The Nation Newspaper

Category: Southwest

  • Foundation launches economic revival

    Foundation launches economic revival

    A stalwart of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State, Mr Ojamiami Oyewole, has reaffirmed his commitment to uplifting constituents in Okitipupa Local Government through targeted economic empowerment initiatives.

    Ojamiami, the founder of Ojamiami Foundation, spoke yesterday during an empowerment programme he sponsored at the Government Field in Okitipupa.

    No fewer than 100 residents benefited from the initiative, which aims to promote grassroots economic independence and reduce poverty across the constituency.

    The items distributed included sewing machines, grinding machines, hair-dressing tools, herbicide sprayers, wheelchairs and other income-generating equipment targeted at artisans, farmers, persons with disabilities and small-scale business owners.

    Ojamiami said the programme aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which was designed to promote economic self-reliance and deepen grassroots development.

    He said the intervention would enhance capacity for local entrepreneurs, lift vulnerable citizens out of poverty and contribute to economic growth in Ondo State and Nigeria.

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    The APC chieftain, who is seeking Okitipupa State Constituency II seat, said leadership should be driven by service and impact, rather than political convenience.

    “This aligns with the empowerment agenda of President Tinubu and Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s Our Ease initiative. It is time to empower our people, not enslave them. The government alone cannot solve all the problems, so we must work together to make life better.’’

    The Chairman of Okitipupa Local Government, Andrew Ogunsakin, represented by Mr. James Ogunyemi, commended Ojamiami for his continued intervention in the community, noting that such efforts complemented the government’s development agenda.

    Traditional rulers, including the Lumure of Ayeka, Oba Babatunde Ayeyowa, and the Orungberuwa of Ode-Erinje Kingdom, Oba Fredrick Akinmoye, also lauded the empowerment programme.

    Beneficiaries drawn from the six wards of Okitipupa Constituency II expressed gratitude for the gesture, saying it would improve their livelihood.

  • Oyo Assembly confirms Adeniyi, others as chair, members of OYSIEC

    Oyo Assembly confirms Adeniyi, others as chair, members of OYSIEC

    Oyo State House of Assembly has confirmed the appointment of Dr. Babatunde Adeniyi as the chairman of Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC).

    Also confirmed are Chief Kunmi Agboola, Mr. Olanrewaju Emmanuel, Mr. Sunday Falana, Remi Ayoade, Mr. Olatunde Theophilus, Mrs. Adebayo Muriana and Mr. Babatunde Ige as members of the commission.

    Their appointments were confirmed during plenary. The session was presided over by Speaker Adebo Ogundoyin.

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    This was followed after the House adopted recommendations in the screening report presented by the Chairman, House Committee on Special Duties and Deputy Speaker, Muhammed Fadeyi.

    The report indicated that the chairman and members responded to the questions put to them satisfactorily. They were found to be worthy of the appointments.

  • Oyetola’s group begs APC to make Oyebamiji consensus candidate

    Oyetola’s group begs APC to make Oyebamiji consensus candidate

    Barely 17 days to the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election in Osun State, a political movement of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has begged the APC leadership to make the ex-Managing Director, National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Mr Bola Oyebamiji (AMBO), as a consensus candidate of the party for 2026 governorship election.

    The movement, under the auspices of The Earliest Ileri-Oluwa Caucus, led by Amb. AbdulYekeen Abilagbo (Rtd.), made the plea yesterday at a solidarity rally for Oyebamiji in front of Oluwo’s palace, Iwo town.

    He highlighted the achievements of Oyebamiji as the managing director of Osun State Investment Company Limited (OSICOL), who he noted improved the fortune of the company, growing it from N300million to N3billion, stopping half salary as finance commissioner, among other contributions to develop the state.

    Abilagbo said: “Oyebamiji has something to offer the state. Osun has been unlucky for the past three years. There is no governance, nothing to show for the boost in revenue coming to the state. We must rescue the state from the current government and Oyebamiji is the best man to take Osun State to an enviable future.

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    “He is a tested and a thoroughbred technocrat, particular in financial management. He was an accountant and showed capacity to deliver in whatsoever responsibility placed in his hand.”

    Secretary of the movement, Dr. Kamal Okunola, affirmed the stance of Oyetola’s group, saying: “Oyebamiji should be the consensus candidate of the party because of his competence.

    “He is from Osun West Senatorial District, which has been marginalised for a very long time in the progressives fold. In our party, Baba Akande and Oyetola from Osun Central were in government for eight years and in the East, Aregbesola was in government for eight years. Only the West that is yet to produce governor.

