The Nation Newspaper

Category: Southwest

  • Falawewo family sues firms for N2b over destruction of heritage

    Falawewo family sues firms for N2b over destruction of heritage

    The quartet of Pa Elijah Folawewo, Kayode Folawewo, Sesan Odukoya and Dotun Olakunle – all representatives of Folawewo family of Siun in Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State – being the claimants, have taken Young Agro Services Company and Shodesam Properties Investment Ltd – designated as 1st, 2nd defendants – to a state High Court sitting in Abeokuta over alleged acquisition of 47 acres of land.

    Also sued in connection with the land are the Director General, Bureau of Land & Survey, Ogun State and Attorney General & Commissioner for Justice, Ogun State, listed as 3rd and 4th defendants.

    The land is situated at Abomide Village, via Obadeyi Road, opposite Imo Emulu/Day Waterman College, off Abeokuta-Sagamu Expressway, Siun, a suburb of Abeokuta.

    In the suit marked AB/661/25 and filed on October 3, by a lawyer who craves being identified simply as Folawewo’s family lawyer, the claimants are seeking the court order, declaring that the purported acquisition of the land by the 1st and 2nd defendants without prior negotiations with them, being the customary owners of the land, is unlawful, null and void.

    The claimants are also demanding N2billion as general damages from the 1st and 2nd defendants as unlawful acts of bulldozing and clearing acres of their land with economic crops, destruction of family huts and the age- long ancestral shrines.

    They are equally praying the court to restrain the 3rd and 4th defendants from taking any decision such as processing Certificate of Occupancy against the interest of the claimants without adequate compensation paid to them by the 1st and 2nd defendants.

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    ‎‎The four representatives of Folawewo family want the court to issue an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants, their agents, officers and privies from taking any further step that can disturb their interest in the 47 acres of land.

    ‎‎The matter has not been assigned to any court yet, but defending their right of ownership of the 47 acres of land, the claimants stated in the writ of summons that their progenitor, Adejimi Folawewo, migrated from Ita Lanloko Compound in Igbore, Abeokuta, centuries ago and settled at Abomide as was the practice at that time with valiant warriors to seek distant arable land for farming and settlement.

    ‎‎They claimed that after their progenitor had settled at Abomide, which he founded, he expanded his land holdings to encompass the 47 acres spread within Abomide village and stretching to what is today designated as Obadeyi, opposite Day Waterman College and up to the boundary of Abeokuta-Sagamu Expressway.

    ‎Efforts by our correspondent to contact Young Agro Services Company and Shodesam Properties Investment Ltd  for their reactions did not yield fruitful result, as phone calls placed to their GSM numbers were not responded to.

  • Ondo youths demand sack of NDDC board member over alleged misconduct

    Ondo youths demand sack of NDDC board member over alleged misconduct

    • ’They don’t deserve my response’

    The Coalition of Oil Producing Youths of Ondo State (COPYOS) has called for the removal of Otito Ehinmore, the state’s representative on the board of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), over alleged gross misconduct, abuse of office and misappropriation of funds.

    The group made the demand in a petition addressed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, dated October 15.

    In the petition by over 30 youth leaders from the state’s oil-producing mandate areas, COPYOS gave President Tinubu a two-week ultimatum to sack Ehinmore, accusing him of nepotism, financial mismanagement and poor representation of Ondo State in NDDC.

    The petitioners alleged that since his appointment, ‘’Ehinmore has turned  Ondo State seat on the NDDC board into a ghost position,” depriving the state of visibility, representation and development projects.’’

    “We, the undersigned Coalition of Youth Movements and Stakeholders from the oil-producing areas of Ondo State, rise in unity to demand the removal of Ehinmore from the NDDC board,” the petition read in part.

    “Our position is driven by deep disappointment and betrayal. Since his appointment, Ehinmore has consistently demonstrated disconnection, irresponsibility and self-serving conduct that grossly undermines the mandate of the NDDC and the trust of the people of Ondo State.”

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    The group further alleged that Ehinmore allocated the only four NDDC employment slots meant for the state’s oil-producing communities to his immediate family members — identified as Dare Ehinmore, Dayo Ehinmore, Babatunde Ehinmore and Taye Stella Olayemi.

    They also accused him of diverting funds earmarked for the 2023 and 2024 NDDC Youth Empowerment Programmes and of failing to engage key stakeholders, youth groups and traditional rulers in Ilaje and Ese-Odo local governments — the state’s main oil-producing zones.

    “Ehinmore has been completely invisible and unavailable in all oil-producing communities of Ondo State since assuming office,” the group alleged. “He has failed to initiate or attract any meaningful development projects, nor has he created any avenue for interaction with the people he represents.”

