Category: Nigerian Tribune

Osun State House of Assembly has warned commercial banks in the state, Osogbo branch, not to honour unauthorised financial instructions on local government accounts.

Speaker of the House, Honourable Adewale Egbedun, who dropped the warning via a letter, drew attention to unlawful financial directives allegedly issued in some local governments, including Boluwaduro Local Government, authorising deductions of up to 15 percent of September 2025 allocations in favour of private individuals.

He described such actions as illegal, unconstitutional and without any budgetary approval, stressing that treasurers are not legally recognised signatories to local government accounts under extant laws.

The House reaffirmed that only the local government chairman and the Director of Administration and General Services, both officers of the Local Government Service Commission are empowered to operate such accounts in line with the Osun State Guidelines on Local Government Administration and the Public Financial Management Law, 2020.

Citing its resolution of September 29, 2025, the assembly reiterated that no withdrawals or deductions may be made from local government accounts without strict compliance with the constitution, internal regulations and approved budgets. It further warned that any financial institution processing unauthorised instructions would be deemed complicit in financial misconduct in violation of multiple national anti-corruption laws, including the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and would face the weight of the law.

The speaker cautioned that erring banks risk severe consequences, including summons before the House, arrest warrants and referrals to anti-corruption agencies for investigation and prosecution.

The letter reads:’ I write with reference to our earlier letter dated September 29, 2025, by which the assembly, pursuant to its oversight powers under Sections 128 and 129 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), demanded disclosure of all local government accounts domiciled with your bank.’

‘This House has been made aware that certain local government areas in the state, including but not limited to Boluwaduro Local Government, have issued financial instructions authorising deductions from their accounts in favour of private parties. One such instance is the instruction to deduct 15 percent of funds received in September 2025, allegedly authorised by the local government’s treasurer and chairman.’

‘ Apart from the fact that such an expenditure is illegal and does not conform with the provisions of internal regulations, it is equally not provided for in the 2025 approved budget of the local governments.’

‘ Let it be stated for record purposes that the treasurer is not a legally recognised signatory under the extant Osun State laws governing the operation of local government accounts. Specifically, Section 14 of the Guidelines for the Administration of Local Government stipulates that only persons listed by the assembly resolution, which stipulates that only the local government chairman, Director of Administration and General Services, as officers under the employment of the Local Government Service Commission, are authorised to operate such accounts.

‘These provisions are further supported by the Osun State Public Financial Management Law, 2020.

‘Furthermore, the resolution of this House passed on Monday, September 29, 2025, affirms that no withdrawals or deductions may be made from local government accounts without compliance with the Constitution, the Guidelines and the Financial Management Law.

‘The said resolution also declared that any bank which processes instructions issued by unauthorised persons shall be deemed to have aided and abetted financial misconduct in violation of the Constitution, the Criminal Code Act, the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Act, and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission Act.

‘Accordingly, you are hereby formally warned not to honour any instruction, verbal, written or electronic authorising disbursement, deduction or diversion of public funds from any local government account domiciled in your bank unless such instruction originates from the legally authorised signatories and is supported by express budgetary provision approved by the House.

‘Any transaction in breach of this position shall attract the constitutional and legal consequences, including summons before the House, the issuance of warrants of arrest and referrals to anti-corruption agencies for investigation and prosecution. Your institution will also stand the risk of blacklisting and recommendation for withdrawal of the privilege to operate government accounts.

‘You are reminded that your response to our initial request remains due within the 24-hour timeframe already communicated.

‘This matter is of public interest and must be treated with the utmost urgency and seriousness it deserves’, it said.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in the state, on Thursday, told members of the union to disregard the sponsored story of a particular political party that said leadership of the union has directed its workers to resume work.

The union’s chairman, Dr Nathaniel Kehinde Ogungbangbe, in a statement made available by Mr David Olalekan Owoeye, the state publicity secretary in Osogbo, said the claim was to cause commotion and disorganise the well – informed NULGE members in the state.

‘The union is using this medium to inform our well-respected members to know that such information did not emanate from the elected NULGE executives under the leadership of Dr Ogungbangbe and there is no directive of such from the national body of our union under the leadership of Haruna Aliyu Kankara.

‘It was authored to destabilise the peace of the state through which our members could be massacred and reduce our membership strength.’

Therefore, the union is urging all members to see the write-up as the handiwork of the killers of destiny which needed to be jettisoned and stay away from office until further directive from the real elected state NULGE executives in the state.

‘It is equally pertinent to note that NULGE has not directed our members to resume work.

