Governor Sanwo-Olu, as a Guest Speaker, will deliver a lecture titled: “65 Years of Nigeria’s Independence: A Journey So Far with the Renewed Hope Agenda in View”, at a one-day public event organised by the Arewa Think Tank, a Northern Nigerian socio-political and policy advocacy group comprising professionals from 19 northern states.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is the Special Guest of Honour for the event to be chaired by former President of the Senate and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Pius Anyim Pius, and co-chaired by Madakin Zazzau, Mallam Mohammed Munir Ja’afaru.
Aggrieved residents of Ijoka in Akure South Local Government Area of Ondo State yesterday protested the deplorable condition of Ijoka/Ijo Mimo Access Road.
The protesters, who trooped out in the morning, blocked the entrance to Ijoka Road, lamenting that it had become impassable and a source of daily hardship for commuters and residents.
Chanting anti-government songs, the demonstrators decried what they described as the government’s neglect of the area, noting that the poor condition of the road had caused accidents and worsened living conditions for residents.
Speaking during the protest, one of the residents, Ayanfe Adeyemi, said the road had ben abandoned for about four years.
“For the past three to four years, it has been the worst experience so far. Whether during the rainy season or dry season, you can’t enjoy this road,” Adeyemi lamented.
Addressing the protesters, the Chairman of Akure South Local Government, Gbenga Fasua, who ran into the protesters, assured them that the Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa administration had not abandoned the road.
He said efforts were ongoing to fix the road and promised that work would resume soon.
Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has hailed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for once again proving why he remains the most credible defender of Nigeria’s democracy. Spokesman Seye Oladejo said yesterday in a statement in Ogba, Lagos: ‘’By maintaining absolute neutrality, encouraging transparency and refusing to interfere, the President has elevated his democratic credentials to a level the opposition can neither match nor comprehend.’’
He lauded the new leadership of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for what could best be described as a bold, refreshing and promising new dawn.
‘’If morning truly shows the day, then Nigeria is finally reclaiming the democratic maturity the opposition has spent years trying to undermine with propaganda, theatrics and cheap blackmail.
‘’Anambra Governorship Election has exposed the hollow, paper-thin structure of the so-called ‘opposition coalition’. The election did not merely defeat them – it also embarrassed them. It stripped them bare. It showed Nigerians that behind the noise lied a confused mass of political wanderers, competing egoists and perpetual complainers masquerading as a coalition,’’ Oladejo said.
He noted that a group that could not win together in a familiar backyard and a supposed stronghold should stop dreaming about winning anywhere else.
The Lagos APC spokesman said as the reality of imminent defeat became undeniable, the 2023 presidential candidate of Labour Party (LP), Mr. Peter Obi, quickly offered a face-saving excuse – that “all the candidates are my kins.”
He added: ‘’A convenient statement only discovered when the pendulum had swung violently away from him.
‘’Nigerians can now clearly see through the theatrics. In fact, it is becoming obvious that Obi may have missed his true calling. His newly discovered comic talent will serve him well after 2027 when his political retirement becomes official and irreversible. Leadership requires seriousness, not sentimental monologues and emergency philosophies discovered at polling units.
‘’For months, they advertised themselves as a tsunami. Anambra has now confirmed them as a puddle. Their so-called coalition is nothing more than a gathering of disgruntled political tourists united by bitterness, not vision; by frustration, not strategy; by hatred of progress, not love for Nigeria.’’
Oladejo said Nigerians were tired of their hypocrisy, their contradictions and their endless excuses, adding that a coalition that could not mobilise its own base was not preparing for 2027, ‘’it is preparing for political extinction.’’
He noted that while the opposition was busy licking its wounds and searching for excuses, APC continued to deliver reforms, attract investors, expand infrastructure and restore Nigeria’s dignity on the world stage.
‘’Under President Tinubu, Nigeria is not just moving – it is rising. Your era of emotional blackmail is over. Nigerians now judge leaders by results, not rumours; by performance, not propaganda.
‘’The answer is simple: Nowhere. Absolutely nowhere. Anambra election has written the obituary of a coalition that never truly existed.’’
For years, the two politicians were known for open disagreements, with Obasanjo once describing Fayose as “unruly”, while Fayose accused the former president of political arrogance and intolerance.
A source said Obasanjo is expected to attend Fayose’s birthday as a gesture to mark the end of their long-standing political rift.
“The visit demonstrates mutual respect and a renewed spirit of reconciliation between the two leaders,” added the source.
Following the expiration of seven days ultimate given to Oyo State Government, residents affected by the Ibadan Circular Road Corridor project yesterday took to the streets to stage a peaceful protest.
The protesters, who carried placards, banners and posters, arrived at Ibadan end of Ibadan-Ife Road at about 10am, causing gridlock.
The protesters later marched through Idi-Ape to join their counterparts at the state secretariat, Agodi Ibadan, where the protest peaked.
The arrival of the protesters led to a temporary shutdown of the secretariat, as the protesters were denied access. Visitors and those who had business interest suffered delay while the protest lasted.
The demonstrators, who dispersed around 4:30pm, vowed to continue the protest until they get the attention of Governor Seyi Makinde.