    The coalition said its agitation was not politically-motivated, but a call for effective representation and accountability in the management of NDDC affairs as they affected Ondo State.

    They warned that failure by the presidency to act within the stipulated two-week period would compel them to mobilise mass protests and shut down NDDC-related activities in the state.

    “We will not continue to be silent spectators while our region suffers from neglect and misrepresentation. The time for change is now,” the petitioners declared.

    However, in a swift reaction, Ehinmore dismissed the allegations as politically- motivated, saying he was unbothered by the call for his removal.

    “They don’t deserve my response. If the President removes me, I will go to my house,” he said.

  • APC chieftain hails senator on award

    APC chieftain hails senator on award

    A chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Akinola Awodeyi-Akinsehinwa, has congratulated Senator Chris Adighije, former pro-chancellor of Federal University, Lokoja, on the conferment of an honorary doctoral degree in science (honoris causa) on him.

    This recognition, approved by the university’s senate, celebrates Senator Adighije’s contributions to education, public service and societal development, marking a significant milestone in his illustrious career.

    Dr. Awodeyi-Akinsehinwa lauded what he called Senator Adighije’s  leadership and commitment to academic excellence, which transformed Federal University, Lokoja during his tenure as pro-chancellor.

    He underscored Adighije’s dedication to fostering educational advancement, promoting integrity and uplifting communities through selfless service.

    “This honorary degree is a well-deserved tribute to Senator Adighije’s enduring legacy, which has elevated the university’s stature and set a high standard for leadership that inspires students, academics and society at large,” he said.

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    The conferment reflects Adighije’s embodiment of core values such as excellence, integrity and compassion, which align with the university’s mission to nurture future leaders.

    Awodeyi-Akinsehinwa said: ‘’This recognition honours a leader whose contributions have left an indelible mark not only on Federal University, Lokoja, but also on the broader educational and societal landscape of Nigeria.

    ‘’The ceremony is scheduled to take place during Federal University, Lokoja’s 9th convocation holding from October 15 to 18, at the university’s Felele campus in Kogi State.’’

    Dr. Awodeyi-Akinsehinwa celebrated Senator Adighije’s humility and dedication, wishing him continued success, good health and further opportunities to contribute to Nigeria’s progress.

    “On behalf of the academic community and individuals touched by your work, I join Nigerians in celebrating this prestigious honour and looking forward to your ongoing impact,” he said.

  • Ondo APC elders back Tunji-Ojo

    Ondo APC elders back Tunji-Ojo

    Ondo State All Progressives Congress (APC) Elders Movement for Tinubu has thrown its weight behind Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, as the driving force behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2027  re-election campaign in Ondo State.

    The group, led by its Coordinator, Otunba Agboola Kelly, urged APC members to unite behind Tunji-Ojo’s efforts, which aligned with Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s leadership.

    In a statement, the elders dismissed speculations about Tunji-Ojo’s initiatives as malicious attempts to undermine his contributions.

    They described his support for groups such as Grassroots Movement for Tinubu, Asiwaju Mandate Group and PBAT Continuity Project as a strategic masterstroke.

    The group noted that Tunji-Ojo’s leadership delivered an unmatched 81.2 per cent vote share in Akoko North-West during the 2024 governorship election, proving his prowess.

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    They debunked claims that Tunji-Ojo failed to consult Governor Aiyedatiwa, saying their partnership powered the 2024 victory.

    The elders warned detractors to desist from fuelling division, urging APC members to engage Governor Aiyedatiwa directly with any concern.

    The movement expressed confidence that Tunji-Ojo’s strategy would deliver over 80 per cent voter turnout, surpassing the 2023 record of 67 per cent.

    It affirmed its commitment to working with Tunji-Ojo to deliver a historic mandate for Tinubu in 2027, vowing Ondo would not weaken APC’s national chain.

  • Police arrest notorious cult-suspect in Ondo

    Police arrest notorious cult-suspect in Ondo

    Detectives from the Ondo State Police Command have apprehended a notorious cultist, Abdul Boluwatife, for allegedly terrorising residents of Akungba-Akoko and neighbouring communities in Akoko South-West Local Government Area of the state.

    The arrest was confirmed in a statement yesterday by the command’s spokesperson, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade.

    According to Ayanlade, the suspect was arrested on October 15 during a cult initiation at A.U.D. Secondary School, Akungba-Akoko, following credible intelligence from vigilant residents of the community.

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    “Upon receiving information that a group of young men were holding a secret meeting and chanting cult-related slogans within the school premises, police operatives swiftly mobilised to the scene,” Ayanlade said.

