Category: Nigerian Tribune

The former executive secretary of the Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN) and organizing secretary, Times Heroes Award Council, Mr. Feyi Smith, has expressed confidence that the newspapering business will survive despite the challenges and disruptions facing the media industry globally.

Smith gave the assurance in an aside with Tribune Online after a media chat held in Lagos by the Council to unveil the final list of the DTN @100 Times Heroes Awards, one of a series of events marking the Daily Times of Nigeria (DTN) Centenary celebration.

He said the advent of technology and new media had brought disruptions that media organizations have continued to grapple with.

However, the former NPAN executive secretary said organizations seeking to remain relevant must reinvent, diversify, and explore the business side of journalism.

He explained that the DTN Heroes Award, scheduled to be held in Abuja on Thursday, is designed to celebrate individuals and corporate organisations that have contributed to the success of the publication and the nation’s economy.

‘A lot of people contributed to where the publication is today, and we intend to honor some of them on Thursday. They include Sam Amuka-Pemu, Publisher, Vanguard Newspaper; Aremo Segun Osoba, former Governor of Ogun State; Chief Yemi Ogunbiyi, former MD, Daily Times, and founding Chairman, Tanus Communications; and Akogun Tola Adeniyi, among others.

Unveiling the final list of awardees at the DTN@100 Times Heroes Awards, the Chairman of the DTN@100 Heroes Awards Council, Bolaji Okusaga, explained that the recognition event is designed to celebrate individuals who have distinguished themselves in various fields, from politics to development, social causes and philanthropy, international relations, development financing, and others.

According to Okusaga, the awards are conceived not merely as a ceremony of recognition but as a deliberate effort to preserve national memory and celebrate the individuals and institutions whose leadership, courage, enterprise, public service, and innovation have contributed meaningfully to Nigeria’s development.

‘The Daily Times has spent 100 years documenting the Nigerian story. Through the DTN@100 Heroes Awards, we are taking that responsibility a step further by documenting and celebrating the people and institutions that have helped to write that story through their service, leadership, enterprise, and impact,’ Okusaga said.

He added that the final list reflects the breadth and diversity of contributions that have shaped the Nigerian experience, spanning governance, politics, business, public administration, technology, energy, development, climate action, community leadership, diplomacy, social impact, and enterprise.

The Federal Government of Nigeria has dismissed claims that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) backed the recent failed coup attempt in Niger Republic, insisting that Nigeria remains opposed to military takeovers and other unconstitutional changes of government.

The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, described the claims circulating on social media as ‘baseless’ and ‘irresponsible,’ saying they were a deliberate attempt to misinform the public and damage Nigeria’s image.

Enikanolaiye, in a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday, said Nigeria had never endorsed the military coup in Niger and would not support any attempt to seize political power through unconstitutional means.

The minister said Nigeria remained a ‘peace-loving nation, a defender of constitutional order, and a pillar of democracy and stability’ in West Africa, the Sahel and Africa.

He said the Federal Government had already made its position clear in an earlier statement issued on August 30, expressing deep concern over developments in Niger and calling for a peaceful, inclusive and participatory return to stability and constitutional order.

‘Any resort to force to settle political differences is contrary to this objective and to Nigeria’s long-standing foreign policy,’ the minister said.

According to him, Nigeria’s position was particularly important given its historical, cultural and fraternal ties with Niger as a neighbouring country.

‘Nigeria desires only peace, security, democracy and development for Niger, the sub-region and the Sahel,’ he said.

The minister acknowledged Nigeria’s membership of ECOWAS but rejected suggestions that its participation in the regional bloc amounted to support for the Niger coup.

‘While Nigeria is a proud and committed member of ECOWAS, it is unfair, mischievous and entirely false to suggest that Nigeria endorses or condones the military coup,’ Enikanolaiye said.

He urged Nigerians at home and abroad to disregard videos and narratives circulating online which, he said, were intended to sow discord and create a false impression of Nigeria’s position on the Niger crisis.

Enikanolaiye reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, as well as the African Union’s zero-tolerance policy towards unconstitutional changes of government.

He said Nigeria would continue to work with ECOWAS, the African Union and the international community to defend democracy, uphold the rule of law, and promote peace and stability across the region.

The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has said it is not relying on proceeds of crime as a long-term source of funding for the student loan scheme, even as the fund currently spends about ?16 billion monthly on students’ upkeep allowances.

Managing Director of NELFUND, Mr Akintunde Sawyerr, who spoke, in Abuja, noted that the fund was exploring multiple sources of financing to ensure the sustainability of the programme.