    “ PDP and ADC have concluded to pick their governorship candidate from the West. So, APC’s case should not be different and if they consider our district, they should make Oyebamiji the consensus candidate of the party.”

  • Ex-Oyo commissioner dumps PDP

    Ex-Oyo commissioner dumps PDP

    Former Commissioner for Works and Transport in Oyo State Prof. Abdul Rahman Afonja has dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    He said his decision to leave the party followed consultations with stakeholders and political associates across the state.

    A statement by Afonja, a former commissioner under Governor Seyi Makinde, said his decision to leave the party stemmed from lack of recognition for loyal members and the party’s failure to address internal injustices.

    He added: “I hope this act will prompt reflection and reform before others feel compelled to follow my example.’’

    Afonja said during his tenure as a commissioner, he instilled discipline, encouraged professional development, prioritised workers’ welfare and championed teamwork and innovation, focusing on projects that would benefit Oyo State.

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    He said: “Even after my removal from office, I continued to support PDP, funding campaigns, mobilising security agencies for free elections and safeguarding ballot materials.”

    He cited the 2023 general election and the 2024 local government poll as examples, particularly his role in protecting the electoral process in Ogbomoso at personal risk and expense.

    “I only not contributed to the 2023 and 2024 elections in Ogbomosho, but also campaigned for Governor Makinde in Hausa speaking communities of Sabo—both in Ibadan and Ogbomosho—thanks to my his fluency in Hausa.”

    He lamented that despite the efforts, he received no recognition—no political appointment, civil service placement, or routine party slot—while others who engaged in anti party activities or accepted money from the opposition were rewarded.

  • Lagos adopts STEAM to promote education

    Lagos adopts STEAM to promote education

    Determined to transition Lagos from a consumption-based economy to a productive, innovation-driven one, Lagos State Government has adopted the Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) programme to promote education and skill acquisition in science.

    Marking the second edition of the Innovate Eko STEAM Day at the Government College, Lagos, Eric-Moore, the Office of the Senior Special Assistant on Basic and Secondary Education, Lagos State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, held a sensitisation exercise aimed at promoting and integrating creativity and critical thinking into STEAM education.

    Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Jamiu Alli-Balogun, highlighted the importance of collaboration, accessibility, career guidance and educator support in harnessing technology to drive societal change and equip students with problem-solving skills.

    “Our focus in Lagos State is on having science-oriented students. In the past three years, we have prioritised recruiting science-oriented teachers because we believe the future starts from now.” Alli-Balogun said.

    He said the state was not just ensuring improvement in teaching and learning outcomes, but was also committed to nurturing students who were confident, courageous, and who could define their career paths while still in school.

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    Recounting the state’s achievements in STEAM education, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Mrs. Abisola Dokunmu-Adegbite, said the Ministry had witnessed a 25 per cent increase in enrolment of STEAM subjects in participating schools.

    She said Lagos State had dominated in STEAM education nationally, with its students winning top spots in the National Engineers and Scientists Competition organised by the Federal Ministry of Education.

    She said in the 2024 High State Assessment, 70 per cent of tracked primary school girls scored 70 per cent or above in STEAM-related subjects.

    “This is a testament to our success in dismantling barriers and engaging our young girls as future scientists and engineers”, she stressed.

    Mrs. Dokunmu-Adegbite said since 2021, Lagos State had developed over a hundred students’ innovations, including prototypes for green energy and AI-driven tools.

    She added that about 30 per cent of the innovations had advanced to the patent stage through dedicated funding from the Lagos State Research and Innovation Council.

    She noted that the researches were not just statistics, it was proof that the youth were prepared for global issues, from climate change to digital development.

    “This search is interesting as it directly correlates to the ministry’s shift, through enquiry-based, hands-on delivery and funding of student-led projects that tackle our local challenges, like urban sustainability and digital inclusion,” she said.

    Renowned educationist and former Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Professor Peter Okebukola, called for a complete overhaul of teaching and learning methods in Nigeria, insisting that the future of African development lied in a robust Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) ecosystem.

    Delivering a keynote address at a high-profile education summit in Lagos with the theme: “Rethink, Recycle, Innovate,” Prof. Okebukola declared that “STEAM education demands that we rethink outdated pedagogies, recreate collaborative learning ecosystems, and innovate with technology to empower the next generation of African problem-solvers.”

