The Nation Newspaper

Category: Southwest

  • Defunct CPC chieftain backs Tinubu, urges shift from symbolism to solutions

    Defunct CPC chieftain backs Tinubu, urges shift from symbolism to solutions

    A renewed expression of support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by Abayomi Nurain Mumuni, a former chieftain of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), has reignited political discussions.

    While such endorsements are common in the country’s political landscape, many Nigerians are calling for a move beyond symbolic gestures to practical actions that can ease the high cost of living.

    The CPC, established in 2010, played a pivotal role in the 2013 merger that formed the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Though it no longer exists, its ideological legacy continues to shape the party’s identity.

    Mumuni, a former CPC governorship candidate in Lagos State and a member of the APC Security Committee during the 2023 elections, emphasized that genuine support for the Tinubu administration must translate into concrete efforts to improve the lives of citizens.

    “Support must go beyond declarations,” he said, stressing the need for leaders to prioritize policies that directly address issues like inflation, unemployment, and insecurity.

    His remarks come at a time when many Nigerians are urging the government and political figures to focus on solutions that offer real relief rather than political pageantry.

    “We must offer practical solutions to ease the burdens on the people. Political alignment should be about ideas, not mere symbolism.”

    Mumuni’s comments come at a time when many Nigerians are enduring unprecedented economic hardship, marked by rising inflation, widespread unemployment, and persistent insecurity fueled by insurgency and crime. 

    “In a nation where citizens are barely surviving, political actors—whether incumbent or former—must be mindful of how their actions are perceived,” he stated. 

    “Endorsements should not be disconnected from the reality of the masses.”

    He urged that support for the president must include strategic economic revival efforts such as empowering local enterprises, attracting genuine foreign investment, and ensuring job creation schemes that are sustainable. 

    Addressing insecurity, he proposed a shift toward intelligence collaboration, community policing, and grassroots participation. 

    He also called for expanded social welfare policies including food security programs and affordable healthcare, and stressed the importance of infrastructural development to stimulate growth in sectors like transportation, energy, and technology. 

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    Furthermore, Mumuni highlighted the importance of listening to the people by facilitating public forums and civic engagement to rebuild trust and shape inclusive policies.

    Mumuni’s intervention is a reminder that political expression must translate into responsive governance. While loyalty to President Tinubu is acknowledged, the focus, he insisted, must shift from personal allegiance to national advancement. 

    “Our loyalty must reflect in our solutions, not just our slogans,” he concluded. “If we are truly committed to President Tinubu’s success, we must stand beside him with ideas and actions that uplift Nigeria.”

  • Share knowledge, don’t hoard it, Business expert advises entrepreneurs

    Share knowledge, don’t hoard it, Business expert advises entrepreneurs

    Business strategist, real estate mogul, and coach Olusoji Abidoye, widely known as the “Man of Extreme Value,” has emphasised the importance of sharing knowledge in today’s dynamic business world.

    According to him, withholding information—whether within teams or externally—can severely limit innovation and growth.

    Speaking in a recent interview, Olusoji underscored the need for a culture of open communication in organizations, stating that the future belongs to businesses that encourage collaboration, knowledge exchange, and mentorship.

    He also highlighted his personal commitment to mentoring young entrepreneurs after observing many repeat the same costly mistakes he once made.

    “Over the years of running successful businesses, I’ve gathered a wealth of invaluable lessons, many of them learned the hard way,” he said. “Some decisions cost me greatly, even leading to the failure of businesses I started. Seeing small business owners around me making similar mistakes made it clear—I had to step in.”

    Olusoji revealed that private mentoring sessions with entrepreneurs reinforced the need to share his experiences more publicly. “If those before us hadn’t shared what they knew, we wouldn’t have access to the knowledge we do today. Information is meant to be shared, not hoarded,” he added.

    Addressing the foundations of business success, Olusoji stressed that passion alone is not enough. He pointed out the critical role of structure, proper timing, and effective delegation in building a thriving enterprise.

    “One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that passion alone is not enough. You need structure, strategy, and staying power. I’ve seen businesses with great potential fail simply because they lacked proper systems or made emotional decisions rather than informed ones.

    Another key lesson is the importance of timing and delegation, you can’t do everything by yourself. Knowing when to build, when to step back, and when to bring in the right people is important to growth and sustainability. Finally, consistency and ability to adjust are everything. stay committed to your goals, but be flexible enough to adjust your approach as the market evolves.”

