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  • NANS, NAOSS hail Abiodun over progress on Gateway International Airport

    NANS, NAOSS hail Abiodun over progress on Gateway International Airport

    The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and the National Association of Ogun State Students (NAOSS) have lauded Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, for his unwavering commitment toward making the Gateway International Airport in Iperu-Remo fully operational.

    In a joint statement signed by NANS Ogun Chairman, Gabriel Abiola, and NAOSS National President, Thomas Kehinde, the student bodies said the airport’s development is a major step toward enhancing the state’s socio-economic growth and international connectivity.

    They described the recent flight checks conducted by the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) as a positive signal that the airport is nearing commercial takeoff.

    Commending the quality of work on-site, the student leaders referenced remarks by the head of the NAMA team, Engr. Miri Selzing, who praised the runway length, terminal structure, and overall standards of the facility—affirming the impact of Governor Abiodun’s administration on the project.

    The statement added that though the incumbent administration in the state has transformed the narrative of governance in the state, particularly in major critical sectors, the 97 per cent completion of the airport within a short period of time has further written Abiodun-led administration in gold.

    According to them, the governor, through his exemplary leadership, has entrenched democratic values which has helped in the delivery of good governance to the people of Ogun State. 

    While noting that the construction of Gateway International Airport Airport is an icing on the cake of enviable achievements of the current administration in the state, the statement said that “successes recorded in housing, infrastructure development, education, health, agriculture, security, sports and youths development, has put Governor Abiodun ahead of his predecessor in terms of performance and delivery of real dividends of democracy.”

    It added: “NANS in Ogun and NAOSS commend Governor Abiodun-led administration in the state for its unrelenting efforts in ensuring that the Gateway International Airport becomes operational. The flight checks carried out on Monday by the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) on Monday, towards validation for the commencement of commercial flight, is a positive indication that the airport will soon be given approval.

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    “When eventually stamped by NAMA, the airport will not only operate as an agro-cargo airport, it will also be used for commercial flights for both local international passengers. This will further open Ogun to the international market and air traffic, which in turn will give a boon to the socioeconomic development of the state.

    “Meanwhile, the words of commendation by the head of the NAMA team, Engr. Miri Selzing, on the standard of physical looks of the airport, length of the runway, which he noted is the longest in the country, and the impressive terminal building, are a testimony to the good work done at the airport by the Governor Abiodun’s administration. It is also pleasing to hear the team lead say that the airport’s runway is long and large enough to accommodate any type of aircraft and that it will handle diversions from Lagos, Ibadan, and Ilorin airports.

    “While we salute the governor for his giant strides in all the major sectors of the economy in the state, we urge him not to relent in his efforts to transform Ogun and leave enduring indelible marks in the state.

    “NANS and NAOSS will continue to rally support for his administration in its quest to build a prosperous state by making Ogun the number one destination of choice for investors within the country and abroad.”

  • NAOSS, NANS urge IGP to take over probe of Ogun student’s murder

    NAOSS, NANS urge IGP to take over probe of Ogun student’s murder

    The National Association of Ogun State Students (NAOSS), the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), and the Inter-Campus and Gender Affairs body have called on the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, to take over the investigation into the brutal murder of Comrade Quadri Adedamola Ogunbode, a fresh graduate of Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo. 

    During a joint press briefing at the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Secretariat in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Thursday, NAOSS National President Kehinde Thomas and NANS Vice President (Inter-Campus and Gender Affairs) Akinbodunse Sileola Felicia raised concerns over alleged police complicity in the case. They stated that the call for the IGP’s intervention became necessary following reports that two suspects linked to Ogunbode’s murder had escaped to the Republic of Benin. 

    Thomas emphasised the urgency of the investigation, urging the IGP to ensure justice is served and that all suspects are brought to book. He stressed that Ogunbode’s case must not become another unresolved murder in Nigeria. 

    He further criticized the Lagos State Police Command’s handling of the case, describing it as lackluster. He alleged that the police’s approach led to the disappearance of Ogunbode on February 17, 2025, prompting NAOSS and NANS members to block the Ogun State corridor of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway earlier in the week to protest the poor handling of the investigation.

    Thomas said, “It was the police’s hanky-panky game that necessitated our blocking of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on Monday to call the attention of the IGP to the matter.

    “But we were shocked to learn through the spokesperson of the Lagos State Police Command that two suspects planned to be apprehended have escaped to the neighbouring Republic of Benin.

    Read Also: NANS, NAOSS to Abiodun: Appoint Education Commissioner within 21 days

    “We view this as absurd and unacceptable. Could those suspects have been tipped off, hence, their fleeing? To us, this case is a clear case of murder. And we believe that since the police arrested the main suspect and Church Shepherd, swift investigations should have led to the arrest of the fleeing suspects.

    “However, our findings revealed that a maternal aunt of the main suspect in Quadri’s murder is a senior police officer. As student leaders, we shall resist any attempt by the said aunt to wield her influence to tamper with the investigation, thereby exonerating her nephew.

    “Quadri was a hardworking guy who combined his education at LASU with entrepreneurship. He was a bright star every family member was hoping for. His death has not only thrown melancholy into his family but it has also taken a serious psychological toll on his mum, who cries her heart out every day.

    “We say a big No to any police complicity in the matter! No matter how connected or influential they are, everybody culpable in the case should be made to face the music.”