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Tag: Ogun state

  • Phyna’s sister buried in Ogun after tragic accident

    Phyna’s sister buried in Ogun after tragic accident

    Reality TV star and actress Phyna has laid her younger sister Ruth Otabor to rest.

    Ruth passed away on August 31 after a road accident involving a Dangote truck on August 13.

    The 24-year-old had just graduated from Auchi Polytechnic six days before the incident and suffered severe injuries, including the amputation of her leg.

    The burial ceremony, held on Saturday at Ruth’s residence in Ogun State, was attended by friends and fellow ex-BBNaija housemates Christy O and Groovy, all dressed in black to show their support.

    Read Also: Nwabufo defends Phyna amid rumours of N1bn demand from Dangote over sister’s accident

    The atmosphere was emotional as Phyna and the mourners paid their last respects to Ruth.

    Ruth’s death was met with an outpouring of grief from fans, colleagues, and friends, who later turned up in numbers to honor her at the burial.

    The family had earlier appealed for privacy as they mourned their loss.

  • Eight Young Entrepreneurs Win Grants at Youth Sustainable Enterprise Challenge in Ogun State

    Eight Young Entrepreneurs Win Grants at Youth Sustainable Enterprise Challenge in Ogun State

    The British Council, in partnership with King’s Trust International (KTI) and delivery partner NerdzFactory Company, hosted the Grand Finale of the Youth Sustainable Enterprise Challenge in Abeokuta, Ogun State The event marked the conclusion of the third edition of the programme with NerdzFactory Company, which is part of the British Council’s Youth Connect Global Programme, designed to provide positive pathways for young people through entrepreneurship, employability, and active citizenship.

    The journey to the finale began with a pre-pitch event earlier in the programme cycle, where participants refined their business ideas and strengthened their models. From this stage, sixteen finalists were selected to pitch their enterprises at the Grand Finale, demonstrating creativity, resilience, and the drive to create sustainable businesses.

    At the close of the competition, eight winners emerged across four categories, with two winners in each category. In the Most Innovative Business Idea category, Mercy Enudi of Mercy Green briquettes and Ifeoluwa Garba of Standing Tree Papers were recognised. The Most Societally Friendly Business Idea award went to Olanrewaju Elizabeth of PraiseDomCollection and Paul Oluwafunke of Mide Errands. Winners of the Most Profitable Business Idea category were Boluwatife Ogundimu of Tife’s and Deborah Johnson of HCS Natural Fruit Drinks. Finally, the Most Environmentally Friendly Business Idea category was awarded to Adebayo Olumentiola of Mentees Adire and Oniyide Kamaldeen of D_legend Farms. All eight winners will now receive seed grants and tailored mentorship to scale their businesses and deepen their community impact.

    Read Also: Africa’s food future lies in the hands of its young entrepreneurs

    The event was attended by Mr Awoliyi Biodun SMEDAN Ogun State Team lead and state manager, with representatives from the British Council, King’s Trust International, business leaders, and community stakeholders. Their presence underscored the importance of investing in young entrepreneurs as drivers of innovation, employment, and sustainable development.

    Speaking at the event, Ade Olowojoba, Programme Director at NerdzFactory Company, said: “The Grand Finale of the Youth Sustainable Enterprise Challenge is more than a competition. It is a celebration of courage, creativity, and vision. These eight winners have demonstrated that young Nigerians are capable of building innovative, impactful, and sustainable enterprises. With continued support, they are positioned to contribute significantly to economic growth and community transformation.”

    Since its inception, the Youth Sustainable Enterprise Challenge has trained over 130 entrepreneurs and produced 16 grant winners in Lagos alone. Extending to Ogun State expands its reach and reinforces its role as a national platform for enterprise development, with additional programme cycles currently underway in Imo, Jigawa, Abuja, and Rivers States.

  • Ogun youths’ empowerment by Tinubu’s aide Yusuf ongoing

    Ogun youths’ empowerment by Tinubu’s aide Yusuf ongoing

    The empowerment scheme instituted by the Alliance for Kamosky, a coalition of friends and supporters of Alhaji Kamorudeen Olawale Yusuf, Personal Assistant to the President on Special Duties across Ogun state communities is ongoing, The Nation has learnt.

