Category: Nigerian Tribune

‘BI o l’aya osika, bi o r’iku Gaa o yio s’otito. If you have the heart of a cruel man, take note of Gaa’s death and be true’

I have always wondered, how exactly did the notorious Basorun Gaa of the Old Oyo Empire think all his wickedness and heavy-handed ways would end? Did he actually think he would live forever and get away with it? How did he sleep at night, each night, knowing that he was causing a king, a whole Alaafin awake and in pains. History recorded Basorun Gaa as a Kingmaker and a King Destroyer, a Basorun who ‘raised five kings to the throne, he murdered four, and was himself murdered by the fifth.’ Did the man ever thought, even just once, that he was inflicting pain or that one day, all his evils would come back to bite him? How did a man grow so powerful he forgot he had not always been powerful? How do men of power, in power, forget where they were coming from? No matter how long a snake is, if it has a head, it will have a tail. Even good reigns come to an end, least of all bad ones.

All those centuries ago, did anybody tell Gaa his ways were evil and would lead him to perdition? I am sure they did. I am almost sure the ‘busybodies’ were beheaded at Gaa’s ‘gbagede’ for their disrespect and blasphemy.

Gaa, he was famous for his powerful charms. He had powerful medicine men. There were even records of him possessing abilities to transform into a leopard, an elephant at will and returning to the human form. Who would not fear such a man? But reading through a version of his story (oh yes, the story of Basorun Gaa has many versions), the day he died, he tried transforming into an elephant. He couldn’t. His charms failed. Gaa had ordered four mortars to be placed in position to serve as his fore and hind legs (don’t laugh), two pestles (yes, like the ones we use to make pounded yam) to serve as elephant’s tusks. Then he launched into a long incantation session. If those mystery lines were to magically lift him on to the four mortars and install the pestles in his face as elephant’s tusks, they did not work for him that day. One, he could not help himself up because he was old, feeble and trembling. Two, the discouraging words of his son, Olaotan further weakened his withering muscles. Watching his father’s futile attempts to hold on to a glory that had long left him, Olaotan said: Father, have I not always said it were better you should secure a charm for ensuring perpetual youth? It was because I was strongly convinced that these charms will be of little avail to you when old age has set in ‘.

Can you see Gaa in your mind’s eyes, trying to get up and falling, repeating same lines of incantation over and again without any magical result? Power, physical or magical will fail one day even when it is used for good.

Moving forward, eventually, the warriors who had laid siege to Gaa’s residence gained access and arrested the once powerful Basorun, along with his last man standing, Gbagi. They were both dragged off to the palace of Alaafin Abiodun. Gaa was made to prostrate in the sun for hours. As he sweated, he pleaded for his life. As he pleaded, even women and children approached him to pull at his beard and a growth on his face, a face nobody dared gaze at until that day. There was dance and drinks, drums and more dance at the fall of the one they all once dreaded and pretended to revere.

Gaa’s end was a dreadful one. He was put to death like a common thief in the centre of the city, his flesh made to sizzle on a burning stake. Another account of Gaa’s last day said he was buried up to his waist while Oyo people went with knives to get their pounds of flesh, Gaa’s flesh at Akesan market.

This is history, not a folk tale. Is this why I have not met a Dr Gaa, Professor Gaa? Is that why there is no former or serving Senator Gaa or did I miss them? Have you met a Yoruba someone whose surname is Gaa? An interview with him would most certainly be interesting.

Lesson from today’s class? I leave it to you.

President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday restated his administration’s focus on supporting Nigerian youths and driving economic reforms as the country marked its 65th Independence Anniversary.

In a national broadcast from the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Tinubu described young Nigerians as the nation’s ‘greatest assets,’ encouraging them to dream big and pursue opportunities in science, technology, sports, arts, and the creative sector.

He outlined initiatives already in place to back education, entrepreneurship, and youth development.

According to him, the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has so far provided N99.5 billion in student loans and N44.7 billion in upkeep allowances to about 510,000 students in 228 higher institutions.

‘Our administration, through policies and funding, will continue to give you wings to fly sky-high.

‘We created NELFUND to support students with loans for their educational pursuits. Approximately 510,000 students across 36 states and the FCT have benefited from this initiative, covering 228 higher institutions,’ he said.

Tinubu also noted that the Credicorp scheme had disbursed N30 billion in loans to 153,000 Nigerians for vehicles, solar power, home improvements, and digital devices. Additionally, the YouthCred programme, launched in June, has begun providing credit to National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members to assist with their resettlement.

He said the Digital and Creative Enterprises (iDICE) programme, developed with the Bank of Industry, African Development Bank, French Development Agency, and Islamic Development Bank, was close to full rollout to boost the technology and creative industries further.

