Alimosho Constituency 2, as a Patron in recognition of what the group described as his selfless, inclusive, and people-focused legislative service.

    The ceremony was held at the lawmaker’s office in the Assembly complex and was supervised by the group’s convener and Deputy Director General, Dr. Samson Bilesanmi. 

    He highlighted several instances of Joseph’s consistent commitment to strengthening the All Progressives Congress (APC) across Lagos State.

    Dr. Bilesanmi noted that he received authorisation from BATFC’s Director General, Alhaji (Hon.) A. M. Buhari, to confer the honorary Patron award on Hon. Joseph, accompanied by a commemorative flex banner symbolising his induction.

    Responding to the recognition, Hon. Joseph expressed appreciation and offered insight into his approach to empowerment, noting that conventional distribution of handouts often fails to address the real needs of constituents.

    He disclosed that numerous indigent students in his constituency, many of whom had lost hope of pursuing tertiary education, are currently benefiting from his fully funded scholarship programme at Aries Polytechnic, Ibadan, Oyo State. 

    He added that their transportation costs are also covered to ensure their safety.

    Hon. Joseph further highlighted an ongoing people-focused initiative: the construction of a Comprehensive Secondary School at Abaranje in Alimosho. 

    The project, which began in September 2025 and is fully financed by him, is nearing completion within its six-month timeline. 

    He explained that rising criminal tendencies among youths aged 11 to 15 in the Ikotun axis motivated the project, as many of them had been drawn into delinquency due to the long distance to available schools. 

    The new facility, which will host both junior and senior secondary classes, is expected to close that gap and provide a safer, structured environment for young learners.

    “I get moved to tears when I visit the area as elderly women troupe out to welcome me laying their scarves for me to walk on as a mark of honour, one of them said for the past 38 years they have yearned for such a huge development in the area.

    “They said their children have resorted to NURTW work due to the absence of good school in their neighbourhood.

    “With this singular move, I have the plan to take at least 1000 youngsters off the streets and ensure a secured environment in my constituency.”

    The BATFC delegation also included the group’s national ICT Director  Amb. Dr . Adeyemo Adebayo, UN Amb. Charles Ajebori and  Akindele Felicia Oluwatoyin South West coordinator.

  • Makinde inaugurates Olubadan as Council of Obas’ chairman

    Makinde inaugurates Olubadan as Council of Obas’ chairman

    • Alaafin absent

    Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde yesterday inaugurated the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, as the chairman, Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs.

    He will head the council for the next two years before it will be rotated to another monarch.

    The first-class traditional ruler dismissed social media reports that he snubbed the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade, at an inter-faith gathering in Ibadan, describing the allegation as a misunderstanding that had been exaggerated and misrepresented.

    The Nation reports that the council last met in 2011.

    Oba Owoade was absent at the event.

    Over 40 monarchs from across the state were at the inauguration held at the House of Chiefs, Oyo State House of Assembly Complex, State Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan.

    Recall that after years of tussle, the house approved the rotation of the chairmanship of the council between the Alaafin, Olubadan and Soun of Ogbomosho.

    Speaking before declaring the council inaugurated, Governor Makinde said he could have exploited the division and crisis in the council by adopting the divide and rule method, but that the absence of a council was not in the best interest of the state.

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    He added that working with the traditional rulers had been key to his achievements as a governor in the last seven years.

    Makinde said: “Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs, like the commissioner mentioned, last met like this in 2011. And we’ve been on this for a while. I mean, I’ve been here for close to seven years now. It will be seven years exactly on May 29 that this administration came into office. And the easiest thing for me to do, or for this administration to do, is to encourage a division. You know, when they say divide and rule, this is the easiest thing.

    “But we know that some of the things we have been able to achieve as an administration, they can be traced to our traditional institution. They come to me; we discuss what is happening in our communities.

    “I get most of the information from you. And then we thought, is it not a shame that for 15 years running now,  your state that is supposed to be setting the pace, we don’t have a Council of Obas and Chiefs.

    “And some of the things that we’re supposed to do as an administration for our traditional institution as a state, but as the state also, we are supposed to look after our traditional rulers. But if we don’t have a council, how do we play an active role as a state?

    “At best, what we have will be an ad hoc arrangement, which is what has been happening since 2011. I’ve been here since 2019. So I encouraged the House of Assembly and also I consulted widely among traditional rulers.

    “I mean, if we look at this, this is House of Chiefs. It has not seen any improvement. We only come here for a few events. But our traditional institution must be strengthened. The air conditioner is not working because nobody is in charge. Nobody can. There’s no one telling us, calling the state government on things we should do. We signed the law passed by the House of Assembly. I signed it on August 14, 2025.

