Author: user user

Osi-Ekiti community in Ido/Osi Local Government Area of Ekiti State has unveiled a series of development initiatives aimed at strengthening its economy, reviving academic excellence, promoting tourism and culture and creating opportunities for youths.

The initiatives were unveiled as part of activities marking the 2026 Uponna Olosi celebration themed ‘Our heritage: Building strength for development.’

The traditional ruler of the community, the Olosi of Osi-Ekiti, Oba (Dr.) Stephen Adegboyega Alabi said the annual event was being repositioned as a platform for unity, global participation, tourism and community development.

He said Osi Day, which was rechristened Uponna Olosi last year, was expected to grow into a major tourism and development platform for the community, while acknowledging the contributions of indigenes at home and abroad to the growth of Osi-Ekiti.

According to him, the community has established think tanks focusing on five key areas – industrial development, academic revival, promotion of arts, culture and tourism, sports revolution and legal advancement – as part of efforts to accelerate development.

He said the initiatives were designed to revive Osi-Ekiti’s leadership in academics, mentor young scholars, promote its cultural and tourism potential, develop sports as an alternative source of livelihood for youths and encourage indigenes to attain excellence in the legal profession.

The monarch disclosed that the event, which is to start with Prayer sessions from September 28, 2026, at the palace of Osi Ekiti by 8:00a.m will be coordinated by the chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).

Oba Alabi said the community had opened a new market for farm produce on June 28, 2026, describing the initiative as a means of strengthening local commerce.

He further highlighted global honours to recognise outstanding sons and daughters of Osi-Ekiti, noting that the first edition honoured professors, a registrar of a federal higher institution, a trade union leader and first-class graduates.

Alabi said work on the new royal palace was also progressing steadily through contributions from the Osi Progressive Union and other partners.

He listed some of the improvements as the opening of a new entrance and exit for the royal grounds, landscaping of the palace forecourt, refurbishment of the customary court building into a Palace Hall, construction of a public toilet, refurbishment of the Olumayese Royal Platform and provision of royal furniture and other utilities.

Similarly, the community is pursuing the development of the proposed Sports Arena, with land donated for the project having been surveyed.

Global President of Osi Progressive Union, ACM Oludare Fadogba (rtd.), said the proposed sports complex would provide opportunities for talent discovery, healthy living and recreation, while also promoting discipline, teamwork, leadership, entrepreneurship and skills acquisition among youths.

Fadogba said the 2026 celebration, themed ‘Our Heritage: Building Strength for Development,’ would therefore go beyond cultural festivities to mobilise support for the completion of the Olosi’s Palace and development of the sports complex.

The community is seeking to raise N500 million through an appeal fund for the development projects during the grand finale of Uponna Olosi Day on October 1, 2026.

The week-long celebration, scheduled for September 28 to October 4, will feature a prayer session, community clean-up, football competition, marathon race, youth carnival and cultural panorama, awards, royal procession, honorary chieftaincy installations and other cultural activities.

The grand finale will take place on October 1 at the Health Centre Complex, Iropora Road, Osi-Ekiti, with Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, expected as Special Guest of Honour.

The celebration will also feature the commissioning/opening of Mercy International Hospital on October 3, before the thanksgiving service on October 4.

The Lagos State Government has urged residents to make environmental sanitation a daily responsibility rather than wait for government-led exercises.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Lagos State Head of Service, Mr Olabode Agoro, made the call during the September sanitation monitoring on Saturday.

The ????????exercise was held at Otto Road, Ijora Olopa, Lagos Mainland Local Government.

Agoro said the exercise, which began six months ago, had recorded improving turnout, but residents could do more.

He said residents often waited for government officials to arrive before cleaning their surroundings instead of taking responsibility for their environment.

‘We want to see people already cleaning outside, by the time we come,’ Agoro said.

The Head of Service said environmental sanitation was a continuous exercise that would be sustained by successive administrations.