Sawyerr said NELFUND had received about 1.8 million applications, processed approximately 1.5 million and provided value to about 850,000 beneficiaries, while the scheme had yet to begin recovering loans from beneficiaries.

‘It’s a loan scheme and it’s two years plus old. We’re not getting any recoveries of the loans yet.

‘But how do you keep it going? We have a bill every month, as of today, of about N16 billion for upkeep alone. How do you maintain that?’ he asked.

He explained that the Federal Government was considering different funding channels, including the deployment of legally recovered and unencumbered public funds to education.

His comments followed President Bola Tinubu’s recent directive that cleared and unencumbered funds recovered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), as well as funds from unclaimed dividends and dormant accounts, should be considered for transfer to NELFUND, subject to applicable laws.

Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, had said the directive was aimed at strengthening the financial sustainability of NELFUND as the student loan programme continues to expand.

According to Alausa, only recovered funds that are legally cleared and free from litigation or other encumbrances would be considered, while the Attorney-General of the Federation, alongside the Ministers of Finance and Education, would work out the modalities for implementation.

However, Sawyerr stressed that the government’s consideration of recovered assets should not be interpreted as an attempt to establish a plea-bargaining arrangement with individuals accused of financial crimes.

‘The President did not say, ‘Go and plea bargain or set up a plea bargain arrangement with those who have misappropriated Nigeria’s funds and then give it to NELFUND.’ He didn’t say that.

‘The issues of misappropriated funds and proceeds of crime are entirely separate-completely separate to NELFUND,’ he said.

Sawyerr said the government was, instead, examining how liquid assets legally recovered after the conclusion of corruption cases could be redirected towards Nigerians, who had suffered from the diversion of public resources.

He said young Nigerians seeking education could be regarded among the beneficiaries of such interventions.

The NELFUND boss, however, emphasised that proceeds of crime could not provide a sustainable long-term funding model for the student loan scheme.

‘We can’t possibly rely on proceeds of crime in the long term,’ Sawyerr said.

He explained that the law establishing NELFUND provides for other funding mechanisms, including charitable donations, investments and income-generating activities.

‘The law that set up NELFUND allows us to go out and seek charitable donations; it allows those who want to invest in NELFUND to invest, and it allows NELFUND itself to invest in elements that are going to bring a return and income,’ he said.

Sawyerr said what the government was currently pursuing should, therefore, be seen as a short-term intervention while the fund develops more sustainable sources of revenue.

He disclosed that NELFUND was already attracting interest from the private sector, with potential investors recognising the wider economic and social benefits of expanding access to higher education.

He said a sustainable student loan scheme could contribute to employment creation and help address some of the social challenges confronting the country, including crime, banditry and insurgency.

Sawyerr also dismissed allegations of financial misappropriation at NELFUND, insisting that there was no evidence to support such claims.

‘There is no evidence of any financial misappropriation by the NELFUND,’ he said.

He explained that institutional payments were made electronically and directly to beneficiary institutions, while upkeep allowances were transferred directly into students’ bank accounts.

Sawyerr said the application and disbursement system was designed to minimise human interference and ensure that beneficiaries were selected without discrimination based on gender, ethnicity or personal connections.

He said applicants were required to meet established conditions, including possession of a National Identification Number, Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) registration number, proof of admission and a bank account.

The NELFUND boss expressed confidence that any eventual deployment of recovered public funds to the scheme would be carried out in accordance with the law.

He said: ‘I’m not a lawyer, but I have every confidence that the President will follow the constitutional and legal provisions,’ adding, ‘there is absolutely no evidence today that the law is going to be sidestepped, that the National Assembly is going to be sidestepped.’

He added that, to his knowledge, no executive order had been issued to bypass existing legal procedures.

The development comes as NELFUND’s financial obligations continue to rise with the expansion of the student loan programme.

As of August 8, the Fund had disbursed more than ?322 billion in institutional fees and upkeep allowances to beneficiaries nationwide, according to the Federal Ministry of Education.

The Minister of Education had said the new funding arrangements, alongside NELFUND’s existing sources of revenue, would position the Fund for greater financial stability and enable it to meet its growing obligations.

Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, has commended the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) for its strategic role in advancing the Federal Government’s agricultural mechanisation programme and building the technical capacity required to sustain it.

Kyari spoke at a side event of the 2026 Africa Food Systems Forum (AFSF) in Kigali, Rwanda, attended by the Executive Secretary of NADF, Mohammed Ibrahim.