How do you think your experience in LegalTech has influenced your approach to problem-solving in other industries, such as FinTech and CareTech?

My career began in LegalTech at LawPavilion Nigeria, where I worked on digitising case law and legal processes. That experience sharpened my ability to translate highly regulated, paper-heavy workflows into streamlined, user-friendly systems. The legal sector taught me that compliance, accuracy, and trust are non-negotiable. Every solution had to be airtight because the cost of mistakes in law is incredibly high.

When I transitioned into FinTech and later CareTech, I carried that mindset with me. It wasn’t just about building products that looked good or functioned on the surface; it was about designing systems that could stand the test of regulation, scrutiny, and scale. In finance, trust is the currency, and in healthcare, safety is paramount. My LegalTech foundation gave me the discipline to balance innovation with responsibility, ensuring that solutions not only solved problems but also met regulatory and ethical standards.

Can you share some insights into the technical architecture of the Loan Management Portal you developed at LSETF, and how it achieved a 40 per cent increase in productivity?

At the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund, we were faced with the challenge of managing large volumes of loan applications manually. The process was not only slow but also prone to human error. To solve this, we built the Loan Management Portal on a modular, service-oriented architecture. Each module handled a specific function-whether that was loan application intake, credit assessment, approval work flows, or reporting.

We also implemented role-based access so that everyone from loan officers to compliance managers had clearly defined permissions. Automated credit assessments reduced approval times, and integrated reporting created transparency for management. What used to take days could now be accomplished in hours. The productivity increase of over 40 per cent came from automation of repetitive tasks, smarter workflow orchestration, and data-driven dashboards that gave decision-makers a real-time view of what was happening. It transformed LSETF’s operations from a manual, paper-heavy process into a dynamic and scalable digital platform.

What role do you think artificial intelligence and machine learning play in enhancing financial inclusion, and how have you incorporated these technologies into your projects, such as Wyrr and GenCapita?

AI and ML have the potential to rewrite the financial services playbook. Traditional credit scoring models often exclude people without a formal credit history, which is a large portion of the African population. With AI, we can look at alternative data, such as mobile phone usage, transaction patterns, or even behavioral analytics, to make fairer credit decisions.

At Wyrr, we experimented with fraud-prevention models that analysed transaction patterns in real time, flagging unusual behavior before it caused damage. At GenCapita, the focus was on investment pattern recognition. By applying machine learning, we were able to recommend smarter portfolio allocations to users based on their behavior and risk appetite. These aren’t just technical improvements; they are steps toward financial inclusion, creating opportunities for people who were previously invisible to traditional banking systems.

How do you balance the need for innovation with the requirement for regulatory compliance in your work, particularly in the FinTech sector?

This balance is one of the toughest challenges in FinTech. Many startups are eager to move fast and disrupt, but ignoring compliance is a ticking time bomb. My approach has always been ‘build fast, but build right.’ For instance, at Gen Financial Limited, we had ambitious goals around securities trading and payment processing. But we knew from the start that we had to work closely with regulators.

We engaged with them early, explaining our product roadmaps, and aligning with KYC, AML, and data-protection frameworks. Instead of seeing compliance as a burden, we treated it as a competitive advantage. Once regulators trusted us, it gave us the freedom to innovate more confidently. That discipline is what has allowed me to build products that are both groundbreaking and sustainable.

What are some of the key lessons you learned from developing the Buy Now, Pay Later platform at QOOP, and how have you applied these lessons to other projects?

The BNPL platform at QOOP was an eye-opener. The technology itself was straightforward-creating a credit line for users and integrating it into e-commerce platforms. But the bigger challenge was human behavior. Many African consumers are still new to digital credit, and that means issues like repayment discipline, trust in the platform, and understanding the terms are critical.

We learnt very quickly that education and transparency had to be built into the product. Instead of hiding fees in fine print, we made repayment terms clear and user-friendly. Instead of focusing solely on growth, we focused on responsible lending. That approach reduced defaults and built long-term trust. I’ve carried those lessons into other projects, always ensuring that innovation is accompanied by financial literacy and user education.

As a co-founder and CTO of Aisiki, what was the inspiration behind building a logistics and agriculture-tech platform, and how do you see this sector evolving in the future?

Aisiki was born out of the realisation that one of Africa’s greatest challenges-agriculture-is also one of its biggest opportunities. Farmers were losing significant income because they lacked reliable logistics and direct access to markets. We set out to build a platform that connected farmers with logistics providers and buyers, reducing waste, improving efficiency, and increasing incomes.