    Advising entrepreneurs, Olusoji stresses that success begins with a strong commitment to consistently delivering value. He emphasizes that true value doesn’t come from high costs, but from intentionality.

    “For me, it all starts with a strong personal commitment to deliver value every single time. This isn’t just a business principle; it’s a core part of who I am. I believe that anyone I come in contact with, and every project I engage in, should be better because of the value I bring to the table.

    I’ve also come to realize that delivering value doesn’t always cost much it’s more about intentionality. A commitment to excellence, the drive to give your best at all times, and a mindset focused on making real impact are the keys to delivering value consistently. These are principles I instill into every brand, every business move, and every interaction,” he said.

    Olusoji Abidoye is a serial entrepreneur committed to creating impactful businesses that drive innovation and positive change. With a focus on value and excellence, he leverages his experience to empower others and make a lasting difference in every venture he undertakes.

  • Lagos extends removal notice to owners of structures on river setback

    Lagos extends removal notice to owners of structures on river setback

    Lagos State Government yesterday issued an extended vacation notice to remove valuables, to residents and owners of structures on the Ikota River setback, as the state began the poking of fences on the setback.

    The additional notice, which was sequel to passionate pleas from some of the residents, followed the expiration of mandatory contravention notices served on the properties to restore the drainage right of way along Ikota River.

    Speaking with reporters after an inspection tour to the affected areas cutting across Oral, Westend and parts of Megamound Estate in Lekki, Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, said the removal of contravening structures would commence in order to find a solution to flooding issues in the axis.

    He said government had received complaints and while it was engaging the property owners to find a win-win solution with reduced economic impact on home owners, some developers went ahead to further sand-fill and push back Ikota River.

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    He said government had a digital footprint of the length and breadth of the river, stressing that the tour was to ascertain the extent of encroachment of the Right of Way (ROW) and what the team experienced was not encouraging.

    Wahab said government had decided to give some more time to home owners to relocate their families and valuables, hence the shift in the date for commencement of the restoration process.

    According to him, “we have said to our officials, let us allow them move their things out; family men and women with children reside here. So while that was ongoing, we poked the walls as signal of our readiness to restore the Right of Way.’’

    At Oral Estate, the commissioner said the level of encroachment witnessed could not be compared to what was on ground last year when the state officials visited, noting that while some residents were engaging government to find lasting solution to re-channel some of the primary alignments and secondary collectors, some developers went ahead to push back the right of way for Ikota River.

    “Government is here today with machines to poke all the walls and then push them back from further encroachment.

    “At Lekki County here, what some developers are doing is reclamation and government needs to put them in check. If you are doing a reclamation, the first thing you have to obtain is Environmental Impacts Assessment (EIA) and Drainage Clearance documents and most of them do not have it,” he said.

    He said the EIA process would ensure the reclamation did not extend beyond the drainage alignment and the discharge of storm water did not affect the ecosystem before the EIA document would be issued.

    He directed that the reclamation ongoing at Lekki County should stop because those doing it had sand-filled and pushed beyond the limits into the right of way.

    The commissioner said at Oral Estate, about 18 units were affected, 13 at Lekki County and eight units at Westend Estate, adding that only those lying within the River Ikota would be removed.

    “But what we also seek to do is engage home owners properly because developers are selling and giving titles to innocent buyers of value. That’s why I say let those people that are innocent, that have their children in schools, shouldn’t get their lives disrupted because you want to enforce.

    “Home owners affected are not disputing the fact that something is wrong, they have all admitted, but they are appealing to the government to give them time to find a way to reset ourselves.”

    Wahab said government would not put money before humanity, noting that developers were all about with their selfish interest, not minding the pains people went through.

    “We will come back and see the level of compliance. So the notices are not timed, but we are telling them, just they must find a way to move their things.”

    The commissioner was accompanied by the Special Adviser on Environment, Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu; Permanent Secretary, Office of Drainage Services, Mahamood Adegbite;

    LASWMO GM, Adefemi Afolabi and other directors from the ministry and its agencies.

    Places visited include Oral Estate, Lekki County Estate, Megamounds Estate and WestEnd Estate, all in Lekki.