    The empowerment drive across the local government areas in Ogun State, where over 30,000 women and youths have been trained in various vocational skills, is still ongoing with plans to onboard targeted participants from Oja Odan, Imasayi, Ipokia, and others later this week.

    Justifying the need for the initiative which is ongoing, Taiwo Rahina commended the efforts of Alhaji Kamorudeen Olawale Yusuf, Personal Assistant to the President on Special Duties, and Dr. Abdul-Lateef Sulaiman, describing them as champions of grassroots empowerment.

    Read Also: FG distributes 1,000 life jackets in Ogun, targets 42,000 nationwide

    “Alhaji Kamorudeen has performed excellently well in securing jobs for youths, thereby endearing himself to the people,” she said.

    Taiwo, who described herself as a strong advocate of women’s empowerment, explained the motive behind the initiative.

    “On our own part, as beneficiaries of Alhaji Kamorudeen’s efforts, we thought about what we could do to complement his work. That is why we initiated this programme to enable our people to acquire vocational skills such as soap making, tie-and-dye, hairdressing, shoemaking and others. When women are empowered, it goes a long way toward creating a positive impact in our society,” she stated.

    Beneficiaries also expressed gratitude for the opportunity. One of the trainees said, “I have learned shoemaking, which will benefit me in many ways. I don’t need to go to a cobbler again since I have been equipped with the requisite training. I appreciate Alhaji Kamorudeen Olawale Yusuf and the facilitators for their support.”

  • How Ogun can match its development promiseOgunHow Ogun can match its development promise

    How Ogun can match its development promiseOgunHow Ogun can match its development promise

    By Jelili Kayode Amusan

    Ogun State stands today at a critical juncture in its history. Strategically located as Nigeria’s industrial gateway to Lagos and the West African market, the state is endowed with enormous natural, human, and geographical advantages. Yet, despite decades of effort, Ogun is still waiting to unlock its full economic potential. Development has been slow, uneven, and sometimes muted by challenges of governance, infrastructure gaps, and weak institutional capacity.

    To be fair, current administration deserves commendation for its strides in laying down legacy infrastructure, implementing institutional reforms, and opening up new pathways in agriculture. But as we project into the next six to 10 years, a new urgency must define governance. Ogun must position itself more deliberately to harness the spill overs of Lagos’ economic success and assert its role as a true gateway state—not just in name, but in performance.

    As one who has traversed both the public and private sectors—as a two-term federal lawmaker representing Abeokuta North/Obafemi-Owode/Odeda federal constituency, and as Chief Executive Officer of a conglomerate spanning real estate investment, construction and engineering services, hospitality, oil and gas, gaming and lottery businesses—I have come to appreciate what practical, workable strategies can achieve when effectively applied. My career has been shaped by a deep belief that with the right mix of policy, leadership, and citizen participation, states like Ogun can overcome persistent economic pressures and create shared prosperity for their people.

    The coming political dispensation of 2027 presents Ogun with an opportunity to recalibrate and set a bold development agenda. Here are key areas where governance can significantly reduce financial pressures on citizens while unlocking economic growth:

    Promoting transparency and accountability

    The first pillar of effective governance is trust. By ensuring financial transactions are transparent and subject to scrutiny, Ogun can drastically reduce corruption and mismanagement. Transparent budgeting, open contracting, and digital monitoring platforms will improve efficiency and reassure both citizens and investors that resources are not being diverted.

    Implementing sound fiscal policies

    Sound fiscal discipline is essential to creating a stable environment for growth. Ogun must prioritize budgets that are realistic, inclusive, and geared towards long-term infrastructure, education, and healthcare investment. This requires embracing modern financial management systems that ensure resources are optimally allocated and leakages minimized.

    Read Also: ‘Nigeria needs unity, not pull-down politics’

    Strengthening institutions

    Institutions, not individuals, sustain development. Independent oversight bodies such as audit offices and anti-corruption commissions must be empowered to function without interference. This will help build an enduring framework of accountability that outlasts any administration.