A Lagos lawmaker, Adewale Adedeji, yesterday secured the endorsement of monarchs, chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and residents of Ifako-Ijaiye Constituency I for another term.
They made their decision known at the fifth edition of the lawmaker’s widows’ empowerment initiative, which was benefitted by 500 people.
The programme was held at Adedeji’s constituency office in Lagos.
Noting that it was the first time they would experience real representation at the state legislature, the constituents said the lawmaker had made life easier for them.
Deacon Banjo Omole, chairman of APC in Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government, thanked his party for not making a mistake in its decision to field Adedeji in previous elections.
Supporting Adedeji’s endorsement, the Leader of Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government Council, Adebo Kayode said: “We are happy today because we have not regretted having Adedeji as our lawmaker. We are happy we didn’t make a mistake.’’
Oba-elect Matthew Ogundimu of Ogundimu Kingdom in Lagos thanked the lawmaker for his impact on the lives of the people.
Thanking his constituents for their support, Adedeji says his vision is to ensure Ifako-Ijaiye becomes developed.
He promised free registration of health insurance for residents who did not have it or whose registration had expired.
He said his free adult literacy classes, which would begin soon, already had over 100 applicants.
Beneficiaries of the programme lauded the lawmaker for putting smiles on their faces. They promised to always support him.
The Regent of Aramoko-Ekiti, Sherifat Owolabi, has appealed to Governor Biodun Oyebanji to rehabilitate the deteriorating road network in the town. She described the situation as a setback to the community’s economic growth.
Speaking with reporters in Aramoko-Ekiti, headquarters of Ekiti West Local Government, the Regent lamented that the poor condition of roads within and around the community had hindered business activities and discouraged potential investors.
She said improved road network would not only ease transportation, but also boost local commerce and attract investments to the town.
“Good roads do not just beautify a town, they open it up for development and investment. We are appealing to Governor Oyebanji to fix the roads. The government has been supportive in other ways, but we need more intervention to revive our economy,” Owolabi added.
Her appeal came shortly after the Asao of Aramoko-Ekiti, Chief Diran Adebayo, announced the passing of the town’s monarch, Oba Olu Adeyemi, who died on August 9 at the age of 82.
The Regent urged indigenes of Aramoko at home and in the diaspora to return home and invest in the town, stressing that such collective efforts would further fast-track its development.
‘’Aramoko is peaceful; there is no conspiracy or witchcraft here. We need our people to come home and do great things,” she said.
“If major transport companies begin to ply this route, it will boost our local economy. Aramoko is different now; government should have mercy on us.”
Princess Owolabi called on residents to remain peaceful and united, noting that harmony was essential to progress and community development.
“When I came here, we asked for a university, and the government approved it. Now, we still need housing estates and better roads. I believe Governor Oyebanji will help us achieve this,” she said.
Chief Adebayo said in keeping with the community’s tradition, the late monarch’s death could only be officially announced three months after his burial.
The Asao of Aramoko said the late monarch was buried immediately after his passing, in accordance with Islamic rites.
He described Oba Adeyemi as a visionary traditional ruler, who brought development to Aramoko, especially in education and health care.
“During his reign, government rehabilitated the town’s health centre, refurbished the palace, renovated roads and approved the establishment of a state-owned higher institution,” he said.
Adebayo noted that the process to select a new king would begin once the local government formally notified the royal families to submit candidates, after which the kingmakers would begin the selection process, in accordance with extant custom and tradition.
Following the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum issued by the state government, residents affected by the Ibadan Circular Road Corridor project on Monday took to the streets to stage a peaceful protest.
The residents in their thousands, carrying placards, banners, and posters, arrived at the Ibadan end of the Ibadan-Ife Road at about 10 AM, causing a heavy gridlock in the axis.
The gridlock, within minutes, sprang into effect on the entire axis, both into and out of the capital city, with commuters stranded for several hours.
Early birds at work were spared, as those who had to get to work before 8 AM had no issue using the road until they assembled around 10 AM.
The residents who sang and shouted expressed their disagreement, saying they would not succumb to the government’s plan to acquire more land under the guise of the Ibadan circular road corridor.
The protesters also blocked other major roads, sending a signal to the government to drive home their intentions, while some were gathering at the State Secretariat.
The Nation reports that the idea of the Ibadan circular road was conceived when the current Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rasidi Adewolu Ladoja he was the governor of the state.
But the idea suffered a temporary setback owing to the illegal impeachment of Ladoja that robbed him of the second term opportunity in 2006.
It was learnt that Ladoja marked 150 metres for the construction of the road, but the current governor, Seyi Makinde, is planning to extend the number of metres for the circular road corridor, which will affect more houses and community lands.
Over a hundred communities, which cut across seven local governments, including Ido, Lagelu, Ona Ara, Akinyele, Oluyole, and Egbeda, urged the state government to maintain the 150 metres already marked by Ladoja.
The protesters later marched on through Idi-Ape to join their counterparts at the State Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan, where the protest peaked.
The arrival of the protesters led to a temporary shutdown of the Secretariat as the protesters were denied access. Visitors and those who have business interests suffered a delay while the protest lasted.