He urged residents to understand that cleanliness began with individuals and should not be left entirely to the government.

‘Government cannot come inside your house and clean your bathroom and clean your toilet. It starts with you,’ he said.

Agoro said maintaining a clean environment would help reduce sickness and airborne diseases while promoting healthier communities.

He said the foundation for sustained environmental sanitation had been laid, but compliance could still improve.

Agoro said government officials would continue monitoring and sensitising residents while supporting communities to maintain environmental cleanliness.

He commended the Executive Chairman of Lagos Mainland Local Government, Mayor Jubril Emilagba, for mobilising residents for the exercise.

Also speaking, Emilagba said the council’s partnership with residents remained essential to sustaining environmental cleanliness across the local government area.

He said community development associations and community development committees had joined the exercise alongside residents.

‘We advise our people to continue to tidy up their area, not once in a month, but on a regular basis,’ Emilagba said.

The chairman said the local government had overcome its recent refuse crisis, adding that its areas were currently clean.

‘The era of refuse crisis in our local government has passed; it ended last month,’ he said.

Emilagba expressed satisfaction with the level of cleanliness observed during the exercise and urged residents to sustain the practice.

He said the council would continue encouraging residents to maintain clean homes and surroundings.

Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has received the 2026 Quintessence Pan-African Top Leadership Award, dedicating the honour to the resilient people of Borno and to Nigerians working to restore dignity and opportunity to their communities.

The Quintessence Award is presented each year to one continental African leader and one African American leader for distinguished accomplishments in their field of endeavour and outstanding contributions to the history and heritage of African people.

This year’s edition was chaired by Professor Ibrahim Gambari, former Chief of Staff to the late President Muhammadu Buhari, and attended by the Governor of Kwara State and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Dr Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq; Emir of Kano, HRH Muhammad Sanusi II; Nigerian ambassador to Ethiopia; the Consul General of Nigeria in Atlanta; and former Nigerian Minister of Finance Dr Mansur Mukhtar.

Speaking at the award ceremony on Friday in New Jersey, Governor Babagana Zulum said the recognition was ‘not for me alone’ but for everyone who had worked to turn ideas into action and improve people’s lives.

‘This recognition is not for me alone, but for the resilient people of Borno, every Nigerian and African who has worked tirelessly to turn ideas into action, and to bring dignity to the lives of our people,’ Zulum said.

The governor said his upbringing in a farming community in Mafa Local Government Area shaped his belief that leadership should open doors for others, particularly children whose potential might otherwise go unnoticed.

‘Leadership is not about grand titles, but about building ladders of opportunity so everyone can climb,’ he said.

Reflecting on Borno’s recovery from the Boko Haram insurgency, Zulum said his administration had focused on rebuilding homes, schools, health facilities and other public infrastructure.

According to the Governor, his administration has reconstructed more than 30,000 homes, schools, clinics and other public facilities since he assumed office in 2019. He said that in the first year alone, 326 projects were completed, including more than 6,000 houses for families affected by the conflict, and that he has delivered more than 1,000 capital projects over the past six years.

Zulum described the projects as more than statistics, saying they represented shelter for displaced families, classrooms for children and health centres where mothers could receive care.

Zulum urged Nigerians and other Africans in the diaspora to invest not only their money but also their skills and ideas in businesses, education and healthcare back home. He described Africa’s greatest asset as its young people and called for greater investment in their education, health and creativity.

‘I call on you to invest back home – not just your capital, but your skills and ideas,’ he said. ‘Every factory you build, every school you help fund, is an investment in Africa’s greatest resource: our people.’

The Governor said remittances provide vital support to families but argued that channelling even a fraction of those funds into factories, schools and clinics could yield wider benefits. He encouraged the diaspora and international partners to support start-ups, technology hubs, teacher training and stronger institutions.

Describing leadership as service rather than status, Zulum urged teachers, healthcare workers, business owners and others to make a difference in their communities without waiting for an official title.