    Encouraging public participation

    True development must reflect the needs of the people. By fostering open town hall consultations, participatory budgeting, and digital feedback platforms, government can ensure that policies are not top-down impositions but genuine reflections of citizen priorities. This inclusiveness will increase trust and compliance.

    Fostering a culture of savings and investment

    Citizens and businesses alike must be encouraged to build financial resilience. State-driven initiatives that promote savings, cooperative societies, and investment in productive sectors will help households reduce dependency on loans while spurring local enterprise.

    Reducing corruption through strong enforcement

    Beyond policies, government must demonstrate political will. Implementing strong, consistent anti-corruption measures sends the message that public resources are sacrosanct and must never be misused for personal enrichment.

    Improving public financial management

    Digital tools, real-time monitoring, and performance-based budgeting can transform Ogun’s public finance. This will not only cut waste but also allow government to channel resources into critical development sectors such as education, healthcare, and transport.

    Enhancing economic stability

    Policies that stabilize prices, reduce inflationary pressures, and promote a competitive environment are crucial. By ensuring macro-economic stability, Ogun can attract large-scale investments and provide businesses with the predictability they need to thrive.

    Unlocking border communities

    Ogun’s border communities with Lagos hold untapped potential. A deliberate policy to redesign and transform these areas into economic development hubs could yield massive returns. With access roads, urban planning, affordable housing estates, electricity, and industrial clusters, border towns can serve as magnets for businesses priced out of Lagos. Such a strategy will not only decongest Lagos but also spread prosperity across Ogun’s urban and rural communities.

    Deep seaport and industrial revolution

    The ongoing deep seaport development, coupled with industrial parks and free trade zones, can position Ogun as the industrial heartbeat of West Africa. By strategically aligning infrastructure like the federal government-funded Lagos-Calabar coastal highway (which traverses Ogun, which we are very grateful to the visioner President Bola Tinubu)—rail, roads, and power—with industrial growth, Ogun can leapfrog into a new phase of economic revolution.

    Tourism & blue economy development

    Beyond the recently revamped Olumo Rock resort—an iconic destination and pride of our people under the watch of our hardworking governor—Ogun State boasts several other untapped jewels in its tourism landscape. One such potential hub is the Ogun Waterside area. With the ongoing construction of the revolutionary Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, this corridor will soon open up an entire stretch of pristine beaches, placing them within easy reach of visitors and investors alike. This infrastructure is not just about transportation; it is the gateway to a thriving blue economy. From beach tourism and hospitality to fisheries, marine logistics, and waterfront real estate, the Ogun coastline is poised to become a magnet for economic growth and sustainable development.

    The path to a greater Ogun

    Development is not an abstract promise; it is a deliberate choice backed by vision and execution. Ogun State has all it takes to rise as a true economic powerhouse. What is required is leadership that combines experience, credibility, and the courage to make tough but necessary decisions. With transparency, sound fiscal management, citizen engagement, and bold infrastructure investments, Ogun can secure a future where prosperity is shared, and its role as Nigeria’s true gateway is realized.

    Amusan, former two-term federal lawmaker who represented Abeokuta North/Obafemi-Owode/Odeda federal constituency is a business and community leader

  • How Ogun can match development promise

    How Ogun can match development promise

    By Jelili Kayode Amusan

    Ogun State stands today at a critical juncture in its history. Strategically located as Nigeria’s industrial gateway to Lagos and the West African market, the state is endowed with enormous natural, human, and geographical advantages.

    Yet, despite decades of efforts, Ogun is still waiting to unlock its full economic potential. Development has been slow, uneven, and sometimes muted by challenges of governance, infrastructure gaps, and weak institutional capacity.

    To be fair, current administration deserves commendation for its strides in laying down legacy infrastructure, implementing institutional reforms, and opening up new pathways in agriculture. But as we project into the next six to ten years, a new urgency must define governance. Ogun must position itself more deliberately to harness the spillovers of Lagos’ economic success and assert its role as a true gateway state—not just in name, but in performance.