    He added that on sighting the police, the suspects fled, but Boluwatife was pursued and apprehended. During interrogation, the suspect reportedly confessed to being a member and leader of a cult group operating within Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA).

  • ‘TESCOM initiatives will promote integrity, accountability’

    ‘TESCOM initiatives will promote integrity, accountability’

    The Chairman of the Ogun State Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM), Apostle Biodun Sanyaolu, has said that the Commission’s whistleblower policy and other strategic initiatives are designed to uphold integrity, accountability, and ethical standards within the state’s teaching workforce.

    Speaking with newsmen in Abeokuta, Apostle Sanyaolu explained that the measures were introduced to safeguard the moral conduct of the teaching profession at ensuring that learners are educated in a safe, disciplined, and supportive environment.

    He stressed the need to guide against mediocrity and malpractice at all levels, noting that TESCOM had intensified efforts on schools’ monitoring and supervision to enhance efficiency and productivity in the system.

    “The present  Board has expanded monitoring activities across schools on a 24-hour basis by introducing the Whistleblower Scheme, the first of its kind in Ogun State’s education sector

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    “This initiative empowers teachers, non-teaching staff,  stakeholders, and the general public to confidentially report unethical practices such as absenteeism, extortion, harassment, and misconduct through a dedicated hotline – 0801 475 78497 (SMS and WhatsApp only),” he added.

    The  Chairman stated that the commission had  systematically categorised all public secondary schools in the state into three groups to promote excellence in service delivery and enhance professional standards, especially among Principals and Vice Principals.

    Apostle Sanyaolu further disclosed that the TESCOM is currently redistributing teaching and non-teaching staff across schools to address the existing imbalance between rural and urban areas, noting that the exercise aims to ensure fair and equitable deployment of personnel, based on the number of available staff in each location.

  • Osun 2026: Babayemi calls for improved security

    Osun 2026: Babayemi calls for improved security

    One of the leading governorship aspirants of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, Omooba Dotun Babayemi, has called on the nation’s security agencies to beam their searchlights on the state in order to frustrate any plot by people who might want to plunge it into chaos as the state prepares for 2026 gubernatorial election.

    Babayemi said the call had become imperative in view of the fact that the 2026 off-cycle gubernatorial election in the state was fast approaching, noting that as a result, all hands must be on deck for it to be achieved.

     In a release by his media office, Babayemi said the people of the state known for being peaceful, should be protected from those who believe in violence.

     “Generally, Osun and its people are noted for being peaceful. However, recent happenings, especially the unwarranted and unprovoked killings of some people at Akinlalu community by some Amatekun officers, really call for concern. It’s gratifying that this is already being addressed by the authorities concerned,” he said.

     While commending the Police under the IGP Kayode Egbetokun for its promptness in handling the Akinlalu mindless killings, Babayemi warned that if not handled well, many of such situations might be in the offing.

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     “The people of Akinlalu just like other indigenes of Osun, are peace loving and law-abiding as they go out daily in search of their legitimate means of livelihood without ruffling feathers. For some of them to have been gruesomely killed by some Amotekun officers is really disheartening.

     “So, I want to urge that the Police should not only get to the root of the matter but everyone found culpable should be made to face wrath of the law. It will help to serve as a deterrent to those who might be planning mayhem in the near future, especially as the state election is getting closer,” Babayemi added.

    He insisted that his admonition should not be treated with a kid glove because according to him, the recent happenings might be to test waters; “So, we must not all sleep with our eyes closed as troublemakers may be gearing up for the disruption of peace in the state.”

     Meanwhile, the Gbongan-born Prince has implored the people to continue to be peaceful and law-abiding, assuring that security agencies would be forthcoming for the state to be safe for all.

  • AMG urges Tunji-Ojo to ignore detractors

    AMG urges Tunji-Ojo to ignore detractors

    The Asiwaju Mandate Group (AMG), a political support organisation campaigning for the re-election of President Bola Tinubu, has urged the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, to remain steadfast in his decision to promote the agenda of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the President despite recent criticisms.

    In a statement signed by the group’s  Director-General, Asiwaju Olumuyiwa Asagunla, and Chairman of the Leaders’ Council, Senator Yele Omogunwa, the group described the recent media attacks on the minister as “a desperate attempt by political detractors and failed opportunists threatened by his growing influence and outstanding record of service.”

    AMG commended Tunji-Ojo’s achievements, saying he had transformed lives and strengthened democratic structures far beyond expectations.