The event, organised by Heifer International and the Mastercard Foundation, brought together stakeholders to discuss sustainable agricultural mechanisation and strategies for building resilient food systems across Africa.

The Minister said NADF is complementing the Federal Government’s mechanisation drive through the training of 4,000 tractor operators and mechanics, providing the skilled manpower needed to operate, maintain and sustain agricultural machinery being deployed across the country.

‘Our shared objective is not simply to put more tractors in the field, but to build a sustainable system of finance, utilisation, maintenance, skills and accountability around them,’ Kyari said.

The Federal Government’s mechanisation programme involves the deployment of 2,000 tractors and more than 9,000 agricultural implements and spare parts through a service-provider model designed to expand farmers’ access to mechanisation while ensuring sustainability, efficiency and proper asset management.

Kyari stressed that sustainable mechanisation must go beyond the procurement and distribution of equipment, noting that its long-term impact would depend on appropriate financing, effective utilisation, maintenance systems, skilled operators and strong accountability.

He also highlighted broader Federal Government interventions to boost food production and strengthen resilience, including investments in irrigation, dry-season farming, climate-smart agriculture, soil health and support for displaced farmers returning to agricultural production.

The Minister called for greater private-sector investment and stronger partnerships across the agricultural value chain, saying government must continue to create the conditions necessary for capital to flow into production, processing, technology, logistics and markets.

According to him, Nigeria’s growing population should be viewed not only as a food-security challenge but also as a major economic opportunity, particularly given the country’s youthful workforce, expanding domestic market and vast agricultural potential.

Kyari said unlocking that potential would require stronger alignment between public investment, private capital, technology, infrastructure and human capacity.

He maintained that building a resilient and competitive food system ultimately requires bringing ‘land, water, technology, finance and markets together’ within a coordinated framework capable of withstanding shocks, raising productivity and delivering sustainable prosperity.

NADF’s investment in developing skilled tractor operators and mechanics forms a critical part of a coordinated framework, ensuring that Nigeria’s mechanisation drive translates into lasting improvements in productivity, employment and food security.

Millions of Nigerians living with glaucoma are at risk of losing their sight as the soaring cost of diagnosis, medication, and surgery continues to put treatment beyond the reach of many patients, a new study has revealed.

The study, published in the journal International Ophthalmology, found that the financial burden of glaucoma care falls heaviest on poor and uninsured Nigerians, leaving many unable to access timely diagnosis or remain on lifelong treatment for the disease-the world’s leading cause of irreversible blindness.

The study’s authors included Chidera Stanley Anthony, Ikponmwosa Jude Ogieuhi, and Victor Oluwatomiwa Ajekiigbe, other researchers at the Imperial Academy of Researchers.

These experts estimated that between 1.1 million and 1.4 million Nigerians are living with glaucoma, with many unaware they have the disease until permanent vision loss has already occurred.

The review, titled ‘The Patient-Based Socioeconomic Burden of Glaucoma Care in Nigeria: A Scoping Review’, analysed evidence from studies conducted across Nigeria and concluded that poverty, limited health insurance coverage, and poor access to specialist eye care remain major obstacles to effective treatment.

According to the researchers, many patients are forced to delay hospital visits, skip medications, or forgo surgery because of the high cost of care, increasing their risk of irreversible blindness.

The review found that glaucoma places a significant financial burden on patients through the cost of consultations, diagnostic tests, medications, surgery, transportation, and lost income, particularly among low-income households.

The researchers called on the Federal Government to expand health insurance coverage for glaucoma care, subsidise the cost of screening and treatment, and strengthen access to affordable eye care services nationwide, warning that Nigeria could face a growing burden of preventable blindness if urgent action is not taken.

They also urged increased public awareness and routine eye screening, stressing that glaucoma often develops silently and can permanently damage vision before symptoms become noticeable.

The researchers explained that comprehensive policy reforms are urgently needed to make glaucoma care affordable, improve treatment adherence, and protect millions of Nigerians from avoidable blindness.

The Federal Government, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and other stakeholders have intensified efforts to deploy Artificial Intelligence (AI)-enabled digital extension services across Nigeria’s agricultural value chains.

The stakeholders made the commitment at a workshop on ‘Leveraging Artificial Intelligence in Digital Extension Across Agricultural Value Chains in Nigeria’, held on Wednesday in Abuja.