    As one who has traversed both the public and private sectors—as a two-term federal lawmaker representing Abeokuta North/Obafemi-Owode/Odeda federal constituency, and as Chief Executive Officer of a conglomerate spanning real estate investment, construction and engineering services, hospitality, oil and gas, gaming and lottery businesses—I have come to appreciate what practical, workable strategies can achieve when effectively applied. My career has been shaped by a deep belief that with the right mix of policy, leadership, and citizen participation, states like Ogun can overcome persistent economic pressures and create shared prosperity for their people.

    The coming political dispensation of 2027 presents Ogun with an opportunity to recalibrate and set a bold development agenda. Here are key areas where governance can significantly reduce financial pressures on citizens while unlocking economic growth:

    1. Promoting Transparency and Accountability

    The first pillar of effective governance is trust. By ensuring financial transactions are transparent and subject to scrutiny, Ogun can drastically reduce corruption and mismanagement. Transparent budgeting, open contracting, and digital monitoring platforms will improve efficiency and reassure both citizens and investors that resources are not being diverted.

    2. Implementing Sound Fiscal Policies

    Sound fiscal discipline is essential to creating a stable environment for growth. Ogun must prioritize budgets that are realistic, inclusive, and geared towards long-term infrastructure, education, and healthcare investment. This requires embracing modern financial management systems that ensure resources are optimally allocated and leakages minimized.

    3. Strengthening Institutions

    Institutions, not individuals, sustain development. Independent oversight bodies such as audit offices and anti-corruption commissions must be empowered to function without interference. This will help build an enduring framework of accountability that outlasts any administration.

    4. Encouraging Public Participation

    True development must reflect the needs of the people. By fostering open town hall consultations, participatory budgeting, and digital feedback platforms, government can ensure that policies are not top-down impositions but genuine reflections of citizen priorities. This inclusiveness will increase trust and compliance.

    5. Fostering a Culture of Savings and Investment

    Citizens and businesses alike must be encouraged to build financial resilience. State-driven initiatives that promote savings, cooperative societies, and investment in productive sectors will help households reduce dependency on loans while spurring local enterprise.

    6. Reducing corruption through strong enforcement

    Beyond policies, government must demonstrate political will. Implementing strong, consistent anti-corruption measures sends the message that public resources are sacrosanct and must never be misused for personal enrichment.

    7. Improving public financial management

    Digital tools, real-time monitoring, and performance-based budgeting can transform Ogun’s public finance. This will not only cut waste but also allow government to channel resources into critical development sectors such as education, healthcare, and transport.

    8. Enhancing economic stability

    Policies that stabilize prices, reduce inflationary pressures, and promote a competitive environment are crucial. By ensuring macroeconomic stability, Ogun can attract large-scale investments and provide businesses with the predictability they need to thrive.

    9. Unlocking border communities

    Ogun’s border communities with Lagos hold untapped potential. A deliberate policy to redesign and transform these areas into economic development hubs could yield massive returns. With access roads, urban planning, affordable housing estates, electricity, and industrial clusters, border towns can serve as magnets for businesses priced out of Lagos. Such a strategy will not only decongest Lagos but also spread prosperity across Ogun’s urban and rural communities.

    10. Deep seaport and Industrial revolution

    The ongoing deep seaport development, coupled with industrial parks and free trade zones, can position Ogun as the industrial heartbeat of West Africa. By strategically aligning infrastructure like the federal government-funded Lagos-Calabar coastal highway (which traverses Ogun, which we are very grateful to the visioner President Bola Tinubu)—rail, roads, and power—with industrial growth, Ogun can leapfrog into a new phase of economic revolution.

    11. Tourism &blue economy development

    Beyond the recently revamped Olumo Rock resort—an iconic destination and pride of our people under the watch of our hardworking governor—Ogun State boasts several other untapped jewels in its tourism landscape.

    Read Also: Ogun APC ratifies Daniel’s suspension for alleged anti-party activities

    One such potential hub is the Ogun Waterside area. With the ongoing construction of the revolutionary Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, this corridor will soon open up an entire stretch of pristine beaches, placing them within easy reach of visitors and investors alike.

