Category: Nigerian Tribune

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.

EXACTLY a week ago, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja was crowned the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland, taking the title Arusa 1, being the first to be so crowned in the Arusa family of Isale Osi, Ibadan. Though a week has passed since Olubadan’s coronation, telltale signs of the ceremony remain conspicuous in the big city. Banners, billboards, lamppost banners, and signposts of different colours and sizes still adorn the streets, thus making the corners and the streets continue to wear the celebratory mood that preceded September 26. They are all signs that the revered monarch, Oba Ladoja’s ascension to the throne was welcomed by the young, the old, the high and the lowly, the indigenes and residents alike. The scenes around his celebration are such that have not been replicated around the coronation of any such top-class monarch in recent years.

But the widespread acceptance of Oba Ladoja’s reign also comes with huge expectations. There is no denying the fact that all of the indigenes, the residents of Ibadan and friends of Ibadan, who supported the coronation events, whether with cash or kind or with their physical presence, have one expectation or the other of the new monarch. Discussions around the streets of Ibadan and in enlightened circles indicate that many are of the view that Ladoja would deliver the goods to the ancient city. There are those who believe that with the Oba, having shown capacity and vision as governor of Oyo State between 2003 and 2007, the assurance is there that he would take Ibadan to greater heights.

Prof Toyin Falola, a renowned professor of African Studies, who currently chairs the Jacob and Sanger Mossiker Chair in Humanities at the University of Texas, Austin, United States, was the guest lecturer at the first coronation lecture organised in honour of Oba Ladoja as the coronation processed flagged off last week. The professor of History, who spoke on the topic: ‘Ibadan History: Issues in Tradition and Modernity,’ told his audience that the personality of Oba Ladoja who had been successful in business and politics would bring development to Ibadan. He further submitted: ‘Though he is not the governor, the expectation of the people of Ibadan and the state is high because he has the power to influence things to be achievable.’

Falola’s message was not lost on anyone in the gathering, and those who picked up copies of the lecture afterwards. The growing trust deficit on democracy and governance among the people has failed to reassure them that the governance model would solve their problems. Many top Africans, former leaders, and scholars have also continued to raise issues about service delivery under the democratic procedures adopted by Africans. Not a few Nigerians have raised issues with service delivery in the country, which turned 65 on Wednesday. The grumblings about democratic growth, service delivery under democracy, and the capacity of the system of government to ensure the growth they need apparently fired the instinct of many in the traditional system bequeathed by their forebears. The Ibadan monarchy, one of the surviving legacies of the Yoruba/African political system, appears to provide the fillip for the people to invest their hope once again, and that should largely account for the zeal, the ceremony, the widespread unity of purpose with which every strata of Ibadanland participated in the coronation process.

The chairman of the African Newspapers of Nigeria (ANN) Plc, publishers of the Tribune titles, Ambassador Tokunbo Awolowo Dosumu, would also reinforce the people’s belief in Oba Ladoja when she spoke at the reception held in respect of the coronation on Sunday. Speaking at the Civic Reception put together by the Central Council of Ibadan Indigene (CCII) at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, Awolowo Dosumu told the monarch to ensure his reign reignites an Ibadan renaissance. Reflecting on the scenes that pervaded the coronation ceremony, she said it was ‘the renewal of the spirit of Ibadan.’

She commended Oba Ladoja for offering to restore Ibadan’s old glory, ensure a crime-free society, and foster a city where leaders act with integrity and make the indigenes and residents feel at home, adding that: ‘These are not just words. They are a manifesto of purpose, a call to action, and a covenant with the people.’

Awolowo Dosumu also directed her message to the monarch, the Mogajis, and the people, urging the chiefs and all stakeholders to work with the Kabiyesi to achieve the lofty tasks ahead. She said: ‘As we honour Kabiyesi, we also rededicate ourselves to that vision. Let this coronation not only be the celebration of a new reign but the beginning of a new renaissance for Ibadan.’

