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Federal Housing Authority Chief Executive Officer, Mr Oyetunde Ojo, has hailed Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji for attracting development to the state.

Ojo, a former member of House of Representatives, said Oyebanji was trustworthy; hence he was getting positive results.

He said the governor had expanded the membership base of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State by attracting new members.

The FHA chief executive, who spoke in Ado-Ekiti, hailed the governor for releasing 20 hectares in the state capital and the certificate of occupancy free of charge to his agency for the building of 200 housing units to bridge housing gap in the state.

Ojo said: ‘The governor, in his magnanimous nature, gave us 20 hectares near Ekiti State University (EKSU) Road. The groundbreaking will kick off after the rains. We have perfected papers, thanks to Mr Governor who gave us C of O free of charge.

‘The groundbreaking will take place by November/December. We are building 200 units of two-bedroom bungalows there. We will start with 100 units.’

He attributed the numerous federal appointments and opportunities coming to Ekiti to the combined influence of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s love for the state and the governor’s efforts.

Ojo said: ‘No governor has been able to attract many federal appointments and projects to Ekiti State like Governor Oyebanji. It is a reflection of President Tinubu’s affection for our people, the respect the President has for the governor’s leadership and the governor’s strategic efforts.’

He praised federal appointees of Ekiti extraction for their outstanding performance, noting that they had been working to support party members and contributing meaningfully to the development of the state.

Ojo said the difference between Oyebanji and past leaders was his deep understanding of the state’s history and inclusive approach to governance, adding:

‘Oyebanji was part of the struggle for the creation of Ekiti State. He understands our challenges. This is why he doesn’t discriminate, he is not the governor of APC alone, but the governor of Ekiti State.

‘The governor is being sensitive to the needs of the state and this is the first time we are enjoying such a thing. He is attending to the needs of the state without political colouration. He is spreading out the resources of the state for the welfare and development needs of all parts of the state. This is why people associate with him.

‘People have seen that Governor Oyebanji is being responsive. So, nobody will want to be left behind, but to associate with such a person. This is why people are joining the APC or pledging support to his administration and second term bid.

‘You can see the likes of Senator Biodun Olujimi defecting from Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). If the governor is not trustworthy, or the governor is not taking care of everybody in the state, Ekiti people I know will call his bluff. But it shows the governor is doing the right thing.’

A group, Nigeria Reputation Management Group (NRMG), has called for integrity among the citizens, saying the image of the country is shaped not by slogans or policies alone, but by the conduct, integrity, and values of the citizens.

According to a statement from the group endorsed by its Chairman, Yomi Badejo-Okusanya to commemorate the inaugural edition of Nigeria Reputation Day today, he said rebuilding Nigeria’s reputation, therefore, is not only about fixing systems, it is about restoring trust, strengthening character, and living with integrity.

Badejo-Okusanya said Nigerians have shown, time and again, that the citizens are creative, resilient, and unbreakable in spirit, adding that to fully harness these gifts, honesty and accountability are crucial.

‘Every act of fairness, every promise kept, and every truth spoken is a quiet brick with which we build a stronger, more respected Nigeria,’ he said.

According to him, the country’s challenges are real, but they are not insurmountable, adding that across the world, ‘and within our borders, we have seen communities revived and nations renewed when people chose to act differently, persistently, and together’.

‘Today marks a defining chapter in our nation’s story, the inaugural Nigeria Reputation Day. It is a day for reflection and renewal; a day to recognise one of our greatest national assets: our name.

‘The theme of this year’s commemoration, ‘Better Reputation, Better Nigeria,’ carries a truth that speaks to all of us, that the image of our country is shaped not by slogans or policies alone, but by the conduct, integrity, and values of each Nigerian.

‘Our reputation is not merely perception; it is power. It determines how the world receives us, how investors trust our markets, how our youth are treated abroad, and how proudly our children identify with their homeland.

‘Rebuilding Nigeria’s reputation, therefore, is not only about fixing systems, it is about restoring trust, strengthening character, and living with integrity.

‘Nigerians have shown, time and again, that we are creative, resilient, and unbreakable in spirit. ‘Yet to fully harness these gifts, we must anchor them in honesty and accountability. Every act of fairness, every promise kept, and every truth spoken is a quiet brick with which we build a stronger, more respected Nigeria.