    This infrastructure is not just about transportation; it is the gateway to a thriving blue economy. From beach tourism and hospitality to fisheries, marine logistics, and waterfront real estate, the Ogun coastline is poised to become a magnet for economic growth and sustainable development.

    Conclusion: The Path to a Greater Ogun

    Development is not an abstract promise; it is a deliberate choice backed by vision and execution. Ogun State has all it takes to rise as a true economic powerhouse. What is required is leadership that combines experience, credibility, and the courage to make tough but necessary decisions.

    As a business leader with decades of experience across critical sectors and as a community leader who has served in the National Assembly, I believe the solutions are not far-fetched. With transparency, sound fiscal management, citizen engagement, and bold infrastructure investments, Ogun can secure a future where prosperity is shared, and its role as Nigeria’s true gateway is realized.

    Together, we can make Ogun State greater.

  • Daniel not bigger than Ogun State – Gov Abiodun

    Daniel not bigger than Ogun State – Gov Abiodun

    Governor Dapo Abiodun on Saturday declared Senator Gbenga Daniel (Ogun East) is not bigger than Ogun State. 

    Abiodun added that Daniel should submit himself unreservedly to the laws of the State, reminding him that he swore twice as a Governor to uphold the same laws. 

    The Governor stated this in reaction to a  statement by Daniel alleging that he was being persecuted politically by Dapo Abiodun – led State Government, which he noted had served notice to demolish his Asoludero Court private residence, Conference Hotels and its annex – all within the Sagamu GRA of Ogun State. 

    Responding through Kayode Akinmade, his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Abiodun said he was not after Daniel and dismissed as blatant lies the allegations that notices pasted on his properties amounted to 

    “malicious and vindictive abuse of power, hiding behind a newly-enacted law retroactively to target a political opponent.”

    He urged the Senator to refrain from elevating every issue of his contact with government institutions to a personal vendetta by Governor Abiodun, who obviously holds him in high esteem. 

    He said: “Nobody is bigger than the State. Senator Gbenga Daniel is distinguished no doubt, but he is not bigger than Ogun State. He should submit himself unreservedly to the same laws he once swore twice to uphold. He should refrain from elevating every issue of his contact with government institutions to a personal vendetta by Governor Abiodun, who obviously holds him in high esteem.

    “Since his referenced buildings must have conformed with government regulations, there should not be any problem. 

    “The distinguished Senator knows the law and has presumably abided by it, so why is he crying foul instead of simply complying with lawful directive, supremely confident in the knowledge that he has done no wrong, and knowing the rights afforded him by the Constitution and the courts?”

    The Governor said: “Of course, in what has become a familiar pattern, Senator Daniel and his Media Office have been  ascribing political motives to a routine procedure, suggesting that they have something to hide and do not mind using underhand tactics to achieve their sinister  objectives.

    “Contrary to the blatant distortions  of facts and egregious purveyors of falsehood  been propagated by the statement in question, the Ogun State Government is not engaged in any untoward move against Otunba Gbenga Daniel in anyway. 

    “The fact of the matter, quite simply, is that in his holistic approach to  development efforts across the length and breadth of Ogun State, His Excellency, Governor Dapo Abiodun, has  embarked not only on building new communities as exemplified by the affordable housing estates and the yellow roof revolution but also on the redevelopment of Ogun State’s towns and cities through urban renewal. This, he started with Ibara GRA in Abeokuta, the state capital, and is  being extended to Sagamu and Ijebu-Ode GRAs. This initiative involves the auditing of existing developments within these areas in order to determine the permit status of all types of developments, including houses, schools, hospitals and other commercial buildings. This is a statutory and due process requirement which will provide information for any government intervention. And this informed the development audit exercise currently being carried out simultaneously both in Ijebu-Ode and Sagamu GRAs. 