  • Statistician-General lauds Sanwo-Olu’s achievement in data management

    Statistician-General lauds Sanwo-Olu’s achievement in data management

    Statistician-General of the Federation (SGF)/CEO, National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Prince Adeyemi Adeniran, yesterday visited Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to seek support in advancing the development of a formalised and sustainable statistical system, in line with the 2007 Statistical Act.

    During the meeting at the Lagos House, Ikeja, the SGF hailed Sanwo-Olu for his giant infrastructural strides, which, he noted, was obvious to all observers.

    Adeniran lauded Sanwo-Olu’s data entrenched governance focus, emphasising the importance of robust data infrastructure in capturing the state’s dynamic socio-economic landscape.

    He said: “Building resilient sub-national data systems is essential to achieving Nigeria’s broader development objectives,” adding that “Lagos, as a pacesetter, must continue to lead the charge in statistical excellence.”

    Sanwo-Olu reaffirmed his administration’s readiness to champion a comprehensive upgrade of the statistical architecture.

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    “Data has become the lifeblood of modern governance,” the governor said. “We are committed to establishing a robust ecosystem that supports evidence-based planning, informed investment decisions and effective policy implementation.”

    The governor pledged that Lagos Bureau of Statistics would attain full autonomy before the end of the year, reinforcing the state government’s long-standing commitment to transparency, accountability and data-informed development.

    Also in attendance were the Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Mrs. Folashade Ambrose-Medebem; Deputy Chief of Staff, Mr. Sam Egube; and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget, Mrs. Olayinka Modupe Ojo.

    This renewed commitment underscores Lagos State leadership in promoting statistical excellence and ensuring data remains central to governance, planning and service delivery.

  • Gateway cargo airport has most advanced technology, says Ogun govt

    Gateway cargo airport has most advanced technology, says Ogun govt

    Ogun State Government has said Gateway International Airport has the most advanced technology.

    It said the airport, located at Ilishan/Iperu axis, would stand the test of time with the modern facilities and state-of-the-art aviation technology.

    The Managing Director of the airport, Captain Dapo Olumide, said this when he conducted reporters, who were on a three-day training tour of Ogun State, round the airport.

    He said as an international airport, it was imperative that it be provided with the latest trends in the aviation industry.

    Olumide said: “Everything about electronics in this airport is state-of-the-art. This airport has the most advanced technology, not because we are swimming in money, but because technology brings your costs down. If you have the right technology, it saves money in the long run.

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    “For example, at the Control Tower, you can see on the radar as far away as and beyond Accra, way beyond Yaoundé and Douala, even though the control is in Lagos; the feasibility is here.”

    He noted that the physical construction of the airport had been completed, while the installation of the landing system, ramp lighting and a 2-megawatt gas power plant, among other things, were ongoing.

    The managing director said the airport would be manned by officials of the Nigerian Customs, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Police and other relevant agencies, to enable it operate international flights.

    Giving a brief history of the airport, Commissioner for Transportation, Gbenga Dairo, said it was conceived to take advantage of its proximity to Lagos and to support the continued industrialisation of the state.

    Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Ade Akinsanya, said the airport was strategically located for easy access from all parts of the country, adding that it had been built to conform to global standards.

    “We have done many things differently at the airport. It has the longest runway, four kilometres in length, making it a Class E airport that can accommodate either Boeing 777, 747, or the Airbus 330.

    “The area where the aircraft are parked is the largest around, as it was built on 82,000 square metres of land and can accommodate about 20 aircraft when properly parked,” he added.

    According to him, commercial flights are expected to begin when the necessary approvals have been granted.

    He said everything used in the building of the airport was of the highest quality.

  • Appeal Court strikes out NNPP candidate’s suit against Aiyedatiwa’s victory

    Appeal Court strikes out NNPP candidate’s suit against Aiyedatiwa’s victory

    The Court of Appeal sitting in Akure has upheld as valid, the primary election that produced Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa as candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    It said the appellant, Olugbenga Edema, who was candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) for the November 16, 2024 governorship election, refused to obey an earlier order of the court.

    Edema had asked the court to order the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withdraw the nomination and publication of the names of Governor Aiyedatiwa of the APC and his deputy as the party’s candidates.

    He urged the court to interpret the applicability of Section 15 of the Third Schedule to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) over the nomination of the APC candidate.

    But Justice Toyin Adegoke held that omission of the name of NNPP as one of the plaintiffs rendered the suit impotent and subsequently dismissed it.