‘Yes, our challenges are real, but they are not insurmountable. Around the world, and within our borders, we have seen communities revived and nations renewed when people chose to act differently, persistently, and together,’ he said.

Badejo-Okusanya said to guide the nation’s collective journey, the NRMG identified five pillars for building and sustaining Nigeria’s reputation. The pillars include Consistency – Acting with integrity not occasionally, but always; Transparency – Being open in our decisions and accountable for outcomes; and Responsibility – Owning our actions and correcting our missteps.

Others are Respect – Treating our people, institutions, laws, and environment with dignity; and Excellence – Rejecting mediocrity and striving for higher standards in all things.

‘On this first Nigeria Reputation Day, we call on every Nigerian, at home and abroad, to take up the #BetterReputationBetterNigeria# challenge: commit one act of integrity, live it daily, inspire others to do the same, and carry Nigeria’s name with honour,’ Badejo-Okusanya said.

He said the M-Factor is the country’s cultural power grid

According to him, the nation’s reputation is not built by policies alone, it is expressed daily through creativity, culture, and the people. ‘Across the world, Nigeria’s image is shaped by what we call ‘The M-Factor’, our five engines of soft power: music, movies, media, minds, and fashion.

These five dimensions, he said are the pulse of the Nigerian story, vibrant, expressive, and deeply human.

He said music – the rhythm of resilience, turning challenges into chants and hope into harmony;

movies – the nation’s mirror and megaphone, projecting truth, humour, and courage with global reach while media – the voice that frames perception, building or breaking trust depending on how it is used.

‘Minds – our thinkers, innovators, and reformers – the conscience behind our creativity; fashion – the fabric of our identity, where culture meets confidence and design meets dignity,’ he added.

According to him, when the M-Factor aligns with integrity, Nigeria becomes unstoppable.

‘Let our music carry messages of dignity as much as rhythm; Let our films uplift as much as they entertain; Let our media amplify truth, not toxicity; Let our fashion express pride anchored in purpose; And let our minds lead with clarity, conscience, and courage.

‘This is how a nation earns respect, when culture and character move in the same direction.

‘Our national image will not be defined by headlines alone, but by the quiet consistency of millions choosing what is right. Let this day be a turning point, a reminder that the reputation we desire begins with each of us.

‘From now on, Nigeria Reputation Day will be marked annually on October 15 as a national reminder that integrity and reputation are the foundations of progress. Each year, we will renew our shared commitment to honour, trust, and uphold the values that make Nigeria great.

‘Together, we can build a nation that commands respect, attracts opportunity, and reflects the greatness that lies within us all. The Nigeria Reputation Management Group (NRMG) stands ready to lead, support, and collaborate with every Nigerian in restoring and protecting our national character,’ he said.

General Ibrahim Babangida was infamously notorious for formulating and forcing several unpopular decrees down the throat of Nigerians in his eight-year rule. To the ‘Evil Genius,’ who crowned his era of infamy with the annulment of the June 12 presidential elections, belongs the copyright of the equally infamous ‘Motor Vehicles (Prohibition of Tinted Glass) Decree No. 6 of 1991.’

Ironically, in a civilian regime run by a Bola Ahmed Tinubu who fought Babangida to a standstill, IBB’s draconian law has been dug up by Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun to pepper Nigerians. Nigerians still relive the military-era nightmare of obtaining and presenting a certificate or permit to drive with ‘tinted glasses.’ This time around, IGP Egbetokun is levying motorists N14,000 per vehicle to obtain the permit.

The plan has caused much uproar nationwide. Some have warned that with this impending policy, Egbetokun has overstepped his statutory mandate; moreover, he is reversing the country back to its dark, draconian history under the military.

To justify their imposition, police authorities hide behind the one finger of Section 3 of the Motor Vehicles (Prohibition of Tinted Glass) Act. This Act came to life under IBB as the ‘Motor Vehicles (Prohibition of Tinted Glass) Decree No. 6 of 1991.’ This is a Military Decree! Babangida formulated the law at a time he held Nigeria by the jugular in that infamous season of anomie. Not every law is a good law, and authorities must have a reason for pushing this martial-inclined law under the carpet in the last 34 years! Now under President Tinubu, Egbetokun has resurrected Godzilla, the king of monsters!