    “Otunba Gbenga Daniel’s building happens to be within the Sagamu GRA and among those that were served notices as required under the Town Planning Law and Regulation of Ogun State. Many other structures were also similarly served. The exercise is a continuous one until the objective of government for the exercise is achieved. This  process is not new. It had been in existence and operated even during his tenure as Governor of the State. The GRA is a government designed and allocated estate and it is  subject to regulatory and oversight functions of government in perpetuity. All Otunba Gbenga Daniel needs to do, like every other person’s in  similar situation that have been served with such  notices in that neighbourhood, is to present his planning permit and land title to the relevant government Agency office for verification within the time specified in the notices rather than resorting to cheap blackmail. There are no exemptions under the law except as permitted by that Law.

    Read Also: Tinubu hails Gov Abiodun at 65

    “Did the distinguished senator not conduct a check around the neighbourhood before hastily rushing to the media to demonise Governor Dapo Abiodun and his administration, as usual? The statement in question jumped the gun by saying that the Government is focusing on Senator Daniel. That is a barefaced lie. It is the duty of the Government to carry out audits and for someone who has been in office as Governor and who is now a Senator to be crying wolf is highly unfortunate. It seems that Senator Gbenga Daniel and his crew will do anything they can to drag the name of Governor Dapo Abiodun into every issue imaginable just to score cheap political points. This is not a hallmark of statesmanship, a topic that the distinguished senator likes to talk about with flourish; it is a dark tactic.

    “Nobody is bigger than the State. Senator Gbenga Daniel is distinguished no doubt, but he is not bigger than Ogun State. He should submit himself unreservedly to the same laws he once swore twice to uphold. He should refrain from elevating every issue of his contact with government institutions to a personal vendetta by Governor Abiodun, who obviously holds him in high esteem. Since his referenced buildings must have conformed with government regulations, there should not be any problem. The distinguished Senator knows the law and has presumably abided by it, so why is he crying foul instead of simply complying with lawful directive, supremely confident in the knowledge that he has done no wrong, and knowing the rights afforded him by the Constitution and the courts?

    “No one should assign impure motives to a routine procedure. If anyone is after Senator Gbenga Daniel, it is certainly not the Governor of Ogun State.”

  • 2027: Ogun PDP affirms support for Tinubu

    2027: Ogun PDP affirms support for Tinubu

    …says APC candidate stands no chance in Remo bye-election

    The Ogun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has clarified that its recent endorsement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is strictly for his 2027 re-election bid and not an endorsement of Governor Dapo Abiodun or the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the August 16 Remo Federal Constituency bye-election.

    In a statement issued on Tuesday, PDP Publicity Secretary, Arc. Kayode Adebayo, said efforts by individuals believed to be loyal to Governor Abiodun to misrepresent the party’s position were deliberate attempts to mislead the public.

    Adebayo emphasized that the endorsement of Tinubu should not be misconstrued as support for the APC’s candidate in the forthcoming bye-election, insisting that the PDP remains firmly behind its candidate, Asiwaju Bolarinwa Oluwole.

    “The bye-election has no connection whatsoever with Tinubu’s 2027 re-election campaign,” he stated. “Our endorsement of the president does not translate into backing the APC in the August 16 poll.”

    He accused the APC of twisting the narrative surrounding the PDP’s campaign flag-off, saying it was a desperate attempt to distract from Governor Abiodun’s alleged poor performance and waning popularity in the state.

    Adebayo also cited Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) records from the 2023 elections, which showed that Governor Abiodun lost both his polling unit and ward to the PDP, as evidence of the APC’s declining influence.

    Read Also: Tinubu signs insurance reform bill into law to boost financial sector, drive $1tn economy vision

    He dismissed any attempt to link Tinubu’s endorsement to the local bye-election as “a political mirage,” and called on the ruling party to focus on credible governance rather than propaganda.

    Reaffirming the PDP’s stance, he said: “Asiwaju Bolarinwa Oluwole remains our candidate. No amount of propaganda, threats, or misinformation will deter the people of Remoland from making their voices heard on August 16.”

    Adebayo concluded by warning against any use of state power or intimidation during the election, urging Governor Abiodun and his supporters to allow a free, fair, and credible process to unfold.