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    Not satisfied with the High Court’s ruling, Edema urged the Appeal Court to invoke its power to assume jurisdiction as the trial court as well as overturn the court’s decision to dismiss the suit.

    Justice Oyebisi Omoleye, who read the judgment, said the three-man panel unanimously resolved all the issues formulated against Edema and consequently dismissed the appeal for abuse of court process and for lack of merit.

    A fine of N1million was awarded against each of the respondents.

  • Youths, APC aspirants reject ‘consensus candidate’ for Yaba LG chairmanship

    Youths, APC aspirants reject ‘consensus candidate’ for Yaba LG chairmanship

    Youths, under the auspices of Concerned Youth of Yaba Local Council Development Area (LCDA), have rejected the alleged nomination of Joseph Ojo, an APC chairmanship aspirant, as the LCDA’s consensus candidate for the July 12 local government election in Lagos state.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the state organ of the ruling party had on Wednesday pushed for consensus chairmanship candidates in various local governments and LCDAs ahead of the Saturday’s party primaries.

    The group, in a statement issued by Adebayo Shittu, Coordinator, and Bode Oderinde, Secretary, on Thursday, said Ojo could not be said to be a consensus candidate as his candidacy was not endorsed by most party stakeholders and other aspirants.

    The APC youth group urged the party leadership in the area to stop presenting Ojo as the consensus candidate and allow the will of party stakeholders to prevail.

    The group said: “We have heard that Joseph Babatunde Ojo, a 70-years old is the consensus choice of the leadership of APC in Yaba.

    “This shows that the leadership is insensitive to the plights and yearnings of the people, older and younger generation of Yaba, and we shall ensure this does not see the light of day.

    “Despite having young, vibrant, and energetic youths among the aspirants, it is so disappointing that the APC leadership in Yaba would be parading a 70-year-old man.

    “Elders are supposed to be encouraging young people to seek public office for positive change.

    “We cannot put on people a man who has lost touch with the political situation and does not even have the intention of contesting until he was forcefully dragged in by some individuals.

    According to the group, the consensus is null and void and that it does not represent the decision of the APC and people of Yaba.

    The group called on top party leaders, especially members of the Governance Advisory Council and the party chairman, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, to call the APC leadership in the council to order.

    The group said that the party might lose the election if the party presents Ojo as its flagbearer.

    Speaking on behalf of 14 aggrieved aspirants in Yaba APC, Ibrahim Adegbola, said that the council did not need anyone above the age of 50.

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    “This time is not suitable for someone older than 50 years to aspire for the chairmanship position.

    “It doesn’t give a sense of responsibility to the younger generation.

    “In this contest, we have a 31-year-old aspirant, we also have a 48-year-old aspirant, and so on. These people should be considered because they are very energetic and vibrant.

    “It is not fair that, among all these people, what our leaders can come up with as a consensus is a 70-year-old.

    “You cannot shape a future you won’t be part of. So, give the youth the chance to design how they want their future to look. Our party, APC,  needs to get it right.”Adegbola told NAN.

    NAN reports that over 500 APC aspirants are jostling for the 57 chairmanship seats in the state. 

  • Commissioner urges civil servants to become civic innovators

    Commissioner urges civil servants to become civic innovators

    Commissioner for Establishments and Training, Mr. Afolabi Ayantayo, has reiterated Lagos State Government’s commitment to building a dynamic, values-driven and future-ready public service.

    He spoke yesterday at the opening of a training with the theme: ‘Leveraging Talent Development for the Next Public Service’, held in Alausa, Ikeja.

    Describing the initiative as a strategically-important intervention, the commissioner stressed the need for civil servants to evolve from routine administrative roles into forward-thinking problem-solvers and civic innovators.

    “In a world where the pace of change is accelerating, our public institutions must no longer be content with maintaining the status quo. The next public service must be innovative, adaptive and values-driven,” he said.

    Ayantayo said the public workforce was the backbone of government effectiveness, and as such, talent must not only be recruited, but also continually nurtured, upskilled and aligned with the strategic development goals of the state.

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    Commending the facilitators and resource persons for bringing their expertise to bear, the commissioner advised participants to embrace the opportunity to redefine their roles in the evolving landscape of governance.

    The training is one of several initiatives under the ministry’s drive to reposition Lagos State Public Service in alignment with the THEMES+ agenda of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

    Over 100 participants of different cadres drawn from ministries, departments and agencies were involved in the training.