     “Beyond political rhetoric, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo has transformed lives and strengthened democratic structures far beyond what anyone thought possible for a minister without executive powers. His record of empowerment and strategic leadership stands tall in Ondo State and across Nigeria,” the group stated.

    The group also recalled Tunji-Ojo’s pivotal role during the political crisis that almost led to the impeachment of Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa while he was Deputy Governor, saying his intervention helped preserve political stability in Ondo State.

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     “At a time when the state was on the brink of political turmoil, Dr. Tunji-Ojo’s intervention was decisive. His timely mediation helped to restore calm and protect the integrity of Ondo State’s political structure,” the statement read.

    The group praised Tunji-Ojo’s unwavering commitment to President Tinubu’s administration and second-term bid, describing him as “one of the few public figures who have matched loyalty with strategic action.”

    According to AMG, Tunji-Ojo has played a major role in strengthening the APC’s political base in Ondo State by facilitating the defection of several prominent opposition figures, including Tony Ala, Yele Akinya, Alabi Ebenezer, Alhaja Olufunmilayo Way, Omololu Falolu, and Dayo Awude, among others.

     “BTO’s bridge-building efforts have rendered the opposition almost non-existent in Ondo State,” the group said.

    The group further noted that Tunji-Ojo personally funded the furnishing of the APC Secretariat in Akure and has consistently sponsored ward and local government meetings across the state to keep the party active and united.

     “Three major campaign organisations working for President Tinubu’s re-election, including GMT and AMG, are largely supported and funded by Dr. Tunji-Ojo. This is what genuine commitment looks like, not noise-making or political grandstanding,” Asagunla and Omogunwa added.

    Reacting to reports that some political actors have urged President Tinubu to prevent Tunji-Ojo from contesting the 2028 Ondo governorship election, AMG maintained that every Nigerian has the constitutional right to seek elective office.

     “Let it be known that every citizen, including Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, reserves the democratic right to seek elective office. However, the Minister has neither declared nor hinted at any ambition. Those spreading such rumours only expose their fears and affirm his political worth,” the statement said.

    The group stressed that Tunji-Ojo remains focused on his duties as Minister of Interior and on delivering the mandates of President Tinubu’s administration.

     “Those jittery over an undeclared ambition are merely fighting their own shadows. When and if the time comes, it will be the will of the people, not propaganda that determines who leads Ondo State. Until then, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo remains committed to service, performance, and progress for all,” the group concluded.

  • ‘Govt on removal of illegal structures for safety okay’

    ‘Govt on removal of illegal structures for safety okay’

    A Group of Concerned Lagosians has expressed its unflinching support for the state government over removal of illegal structures in parts of the state.

    According to a statement issued by the Concerned Lagosians, yesterday, it frowned at the 30-day ultimatum issued to the Lagos State Government by the Igbo National Union Worldwide (INU-W), over the removal illegal structures in the state.

    The group expressed displeasure over INU-W purportedly  30-day ultimatum to the Lagos State government, an action it describe as a deliberate attempt to revive what it called ” old and divisive tendencies, reminiscent of the 1952 NCNC episode in Lagos.”

    It noted that the removal of illegal structures in all parts of the state was not targeted against any individual tribe or a group of persons.

    Rather, Nigerian authorities including Lagos State, were doing so in their resolve to uphold the law and order without fear or favour and to give Lagos a befitting world class status.

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    “Furthermore, we call on all individuals and groups occupying unauthorized structures to cooperate with the government for the overall peaceful coexistence.

    Historical misjudgments must not be repeated. The Yoruba of Western Nigerian government cherished strict compliance of building regulations, ensured public safety, and promoted orderly urban development.

    The Lagosians drew attention to a recent statement by a group, calling itself the Igbo National Union Worldwide.

    “However, in today’s Nigeria, silence has too often been misconstrued as acquiescence.

    “While millions of Igbo residents in Lagos are peaceful, law-abiding, and respected, the Lagos State Government’s current actions to remove illegal structures should not be misconstrued.”

    It accused some people of attempting to  impose external leadership on the Yoruba nation, stressing its unflinching support for the Lagos State Government and all Western development matters.

    “Lagos thrives on the rule of law and mutual respect —principles that some lawbreakers abused, thus issuing threats or ultimatums against lawful government action. Such threats could be counterproductive, an attempt to browbeat Lagosians in their own homeland.

    That erroneous impression must be corrected. People must voluntarily comply with planning regulations and remove such illegal constructions before the government’s action, it stated.

    “Ordinarily, such a statement from an obscure body would not merit serious attention when the government is striving to make the state safe and prosperous home for all Nigerians and foreign residents alike and were not targeted at any group.