  • As the world’s largest garment factory berths in Ogun

    As the world’s largest garment factory berths in Ogun

    • By Kayode Akinmade

    Lovers of good things would have been extremely delighted hearing the latest news emanating from Nigeria’s Gateway State – that a $2bn garment factory is set to birth in the state. The news, thrilling and predictive of a bright future for the state and Nigeria as a whole, is  that the Dapo Abiodun-led government, in a ground-breaking partnership with Arise Integrated Industrial Platform (IIP), an Indian-headquartered multinational, is set to establish the world’s largest garment manufacturing facility in the state. 

    With a financial outlay of between $2 billion and $2.25 billion, this transformational initiative is poised to alter the landscape of Nigeria’s textile sector, resuscitate cotton farming, and place Ogun at the centre of Africa’s industrial map. Visit the Special Agro Processing Zone at the Ogun Airport City in September this year, and see the factory taking shape.

    And what will this $2 billion garment factory do? It will produce an estimated 4.4 million garments daily and employ between 120,000 and150,000 people directly and indirectly. It is immediately evident that the project, with Ogun State dedicating 10 hectares of land for cotton growing, will boost cotton farming and textile production in Nigeria. It has the beautiful prospect of turning the Gateway State into a garment hub in Africa. The investment will resuscitate Nigeria’s textile industry, which has declined in recent years.

    And talking about the big decline in Nigeria’s textile industry, don’t we all remember that with deep pain? Don’t we all remember with nostalgia, the good old days when almost everyone in Nigeria bought and used Nigerian fabrics with pride, and without apology? Those were the days, you no doubt recall, when the uniforms used in hospitals, hotels and other places were produced in Nigeria. For those resident in the Southwest, surely the memories of the textile factories in Ikorodu, Ikeja, Ado Ekiti, and other places has not completely faded from memory. In those days, you saw and lived Nigeria wherever you turned, and textile factories were everywhere. Take Kano, for instance. It was known for its big textile industry and some of today’s big political names, including Adams Oshiomhole, made their names there protecting the interest of the organised labour. The industry arguably accounted for more than 10 percent of the total employment coverage in Nigeria in those days. And then came the military incursion that ravaged many things.

    Today, if you go to some places that used to be industrial estates, you will discover that they have now been overtaken by churches and supermarkets. As a result of the terrible downturn in Nigeria’s textile industry, foreign-made clothes, even of local fabrics like ankara and adire, constantly flood the Nigerian market. Foreigners and foreign goods dominate our markets and the money we ought to make as IGR is lost. Because of bad leadership, we lost thousands of jobs. Those who ought to be employed in the textile value chain roam the streets in search of non-existent jobs.

    Read Also: NEC approves fresh funding for NEMA, States to boost flood response

    This is why the latest development in Ogun State should excite all Nigerians. As Nigerians are no doubt aware, there are several layers in the textile value chain, from raw material production of cotton, synthetic fibres or other materials, to ginning and processing into fibres, and the spinning of fibres into yarn. Then there is weaving or knitting, dyeing and finishing, cutting and sewing of fabric into garments or textiles, and the distribution of finished products to retailers, who then sell to the final consumers. Talk of an extensive chain involving farmers (planters and harvesters), ginners and processors, spinners, weavers and knitters, dyers and finishers, manufacturers, wholesalers and distributors, and retailers; suppliers who provide machinery, chemicals, and other inputs, designers who make patterns for textiles and garments, traders in textiles and garments, and even the government  regulators.

    For a very long time, Nigeria has been relying on foreign textile industries. Nigerians go to China, India and other countries to bring clothing into Nigeria. It is as if they no longer remember that the Nigerian textile industry used to supply all the clothing needed in hotels, including beddings, curtains, etc. In this regard, it is a good thing that Ogun is creatively looking backwards in the direction of production.

    For one thing, job creation is in the offing: workers in the projected firm will be in their hundreds, and with time that axis can even become a community on its own. A factory with a production capacity of 100 tons/hour, 1,000 tons per day, 40,000 tons per month, and 350,000 tons per year is no joke. The potential benefits to Ogun State and Nigeria are clearly immense. For some time now, Ogun has taken a lead role in bringing investors to Nigeria, creating an enabling environment, giving opportunities to residents and creating prosperity for all.

