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A public affairs analyst Adebisi Adeyemo has raised concerns that Governor Seyi Makinde could leave Oyo State with substantial debt obligations that could constrain the finances of successive administrations after his exit in May 2027.

Adeyemo warned that repayment commitments from the state government’s reported ?400 billion borrowing and refinancing arrangements could extend beyond Makinde’s tenure potentially limiting future administrations’ capacity to provide essential public services.

He consequently challenged the governor to disclose the terms of the arrangements including repayment schedules interest rates and the projects to be financed within 24 hours.

His concerns followed the reported approval by the Oyo State House of Assembly on October 21 of a fresh ?100 billion loan from United Bank for Africa (UBA) and a ?300 billion facility to refinance an existing contractors’ financing arrangement with Access Bank.

According to him although the ?300 billion facility represents refinancing rather than entirely new borrowing the financial implications require public scrutiny particularly as the arrangement reportedly reduces the interest rate from 26 per cent to 22 per cent.

He noted that the fresh ?100 billion facility reportedly attracts a reviewable interest rate of 22 per cent with a repayment period of 48 months extending beyond the lifespan of the present administration.

Adeyemo maintained that while government borrowing for critical infrastructure including roads schools and hospitals could be justified residents must be adequately informed about the costs and expected benefits.

He questioned whether the state would inherit completed projects that could justify the commitments or outstanding liabilities that could undermine future development priorities.

The analyst therefore urged Makinde the state Ministry of Finance the Debt Management Office and the House of Assembly to publish the complete loan and refinancing agreements associated charges repayment schedules security arrangements and guarantees.

He also demanded the state’s current debt profile projected annual debt-servicing costs details of projects earmarked for the fresh ?100 billion loan cost-benefit assessments debt sustainability analysis and legislative approval documents.

Adeyemo challenged the House of Assembly to explain the financial scrutiny undertaken before approving the arrangements insisting that legislative oversight must extend beyond endorsing executive borrowing requests.

He clarified however that his 24-hour deadline was a public accountability challenge not a statutory requirement.

The analyst added that any contractual information considered confidential should include an explanation of the legal grounds for withholding it while other relevant documents should be made publicly accessible.

Citing Section 14(2) of the 1999 Constitution as amended and Section 22 of the Freedom of Information Act 2011 Adeyemo maintained that transparency and public welfare must guide decisions involving government resources.

He stressed that his intervention was neither an allegation of financial misconduct nor an expression of political hostility arguing that supporters and critics of the administration had a legitimate interest in understanding the state’s financial commitments.

‘Governor Makinde will leave office but Oyo State will remain. Political tenures expire; public financial obligations may not’ he said.

Adeyemo urged the government to provide documented explanations of the borrowing arrangements and their implications beyond 2027 stressing that residents deserved to know how long the state would service the obligations and their potential impact on future generations.

The lawmaker representing Ovia Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives Hon. Omosede Igbinedion said her Bill to improve welfare for vulnerable Nigerians and domestic workers is grounded in the recognition that they deserve fundamental respect dignity and protection against exploitation like other categories of workers.

Igbinedion said the Bill has passed its First Reading in the House of Representatives and reflects her focus on protecting women children and vulnerable members of society while promoting human dignity social justice and decent working conditions.

In a statement issued in Benin City Igbinedion said the Bill aims to stop the widespread exploitation abuse and mistreatment of domestic workers especially those engaged in private households without adequate legal protection or clearly defined conditions of employment.

Igbinedion explained that the proposed legislation seeks to prohibit child domestic labour and to provide five years’ imprisonment for any individual found guilty of employing recruiting supplying or harbouring a child for domestic work.

She said the Bill proposes mandatory written employment contracts for domestic workers fair and regular wage payments reasonable working hours rest periods annual leave safe accommodation and access to medical attention in emergencies.

According to her ‘It prohibits physical abuse sexual harassment psychological intimidation forced labour trafficking and the unlawful withholding of workers’ identification documents.

‘The proposed law introduces the registration of domestic employers and the licensing and regulation of domestic recruitment agencies alongside mechanisms for monitoring compliance investigating complaints and penalising offenders.

‘The Bill also addresses the responsibilities of recruitment agencies and employers ensuring that accountability extends beyond the immediate household to intermediaries involved in recruiting and placing domestic workers.

‘If eventually passed by the National Assembly and assented to by the President the legislation could mark an important milestone in strengthening Nigeria’s legal protections for domestic workers and combating child exploitation.