The entrance gate, which was manned by a heavy security presence, also saw an increased presence of security patrol vans in strategic locations around the Secretariat.
One of the protesters, Akeem Olaiya, said, “We are law-abiding citizens. You can see that our protest is peaceful. What we need is very simple, it’s just for the State Government to maintain the 150 metres already marked by former Governor Rashidi Ladoja, now the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland.”
Highpoint of the protest was when the protesters observed the afternoon prayers on the road, causing a total standstill and stoppage for vehicular movements.
While addressing the gathering, the group coordinator, Prince Adeniyi Fasoye, said the protest was not political and that no politician was teleguiding or sponsoring them against Governor Makinde.
He said, “We are not politicians. This peaceful mega rally is not politically driven. We are protesting against the extension of the corridor for the circular road.
“We are appealing to the state government through the governor to leave the corridor alone. They should not extend it beyond the 150 meters already mapped out.”
The protesters who dispersed around 4:30 PM later vowed to continue the protest until they get the attention of Governor Makinde.
The Nation reports that the protest was a fulfillment of the vow by the residents to take to the streets, which was issued a week ago during a press conference.
The Regent of Aramoko-Ekiti, Sherifat Owolabi, has appealed to Governor Biodun Oyebanji to urgently rehabilitate the deteriorating road network in the town, describing the situation as a major setback to the community’s economic growth.
Speaking with journalists in Aramoko-Ekiti, headquarters of Ekiti West Local Government Area, the Regent lamented that the poor condition of roads within and around the community has hindered business activities and discouraged potential investors.
She noted that an improved road network would not only ease transportation but also boost local commerce and attract meaningful investments to the historic town.
“Good roads do not just beautify a town; they open it up for development and investment. We are appealing to Governor Oyebanji to come to our aid and fix the roads. The government has been supportive in other ways, but we need more intervention to revive our economy.”
Her appeal came shortly after the Asao of Aramoko-Ekiti, Chief Diran Adebayo, officially announced the passing of the town’s monarch, Oba Olu Adeyemi, who died on August 9, 2025, at the age of 82.
The Regent urged indigenes of Aramoko, both at home and in the diaspora, to return home and invest in the town, stressing that such collective efforts would further fast-track its development.
“Aramoko is peaceful; there is no conspiracy or witchcraft here. We need our people to come home and do great things,” she said.
“If major transport companies begin to ply this route, it will greatly boost our local economy. Aramoko is different now, and the government should have mercy on us.”
Princess Owolabi called on residents to remain peaceful and united, noting that harmony is essential to progress and community development.
“When I came here, we asked for a university, and the government approved it. Now, we still need housing estates and better roads. I believe Governor Oyebanji will help us achieve this,” she added.
In his remarks, Chief Adebayo explained that, in keeping with the community’s tradition, the late monarch’s death could only be officially announced three months after his burial.
The Asao of Aramoko explained that the late monarch was buried immediately after his passing in accordance with Islamic rites.
The Asao described Oba Adeyemi as a visionary traditional ruler who brought remarkable development to Aramoko, especially in education and healthcare.
“During his reign, the government rehabilitated the town’s health centre, refurbished the palace, renovated several roads, and approved the establishment of a state-owned higher institution in Aramoko,” he said.
Chief Adebayo noted that the process to select a new king would begin once the local government formally notifies the royal families to submit candidates, after which the kingmakers would begin the selection process in accordance with extant custom and tradition.
The Chancellor of Ekiti State University (EKSU), Dr. Tunji Olowolafe, has presented a comprehensive and action-driven blueprint to transform Nigeria’s healthcare landscape.
He urged all stakeholders to shift from “lamentation” to aggressive investment and innovation.
The chancellor said the time has come to make medical tourism “irrelevant” by establishing Nigeria as the destination for world-class medical care.
Olowolafe, a medical doctor, construction tycoon, and notable investor, spoke at the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) conference on: “Reversing Medical Tourism, Africans Investing in Africa” in Abuja.
Presenting the keynote address of the summit, the chancellor noted that the reversal is essential as Africa loses $7 billion annually to medical tourism, with Nigeria alone accounting for an estimated $2 billion in annual loss.
This capital flight, he said, represents a severe drain on confidence, capacity, and hope.
Olowolafe said Nigeria possesses the talent to lead globally, adding that the nation is home to the best doctors, lawyers, and engineers who are proving that they are naturally aspirational.
The chancellor projected that with concentrated effort, the Nigerian medical industry could become one of the best in the world within the next five years.
He said the pathway to achieving this transformation rests on four core strategies: action-driven leadership, investment in enterprise, technological leapfrogging, and rebuilding public trust.
According to him, the centerpiece of the transformation plan is the role of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), which, due to its unparalleled reach across 36 states, is uniquely positioned to lead this effort.
Olowolafe urged the NMA to serve as the “convenor of data, dialogue, and delivery”, engaging the government, private sector, diaspora, development partners, and private equity players to drive evidence-based policymaking.
“To fulfill this role, the NMA secretariat must be adequately resourced with financial capital and human capital, including multi-sectoral executives, to ensure strong leadership,” he added.