Currently, amounts that vehicle owners pay on particulars have hit an all-time high. For example, Proof of Ownership certificates, erstwhile a one-off documentation, has become yearly renewable. How do you demand that ownership certificates must be renewed every year even when ownership remains unchanged? Recently, third-party insurance suddenly ballooned by 200 percent from N5,000 to N15,000? Driving licence fees, vehicle licence fees have all grown wings in the last two years. Don’t even mention the hackney permit where states and local governments bay for blood when freight vans and lorries pass through their territories. Imagine one truck, lorry or trailer needing one or more document from each of the 36 states and 774 local governments!

Coming from the Police Force of a country that does not manufacture a single vehicle, and rather imports all motor vehicles (and glasses), the enforcement of this law will be nothing but preposterous and overreaching. Nigeria that manufactures neither glasses nor vehicles will be funnelling scarce foreign exchange to nations that manufacture and sell plain cars and glasses to us.

Many have wondered if this will not distract the police of a country reeling from widespread insurgency and insecurity for which the Armed Forces have found no solution. Police actually say the measure will help them fight insecurity.

Fight insecurity indeed! Cars have boots. Boots hide things from visible eyes. Clearly, we don’t pay for car-boot permits? Are we not simply told to open the booths for the contents to be inspected? Shouldn’t the same obtain for tinted glasses? If in doubt about occupants or contents of a vehicle, can police not simply demand that, as in the case of the boot, the driver or passenger should wind down the door glass on approaching checking points?

Moreover, as currently framed, violation of the law fetches a fine of N2,000. Yet police want drivers to obtain the licence for N14,000! Can you see discordance and disconnect? Procuring the permit for such a huge sum means that the scheme will make the Force revenue-generating. No country’s police operate purely for revenue-generation. The police have no business in business. Nor can the Force formulate programmes to generate revenue for itself or the government. Its budget comes as a first-line charge, like those of the Army and other paramilitary agencies. Police work is essential service. The government takes care of ALL police’s capital and recurrent expenditures.

Moreover, where is the justice in this arrangement? Conferring the Force with this draconian power makes the police complainant, prosecutor and judge rolled into one. An executive arm of government suddenly commandeers the powers of the judiciary as well as the executive. Wow! That puts colossal power in the hand of one institution. The writers of our constitution deliberately guarded against such a monstrosity through couching the Grund nom in the Doctrine of Separation of Powers.

What actually is tinted glass?

By definition, tinted glass in a car refers to ‘window glass that is darkened either at the factory by adding metal oxides to the glass during production, or by applying a thin film to the surface of existing glass after the car is built. This treatment provides benefits like increased privacy, UV protection, and heat reduction..’

Vehicles made in Europe, America, Asia and anywhere else all avoid plain glasses. Colouring of vehicle glasses has become the universal standard to counter the harmful effect of ultraviolet (UV) rays. Yet Nigerian police want citizens to go plain glasses.

Will enforcement distinguish between colour, shaded and tinted glasses? Do colour windows equal tinted glasses? IGP Egbetokun couldn’t care less. So far, police publicity campaign behind the implementation of this law has ignored the tone, language and spirit of the Motor Vehicles (Prohibition of Tinted Glass) Act. You wonder if the NPF has a Legal Department! Police PROs interpret it to say you must get a permit ‘if you’re driving a car with tinted, shaded, coloured, or darkened glass.’

But that has no backing in this quoted law. The actual law says no such thing. Read the exact wording:

The Federal Military Government hereby decrees as follows:

1. (1) Except with the permission of the appropriate authority designated for the purposes of this Decree and for such good cause as may be determined from time to time by the appropriate authority, no person shall cause any glass fitted on a motor vehicle to be-

(a) tinted; or

(b) shaded; or

(c) coloured lightly; or thickly

(d) darkened; or

(e) reated in any other way,

so that the persons or objects in the motor vehicle are rendered obscure or invisible.

Clearly, it says, ‘no person shall cause any glass fitted on a motor vehicle to be tinted’ etc. The word CAUSE remains the operative denominator. Have you CAUSED your vehicle glasses to be tinted? Obviously, what the law frowns at is the vehicle owner going the EXTRA MILE, or making EXTRA EFFORT, to shade, colour, darken or tint the glass of his vehicle. If the shade or colouring is FOLLOW-COME, you have no business getting a permit. But who will tell this to the Nigerian policeman hunting for off-plain glasses whenever the regulation takes effect?