    Mr. Opeyemi Eniola, the senior special assistant on Basic and Secondary Education, and convener of the programme, affirmed the demonstration of Lagos State in tackling challenges and preparing children for the future, adding that the platform aimed at inspiring creativity, encouraging problem-solving, and celebrating ‘’the ingenuity of our students.’’

  • ‘Don’t pull Kebbi girls out of school’

    ‘Don’t pull Kebbi girls out of school’

    • From Ahmed Baba Ahmed, Birnin Kebbi

    The wife of Kebbi State Governor Hajiya Zainab Idris has urged parents not to withdraw their children reunited with them yesterday after nine days in captivity from school.

    She spoke during the reunification of parents and pupils at the Government House in Birnin-Kebbi.

    She expressed happiness that none of the girls was violated by their abductors during the traumatic days.

    She added that the 24 girl had been taken to the hospital for medical checkup.

    “You must not deny them education because of this incident. They must go back. Government is already putting in place necessary measures for their safety,” she said.

    Governor Nasir Idris said the abduction of the Government Comprehensive Girls Secondary School Maga caused their parents, the people of the state and his government sleepless nights.

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    “Since the pupils were taken by the bandits about nine days ago, the parents had been traumatised, but we thank God that it didn’t take long before the security personnel deployed to search for them were able to rescue them,” he said.

    They were brought to Birnin-Kebbi, the state capital, on Tuesday night from Bagega forest in Anka local government area of Zamfara State, where the abductors kept them.

    The schoolgirls were then handed over to their parents by the governor.

    Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Halimatu Bande, said the period of the girls’ captivity was a trying period for the state.

    “We thank those who stood with us through this period and the security personnel who helped to rescue our girls,” she said.

  • MAPDI, YPP Consortium urge Southwest lawmakers to back new electoral reforms

    MAPDI, YPP Consortium urge Southwest lawmakers to back new electoral reforms

    The MAP Development Initiative (MAPDI), acting as the Southwest partner of the Youth Political Participation (YPP) Electoral Reform Consortium, coordinated by Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI), and supported by the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI) has called on members of the South West National Assembly Caucus to champion youth-driven electoral reforms ahead of upcoming legislative votes.

    The call coincides with the National Day of Action on Youth-Led Electoral Reforms, a nationwide campaign coordinated by YPP partners across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.

    The consortium, which includes JESZ Development Foundation (North West), Fringe Voices (South South), Child Protection and Peer Learning Initiative (North East), and Better Community Life Initiative (South East), works to strengthen youth engagement in elections, promote democratic accountability, and advance reforms that improve the transparency and credibility of Nigeria’s electoral process.

    At a briefing in Lagos on Tuesday, Executive Director, MAPDI, and Southwest partner, Youth Participation (YPP) Electoral Reform Consortium, Mayowa Adeniran, said the National Assembly is preparing to vote on a set of constitutional and electoral reforms that are critical to strengthening Nigeria’s democracy.

    According to him, there is the urgent need for Southwest legislators and other legislators to support the electoral reforms, especially amending Section 285 to introduce thresholds and deadlines for filing petitions, ensuring that post-election cases are resolved before swearing-in ceremonies.

    He argued that this reduces political tension and prevents delays in governance.

    “The future of Nigeria’s electoral accountability and public trust depends on the decisions made now. These reforms deserve passage without delay to empower the youth and strengthen democracy.”

    Also, Adeniran in the statement argued for independent appointment of electoral officials, calling for the amendment of Sections 153 and 154 to establish a non-partisan INEC selection committee, removing discretionary powers in appointing national and state electoral commissioners.

    The aim, he said, is to enhance the independence, neutrality, and public trust in the electoral body.

    CFU-YPP Ambassador, John Oyetunde called for accountability mechanisms to investigate and prosecute election-related crimes, tackling issues like vote buying, electoral violence, and political manipulation.

    Oyetunde commented, “A strong, independent judiciary is essential for credible elections. 

    “Delays in post-election litigation erode public trust and embolden political actors who manipulate the system.”

    Another Ambassador of CFU—YPP, Suliat Eletu Layeni, emphasized that vote buying and election-related violence remain major barriers to meaningful participation.

    These reforms directly address those challenges, giving young Nigerians confidence in the process,” she added.

    Habib Oladapo stressed that the reforms will benefit lawmakers as well. “Transparent, timely, and accountable elections reduce post-election disputes, protect legitimate mandates, and strengthen the credibility of legislative institutions. Legislators who support the reforms position themselves as champions of democratic accountability and secure long-term trust with constituents.”