  • Student Christian Movement decry deprivation of religious rights

    Student Christian Movement decry deprivation of religious rights

    The Student Christian Movement (SCM) of Nigeria has lamented the appalling deprivation of the religious rights of students in the North and across the country.

    This outcry was communicated through a communiqué issued and signed by the National Secretary, SCM, Mr. Isuosuo Okeoghene and the Chairperson, Communiqué Committee, Dr. Orekyeh Emeka at the end of her 85th Anniversary and 33rd National Biennial Conference with the theme: “Restore: Rebuild, Renew and Restore” drawn from Isaiah 58: 6-12, which was held recently in Bariga, Lagos State.

    Revealing concerns raised by the Movement on the issue of insecurity, particularly the killings in Benue and Plateau states, the communiqué said:

    “SCM observes with dismay, the palpable insecurity in Nigeria particularly the unrelenting killings of Nigerians in Benue and Plateau states. The response of the government, security agencies, organisations and individuals have not been encouraging, to say the least.”

    On the issue of one month-Ramadan fasting/holiday for public and private schools in some Northern states, affecting Muslim and non-Muslim students, SCM observes with dismay the recent arbitrary closure of public and private schools in some Northern states.

    Read Also: Student Christian Movement decries deprivation of religious rights

    “In this regard, SCM supports the resolution and position expressed by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) on this issue,” SCM stated.

    The Movement further touched the forceful abduction, conversion and marriage of Christian girls in some northern states, citing the abduction, forceful conversion and intended forceful marriage in Niger State of Sister Mary Ishaya to one Bello Shuaibu Nasco as an example.

    SCM regretted  that despite reporting this situation to relevant government agencies, nothing was done in that regard.

    SCM commended the Federal Government under the leadership of

     President Bola Tinubu, for articulating and implementing several policies that are supportive of business and youth empowerment, which has seen many youths getting engaged in productive activities by keying into them, citing the Student Loans Scheme which has bailed out many indigent Nigerian students as one of many.

  • ‘We want Remo State’

    ‘We want Remo State’

    Remo people have reiterated their demand for the creation of Remo State from Ogun State, with Sagamu as the capital.

    They cited distinct ethnic identity, economic viability and infrastructural development as reasons.

    In a statement signed by the Chairman of Remo Committee on State Creation, who is also Aare Gbo-Gbo-Gbo of Remo land, Aare Kola Oyefeso, and the committee’s Secretary, Wole Awe, the people expressed unity and determination in their quest for a state.

    The statement was issued at the instance of the Akarigbo and Paramount Ruler of Remo land, Oba Babatunde Ajayi, alongside traditional rulers, elected representatives, high chiefs, professionals and other Remo stakeholders.

    The statement said: “Remo has ticked all the boxes required for the creation of a state: economic sustainability, infrastructural readiness, growth potential, land mass, and, above all, the consensus of its people.”

    The committee said the push for a state was not rooted in “primordial sentiment”, but in historical facts and administrative logic.

    It said internal disagreements over the proposed name and capital had previously hindered progress during past attempts to secure state creation.

    The committee recalled how in 2009, Remo and Ijebu divisions failed to reach a consensus on a joint memorandum.

    “While the Ijebu submitted their own bid for Ijebu State with Ijebu-Ode as capital, the Remo presented a separate memorandum proposing Remo-Ijebu State, with Ikenne as its capital. That division ultimately cost both sides the opportunity,” the statement said.

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    Addressing the endorsement of unity documents in 2020 and 2024 by the Awujale of Ijebu land and Akarigbo of Remo land, the committee described the move as “symbolic and innocuous,” stressing that ‘’genuine state creation efforts go far beyond royal endorsements.’’

    “Remo remains republican and has never been subjected to autocratic rule,” the statement said.

    Highlighting the rapid growth of Sagamu and surrounding areas, the committee stressed the region’s strategic proximity to Lagos, its industrial strength and robust transportation links.

    “Remo stands tall, head and shoulders above other towns in Ogun East. Our readiness is unmatched,” it declared.

    The statement noted the presence of an operational airport in Remo Central, which catered to both cargo and passenger flights—an asset that would ease pressure on Lagos’ aviation infrastructure and boost regional connectivity.

    On revenue potential, the committee said Remo contributed significantly to Ogun State’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and had the financial capacity to function independently.

    “We are not seeking to depend on federal allocations. Remo can stand on its own,” it said.