    “No matter how hard an issue is, we will definitely resolve it. My three fathers, the Alaafin of Oyo, the Olubadan and the Soun had an agreement that they will start the rotation with the Olubadan of Ibadanland. So, on that basis, I hereby pronounce Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs inaugurated, to be chaired by the Olubadan of Ibadanland for two years.”

    Fielding questions from reporters, shortly after the inauguration, Oba Ladoja said the inauguration was not an achievement, but the beginning of more work.

    He added: “We want to thank everyone. This inauguration is not an achievement; it is the beginning of work.

    “After our first meeting, people will begin to have confidence in us because they know we are not in competition with one another. We are not coming here to fight or pursue personal interests. So there is nothing to fear.

    “The only thing we stand for is that our domains should be safe and peaceful, and that Oyo State should continue to make progress. We want Oyo State to be a good place for everyone. This is what this council is about. This is not about any individual; it is about bringing people together and working together for the good of all.”

  • ‘I never met governor to endorse rotational chairmanship’

    ‘I never met governor to endorse rotational chairmanship’

    There are indications that the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade, yesterday deliberately shunned the inauguration of Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, as the chairman of Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs.

    This is because the monarch, after the event, said he was not at any time consulted by Governor Seyi Makinde to discuss rotational chairmanship with him.

    The Alaafin, in a statement last night by his Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye, said he did not tell the governor or make a categorical statement on his endorsement of rotational chairmanship among himself, the Olubadan and Soun of Ogbomosho

    The statement read: “The attention of the Alaafin’s Palace has been drawn to a statement credited to Governor Makinde that he consulted with three traditional rulers in the state, the Alaafin, the Olubadan and the Soun of Ogbomoso, on the rotational chairmanship of the state Council of Obas and Chiefs.

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    “The Palace hereby wants to state clearly that there was no time His Imperial Majesty, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade 1, held any meeting with either the governor or any of the two traditional rulers mentioned above.

    “Also, the Alaafin did not tell the Governor or make a categorical statement on his endorsement of rotational chairmanship among the three traditional rulers.

    “The position of the Alaafin and the entire Oyo community on the general issue of the state Council of Obas and Chiefs has been enunciated in a memo delivered to His Excellency by the Oyo Council of Elders.”

  • Ex-Ondo deputy governor quits PDP

    Ex-Ondo deputy governor quits PDP

    • Set to join APC

    A former deputy governor of Ondo State, Amb. Omolade Oluwateru, has resigned from the crisis-ridden Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Oluwateru, who served as deputy governor to the late Dr Olusegun Agagu, announced his resignation yesterday during the celebration of his 79th birthday organised by the Asiwaju Mandate Group in Akure.

    The former Nigerian Ambassador to Uganda said his decision to quit the opposition party was informed by the “lingering leadership crisis” rocking PDP at the national and state levels, which he described as lack of direction, foresight and internal cohesion.

    Oluwateru, who served as deputy governor between 2003 and 2007 and was a member of the PDP Board of Trustees, accused the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, of worsening internal crisis in the party.

    “I am not leaving politics completely; I am only leaving the PDP. In another one or two weeks, I will let Nigerians know where I am heading politically.

    “The problem in the PDP has become so serious that it is no longer manageable. Nyesom Wike has reduced the PDP to nothing, and as a responsible person, I cannot continue in the party.

    “I have been in the PDP since 1998. I have never left before, but when the roof of a house is completely blown off, only a few people will remain inside. I have written my resignation letter and submitted it to my ward chairman,” he said.

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    Reacting, the Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State, Ade Adetimehin, described Oluwateru as a man of integrity and a valuable addition to the progressive family and party in the state.

    Although the former deputy governor did not formally announce his defection to the APC, Adetimehin, an engineer, expressed confidence that he would join the ruling party.

    “Oluwateru is a man of principles and integrity. He is an ‘Omoluabi’ in the true sense of the word and will add great value to the APC in Ondo State.

    “He was the only deputy governor who never rocked the boat. His loyalty to the late Dr Agagu speaks volumes. For him to take this decision today shows he believes in the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the direction the country is heading,” Adetimehin said.

    The Director-General of Asiwaju Mandate Group, Mr Muyiwa Asagunla, congratulated Oluwateru on behalf of the group and the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, describing him as humble, loyal and diligent.

  • Okpebholo sacks Edo Line MD

    Okpebholo sacks Edo Line MD

    Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of New Edo Line Transport Services Ltd, Ms. Tinyan Otuomagie, has been sacked.