The initiative, organised under the UN Joint Programme on Agri-Food System Transformation and Innovation in Nigeria (AFTI), seeks to use digital technologies to improve farmers’ access to timely and relevant agricultural advisory services.

IFAD Country Director, Dede Ekoue, said AI-enabled digital extension was strategically important to Nigeria’s agrifood systems transformation because it could translate national agricultural policies into practical services for farmers.

Ekoue said the technology could improve the timeliness and relevance of advisory messages by tailoring information to farmers’ locations, crops, seasons, weather conditions, pest and disease risks, market opportunities and individual profiles.

‘AI-enabled digital extension is strategically important for accelerating Nigeria’s agrifood systems transformation.

‘It offers a practical pathway for transforming national policy priorities into farmer-level advisory services, stronger value chain performance, improved food security and nutrition, climate resilience and inclusive agro-industrialisation,’ she said.

National Project Coordinator of the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) Programme, Dr Kabir Yusuf, said the adoption of AI had become necessary given the severe shortage of agricultural extension workers in Nigeria.

Yusuf said the country’s extension worker-to-farmer ratio ranged between one agent to 5,000 farmers and one to 10,000 farmers, far above the commonly referenced benchmark of one extension worker to between 800 and 1,000 farmers.

He said farmers continued to lose yields, quality and income because of problems that could have been prevented through timely agricultural advice.

‘The question before us is not whether artificial intelligence belongs in agricultural extension. It is how we make it work for the farmer who needs it most,’ Yusuf said.

He disclosed that the SAPZ programme, working with Digital Green, had deployed the FarmerChat AI advisory platform in Kano and Ogun States for farmer registration, verification and monitoring.

According to him, the platform provides weather updates, planting advice and pest and disease guidance in Hausa and English through text, voice and images.

Yusuf said the project targeted 24,000 farmers and had onboarded 20,899, representing about 87 per cent of the target, with 14,895 farmers in Kano and 6,004 in Ogun.

He added that women accounted for 7,665 beneficiaries, representing roughly 37 per cent of farmers, while 233 extension agents, farmer champions and programme personnel were trained against the initial target of 220.

He said the experience demonstrated that AI should complement rather than replace extension agents.

‘Our assessment is that about 30 per cent of this work is technology; the other 70 per cent is human facilitation,’ he said.

Yusuf also stressed the need for agricultural advisory content generated through AI to be validated by Nigerian institutions, including the Federal Department of Agricultural Extension Services and relevant research institutes, to ensure that recommendations reflect local agro-ecological realities.

He identified smartphone ownership, internet connectivity, high data costs, unreliable electricity, low digital literacy and language barriers as major challenges limiting wider adoption.

He said deliberate mobilisation had also proved important for inclusion, noting that women represented nearly half of beneficiaries in Ogun, compared with about 32 per cent in Kano.

Yusuf commended the Federal Government’s National Electronic Extension Platform and National Digital Farmers Registry, saying their integration with AI advisory services, validated agricultural content and responsible data governance would support the objectives of the National Agricultural Technology and Innovation Policy (NATIP) and the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) Kampala agenda.

The Sokoto State Government has appealed to political parties and other stakeholders to put aside partisan differences and work together to tackle the growing security challenges confronting communities across the state.

The government made the call on Thursday in reaction to concerns raised by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate, Hon. Manir Muhammad Dan’iya, over alleged threats to residents of Kebbe Local Government Area.

The Special Adviser to Governor Ahmed Aliyu on Security Matters said the government was aware of the reported threat and had directed relevant authorities to take the matter seriously.

‘The reported threat to Kebbe is being treated with the seriousness it deserves. Relevant security agencies are working with the state government, traditional institutions and local communities to assess the situation and take appropriate measures to prevent any attack,’ he said.

He appealed to residents of Kebbe and other communities considered vulnerable to remain alert and promptly share information on suspicious activities with security agencies.

The development comes against the backdrop of persistent attacks and threats by suspected bandits and other criminal elements in parts of Sokoto, particularly communities in Kebbe and other areas in the southern and eastern parts of the state.

The adviser said the security situation was a longstanding challenge which predated the present administration, adding that the government had taken steps to improve the capacity of security agencies to respond to emerging threats.

He said Dan’iya, having served as Deputy Governor in the immediate past administration, was familiar with the security situation and should be able to assess the measures being taken by the current government.

‘Hon. Manir Muhammad Dan’iya served as Deputy Governor during the previous administration and, therefore, is in a good position to appreciate the difference in approach between the two administrations, particularly in terms of government support to security agencies and the response to emerging security threats,’ he said.