‘The legislative initiative reinforces a central principle of public service: no child should be deprived of an education to serve in another person’s home and no domestic worker should be subjected to abuse exploitation or indignity simply because of the nature of their employment.’

Two suspected cases of Ebola disease have been identified in Nigeria’s North-East with both individuals isolated and laboratory tests underway as health authorities intensify surveillance following the country’s first confirmed case in more than a decade.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) yesterday said contact identification and listing were ongoing stressing that the classification of the two individuals as suspected cases did not mean they had tested positive for the disease.

The development comes amid continued contact tracing and monitoring following the confirmation of an imported Ebola case in the Federal Capital Territory on October 20.

The index case involved a 42-year-old woman who arrived in Nigeria from Uganda through Addis Ababa on October 3.

She developed symptoms on October 7 and sought treatment at private health facilities before the NCDC was notified and samples were collected.

Laboratory tests at the NCDC National Reference Laboratory confirmed infection with the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus on October 20.

Following the confirmation the Federal Government activated its public health response while health authorities began tracing people who might have been exposed to the patient including healthcare workers household contacts and people linked to her travel.

The NCDC initially identified 44 close contacts with the number subsequently rising to 54 as investigations progressed.

The contacts had been identified and were under follow-up.

The index patient was later medically evacuated from Abuja to Switzerland alongside her husband who had remained asymptomatic.

The evacuation followed an improvement in her clinical condition but Nigerian health authorities cautioned that removing the patient from the country did not mean the risk of further transmission had ended.

Contact tracing and monitoring have continued to identify possible infections among people who may have been exposed.

In a related development a suspected Ebola case reported in Rivers State after the initial confirmation tested negative in laboratory investigations.

The NCDC’s situation report said the suspected case was reported on October 23 with the negative result communicated to the state.

The result was among the negative samples recorded during investigations into possible infections linked to the outbreak.

The newly identified suspected cases in the North-East are now undergoing laboratory testing with further updates expected as verified information becomes available.

The NCDC urged Nigerians to maintain good hand hygiene observe proper sanitation and follow guidance issued by public health authorities.

It also advised the public to avoid direct contact with the blood and body fluids of anyone suspected of having Ebola and to cooperate with health officials conducting contact tracing and monitoring.

The agency has repeatedly emphasised that being identified as a suspected case or contact does not mean a person has Ebola. Laboratory confirmation is required to establish infection.

Nigeria’s response has included intensified surveillance laboratory testing isolation arrangements and contact monitoring with health authorities working to identify possible infections early and prevent further transmission.

The public has been urged to remain calm rely on verified information and promptly report possible exposure or symptoms to public health authorities.

The City Boy Movement has intensified its nationwide mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections with its Patron Seyi Tinubu saying the organisation is consolidating its existing structures expanding its national footprint and strengthening grassroots engagement across the country.

In a statement issued on Friday by the movement’s Deputy National Publicity Secretary Arabinrin Aderonke Tinubu said the mobilisation was already underway describing the movement’s expanding activities as a deliberate effort to build a formidable national network ahead of the next electoral cycle.

‘The City Boy Movement is already on the ground mobilising organising and expanding its national reach ahead of the 2027 general elections. What we are witnessing is a deliberate effort to build on the structures already established deepen grassroots engagement and strengthen our presence across the country’ he said.

The movement’s activities have taken it to the South-East Jigawa Bauchi Gombe Adamawa and Taraba states among other parts of the federation with engagements extending to grassroots communities. The spread of its activities reflects its stated commitment to building a national platform that reaches beyond conventional political centres and engages communities at the local level.

Tinubu who expressed confidence in members’ commitment and determination said the task ahead required focus purpose and collective responsibility. He noted that the movement’s progress would depend not merely on its visibility but on the strength of its organisation and the dedication of its members.

‘As Patron I am confident in the commitment energy and determination of our members. We understand the task ahead and we are approaching it with focus purpose and a clear sense of responsibility’ he said.

A lawyer and entrepreneur Seyi Tinubu is the founder of Loatsad Promomedia an outdoor advertising company and has been associated with youth-focused initiatives and philanthropy. As Patron he sits at the forefront of the movement’s leadership and organisational direction.

Reaffirming the movement’s resolve he said: ‘City Boy is not a movement of empty declarations. We are building mobilising and taking the work seriously. Let there be no doubt: City Boy means business.’

The City Boy Movement a youth-oriented political mobilisation platform that emerged during the 2023 election cycle has continued to build its organisational presence across the country. It says its current mobilisation is directed at supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election in 2027 and delivering the mandate.