    Speaking during his meeting with the leadership of Arise Integrated Industrial Platform (IIP) led by Gagan Gupta, President of the Arise Integrated Industrial Platform, Governor Abiodun put the latest development in perspective. Hear him: “What we are here for today is to put together a project implementation team to identify what needs to be done and when, to jointly establish timelines for each of the tasks so that we can prepare for the ground-breaking of the project in September. What I find most exciting is how this project will resuscitate cotton farming and cotton growing in Nigeria and the ripple effects on the economy. Ogun State fortunately grows the highest quality cotton in Nigeria. We dedicated 10 hectares of land in the first instance for cotton growing. We have a very active grower association in our state. I am hoping that you find the right cotton inputs that you will make available to these farmers, and they will become the out-growers. That way, you will take over the ownership of the entire process, and off-take agreements would have been signed with them so that they know what is expected at harvest.”

    The governor’s view was echoed by Gagan Gupta, who averred that “Nigeria has the potential to be Africa’s textile hub.” It is significant that Ogun under Abiodun continues to attract investments in various sectors, from agriculture to pharmaceuticals, etc. Already, an agro-cargo airport that will transport the business landscape is in place, and work is ongoing on dry ports. Nigerians certainly have not forgotten that the world’s largest cement factory is, courtesy of the billionaire business mogul Aliko Dangote, berthing in Ibeshe, Ogun State. The Abiodun government is leaving no stone unturned in making Ogun Nigeria’s top investment destination, and the future promises to bring in more harvests of economic opportunities, and shared prosperity for the great people of Ogun State.

    •Akinmade is Special Adviser on Media and Strategy to Ogun State governor

  • Ogun missing teenager found dead, heart, genitals, other organs stolen

    Ogun missing teenager found dead, heart, genitals, other organs stolen

    A missing teenager, Master Lawal Wahab, 16, has been found dead with his heart, wrist and genitals harvested by persons suspected to be ritualists. 

    The deceased, until his mysterious disappearance, had been staying with his grandmother, before he was declared missing by his father, Mr. Lawal Olumide.

    However, his lifeless and decomposed body was discovered along the Old Express Road, Igbile-Ijebu on July 23rd, 2025 with his remains severely mutilated. 

    The Ogun Police Command, which confirmed the incident, said it is investigating case, suspecting to be a ritual murder. 

    The spokesperson of the command, Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Omolola Odutola, said  officers from Omu-Ijebu Division have arrested suspects identified as Salawu Omikansola (25 years) ‘m’, Serefusi Agemo ‘m’, and others in connection with the murder. 

    Odutola said one of the suspects had made a voluntary confessional statement, which was also recorded on video.

    According to her, investigation revealed that the boy’s head, both wrists, heart, and genitals had been gruesomely removed—suggesting ritualistic motives.

    Read Also: Court halts planned parallel NBM convention In Ogun

    The police spokesperson, however, added that the deceased has been buried in accordance with Islamic rites due to the state of the remains. 

    He said: “The case file, alongside exhibits, is being prepared for immediate transfer to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Eleweran, for further discreet investigation. Meanwhile, efforts are ongoing to arrest other fleeing accomplices.

    “The Ogun State Police Command condemns this heinous act and assures the public that justice will be pursued to its logical conclusion.

    “We urge citizens to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the nearest police formation.”

  • Awujale: Makinde commiserates with Ogun gov, residents

    Awujale: Makinde commiserates with Ogun gov, residents

    Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has described the death of the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, as the end of a glorious era.

    He commiserated with the governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun and the residents of the state on the passage of Oba Adetona, who, according to Makinde, represented the height and beauty of royal prowess.

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    The governor stated this on Monday, in a condolence message made available to newsmen in Ibadan.

    He prayed to God to grant repose to the soul of the late monarch, while also praying to God to stand by the kingdom and the people he left behind.