At that same event, a former governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, spoke about the huge expectations on the shoulders of Arusa 1. He told the monarch to build on the administrative legacies of Late Oba Akinyele and Oba Oloyede Asanike, adding that the two monarchs made significant impacts in the growth of Ibadan. He specifically praised Oba Akinyele for bringing wisdom and scholarship to bear on the palace during his reign, while, according to him, Oba Asanike’s sense of humour and native intelligence guaranteed the stability of Ibadanland.

He submitted: ‘Oba Ladoja should learn from Olubadan Akinyele, who brought wisdom and scholarship to the palace. Also, he should learn from Olubadan Asanike, who chose humour and native intelligence to bring change and stability.’

The first words of Oba Ladoja upon receiving the staff and instruments of office on September 26 also did not let the people down. He spoke to President Bola Tinubu as a friend and repeated the key demand of the Ibadan people for Ibadan State. He even asked the people to rise and thank the president for accepting the request. Besides that, the monarch has also expressed his readiness to ensure that institutions operating within Ibadanland contribute to the city’s economy by providing jobs for the people. He also said at the Civic reception that he planned to grow the economy of not only Ibadan but Oyo State as a whole, adding that he would ensure an enabling environment for investors.

He said: ‘The major assignment before me as Olubadan of Ibadanland is the growth of Ibadanland. The status of Olubadan is not about the wearing of status but ensuring the all-round growth of the town. To achieve this feat, I will collaborate with the government at all levels to ensure that Ibadan and Oyo State at large maintain their pace-setter status.

‘We are all governing Ibadan. I am just the coordinator. You people are the small Olubadans; I am the big Olubadan. Ibadan will be greater by God’s grace and with your support. I am now the king of all religious groups in Ibadan. We have never had a record of religious crisis in Ibadan because members of the various religious groups are represented in each family in Ibadanland. Ibadan is a fertile land for investment and economic growth. It shall continue to be well with Ibadan.’

With those words coming from the new Olubadan, it is not in doubt that he is well abreast of the tasks ahead. The Olubadan must bring his weight to bear on the growing social vices, which are becoming commonplace not only in Ibadan but in our society across the land. Ibadan is also home to several moribund companies and dying industrial estates. Ogun State is already leveraging on the access provided by the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway to site several multi-million industries; Ibadan and Oyo State can take a cue. Not a few residents and indigenes who celebrated the ascension of Oba Ladoja to the throne would be thrilled to see the monarch take efforts in reviving most, if not all, of the dead industries which made Ibadan thick in the days of old.

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.

One of the leaders of the Youth Wing of the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) Worldwide, Comrade Efemena Umukoro, has publicly challenged Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and several senators to seek legal redress if they believe they have been defamed by human rights activist, Oliver Ofejiro.

Umukoro issued the challenge during a peaceful protest at the Delta State Government House in Asaba, warning that if the governor and others ignore his call, his group will ‘increase the gear’ of their demonstrations.

Flanked by a small group of supporters, Umukoro condemned the continued police detention of the investigative journalist as an ‘abuse of power.’

‘We are in a democratic society where we have freedom of liberty [and] freedom of expression,’ he stated.

He highlighted police procedures, noting, ‘You have 24-48 hours to charge a suspect to court. There is even a new directive from the Inspector-General of Police to investigate a person before arresting and then arraigning them.’

Drawing a comparison, Umukoro said, ‘For instance, Mr. President [of Nigeria] has been called all sorts of names, but he has never arrested a critic because he understands the dynamics of governance. He knows that critics are there to provide checks and balances.’

‘Without critics, the government will be too relaxed. While we clamour for constructive criticism, if Governor Oborevwori, Senator Ede Dafinone, and Senator Joel Onowakpo believe Oliver Ofejiro has crossed the line, the best approach is not to keep him in a cell.

‘They should give him the privilege to have his say in court. We are not in a banana republic,’ he declared.