The official explanation of that law couches it as: ‘An Act to prohibit the tinting or treating in any other way any glass fitted in a motor vehicle so as to render persons in the vehicle obscure or invisible.’ Note the word PROHIBIT. This clearly exempts intrinsically or originally FOLLOW-COME shaded and colour glasses. The law aims to prevent or to licence the tinting of vehicles by owners who ‘deliberately’ choose to. It connotes that such action of tinting was voluntary, by choice and a superfluous action for luxurious purposes.

So why does IGP Egbetokun want to make it a blanket law? Why will he be misapplying a law reserved not for general motorists but the few owners who choose to paste tint-stickers on their glasses?

A coalition of civil society organisations under the aegis of the Niger Delta Advancement Forum (NDAF) has applauded President Bola Tinubu and the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Gbenga Komolafe, for what it described as ‘the most transparent and impactful community development effort in the history of Nigeria’s oil industry.’

In a statement on Wednesday, NDAF President, Comrade Ebiowei Timipre, said the successful execution of 536 community projects across oil-producing states through the Host Community Development Trust (HCDT) marks ‘a turning point in the long struggle for equity, justice, and inclusion in the Niger Delta.’

Timipre commended President Tinubu for demonstrating ‘unprecedented political will’ by empowering the NUPRC to enforce the full implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), which had remained largely dormant under previous administrations.

‘For decades, host communities were left with unfulfilled promises and abandoned projects, but under President Tinubu, the story has changed. Through the visionary leadership of Engr. Komolafe at NUPRC, we are finally seeing the oil wealth of the Niger Delta being channelled into schools, hospitals, roads, and livelihoods for our people,’ he said.

According to the group, the Commission, acting under the President’s directive to prioritise local development, has ensured that all projects are executed transparently and simultaneously across multiple states, creating a model of inclusive progress.

Citing verified data from the NUPRC, NDAF revealed that as of October 13, 2025, the Host Community Development Trust Fund had grown to ?373 billion – a contribution made by oil companies operating under the PIA.

The coalition described the figure as ‘a historic leap in fiscal accountability’ and evidence that the President’s reforms are delivering tangible results.

‘President Tinubu’s insistence on reform-driven governance has given the PIA new life. And under Komolafe’s watch, the NUPRC has become a model of how regulation should work – firm, transparent, and community-centred,’ Timipre added.

He highlighted that the Commission’s HostComply digital dashboard, which tracks deposits and disbursements to host community funds in real time, has eliminated the opacity that once plagued oil industry interventions.

The NDAF particularly praised the progress recorded in Rivers State, where the NUPRC recently facilitated the completion of over ten projects and launched another ten under the Obagi HCDT operated by TotalEnergies.

These include hospitals, roads, and educational facilities that directly benefit rural communities.

Timipre described these results as ‘proof that Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda is producing measurable outcomes in the oil region,’ adding that ‘the synergy between the presidency and NUPRC has given new meaning to resource justice.’

He further urged oil companies to remain committed to the three per cent operating expenditure contribution mandated under the PIA, assuring them that the current administration has restored trust and transparency to the system.

‘For once, the Niger Delta is seeing the dividends of oil. What past governments could not achieve in decades is now being delivered under President Tinubu’s watch. We’re grateful to the President and the Niger Delta shall return the Favour in 2027,’ Timipre declared.

Sweden have sacked their manager for the first time ever when Jon Dahl Tomasson was dismissed on Tuesday, following a dismal start to their World Cup qualifying campaign that left them bottom of Group B with one point from four games.

Dane Tomasson’s final game in charge was a 1-0 home defeat by Kosovo, his side’s third successive loss, leaving them on the verge of elimination, and the country’s first foreign manager’s position became untenable.

‘The decision made by the association board is based on the fact that the men’s national team has not delivered the results we hoped for,’ Swedish Football Association’s chairman Simon Astrom said in a statement.

‘There is still a chance of a playoff in March and our responsibility is to ensure that we have as optimal conditions as possible to be able to reach a World Cup playoff. In this, we assess that a new leadership is required in the form of a new coach.’