The agriculture sector in Africa is primed for disruption. With the right mix of data, logistics, and financing, smallholder farmers can scale beyond subsistence farming. Looking ahead, I see technologies like IoT sensors for crop monitoring, mobile platforms for market access, and decentralised finance for micro-lending as key drivers of this transformation.

Can you tell us more about the technical challenges you faced in developing Caresyntra, and how you overcame them to create a seamless care management platform?

Caresyntra was a complex project because it sat at the intersection of healthcare, compliance, and technology. Care management requires strict adherence to regulations, but at the same time, caregivers need a platform that is intuitive and not overly bureaucratic. We had to build features like rostering, compliance tracking, and secure communication, all while ensuring that users found the platform easy to adopt.

The solution was to design the platform in a modular way, using cloud-based microservices for flexibility. Real-time synchronisation via secure APIs ensured that patient and staff data was always up-to-date and protected. It wasn’t just about solving technical problems; it was about designing for empathy. A platform in healthcare has to serve patients, families, and caregivers equally well, and that’s what we achieved with Caresyntra.

How do you think the ticketing industry can be transformed through technology, and what innovations have you introduced at TixTrack to enhance the user experience?

The ticketing industry has long suffered from inefficiencies and fraud. At TixTrack, we looked at how technology could make ticketing more transparent and accessible. I worked on features like transferable tickets, which allowed users to resell tickets safely, and group sales optimization, which helped event organizers cater to bulk buyers. We also introduced advanced reporting for organizers, giving them real-time insights into sales patterns.

These innovations don’t just improve efficiency-they improve trust. Event-goers feel safer knowing they won’t be duped by fake tickets, and organizers gain better tools to manage revenue and engagement. The result is a win-win ecosystem for everyone involved in live events.

What motivated you to create PayBridge.SDK, and how do you see this open-source project contributing to the developer community and the broader tech ecosystem?

Payment integration is one of the biggest headaches for developers. Each gateway has its quirks, and integrating multiple ones can be time-consuming. I built PayBridge.SDK as a unified API wrapper that supports both local and international gateways, drastically reducing integration time.

Making it open-source was intentional. I believe the best tools should be shared, not hoarded. Open-source projects like PayBridge democratise access, allowing small teams and startups to build at the same level as larger firms. It also encourages collaboration-developers can improve on it, adapt it, and feed those improvements back into the community. My hope is that PayBridge becomes a foundation stone for the next generation of African startups that want to scale globally.

Through your technical blog, tundehub.dev, you’ve shared insights on a range of topics, including microservices and cloud computing. What do you think are some of the most pressing issues in these areas, and how can developers stay up-to-date with the latest trends and technologies?

Microservices and cloud computing are exciting but also tricky. The biggest issues I see are around security, scalability, and cost optimization. Many startups rush to adopt microservices without putting observability, governance, and cost controls in place. That leads to chaos when the system scales.

Developers can stay sharp by engaging with open-source communities, studying real-world case studies, and experimenting with emerging technologies in safe environments. Writing for tundehub.dev keeps me honest. It forces me to learn continuously, to explain concepts clearly, and to share both successes and failures. That cycle of learning and teaching is what keeps me current.

With TechNaija FM, you’re creating a platform for voices in fintech, edtech, and digital transformation. What do you hope to achieve with this podcast, and how do you see it contributing to the tech ecosystem in Africa and the UK?

TechNaija FM is my way of giving back to the ecosystem. It’s a platform where African and UK voices can come together to share stories of innovation, resilience, and collaboration. Too often, the African tech narrative is told from the outside. I wanted to create a space where founders, developers, and investors could tell their own stories in their own voices.

My hope is for TechNaija FM to become a knowledge hub and an inspiration platform. If a young developer in Lagos or a founder in Manchester hears an episode and feels motivated to push through challenges, then the podcast has done its job. By amplifying diverse voices, we strengthen both ecosystems and build bridges across continents.

As someone who has worked on several high-impact projects, what do you think are some of the key factors that contribute to a project’s success, and how do you measure impact in your work?

From my experience, three factors stand out: clarity, collaboration, and adaptability. Clarity means everyone on the team understands the vision and the problem we’re trying to solve. Collaboration ensures that ideas flow freely and that no one feels siloed. Adaptability means being ready to pivot when new information emerges or when the market shifts.

I measure impact not just by whether the code works, but whether people actually use and trust the product. Adoption metrics, efficiency gains, and user satisfaction are my benchmarks. A project is only truly successful if it makes life easier for its users.

What role do you think collaboration and knowledge sharing play in driving innovation in the tech sector, and how have you incorporated these principles into your work?