Umukoro explained that the protest was to register their displeasure and signal that ‘enough is enough.’ He also apologised to fellow activists in Asaba for not involving them, stating he wanted to ensure the demonstration remained a lawful, peaceful protest and not be perceived as an attack on the Government House.

He warned that if ‘government agencies’ who have reached out to him fail to act by next week, they will be forced to ‘increase the gear’ of their protests, promising to give the ‘full press’ advance notice.

Furthermore, Umukoro revealed he plans to file a case for a breach of fundamental rights, not against the entire Delta State Police Command, but specifically against the Investigating Police Officer (IPO) in charge of Ofejiro’s case.

He accused the IPO of having ‘suddenly become a co-petitioner instead of being an umpire’ by screenshotting material from Ofejiro’s Facebook page that was not part of the original petition.

‘He has made himself a party to this case. You cannot be a party to a case you are investigating,’ Umukoro argued.

He also issued a final warning to the Delta State Police Command, revealing that protest letters have been submitted to the International Human Rights Commission (IHRC) and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in Abuja.

‘They should be careful with the way they go about this issue. They should go to court and let the young man have his time in court, and not continue to use their power to support oppression and intimidation in a democratic society,’ he concluded.

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has condemned in strong terms the recent appointment by the Lagos State government of Ayomiposi Oluwadahunsi, popularly known as Mandy Kiss, as a brand ambassador of the State’s ‘Kick Against Drug Abuse’ (LASKADA) campaign, calling for the immediate withdrawal of the appointment.

The students’ body noted that while the LASKADA campaign is laudable, the choice of Ayomiposi as ambassador for such a role is both inappropriate and counterproductive.

Mandy Kiss, barely a few days before this appointment, publicly made statements about engaging in mass sexual activity in order to enter the Guinness Book of Records, remarks that went viral and generated national outrage.

Such a pronouncement, according to NANS, is inconsistent with the values of responsibility, dignity, and self-control that a public health campaign like LASKADA is meant to promote.

In a statement made available by the National Assistant Secretary-General of NANS, Adejuwon Olatunji Emmanuel, the association said: ‘The credibility of the messenger is as important as the message, and in this case, the messenger undermines the message.

‘So, the decision by the Lagos State Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mobolaji Ogunlende, to approve Ayomiposi’s appointment for the mentioned role raises serious questions about judgement and due process.’

NANS said further that: ‘Influence alone cannot be the basis for such a sensitive role. While it is true that young people listen to influencers, the right ambassadors must combine influence with credibility, education, and a track record of positive impact.

‘There are countless educated young Nigerians – students, graduates, professionals, and responsible social media influencers – who command both visibility and respect, and who would have been far more deserving choices for this role.

‘We strongly believe that this appointment sends the wrong message at a time when the government should be intentional about values, role models, and the future of Nigerian youth. By endorsing controversial figures with questionable conduct, the state risks trivialising the fight against drug abuse and eroding public trust in an otherwise noble campaign.

‘To this end, the Lagos State government must immediately withdraw Mandy Kiss’s appointment as LASKADA Ambassador, and the Commissioner should apologise to Lagos residents, including students, parents, and youth advocates, whose trust in the campaign has been shaken.

‘It is also important that a transparent selection process be instituted to ensure that future ambassadors are persons of integrity, credible, and capable of inspiring young people positively.

‘So, we recommend that the state government engage credible students, reformed substance-abuse survivors, youth leaders, respected professionals, and social media figures with clean reputations who can speak with authority and integrity.

‘As the voice of Nigerian students, NANS remains committed to supporting every effort aimed at curbing drug abuse. But we will never stand by and watch the struggle for youth development reduced to sensational headlines and misplaced priorities.

‘The unity and health of our youth are too important to be gambled with. We call on the Lagos State Government to correct this error immediately in the interest of the campaign’s success and the credibility of leadership.’