Tomasson was appointed in February 2024 and after losing three of his first four games in charge, which were all friendlies, he led Sweden to an unbeaten Nations League campaign and promotion to Nations League B.

This year began in opposite fashion, winning three of four friendly matches, but their World Cup qualifying bid looks doomed.

Sweden drew 2-2 in Slovenia in their opening game, but two defeats by Kosovo and a home loss to Switzerland leave them needing to win their final two matches and hope other results go their way in order to reach the playoffs.

The manager’s position came under extreme pressure from media and fans following recent results, and the Swedish federation have decided to act while qualification still remains a possibility, however slim.

‘We have a group of players that we believe in very much and want to create new opportunities for them to deliver,’ Sweden’s head of football Kim Kallstrom said.

‘We have faith that this team can make it to the World Cup if the chance for the playoffs is there in March. It is always sad to go our separate ways, but football is results-based and we have come to a point where the results are not enough.’

Tomasson had previously managed Dutch clubs Excelsior and Roda JC, Malmo in Sweden, and then left English side Blackburn Rovers to take charge of the Swedish national team.

The 49-year-old made 112 appearances for Denmark, scoring 52 goals, and won a Champions League and Serie A title with AC Milan as a player, having also played with Newcastle United, Feyenoord and Villarreal.

I am pleased to take this opportunity to extend my heartfelt congratulations to my esteemed leader and colleague, Seyi Tinubu, as he celebrates his fortieth birthday. It is a significant occasion to recognise individuals who have a transformative impact on our perspectives-those capable of reshaping our understanding of effective leadership. Seyi is undoubtedly one such individual: thoughtful, unassuming, influential, gentle, and resolute in purpose. He epitomises a leader who not only uplifts others without seeking recognition but also provides steady guidance and transforms lives with quiet determination.

These reflections come from someone who has had the privilege of working closely with Seyi. Throughout the intense planning sessions of the 2023 presidential campaign, I witnessed firsthand his profound character and approach to leadership.

I would like to highlight the remarkable intellect that Seyi Tinubu possesses. His brilliance is evident in the manner he conducts himself-not through grandstanding, but through insightful and strategic thinking. He is a quiet genius who engages deeply with challenges, employs meticulous planning, and identifies solutions that others might overlook. During our numerous discussions leading up to President Tinubu’s historic electoral triumph, I observed a mind capable of envisioning ambitious goals while remaining anchored in reality. Where others may see obstacles, Seyi perceives opportunities for progress.

A standout quality of Seyi is his unwavering dedication to nurturing young Nigerian leaders. In a political landscape often marked by competition and rivalry, Seyi’s perspective offers a refreshing alternative. He recognizes the immense potential within young Nigerians and views them as valuable contributors to the nation’s future. Rather than seeing them as mere campaign instruments, he understands that they represent the foundation of our society-individuals who require mentorship, support, and opportunities to grow into competent leaders. This commitment is not simply talk; it informs all of his initiatives and decisions.

The City Boy Movement, which I have the honour of leading as Director-General, serves as a tangible expression of Seyi’s dedication to youth development. Founded during the vibrant phase of the 2023 presidential campaign, our organisation is designed to be a sustainable platform for youth mobilisation and advocacy. With Seyi Tinubu as our Grand Patron, we are working diligently to channel the energy, creativity, and aspirations of Nigerian youth in alignment with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision of Renewed Hope for our nation.

Our mission encompasses far more than electoral success. We strive to ensure that Nigerians have a comprehensive understanding of the President’s policies and programs. Our commitment lies in amplifying young voices, ensuring they are not only heard but are also influential in shaping government policies. We aim to provide the next generation of leaders with the training, exposure, and opportunities necessary to achieve meaningful influence and authority.

I take pride in acknowledging that I, too, have benefited from Seyi Tinubu’s guidance. Recognising those who contribute to our development is vital. Seyi has opened doors for me that could have easily remained closed, sharing his wisdom, connections, and belief in my potential. He embodies the principle that helping others succeed enriches our collective future. His approach fosters a community where capable leaders can bloom, which ultimately strengthens our society.