According to him, the administration of Governor Ahmed Aliyu had increased funding and logistical support for security agencies operating in the state.

‘We did not only restore the monthly allowances of security personnel which had been discontinued by the previous administration; we also reviewed and increased those allowances,’ he said.

He listed the provision of Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles, patrol vehicles and other security equipment among measures taken to strengthen security operations.

‘These investments demonstrate clearly that the government is not merely making statements about security; it is taking concrete steps and committing significant resources towards addressing the challenge,’ he said.

The adviser stressed, however, that government efforts could only succeed with the active participation of communities and other stakeholders.

‘Security should therefore not be turned into a political contest. Political differences are normal in a democracy, but the safety and security of citizens should remain above partisan interests,’ he said.

He warned that political disagreements over insecurity could create unnecessary tension and undermine efforts to protect residents.

‘Criminal elements do not distinguish between APC, ADC, PDP or any other political party when attacking communities. Their victims are citizens, regardless of their political affiliation,’ he said.

He consequently urged political actors to support security agencies with credible intelligence rather than engage in blame games.

‘What our people need is cooperation, intelligence sharing and practical solutions, not statements that could heighten fear or create unnecessary political tension,’ he said.

The adviser assured residents that the state government would continue to work with security agencies, traditional institutions and local communities to strengthen intelligence gathering and prevent attacks.

‘Security is a collective responsibility. It should unite us, not divide us. At this moment, Sokoto needs all hands on deck, irrespective of political affiliation, to defeat the criminal elements threatening the peace and livelihood of our people,’ he said.

Kwara State Government has digitised a total number of 19,591 land records since Monday, October 20, 2025 when it commenced reforms on land.

Speaking at a one-day Ease of Doing Business Council EoDB investment summit in Ilorin on Thursday, the Executive Chairman, Kwara State Geographic Information Service (KWGIS), ESV. Sulyman Babatunde Abdulkareem, said that the digitisation was carried out to improve accessibility and records management.

‘KWGIS was established following the 2020 GIS law, bringing together key functions relating to lands, surveying, physical planning and urban and regional planning within a more integrated institutional framework’.

Abdulkareem, who said that the land reforms have reduced administrative bottlenecks, added that, ‘Before the reforms, the process of securing land documentation could involve several stages, physical movement of files, manual searches and administrative delays.

‘Today, our target is fundamentally different. KWGIS now provides digital access to land-related services, including online applications, downloadable forms, C of O processes, recertification, land registration, subsequent transactions and other services. That is Ease of Doing Business in practical terms’, he said.

Speaking on the reduction in the average processing time for Certificate of Occupancy (CofO), he said that, ‘before now, application processing time for CofO was about 180 days; however, application processing has been streamlined, with the current processing time reduced to 35 days’.

On the number of land applications processed, he said that about 14,840 applications were processed before the reform, while 2,538 applications have been processed after the reform.

Also speaking on the theme, ‘From Reforms to Results: Positioning Kwara as Nigeria’s Investment Destination’, the chairman of the Kwara State EoDB council and Finance commissioner, Dr. Hauwa Nuhu, said that the summit was organized to bring together government, investors, development partners and the private sector-‘not merely to discuss opportunities, but to build partnerships and turn opportunities into investments’

Dr Nuhu, who said that the government can only create an environment to thrive, added that it is private investment that creates industries, generates jobs, drives innovation and builds sustainable prosperity.

The EoDB council chairman said that Kwara is open for business, adding that, ‘more importantly- Kwara is ready for partnership’.

‘We understand that investors need more than invitations. They need credible institutions, transparent processes, policy consistency, infrastructure and a government that treats the private sector as a partner.

‘This is the commitment of the Kwara State Government. We do not claim that our journey is complete. But we are clear about our direction, committed to continuous improvement and determined to remove the barriers that stand between investment and opportunity.

‘Our responsibility as the Ease of Doing Business Council is to ensure that reforms do not remain policies on paper. They must be felt by businesses. They must reduce delays. They must simplify processes. And ultimately, they must produce results’, she said.

‘That is why the Ease of Doing Business agenda is not merely about improving government procedures. It is about creating confidence. Confidence to invest.

Confidence to expand. And confidence to succeed. Through institutional reforms, investment facilitation, public-private partnerships, digitalisation and improvements in the business environment, Kwara is steadily building a stronger foundation for enterprise’.

Nuhu said that Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has worked to create a more transparent, efficient and investor-friendly business environment, adding that the state is moving from ambition to action.