    They form part of a consistent, city-wide effort to enforce members of our cosmopolitan community to obey the laws. But it is regrettable that a few elements appear to accuse the State Government over the enforcement of urban and regional planning laws.

    These measures are applied uniformly, without discrimination, and are essential to make the city clean and habitable to the residents.

    Lagos state possessed a distinct identity and worldview that are second to none, which protects lives and property from the hazards of unregulated construction.

    The path forward must be cooperation, and that generosity must never be mistaken for weakness. All residents are welcome and not confrontation. The Yoruba are known for their accommodating spirit, but detest the Igbo ultimatum to the Lagos State government.

    We urge the leadership of the Igbo National Union Worldwide to embrace dialogue. People resident among us must continue to respect our culture, institutions, and laws.

    They need to engage constructively with relevant government agencies on legitimate urban and Land Use Acts, not provocation.

    In conclusion, those unwilling to abide by the Laws of Lagos State and the Land Use Act should blame themselves because  land administration  resides in the governor of each state and should seriously reconsider their continued contravention of those laws.

    Lagos belongs to all who live and work peacefully within it, but it remains, unmistakably, a Yoruba homeland.

    The issuing of ultimatums and threats must cease forthwith.

  • State governors, local government chairmen, the new money bags

    State governors, local government chairmen, the new money bags

    By Bamidele Atoyebi 

    The economic policies of President Bola Tinubu’s administration have unexpectedly shifted the balance of wealth in Nigeria. For the first time in a long while, the states and local governments appear richer than ever before. The same economy that once left them struggling to pay salaries has now made them financial giants.

    Today, contractors who work with state governments are smiling to the bank more than their counterparts at the federal level. Some federal contractors even lament that there are fewer projects at the centre, while state contractors are getting paid faster and in larger sums.

    What President Tinubu has effectively done is take resources long controlled by the elite and push them downward, toward the grassroots.

    When he removed the fuel subsidy, he simultaneously tripled the allocations to local governments and increased the funding available to state governments. As a result, most states have cleared long-standing debts, revived abandoned projects, and initiated new ones with unprecedented confidence. 

    Those close to the corridors of power at the state level can confirm that governors now command more liquidity and can approve contracts and make instant payments, something that was once rare.

    Gone are the days when state allocations were delayed, when governors had to borrow to pay salaries, or when the federal government took loans just to meet its monthly obligations.

    The tables have turned. Governors and local government chairmen are now the new “money bags” the big spenders of the Nigerian economy. It’s no surprise that many people now prefer working with state governments, where money truly circulates.

    This, in many ways, is what one might call leadership by sophistication. When a leader governs with strategic insight, people naturally gravitate toward him.

    Some may believe that politicians shifting allegiance to the ruling party are being coerced or manipulated by anti-graft agencies, but in truth, it’s often the law of attraction at work. They are aligning with a system that demonstrates stability, confidence, and control.

    Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State captured it well when he said that Tinubu’s policies have revived and enriched the states more than at any time since independence. With improved allocations and increased tax inflows, subnational governments are finally breathing again.

    At the local government level, the change is even more visible. With greater autonomy and tripled allocations, council chairmen can now fund projects that were once beyond their reach, building schools, constructing rural roads, upgrading hospitals, purchasing essential equipment, and even expanding waste management services.

    Through bold reforms like removing fuel subsidies, floating the naira, and dismantling foreign exchange bottlenecks, President Tinubu has decentralized financial power. Money that was once trapped at the centre now circulates through the states and local governments, touching more lives at the grassroots.

    Even banks are feeling the ripple effects. Many financial institutions have lost their most reliable borrowers, state governments, because the states are now cash-rich.

    Some banks are reportedly returning excess liquidity to the Central Bank, an unthinkable scenario just a few years ago. Much of this is credited to the steady hand of the new CBN Governor, Olayemi Cardoso.

    Critics often argue that the naira’s appreciation means little because it first fell drastically under this same administration, from ₦400 to nearly ₦2000 per dollar, before stabilizing. But they forget the heavy burden the government once bore: over $1.5 billion was being spent monthly to defend the naira and maintain fuel subsidies.

    By removing those distortions, the nation is now saving money, strengthening its reserves, and redistributing wealth to the people.

    Nigeria is gradually finding its balance again, not by magic, but by deliberate and sometimes painful reforms. For the first time in a long while, the wealth of the nation is trickling down, and the subnational governments are no longer beggars at the federal table.

    This is the new Nigeria.

    – Bamidele Atoyebi is the Convenor of BAT Ideological Group, National Coordinator of Accountability and Policy monitoring and a publisher at Unfiltered and Mining Reporting