    A statement by Commissioner for Transport, Saturday Uwulekhue Idehen, said the company’s General Manager, Maintenance, Mr. Smart Aigbodion, has been appointed as Acting Managing Director/CEO pending appointment of a substantive Managing Director.

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    It said Governor Monday Okpebholo directed the sacked MD to be deployed to the Ministry of Information for other assignments as may be determined by him.

  • ‘Don’t embarrass Nigeria in Israel’

    ‘Don’t embarrass Nigeria in Israel’

    Concerned by the need to boost Nigeria’s image globally, Lagos State Government has warned hundreds of intending Christian pilgrims to refrain from acts that could jeopardise the nation’s interest and corporate image.

    It said going on pilgrimage was not a jamboree, but rather a spiritual birth for the citizens, adding: ‘’Your stay in the country is strategic to the development of any nation.’’

    Lagos State Pilgrims Welfare Board (LSPWB) Secretary, Gbolabo Okuderu, cautioned the intending pilgrims ahead of their airlifting yesterday during medical and administrative screening in Ikeja.

    He said they were ambassadors of the country, particularly Lagos State, whose conduct would be measured not by their personality, but by the nation.

    “Going on pilgrimage is not a jamboree. Pilgrims must be good ambassadors of the country because you do not represent yourself, but Nigeria,” he added.

    Okuderu said after returning from the pilgrimage to Nigeria, they should sustain the attitudinal change and character rebranding.

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    He urged the pilgrims to engage in pocket-friendly shopping, to avoid extravagant spending while in the holy land.

    He said: “I implore you to travel light and do not get to the holy land and start buying items that will later become burdens to you, because when the luggage is too heavy, you may end up dropping them at the airport while leaving for Nigeria.

    “Also, ensure that they remain with the group they left from the country to Israel.”

    On the screening exercise, the board secretary said the process assisted the government in preparing the intending pilgrims for the journey.

    “The administrative and medical screening is one of the key requirements needed for every pilgrim to participate in ahead of their travel to Israel.

    “It will definitely help the government to ascertain the administrative and medical status of the intending pilgrims from the state. Without this screening, one can be assured that there will be hitches that can prevent the pilgrimage.

    “This is because we need to know the health status of the intending pilgrims, to know which area we need to address with respect to their health, while the administrative screening will help us to address the documentation aspect of the journey. We know that without this screening, the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC) will not approve the journey.”

  • Sanwo-Olu seeks public-private partnerships

    Sanwo-Olu seeks public-private partnerships

    Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has called for stronger public-private partnerships, streamlined regulatory processes and deployment of modern solutions to support small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs), attract global investors and empower young professionals across the Central Business Districts (CBDs).

    He made the call at the Central Business Districts Stakeholders Summit with the theme: ‘Rebranding and Revitalising Lagos CBDs: Strategies for Sustainable Growth and Development’, held at the Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos.

    Represented by his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, Sanwo-Olu said the state government was prioritising modernisation of infrastructure, improved mobility, strengthened public safety systems and efficient service delivery to make business districts attractive places to work, live and invest.

    He said the government was deepening public-private partnerships to finance and execute critical projects, streamlining regulatory processes and deploying contemporary solutions that supported SMEs, thus attracting global investors and empowering young professionals and informal sector participants, who contribute to the vibrancy of Lagos CBDs.

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    The governor said the involvement of government, investors, professional bodies, academia, civil society and community stakeholders was essential to the sustainable development of the state’s Central Business Districts.

    Special Adviser to the Governor on Central Business Districts, Mrs. Bola Olumegbon-Lawal, said the future of the state’s CBDs must be inspirational, instilling confidence in investors, pride in residents and belief in young entrepreneurs, who see Lagos as a city of opportunity.

    Delivering keynote address, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Wemabod Nigeria Limited, Bashir Oladunni, described the state’s CBDs as the commercial heartbeat of Lagos and a convergence point for finance, trade, governance and history.

    The Chairman of House Committee on Special Duties, Intergovernmental Relations and Central Business Districts, Rauf Age-Sulaiman, described CBDs as critical to Lagos State’s economic and business growth. He reaffirmed the commitment of the House of Assembly to supporting policies that would enable CBDs to thrive across the state.

  • Osun 2026: Monarch prays for Oyebamiji

    Osun 2026: Monarch prays for Oyebamiji

    The Ogunsua of Modakeke, Oba Joseph Toriola, yesterday offered prayers for the governorship ambition of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji (AMBO).

    He received no fewer than 5,000 supporters in his palace.