What distinguishes Seyi is his remarkable humility. In a political environment often characterised by inflated egos, he remains refreshingly grounded. During our strategic meetings throughout the campaign, I witnessed an admirable quality: he could have easily demanded agreement based on his position. Instead, he chose to engage constructively with opinions that challenged his own.

Seyi exemplifies the art of effective listening-a crucial skill in today’s discourse. His ability to listen deeply signifies a respect for others’ perspectives. In our planning sessions, I observed him weave together diverse viewpoints, identify overlooked patterns, and develop strategies that respected every contribution while ensuring we remained focused on our shared objectives. This constructive approach is a hallmark of exemplary leadership, and Seyi Tinubu is a prime example of the positive impact such leadership can have on Nigeria’s future.

The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has described the current revenue sharing formula as obsolete, saying it no longer reflects Nigeria’s fiscal and governance realities.

RMAFC Chairman, Dr. Mohammed Bello Shehu, stated this yesterday in Abuja during a panel discussion titled ‘Recalibrating Nigeria’s Revenue Allocation Formula.’

He said the existing formula, which was last reviewed in 1992, had become outdated and inadequate for addressing today’s demographic pressures, subnational fiscal responsibilities, and macroeconomic challenges.

‘Our goal is to design a new formula that empowers state and local governments to meet their constitutional obligations effectively while maintaining national cohesion and macroeconomic stability,’ Shehu said.

According to him, the Commission is developing a data-driven and equitable model that will ensure fairness among all tiers of government. He urged participants to view the process as a national duty rather than a contest of interests.

‘The choices we make here will determine the ability of governments to deliver education, healthcare, and infrastructure to Nigerians,’ he added.

Shehu also disclosed that recent amendments to the RMAFC Act now empower the Commission to engage directly with private sector entities, including oil companies, to verify and recover revenues due to the Federation. He emphasised that beyond allocation, revenue mobilisation and accountability were critical to sustainable development.

The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, commended the initiative, noting that equitable revenue mobilisation was central to national stability.

‘Our Constitution envisages cooperation among all tiers of government in advancing the welfare and security of the people. Equity must begin with revenue mobilisation, not merely allocation,’ he said.

Similarly, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi, Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Planning and Economic Affairs, called for political consensus and transparency to ensure the success of the reform.

Special Adviser to the President on Policy Coordination, Hajiya Hadiza Bala Usman, urged a courageous and conclusive review aligned with Nigeria’s development priorities.

Representing Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, Dr. Abdulateef Shittu, pledged the Nigeria Governors’ Forum’s support for a fair and workable formula.

Alhaji Kabir Mashi, Chairman of the Revenue Allocation Formula Committee, assured that all stakeholder recommendations would be integrated into a balanced and sustainable revenue sharing framework for the country.

Chief (Mrs) Olaitan Victoria Abiodun, educationist, businesswoman, and community leader, is 90.

As the Book of Psalms proclaims, it is the Lord’s doing and it is marvelous in our sight. As the day begins with songs of praise, Mama will lack the company of her husband of many years and praise and worship partner, Dr. Emmanuel Adesanya Abiodun, fondly called Baba Teacher, but she will be surrounded by the love, warmth and presence of her dear children, including the Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun (MFR, CON); her grandchildren, extended family members, friends and well-wishers. In a country where life expectancy is just a little above 54 years, it is great, in fact glorious, to be 90, hale and hearty, basking in the grace of Almighty God: the celebrations have been fully deserved.

The years have not been without challenges, obstacles, many of them daunting, but as the Holy Writ declares, there is a compassion from on high that is new every morning, and faithfulness that is great. It is too lofty to be properly captured in words.

Mama at 90 is not about sagacity, design, or intention: it is the sheer mercy and love of the Almighty: pure, boundless, and unfeigned. To live to be 90 in a country plagued by many ills, and having fought so many battles, calls for precisely the thanksgiving that Mama and her family and friends are offering today. Let us all join Mama in her feast of thanksgiving.

Born on the 15th of October, 1935, to the family of Mr Raji Alli Balogun and Mrs Adijatu Kubura Alli Sobowale in Iperu Remo, Ogun State, Chief (Mrs.) Olaitan Victoria Abiodun began her primary education at Bishop Oluwole Memorial Primary School, Agege, Lagos, and later proceeded to St James. Anglican Primary School, Iperu, where she completed her primary education in 1955.