‘My message today is that leaders are enablers, not distant rulers,’ Zulum concluded.

The Governor was accompanied at the event by the First Lady of Borno State, Dr Falmata Babagana Zulum; Chief Adviser to the Governor on Sustainable Development, Partnership and Humanitarian Support, Dr Mairo Mandara; Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hon. Zuwaira Gambo; and Chairman of the Governing Board, Kashim Ibrahim Teaching Hospital, Professor Ahmed Ahidjo.

Others who accompanied His Excellency included Dr Thameer Kezamal and Mr Huber Shaiyen, who also chaired the Borno Investment Roundtable, among other dignitaries.

A political support group backed by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, BTO4PBAT27, has launched a grassroots mobilisation campaign across wards and polling units in Ondo State ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The group’s Director-General, Mr Gideon Adojutelegan, said this on Saturday in an interview in Akure, adding that the group has commenced a ‘Unit-to-Unit Tour’ across the state’s 18 local government areas.

Adojutelegan revealed that the tour also aims to strengthen grassroots structures and mobilise support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election.

He said the initiative would involve direct engagement with residents, party members, community leaders, youths, women and other stakeholders.

The DG noted that the tour would focus on voter education, Permanent Voter Card (PVC) awareness, political reconciliation, community dialogue and strengthening its presence at ward and polling-unit levels.

Adojutelegan added that the initiative was designed to move beyond conventional political mobilisation by creating opportunities for the group to listen to the concerns and priorities of communities.

‘Effective political organisation must have its foundation among the people. Our objective is not simply to visit communities, but to listen, engage, build relationships and strengthen grassroots participation,’ he stated.

He said sustained engagement at the ward and polling-unit levels remained critical to building an effective political organisation and maintaining regular interaction with the electorate.

Adojutelegan added that the group’s activities would promote party unity and support for candidates duly nominated by the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2027 elections.

He lauded the Minister of Interior, Dr Tunji-Ojo, for his leadership, guidance and continued support for its political and grassroots activities.

According to him, the minister’s encouragement had helped strengthen its organisational structure and motivated members to expand their activities across the state.

‘We formally place on record our profound appreciation for his leadership, guidance, trust, encouragement and continued support.

‘We remain committed to conducting our activities with discipline, responsibility and respect for the people and institutions we engage,’ Adojutelegan stated.

He, however, said the Unit-to-Unit Tour would also strengthen coordination among its members and create sustained channels of engagement between its leadership and communities across Ondo State.

Actress Jumoke Odetola has announced that she has answered God’s call to become a minister.

Odetola, known for her roles in Yoruba films, disclosed this in a post on her Instagram page on Saturday.

The actress said she made the announcement after concerns from fans, colleagues and family members about her recent social media posts.

According to her, she has been inundated with calls and messages asking about her well-being.

She wrote, ‘Jumoke, your recent posts… Are you okay? Is everything alright? I truly appreciate the numerous calls, messages and concerns of my friends, family, colleagues. Thank you so much. I feel seen, cared for and loved. Yes, something is going on in my life… but nothing is wrong with me.’

Odetola explained that she is entering a new season focused on her faith and ministry.

‘I am entering a new season with God. I am now a minister of God. I am now a preacher of the gospel. Yes! You heard right! A minister,’ she stated.

The award-winning actress said she had considered keeping the journey private but chose to speak up to avoid speculation.

‘I have been contemplating whether I should be private about it, but how can I be private about preaching the gospel when you could just see me on your street with my bell preaching the gospel? Let me bring myself out before anyone records me and brings me out,’ she said.

She added, ‘I need all the prayers in this new season. I need all the prayers in this season. When God compels you, you may delay, but you cannot escape the call.’

Edo State Deputy Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Sylvester Aigboboh, has said First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu is expected in the state on October 15 in connection with the 50 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses procured by the administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo.