Collaboration is the lifeblood of innovation. No one builds in isolation. Open-source projects, community events, hackathons, and mentorship all exist because innovation thrives when ideas are shared. Personally, I’ve embraced this through my blog, podcast, and developer

I’ve also seen firsthand at conferences how a single conversation can spark an entire startup. Knowledge sharing doesn’t just benefit the community; it benefits the individual too. By sharing what you know, you deepen your own understanding and open doors to opportunities you might never have imagined.

How do you think technology can be leveraged to address some of the most pressing socioeconomic challenges in Africa and the UK, such as financial exclusion and inequality?

Technology has already shown us glimpses of its power to transform lives. In Africa, mobile money has lifted millions out of financial exclusion. But we can go further-with blockchain providing transparency in public finance, AI offering fairer credit scoring, and telehealth making medical services accessible in remote areas.

In the UK, inequality manifests differently, but the tools are similar. Digital skills training can empower underserved communities, and AI-powered care platforms like Caresyntra can make healthcare more efficient and equitable. The key is designing technology that is inclusive, affordable, and accessible to those who need it most.

Looking back on your career, what do you think have been some of the most significant milestones, and how have these experiences shaped your approach to technology and innovation?

Looking back, there are several moments that shaped me. At LawPavilion, digitising legal processes taught me discipline and respect for compliance. At LSETF, driving financial empowerment showed me the power of technology to change lives on a large scale. Building BNPL and cooperative platforms at QOOP and getQoop.com taught me the importance of user trust and responsible growth.

On the technical side, creating open-source contributions like PayBridge.SDK and TableauSharp reinforced my belief in community-driven innovation. Launching TechNaija FM and planning the Obokun Tech Summit reminded me that storytelling and convening people are as important as writing code. Each milestone reinforced my core philosophy: technology should be a tool for empowerment. My approach today is simple-build solutions that matter, scale them ethically, and create opportunities for others.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA) chapter, Ondo State, on Friday raised the alarm over what it described as years of neglect of the state-owned institution by successive administrations, calling for urgent intervention by the state government.

The lecturers, who threatened a showdown with the government, accused it of starving the university of critical funding, noting that no capital grant had been released to the institution in the last seven years despite annual budgetary provisions.

Addressing journalists at a press briefing held at the AAUA Business School in Akure, the Chairperson of ASUU-AAUA, Dr. Boluwaji Oshodi, said staff welfare, infrastructure, and general funding had deteriorated to the worst levels since the university was established in 1999.

Oshodi, who spoke on behalf of the union, lamented that academic staff were currently being owed two months’ salaries (August and September 2025) in addition to a backlog of allowances and arrears running into billions of naira.

According to him, ‘The citadel of learning has witnessed serious neglect in the last six years. The major challenge confronting AAUA is inadequate funding, particularly the low monthly subvention and the non-release of capital grants by the Ondo State Government.

‘It may amaze you to know that the state government has not released a kobo as capital grant to the university for the past seven years. Meanwhile, the Ondo State House of Assembly appropriates these grants every year.’

He queried, ‘The question is, what happens to this money? It is a wonder what happens to the money budgeted annually for the university’s capital projects.’

Oshodi explained that while the university’s monthly salary and overhead obligations stood at over N555 million, the government only provides a subvention of N223 million, leaving a shortfall of more than N333 million monthly.

Speaking on infrastructural decay, the ASUU chair noted that lecture halls, laboratories, and libraries were in dire need of rehabilitation.

He specifically said the Faculty of Arts and Faculty of Education buildings had become uninhabitable due to collapsed roofs and waterlogged offices whenever it rained.

He lamented that the withdrawal of TETFund interventions from AAUA had worsened the situation, leaving the institution without any reliable source of capital funding.

According to him, the university has had to rely on internally generated revenue to survive, but the shortfall remains overwhelming.

The union further listed several outstanding obligations owed to its members, including unpaid promotion arrears, minimum wage arrears from 2014 and 2019, cooperative deductions, and unremitted third-party deductions.

On the state of access roads to the institution, the union said both routes linking AAUA to the Owo-Ikare highway were in deplorable condition, making it difficult for staff, students, and visitors to commute to the university.

Oshodi recalled that after writing several letters to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the union met with the Deputy Governor, Dr. Olayide Adelami, alongside top government officials in June 2025, where it was agreed that a verification team from the Ministry of Finance would visit AAUA within two weeks.

However, according to ASUU, no verification team has visited to date, despite several reminders, expressing disappointment in the government’s attitude towards the plight of the institution.