    The event, which featured a unity walk by members of the party led by the Executive Director, Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority, Kayode Sowade and other leaders, was part of efforts to strengthen party cohesion ahead of the planned house-to-house sensitisation campaign in the build-up to the 2026 governorship election.

    The APC supporters converged on Iraye junction of Modakeke around 11am, marched through Oke-Amala and ended the walk at the palace.

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    Addressing APC members after the walk, Oba Toriola urged Oyebamiji’s supporters to embrace unity and eschew politics of bitterness, strife and violence in Modaleke and beyond.

    The Chairman of APC in Ife East, Modakeke, Goke Adebowale, said: “Oyebamiji has promised us inclusive governance, which is what we are going about to tell our people in Modakeke.

    “For this door-to-door sensitisation, we are targeting 60,000 votes in Modakeke. I advise youths to embrace the inclusive governance Oyebamiji is bringing. They should vote for him on August 8.”

  • Researchers empower communities

    Researchers empower communities

    A Pan-African and Transdisciplinary Lens on the Margins: Tackling the Risks of Extreme Events, (PALM-TREEs), has intensified efforts to support vulnerable communities in Lagos State through targeted, climate-resilient livelihood interventions.

    The project is funded under the Climate Adaptation and Resilience (CLARE) Programme, co-supported by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC).

    The project is being implemented in Nigeria by researchers from Lead City University, Ibadan, University of Lagos and Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research (NISER).

    The initiative was highlighted during the handover event of community-based socio-economic intervention projects in Ikeja, Lagos State.

    The principal investigator, Prof. Grace Oloukoi, described the realities of climate change, particularly the frequencies and severity of flooding, heat waves and drought, as growing global challenges with uneven social impacts.

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    She said the PALM-TREEs project was designed to generate actionable, transdisciplinary knowledge and translate research evidence into practical solutions that strengthened the adaptive capacity of communities living on the margins.

    A co-principal investigator from the University of Lagos, Prof. Mayowa Fasona, said the PALM-TREEs project operated across six African countries, namely Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Cameroon, the Republic of Congo and South Africa.

    He said in Lagos State, the project had intervened in multiple communities across eight local governments, providing infrastructure and livelihood support aimed at reducing vulnerability to climate extremes.

    Among the interventions are a solar-powered borehole installed at Ogudu Police Barracks to support women’s vegetable farming and domestic water needs; smoke-less fish-smoking kilns and inverter deep freezers for fishing communities.

    Others are irrigation equipment and farm tools, climate-resilient vegetable seedlings, shaded gazebo structures for communal activities and fryers for cassava processing, among others.

  • Afenifere leader Fasoranti mourns Lucia Onabanjo

    Afenifere leader Fasoranti mourns Lucia Onabanjo

    …says she was a model as a wife and mother

    The national leader of Afenifere, Chief Reuben Fasoranti, has paid tribute to the late Chief Lucia Onabowale Onabanjo, describing her as an exemplary figure in family support and community service.

    Fasoranti, a nonagenarian, conveyed his remarks following the passing of the Onabanjo matriarch, according to a statement by Afenifere’s National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi.

    He noted that throughout the professional and political career of her husband, Chief Victor Olabisi Onabanjo, she provided unwavering support that strengthened the home and enabled him to excel in journalism and public service.

    “Mama stood firmly. She managed the home front in a manner that allowed her husband to reach the peak of his career in journalism and in politics,” Fasoranti recalled.

    Chief Olabisi Onabanjo, Ogun State’s first civilian governor from October 1979 to December 1983, was a distinguished journalist and author of the popular Aiyekooto column, through which he critiqued societal issues and governance. He was also a committed supporter of Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

    Ajayi added that Fasoranti’s association with Onabanjo grew from shared ideological alignment under Awolowo’s leadership, which also brought him into close contact with the late Onabanjo’s wife.

    “Reports have it that Chief (Mrs) Lucia Onabanjo breathed her last on Monday, January 11, 2026, aged 100 years. 

    “Chief Fasoranti recalled that before and even when her husband became governor, Mama carried herself with dignity and unobtrusively. 

    “She stood firmly with her husband without interfering negatively in his political engagements. She was a model as a wife and as a mother.”

    The Asiwaju Yoruba (Fasoranti) added that when Chief Onabanjo faced political persecution particularly under the military after the 1983 coup, Mama did all that was humanly possible to ensure that the family did not suffer much.

    “On behalf of the entire Afenifere family and Yorubas generally, we condole the immediate and extended families of the Onabanjos and pray for the peaceful repose of the soul of the late Matriach, Chief (Mrs) Lucia Onabowale Onabanjo”, Ajayi quoted Fasoranti as praying.