Aigboboh said the buses were part of the administration’s efforts to provide affordable public transportation and reduce the burden of transportation costs on residents.

He spoke while thanking traders for welcoming Okpebholo and his entourage at Uwelu Sparepart market, in Benin City.

The APC deputy chairman described the administration as one committed to improving the lives of Edo residents through infrastructure and other interventions.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had, on September 19, cited Edo’s 50 CNG buses while giving an update on the National Affordable CNG Transit Programme, saying the buses were already in active service.

Aigboboh said the Okpebholo administration was also making progress on road reconstruction and rehabilitation across the state.

According to him, the Sapele Road reconstruction project has reached about 80 per cent completion, while Amufi Road is ready for inauguration.

He said work had also been completed on Uteh Palace Road and Temboga Road.

Aigboboh said the road projects and public transportation interventions demonstrated the administration’s commitment to improving mobility and easing the cost of living for residents.

He thanked the traders for their support and assured them that the administration would continue implementing projects aimed at improving the welfare of the people.

Chairman of the Northern Christian Association (NCA), Rev. Joseph John Hayab, has urged Christians to participate in the ongoing Dangote Petroleum Refinery Initial Public Offering (IPO), saying religious considerations should not deter them from investing.

Speaking at a media parley in Kaduna, Hayab said Christians should view the public offer as a business and investment opportunity, rather than through a religious lens.

‘Business has no religion. What Dangote is selling is not Islam; Dangote is selling shares. Shares bring money,’ he said.

He was responding to concerns that some northern Christians were hesitant to participate in the offer because of the promoter’s religious identity and uncertainty about investment opportunities.

Hayab said responsible Christian leaders should encourage their members to invest, arguing that owning shares could help families and future generations build wealth.

‘If I have my way, just as they are advertising, every Christian should have 10 shares,’ he said.

He gave an example of how collective participation could increase ownership, saying that if one million Christians bought 10,000 shares each, they would collectively own one billion shares.

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery public offer comprises 4.1 billion ordinary shares at ?525 per share, with a minimum subscription of 10 shares, valued at ?5,250. The offer opened on September 14 and is scheduled to close on October 13, 2026.

Hayab said investment should not be viewed only as a means of making immediate returns, but also as a way of securing the future of children and families.

‘Buy it for your son. Buy it for your grandchildren. Buy it for the future of their education,’ he said.

He also called on Christians to develop a stronger culture of investment, arguing that excessive dependence on salaries limits the ability of individuals and institutions to build sustainable wealth.

According to him, greater investment by church members could also strengthen churches’ financial capacity.

‘The reason why our offering is poor in many of our churches is that we are not investing,’ Hayab said, adding that many church members rely mainly on salaries.

He said Nigerians should seek to have a stake in businesses operating in the country, arguing that broader domestic ownership would contribute to economic development.

‘The economy of Nigeria will grow faster if all Nigerians have a stake in the investment that is in Nigeria,’ he said.

Hayab further said his position was not limited to Dangote, stressing that Christians should be open to other legitimate investment opportunities.

He disclosed that, as chairman of the Northern Christian Association, he had directed people to raise awareness about the Dangote offer in their churches.

‘We started that last Sunday, and we’ll do that this Sunday, and we’ll continue to do so until the 13th when it is over,’ he said.

He also appealed for consideration of an extension of the offer period, saying publicity about the IPO was only beginning to gain wider attention.

Hayab said the Dangote business should be viewed separately from politics, noting that political administrations could change while businesses could continue operating.

‘Today we have Tinubu as president, tomorrow we’ll have another person as president, but we will be having Dangote business all through,’ he said.

The NCA leader also appealed to northern Christians to participate in businesses owned by entrepreneurs from the region, noting that Dangote is from the North.

His comments come amid broader public discussions about participation in the Dangote Refinery IPO. The official IPO information states that investing in shares carries risk, that share values can rise or fall, and that dividends are not guaranteed.