‘Kwara’s greatest advantage is not just what we have. It is where we are. Situated strategically at the crossroads of Northern and Southern Nigeria, Kwara provides investors with access to major national markets and emerging regional opportunities.

‘For manufacturers, agribusinesses, logistics companies and service providers, Kwara offers something increasingly valuable: A strategic location from which businesses can produce, process, distribute and grow. But location alone does not create prosperity.

‘That is why our administration is investing in the foundations that investors need-roads, industrial infrastructure, healthcare, education, technology and a more efficient public sector.

‘Across agriculture and agro-processing, manufacturing, solid minerals, logistics, renewable energy, healthcare, education, hospitality, real estate, technology and the creative economy, Kwara offers opportunities for investors seeking long-term growth and sustainable returns’.

The Jigawa State Government has announced the death of the Emir of Gumel in Jigawa State, Dr Ahmad Muhammad, at the age of 84.

The first-class traditional ruler reportedly died in Cairo, Egypt, on Thursday, after spending 46 years on the throne.

Announcing the death, the Secretary to the Jigawa State Government, Malam Bala Ibrahim, expressed grief over the passing of the monarch.

In a statement, Ibrahim said, ‘With heavy hearts and profound sorrow, the state government announces the passing away of the Emir of Gumel, Dr Ahmad Muhammad Sani, at the age of 84.’

He described the late emir’s 46-year reign as remarkable, noting that it witnessed significant development in Gumel Emirate and Jigawa State.

According to him, the late traditional ruler would be remembered for his dedication, simplicity, humility and commitment to the development and wellbeing of his subjects.

The SSG said the monarch made significant contributions to the promotion of education and school enrolment, effective public healthcare delivery, and peace and stability in the emirate.

He also commended the late emir for fostering peaceful relations with communities along the border with the Republic of Niger.

Ibrahim said the late monarch’s contributions to the development of his people would remain in the annals of history.

He prayed Almighty Allah to forgive the deceased’s shortcomings and grant him eternal rest in Jannatul Firdausi.

The SSG added that details of the funeral prayer arrangements would be announced to the public by the Gumel Emirate.

As part of efforts to strengthen good governance and advance developmental priorities across the Yewa South Local Government Area of Ogun State, 33 legacy projects have been inaugurated under the leadership of Hon Abraham Ogunsola.

This was contained in a statement issued by the Zonal Information Officer of the Ministry of Information and Strategy, Ajarat Omikunle, obtained by the Nigerian Tribune.

The developmental projects cut across education; health, infrastructure and sanitation sectors.

The State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, represented by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon Ganiyu Hazmat, at the commissioning of the projects in Ilaro, commended the council chairman for translating the aspirations of the state government into tangible achievements.

He described the completion of the projects as evidence of prudent management of public resources.

The governor described the steps taken by the council boss, as another remarkable milestone in grassroots development, while noting that the synergy between the executive and legislative arms of the local government administration had contributed significantly to the successful execution of the projects across various sectors, including education, healthcare, sanitation, infrastructure, security and economic development.

The Council chairman expressed gratitude to Governor Abiodun for the unwavering support and cooperation extended to his administration since its assumption of office.

He acknowledged that the financial backing provided by the state government had enabled the commencement and completion of the developmental projects in Yewa South Local Government Area, which would help improve the welfare of residents.

Ogunsola described the commissioning as another milestone in the council’s determination to bring governance closer to the people and deliver projects capable of improving the quality of life of residents.

The YSLG chairman said the projects were not merely physical structures intended to showcase government activities, but strategic investments designed to address the needs of the people and contribute to the sustainable development of the local government.

The chairman added that his administration’s development agenda was largely driven by a shared commitment with the state government to improve the welfare of residents.

He, therefore, acknowledged the contributions of traditional rulers, community leaders, political stakeholders, members of the local government workforce, the legislative council and residents towards the achievements recorded by his administration.

He said their cooperation had been instrumental to the successful implementation of the projects.

The Paramount Ruler of Yewaland and Olu of Ilaro, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle, represented by the Otun Aguro of Ilaro, Chief Ayo Dawotola, in his remarks expressed gratitude to Governor Abiodun for providing the necessary support for the actualisation of the developmental projects in the local government.

He noted that Governor Dapo Abiodun had demonstrated a strong commitment to the advancement of Yewaland and Ogun State.

The monarch stated that Abiodun’s support for the local government had strengthened the institution’s capacity to deliver meaningful dividends of democracy to the people.