In 1956, she started teaching at the African Church Primary School, Iperu, also known as Bethel. The desire to acquire more knowledge took her to the Teacher Training College, Iperu, where she obtained her Grade 3 certificate. It was time to be posted to St Paul’s Anglican Primary school, Ijokun, Sagamu, where she taught from 1958 to 1962.

In 1963, she got admission into the Teachers Training College, Idi-Aba, Abeokuta, for her Grade 2 certificate. Armed with that certificate, she worked at IJABCOL Grade 2 Teacher Training College and Modern School in Iperu, and in 1968, she moved with her husband to Ayetoro Egbado (now Yewa North).

Her husband taught at the Comprehensive High School, Ayetoro, while she was transferred to United Primary School, Ayetoro, where she taught till early 1971 when she moved to Ondo town with her husband who had just joined the staff of the prestigious Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo, an institution affiliated to the then University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. She taught at the Local Authority School (1) in Ondo, then in October 1972, she gained admission into Adeyemi, where she studied Home Economics. After her graduation, she was posted to Ondo High School, Ondo, where she was made the head of the Home Economics Department. And this was where she retired in 1986, following which she took up trading and extended her frontiers far and wide.

At 90, Chief (Mrs.) Victoria Olaitan Abiodun stands as a living testimony to grace, faith, and enduring values: her life reflects devotion to family, service, and community. As she says, ‘I feel deeply grateful to God. Ninety years is not a small journey. It’s been grace all through – grace that carried me through marriage, motherhood, teaching, and service to my community.’

Life as a child, she recalls, was modest but meaningful: ‘We valued hard work, honesty, and community. Education was our key to freedom, and that belief guided everything I did.’ Her marriage was great: ‘My late husband and I were both teachers. We both believed teaching was more than a job – it was a ministry. ‘Baba Teacher,’ as people called him, used to say that when you teach a child, you are shaping the world. We wanted to shape lives, and we gave our hearts to it. In those days, there was no social media – only purpose and prayer. We met through mutual friends in Ibadan, both of us teachers, and we shared the same values. We married in 1960, and it was the beginning of a long, blessed journey. I had 65 years of marriage, a rare blessing.’

The Ogun State Governor is her firstborn born and the bond between mother and son is indeed cast in stone; unbreakable. As the American writer Sara Hale says, there is no influence so powerful as that of the mother. Sometimes the strength of motherhood is greater than natural laws, says the Pulitzer Prize-winning American novelist, essayist, and poet, Barbara Kingsolver; and that is why the great Abraham Lincoln crafted these unforgettable lines: ‘All that I am, or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel mother.’ For Dapo Abiodun, and in the words of the poet, Emily Dickinson, a mother is one to whom you hurry when you are troubled. Mama is her son’s unceasing fountain of support, who trained him to be ready to dare and to go against the norm to set new standards. During his 42nd birthday in Ikoyi, Lagos, she spoke glowingly about him, saying with pride, ‘I am the one and only mother of Dapo Abiodun.’

She trained her children well, and her counsel, combined with great vision, has given the Gateway State a Governor turning barren land into construction sites. Go to the Gateway Airport and see wonders in architecture and engineering; go to Olumo Rock and see the power of renewal. Go to the MKO Stadium and see what it means to have a Governor imbued with strategic foresight.

Her pride in her son is not just because he’s the Governor, but because he has remained humble and focused on service. Her word to him as he hits 90 cheers is to fear God, listen to advice, and never forget the poor: power should bring compassion, not arrogance. The key to success, she avers, is to work hard, respect elders, and build your future with integrity. Why? ‘The world is moving fast, but good character never goes out of fashion.’

Her words are indeed words on marble, and are fitting in closing this piece, ‘I believe in quiet strength. You don’t have to shout to lead. I speak when it is necessary, and I stand by the truth. That is how I was raised, and that is how I raised my children. I want women to see themselves as builders of homes, of society. Women, support your husbands, raise your children well, and never stop learning. Women carry the soul of the nation. My greatest legacy is a good name.

The Bible says a good name is better than riches. If people remember me as a woman of faith, discipline, and love, I am fulfilled. I pray for peace – peace in Nigeria, peace in Ogun State, and peace in every home. May God guide our leaders, bless our children, and let the light of truth never go out in our land.’