The union also faulted what it described as preferential treatment of another tertiary institution in the state, which, according to Oshodi, had benefitted from over N2.5 billion in special interventions from both the late Akeredolu administration and Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s government.

‘Why should AAUA be left to decay? An institution that has been prudently managed and sustained by the dedication of its academic staff deserves equal attention. What is good for the goose should also be good for the gander,’ Oshodi said.

ASUU-AAUA therefore demanded the immediate release of special intervention funds to clear outstanding salaries and allowances, as well as an upward review of the university’s monthly subvention to match its wage bill.

Oshodi added, ‘While another tertiary institution in the state has received special financial interventions worth over N2.5 billion from both the Akeredolu and Aiyedatiwa administrations, AAUA has been completely sidelined. We ask: what has AAUA done wrong or failed to do right?’

ASUU-AAUA called on Governor Aiyedatiwa to urgently release special intervention funds to settle outstanding salaries and allowances of its members and to increase the university’s monthly subvention to reflect its wage bill of over N500 million.

‘AAUA is our pride. It is a 21st-century university that deserves support, not neglect. With the prudence and commitment of its managers and staff over the years, this university deserves better,’ the union declared.

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has assured that his administration will continue to provide an enabling environment for corps members to feel wanted, loved, appreciated and respected during their national service in the state.

The governor gave the assurance during a courtesy visit by the Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brig. Gen. Olakunle O. Nafiu, at Lagos House, Marina, on Thursday, even as he commended the vital role corps members played in different communities in Lagos State.

Governor Sanwo-Olu reaffirmed his government’s commitment to supporting them as they serve and grow, assuring that his government was fully committed to building the NYSC permanent site project in the Ikorodu area of the state.

‘We are being very deliberate and intentional. It is very gratifying that a large number of corp members in the country are in Lagos. I want to assure you again that we will continue to provide an enabling environment for corps members to feel wanted, loved and appreciated during their time in Lagos.

‘We commend all our youth corpers. It is always something of joy to identify with them, to see those uniforms and to continue to encourage them and for them to thrive in whatever they do. It is a national pride and something that everybody must carry with dignity and honour.

‘We will do whatever is expected of us to make their time and period here a memorable one. We want to assure you that as a government, we will continue to support and make the scheme interesting and memorable for corps members at all times,’ the governor said.

Speaking earlier, Brig. Gen. Nafiu, commended Governor Sanwo-Olu and the Lagos State Government for the marvellous things they were doing for NYSC in Lagos, noting that based on the visible imprints everywhere, corps members were always excited to come to Lagos, just as he disclosed that over 44,000 corps members were currently serving in Lagos.

The NYSC boss said the purpose of his visit was to further cement the already cordial relationship that existed between the state government and the National Youth Service Corps, pledging his organisation’s continued support in deploying corps members to Lagos State for socio-economic development.

‘Lagos State is the number one destination for corps members in the country. As of today, Lagos State has over 44,000 corps members serving in Lagos. NYSC has 303 doctors serving in Lagos State. We deployed about 7,148 teachers teaching in the public schools and 274 nurses. We have about 35,000 serving in other public and private sectors within the state, making Lagos State the highest in terms of core postings in the country.

‘NYSC saved Lagos about N14.8 billion annually when we consider the cost of paying corps members in the state if they were to be employed full-time. The NYSC scheme has continued to remain a viable scheme not only in uniting the country and building bridges across culture, religion and socio-economic divides, but it also contributes immensely to the socio-economic development of the state and communities where our corps members are deployed.

‘We appreciate the security in Lagos. It makes it very peaceful, and parents are always eager and comfortable when their sons and daughters are posted to Lagos. Parents are comfortable with their daughters serving in Lagos State. Lagos State consistently for the past five or six years has been having more female corp members than male corp members. We want to thank the Governor for the enabling environment you have continuously provided for us in Lagos State,’ he said.

The high-powered Committee for the Creation of New Emirates, Chiefdoms and Districts set up by the Bauchi State Government has proposed thirteen new emirates, two chiefdoms and 113 districts.

The proposal was contained in the report of the Committee submitted to the Governor, Sen Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, on Friday at the Executive Chambers of the Governor’s Office, Bauchi, by the Chairman of the Committee, Hamza Koshe Akuyam.

While submitting the Committee’s report to the Governor, the Chairman explained that the proposed thirteen new emirates and two chiefdoms represent the most deserving of all the over 100 memoranda received from across the state.

Hamza Koshe Akuyam recalled that the body was inaugurated on 4 July 2025 with the mandate to review requests from communities across the state, assess their historical, cultural and administrative justifications, and make recommendations to promote justice, inclusiveness and peaceful coexistence.