    Adeniran urged Southwest lawmakers to vote in favor of the youth-led priorities, emphasizing that the decisions will impact community stability, citizen confidence, and the continuity of democratic governance.

    The consortium also called on civil society organizations, journalists, and community influencers to amplify these demands, creating public pressure to ensure legislators uphold national interest over partisan concerns.

    As part of ongoing advocacy, MAPDI will host a multi-stakeholder Town Hall on Electoral Reform next Thursday in Osogbo, Osun State. 

    The event will convene state lawmakers, CSOs, youth leaders, community development associations, market leaders, and policy advocates to build a unified voice for youth-driven electoral reforms.

    “The future of Nigeria’s electoral accountability and public trust depends on the decisions made now. These reforms deserve passage without delay to empower the youth and strengthen democracy,” Adeniran stated.

    The consortium reaffirms its commitment to advancing a democratic process that reflects the aspirations of Nigeria’s young population and ensuring that youth voices influence the trajectory of national elections.

  • Civil society group refutes claims on Kogi LGAs’ allocations

    Civil society group refutes claims on Kogi LGAs’ allocations

    The Coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CCSO) has dismissed recent allegations that Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Kogi State were not receiving their federal allocations.

    Speaking at a press briefing, Dr. Wisdom Ohalete, Convener of CCSO, said the claims were being circulated by “faceless groups who clearly do not mean well for Kogi and are out to blackmail the government of the state for cheap political gains.”

    He added that the coalition conducted an independent investigation covering all 21 LGAs in the state.

    Their review included meetings with the Auditor General for Local Governments, the commissioner for local government and chieftaincy affairs, council officials, and the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees.

    “Our investigation was thorough, independent, and fact-driven,” Dr. Ohalete said.

    He noted that the LGAs “have been receiving their allocations directly from the Federal Government. The records further show that the LGAs in the state enjoy full autonomy, in line with constitutional provisions and federal guidelines. There is zero interference by the state government.”

    CCSO also highlighted development projects across the state, including the construction of “at least 80 new Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) … in addition to ongoing renovation and upgrading of existing health facilities,” as well as youth training programs and women and youth empowerment initiatives.

    Dr. Ohalete warned that the allegations were part of a planned smear campaign, saying, “This propaganda is part of a larger plan to blackmail the state government by sponsoring frivolous petitions to anti-corruption agencies, all geared towards giving Kogi State a bad name.”

    The coalition urged the public and media to “disregard the false claims and continue to support efforts aimed at strengthening governance at all levels.”

  • Why we will support APC, by Osogbo community

    Why we will support APC, by Osogbo community

    Members of Coalition of Osogbo Youths and Women Groups have pledged their support for the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    They said considering the political reality in the state, only APC could meet their demands, following the decision of other parties to zone the governorship ticket to Osun West Senatorial District.

    Speaking on behalf of eight groups in Osogbo community, Abdulrahman Okunade, a lawyer, said Osogbo had electoral weight, which usually decided the winner of the governorship election with its two local governments.

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    He said: “The recently updated voter register in Osun State (through the Continuous Voter Registration), has resulted in 1, 954, 800 registered voters, with 360,794 uncollected Permanent Voter Cards. With this update, Osogbo and Olorunda have no fewer than 300,000 registered voters, which represent 15 per cent of the total registration in the state, which is the highest from any town.

    “We urge APC leadership to ensure the party’s governorship candidate is from Osogbo.’’

  • Circular Road: Makinde to explore possibilities of compensation

    Circular Road: Makinde to explore possibilities of compensation

    Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has said his administration would continue to ensure development was fair, humane and inclusive.

    He noted that he would engage with residents affected by the ongoing 110km Senator Rashidi Ladoja Circular Road project, beginning from today.

    The governor said he would, in line with his promise to run a people-centred government, visit Circular Road, listen to the residents and explore possibilities, including adequate compensation and resettlement.

    Governor Makinde made the remark while presenting the 2026 Budget Proposal to the House of Assembly.

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    He noted that he was not moved by the insults and death wishes to him, as he had prepared for the praises and the insults, which were parts of leadership.

    Governor Makinde, who justified the importance of the Circular Road project, said it was about equity, growth and shared prosperity to the state, warning that politicians who sought to profit from the controversy should have a rethink, as Oyo State residents were wiser.