Happy Birthday, Mama Olaitan Victoria Abiodun, and many glorious returns. Here’s wishing Mama many more years in sound health and joy of heart.

A People’s Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant in Oyo State, Chief Niyi Aborisade, has urged leaders and members of the party to strengthen grassroots mobilisation and unite to ensure victory in 2027 general elections.

Aborisade stressed importance of collective efforts and unity ahead of the party primaries.

Speaking during a stakeholders’ consultative meeting in Yemetu, Ibadan, which drew PDP chieftains from across the 11 local government areas in Ibadanland, Aborisade assured that Governor Seyi Makinde would provide a level-playing field for all aspirants in the 2027 elections.

The stakeholders meeting formed part of Aborisade’s ongoing statewide consultations in pursuit of his governorship ambition under the PDP.

He said: ‘We have visited Oke-Ogun, Ogbomoso, and Ibarapa zones on multiple occasions. We are loyal to the PDP and not leaving. The party is our home. The primary election is near, and we must mobilise from the wards, compounds, and zones to secure victory.

‘Unity is key. We cannot do this alone. We will use Oyo State to reposition the Yoruba people as Balogun Oderinlo did in his time. I am your son, and I know your efforts will not be in vain.

‘This meeting was to engage PDP leaders in all 11 local government areas of Ibadanland. It was about strategy. I am grateful that the leaders unanimously endorsed my candidature. They were pleased that someone with a long record of standing for the people is stepping forward to serve.’

In a show of solidarity, key PDP stakeholders at the meeting declared their support for Aborisade’s ambition, describing him as a man of integrity, strong character, and proven loyalty to the party.

Present at the meeting were Mallam Muideen Yusuf, Hon. Ibrahim Adelabu, Rafiu Ibrahim and other grassroots mobilisers.

Mallam Yusuf said: ‘We must intensify our efforts for this project. Balogun Oderinlo conquered invaders; he is Aborisade’s forefather. This is more than politics. It is destiny.’

On his part. Hon. Adelabu added: ‘Chief Niyi Aborisade is God-fearing, consistent, and deeply rooted in the PDP. He is an author, lawyer, industrialist, and rights activist. We are fully behind him. What we need now is strong, strategic mobilisation at all levels.’

The leaders highlighted Aborisade’s family background, referencing his father, Chief Abel Aborisade, as a loyal and long-serving party member.

The University of Lagos Consultancy Services Limited (UNILAG Consult Ltd) has concluded plans to honour the Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, with a professorial chair on leadership and good governance at a book launch and public lecture. The event, which will hold on November 5, at the J.F. Ade Ajayi Auditorium, University of Lagos, Akoka, will be held under the theme: Leadership, Development, and Public Service in Nigeria.

According to Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of UNILAG Consult Ltd, Prof. John Oyefara, the programme is designed to celebrate and institutionalise Governor Diri’s visionary and inclusive approach to governance.

He said the book, titled Leadership Chronicles of Governor Douye Diri, documents the governor’s achievements and people-oriented leadership style, highlighting his commitment to innovation, transparency, and sustainable development.

Prof. Oyefara noted that the professorial chair to be inaugurated would serve as a lasting academic legacy dedicated to advancing research, teaching, and policy discussions on ethics, leadership, transparency, and technology-driven governance.

‘This initiative aims to inspire rigorous academic inquiry into the dynamics of good governance in Nigeria and across Africa,’ he said.

He added that Governor Diri was selected following extensive research and field assessments of governance performance across Nigerian states. Bayelsa’s progress in healthcare delivery through drone technology, community inclusion, education, and infrastructure were cited as major considerations for his selection.

Oyefara explained that the honour was not politically motivated, noting that it recognises genuine leadership excellence rather than partisan interest.

‘This is not about image laundering. It is about recognising genuine leadership achievements and encouraging others to emulate them,’ he added.

He recalled that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State had earlier been similarly recognised, adding that UNILAG Consult intends to continue honouring distinguished leaders in governance, business, and public service.

The forthcoming international lecture will feature speakers from Nigeria and abroad and is expected to attract academics, policymakers, diplomats, and other dignitaries.

Prof. Oyefara described the event as one that celebrates not only Governor Diri’s leadership journey but also advances the frontiers of leadership research and excellence in Nigeria