He disclosed that the Committee received a total of 196 memoranda, 17 for the creation of emirates, 166 for districts, and others for chiefdoms.

According to him, ‘The mandate was to review various requests submitted by communities, assess their historical, cultural, and administrative justifications, and make fair recommendations that promote justice, inclusiveness, and peaceful coexistence.’

He said, ‘At the end of the work, the Committee is hereby recommending the creation of thirteen additional emirates, two chiefdoms, and 111 districts across Bauchi State.’

Responding to the report of the Committee, the Governor, Sen Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, commended the Committee for what he described as a ‘transparent and painstaking exercise.’

The Governor praised the methodology, models and templates used, noting that the process reflected community ownership and affinity.

He said the reform was in line with his administration’s commitment to ‘unbundle Bauchi’ for easier governance, eliminate ungoverned spaces, and give communities a sense of self-actualisation.

While acknowledging that the exercise may be painful for some monarchs, Bala Mohammed stressed that similar practices had taken place across Nigeria and even beyond Africa.

He assured traditional rulers and communities that government would implement the recommendations fairly, balancing the aspirations of new communities with the dignity of existing institutions, while expanding opportunities for leadership and representation.

The Governor assured that the report would be transmitted to the State House of Assembly directly and intact, the way it was submitted by the Committee, for legislative action in order to make it realistic.

He urged the Assembly to expedite the process devoid of ethno-religious and political sentiments but in the interest of the people of Bauchi State.

Kwara State Government has said that plans have been concluded to mobilise military personnel and other security logistics in identified locations where cases of security challenges have recently been recorded in its planned Measles-Rubella immunisation campaign.

It be recalled that activities of suspected bandits and kidnappers were being recorded in some parts of the state, like Kwara South and Kwara North, in recent times, while the state government had engaged local and federal government assistance to tackle the situation.

Speaking at a one-day sensitisation programme for media practitioners in Kwara on the integrated Polio-Measles Rubella immunisation campaign, the executive secretary of the state Primary Health Care Development Agency (KPHCDA), Professor Nusirat Elelu, said that the campaign, planned to hold between October 11 and 20, 2025, would take place across 16 local government areas of the state.

Represented by the director, Primary Health Care System, Dr. Michael Oguntoye, said that the immunisation campaign is in line with global targets of Measles-Rubella elimination by 2030.

‘We are committed to mobilising military personnel, health officers, and necessary logistics to areas witnessing insecurity. Because we need to protect the health of the people, too. We won’t want to make it a double tragedy for them in not getting immunised and being faced with a security challenge.

‘We’ve opened discussion with the National Emergency Operation Centre of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency and the military on the best strategy to use to ensure that the areas experiencing security challenge have access to the vaccine. So, no community will be abandoned,’ he said.

In their goodwill messages, the representatives of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the World Health Organisation (WHO), among other development partners, allayed the fears of the people on the Measles-Rubella vaccine, saying that the immunisation exercise is not a plan to reduce the nation’s population.

The development partners said that the Measles-Rubella injection does not cause infertility, adding that children not immunised are prone to paralysis and deafness, among other diseases.

In his address, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) representative, Ibrahim Mohammed, said that Nigeria accounts for about 50 per cent of Measles and Rubella cases in Africa, adding that the introduction of the vaccine will protect communities, especially children, against Measles-Rubella diseases and reduce outbreaks by providing immunity.

The UNICEF official, who said that the current campaign targets children between nine months and 14 years, added that immunisation targets the children because they are the most vulnerable.

‘We have made remarkable progress in the fight against preventable diseases. We all stood tall as Nigeria was declared free of wild poliovirus, united by a single mission: to protect our children and communities from preventable diseases through vaccination.

‘For decades, measles has been one of the leading killers of children under five years. Rubella, though less well known, causes lifelong harm when it infects pregnant women and children. With the introduction of the Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccine, we now have an additional, powerful tool to stop both of these diseases and protect generations yet unborn.

‘The Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccine is safe, paid for by the government, and available for all eligible children (9 months-14 years) at no additional charge.

‘It is concerning that Nigeria has one of the highest numbers of zero dose children in the world. This means that measles outbreaks still claim young lives. Rubella continues to threaten unborn children, and there is continuing spread of the variant poliovirus in the country. Remember, vaccine is only effective when it reaches every child,’ he said.

The UNICEF official called in the media to assist in the campaign, saying that the media has a critical role to play.

‘Your voice can break down myths and misinformation. Your platforms can build trust in science and public health. The stories we choose to share can make vaccination not just a medical necessity but an honorable parental duty and a community value proudly upheld’.

THAT the installation of Oba Rashidi Ladoja as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland brought Ibadans home and in diaspora closer to their tradition, and the city is not debatable, looking at the scenarios that pervaded the entire city in the build-up to the inauguration of the new monarch. Oba Ladoja received the instrument and staff of office at the historic Mapo Hall on September 26, 2025. The event saw a situation where the entire city was mobilised not through the calling of any government authority, but via voluntary actions of the indigenes and residents, who owned the monarchy and saw Ladoja as a symbol of the resilient monarchy. The spirit of communalism was effusive as the Agbo Iles (family compounds) held nothing back in celebration of the Olubadan. The installation of Oba Ladoja reflected the bond among the thousands of compounds that litter the city of Ibadan, said Ola Agunbiade, a resident, who took time out to move around the city during the weeklong installation. It was also observed that the joy that radiated on the faces of the people knew no bounds as each family, headed by the Mogaji, organised parties with their compound members in the city as well as the village. Family members and residents could be seen in large and small gatherings, under canopies, to celebrate the historic occasion in the city at different locations.

A tour round the interior of Ibadan showed that from Ile Laabo in Idi-Arere, Ile Mogana, Bode, Ile Elesude in Foko, Ile Akiwale, Oke-Ofa Atipe, to Ile Anla Oja’ba to Ile Arusa, Isale-Osi, the atmosphere was the same as people wined, dined, and danced to good music supplied by musicians, mainly of Ibadan origin, and DJs that were invited to inspire the celebration. Many of the residents in those locations, who confessed not to have witnessed any coronation of such magnitude in Ibadanland, were joyful as they individually and collectively celebrated the enthronement of the Oba.

Also, visits to some family compounds in the hinterland revealed an elation and an electrified city with many readily enjoying the local delicacies like amala and ewedu and gbegiri, spiced up in many locations with suya and barbecue made from ram and goat meat. Speaking on the development, the head of Mogana compound in Isale Bode, Ibadan South-West Local Government Area, Mogaji Alaba Bolarinwa, said the occasion was unique because of the personality of the new monarch. He said the Ibadan Mogajis decided to celebrate the coronation with their families in that manner to further show the love they have for the former Senator and former governor turned First class Oba. He explained that Ladoja, as governor of Oyo State, showed that he had the capacity to govern, adding that it is believed that the performance he exhibited while he was governor would be replicated in Ibadan, such that he would make the city great.

He said: ‘From the first speech made by our revered Oba Ladoja, after his coronation at Mapo Hall, it is evident that he loves Ibadan and is ready to champion the course of the city. There is no way such a person would not be given the best celebration he deserves.’

In the same vein, many social groups and clubs in Ibadan exploited the coronation of the Olubadan to show love and come together in the spirit of celebration. The clubs with different attires (Aso ebi) that were specifically chosen for the coronation also organized parties and invited friends and well-wishers from within and outside the town to join them in making the coronation of Oba Ladoja a memorable event. Many of the clubs, particularly those of the women folks, added steeze to their events by cooking different types of local delicacies, which they served their members and other residents of the ancient city.

Nigerian Muslim women have been challenged to rise as ambassadors of faith, peace, and moral guidance, especially for the younger generation.

National President of Lajna Imaillah Nigeria, the women’s wing of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at, Hajiya Taofeeqah Fagbolade, gave the charge during the 46th annual convention of the body, which took place at Victory College in Ikare Akoko, Ondo State.

At least 4,000 women from various regions across Nigeria attended the three-day spiritual and educational gathering, themed ‘Fauzan Azeema. A Great Success’.

The convention featured speeches, lectures, workshops, peace walk, sports competitions and interactive sessions focused on personal development, faith and community leadership.

In her remarks, Fagbolade reminded women of their unique roles in shaping a righteous and progressive society.

‘My dear sisters, every journey towards greatness requires commitment, sacrifice and unity.

‘We are now living in times where confusion is dressed as truth and distraction is disguised as progress. But as believing women, we are not lost, because we have guidance,’ she said.

While referencing the Qur’an and the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad, Fagbolade stressed that Muslim women are not on the sidelines of Islamic progress but are key drivers of transformation within the Ummah.

‘As women – mothers, daughters, wives, teachers, professionals and leaders – our contributions are central to the Ummah’s journey.

‘Our voices matter. Our character matters. Our example matters,’ she declared.

She emphasised the impact of raising righteous children and seeking knowledge as pathways to building a stronger Muslim community.

The national president also encouraged the women to prioritise faith, modesty and sincerity over worldly distractions and urged attendees to return to their communities with renewed purpose.

‘When we choose modesty over popularity, truth over trends, faith over fear, we are walking the path of Fauzan Azeema, the path towards victory, triumph and absolute success.

‘Let’s return to our homes and communities as ambassadors of peace and purpose. Let us invest in learning our deen more deeply and support one another through life’s tests and triumphs,’ she said.

In her contribution, regional leader, Hajiya Muibat Taiwo Abdulrazaq, highlighted the virtue of obedience to Allah and His Messenger.

‘Obedience is particularly relevant in today’s world where we are constantly faced with challenges and temptations.

‘By reflecting on the Qur’an and the Sunnah, we gain a deeper understanding of what it means to live in submission to Allah,’ she said.

It is a thing of joy for a parent to witness the success of the children in their academic pursuit. This is the case of the President, Fuji Musicians Association in America (FUMAA) based in Texas, Akeem Adewale Alamu, popularly called ‘Oga Alamu’ by his fans when his daughter, Mistura Ayomide Abiola Lawal graduated from Army Basic Combat Fort, Jackson, Columba, South Carolina in USA, recently.

Oga Alamu, in a chat with the Friday Treat said: ‘I’m using this medium to express my gratitude to God Almighty for this great feat. My daughter, Ayomide has made me, Nigerians in America and Nigeria as a nation proud. My joy know no bound.

‘Like Yoruba adage says that ‘ibi gbogbo lo n gba alagbara, omo ole nikan laaye o gba’, which implies that there is no place that a hard-working person cannot excel except the lazy one.

‘To crown it all, Ayomide has also been granted citizenship of America. So, it is a double celebration. She has been enlisted in US Army and she has become an American citizen as well,’ Oga Alamu said.

Following the cheering news, Oga Alamu’s contemporaries in Fuji music have felicitate him on his daughter’s landmark and unprecedented breakthrough.

Among the fuji musicians that congratulated him include; President, Fuji Musicians Association of Nigeria (FUMAN), Alhaji Sikiru Ayinde Agboola (Sensation), Alhaji Wasiu Ayinde K1 De Ultimate, Adewale Ayuba, Aaare Sir Shina Akanni Scorpido, Alhaji Wasiu Alabi Pasuma, Saheed Osupa, Sule Alao Malaika, Adeyinka Ishola (Askari to n ko fuji).

Other fuji musicians based in USA like Dipo k3, Akeem Tutuye, Yinka Rhythm (Mr Somebody), Ayinla Segema in Canada, Bolaji Bello, Adebewaji Aboki Oganla, based in London and others.

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has reaffirmed his commitment to promoting unity and progress in the state, declaring that his administration will sweep away division, poverty, and treachery to ensure sustained development.

Speaking on Thursday night at the Victor Attah International Airport, Uyo, where a large crowd of supporters welcomed him on his return flight, Governor Eno urged Akwa Ibom people to embrace unity and actively participate in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration exercise.

‘We are Akwa Ibom united – united for progress and development. And the symbolic broom of the Party is going to sweep away disunity, poverty, division, and treachery,’ he said.

The Governor also restated his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, stressing that alignment with the centre was crucial to attracting more federal presence and benefits to the state.

‘You must be proud to be connected to the centre in order to continue to receive the support of the centre for the overall benefit of our people and our state,’ Governor Eno declared.

Governor Eno explained that he deliberately scheduled his return trip at night to personally inspect the restored runway lighting at the Victor Attah International Airport.

‘I chose to return at night to inspect our runway, to do project inspection. And I am satisfied with the lighting work done here,’ he said, commending the airport management for meeting the deadline.

With the completion of the project, he announced the commencement of night operations at the airport, allowing Ibom Air and other airlines to land and depart after dark.

‘Our Airport is back, so any flight can now land here at night. Ibom Air can bring in passengers and night-stop in Uyo for their first flights in the morning to Lagos and Abuja, because this is the home of Ibom Air,’ he said.

The Governor further disclosed that, following the speedy passage of the Supplementary Budget by the State House of Assembly, the government would expand its road construction projects from the current 772km to 1,000km during the next dry season.

Promising to continue delivering the dividends of democracy, Eno described the massive turnout at the airport as a major source of encouragement.

‘Your massive turnout at this reception this evening, though a surprise to me, is like putting fuel in a car. And it will certainly go far in its journey. I therefore promise you, we will continue to work for Akwa Ibom and deliver on the dividends of democracy,’ he said.