Speaking on the economy, the President acknowledged that current reforms had created difficulties, with inflation and high living costs affecting many citizens.

‘The alternative of allowing our country to descend into economic chaos or bankruptcy was not an option. Sacrifices made were laying a new foundation cast in concrete, not on quicksand,’ he said.

He stressed that progress should be measured not just by figures but also by improvements in food security, education, electricity, and safer communities.

Tinubu called on state and local governments to support federal efforts by driving productivity and innovation.

‘Let us be a nation of producers, not just consumers. Let us farm our land and build factories to process our produce. Let us patronise ‘Made-in-Nigeria’ goods. I say Nigeria first,’ he declared.

The President assured Nigerians that a more prosperous and self-reliant country was achievable and urged citizens to work together in the nation-building process.

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining peace in the Niger Delta region by pledging continued support for initiatives aimed at curbing drug abuse and illicit trafficking in the region.

The Managing Director of the Commission, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, who disclosed this during the sensitisation campaign against substance abuse in Igbokoda, in Ilaje local government area of Ondo state, stressed that tackling drug addiction is key to securing peace and stability in the region.

Ogbuku, who was represented by the Acting Director Ondo State office, Dr Victor Asonye,

assured to continue to support all efforts to curb drug abuse and illicit trafficking in the Niger Delta region.

He said the initiative was designed to curb the rising tide of drug abuse, particularly among young people, which has been fueling crime, cultism, and insecurity across the Niger Delta communities, said the

According to him, the campaign against substance abuse aligns with its broader mandate of sustainable development and peacebuilding, noting that infrastructure alone cannot deliver progress without addressing the social issues threatening human capital

He said, ‘Our campaign is about saving lives and protecting the future of our region. Substance abuse not only destroys individual potential; it fuels violence, erodes family values, and threatens the peace we all desire in the Niger Delta. The NDDC cannot ignore this challenge.

‘The NDDC is not only building roads and bridges; we are building peace and people. This campaign is part of our social investment to secure a healthier, safer, and more peaceful Niger Delta.’

‘Peace and stability remain the foundation for development in the Niger Delta, and this is why the NDDC has decided to embark on a campaign against substance abuse. Drug abuse is one of the hidden drivers of insecurity in our communities. It fuels cultism, armed robbery, militancy, and domestic violence.

He noted that drug abuse has become a growing challenge among students and youths, leading to poor academic performance, school dropouts, cultism, violence, and insecurity.

‘Many crimes in our communities are linked to substance abuse, and unless we tackle this problem early, it will continue to destroy lives and destabilise the peace we seek in the Niger Delta. As long as young people are trapped in the cycle of addiction, peace in the region will continue to be fragile.

‘We believe that sustainable peace cannot be achieved by building infrastructure alone. True peace is built on healthy, productive people who can contribute positively to society. Our campaign against substance abuse is therefore a peace initiative – designed to reduce crime, strengthen family values, and give our youths a chance to live meaningful lives.

‘By sensitising schools, communities, and marketplaces, and by working closely with traditional rulers, religious leaders, and youth groups, the NDDC is investing in peace. Every life saved from drugs is a step towards a safer and more prosperous Niger Delta.

‘This campaign is, therefore, about securing the future. We are building peace not just through dialogue or intervention, but by addressing one of the root causes of instability in our region’

He disclosed that the campaign was supported and launched in partnership with key stakeholders, including government agencies, security organisations, and educational institutions, ‘seeks to educate students about the dangers of drug abuse, empower them to make informed choices, and create student ambassadors who will promote awareness within their communities’

The Commandant of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Ondo State Command, Mr Nanzing David Sallah, in his presentation, appreciated NDDC for being at the forefront of waging war against drug abuse in the Niger Delta states.

Represented by the Deputy Commandant of Narcotics, Drug Demand Reduction Unit (DDRU), Mrs Yetunde Jeyifous, identified abuse of drugs as capable of destroying the lives of the students, urging them to shun drug abuse as they have a brighter future ahead of them.

In the presentation, the Deputy Commandant, Jeyifous, revealed that about 40 per cent of Nigerian youths between 18 and 35 years are involved in abuse of drugs nationally and stressed the need to sensitise and educate the school students on the dangers is important.

She said drug abuse remains a major driver of crime and insecurity across the country, warning that unless it is tackled, peace and development in the Niger Delta will remain elusive.

‘Drug abuse is the oxygen that fuels criminality and violence. From cultism to armed robbery, kidnapping to militancy, you will find drugs at the root of it.

‘If we are serious about peace in the Niger Delta, we must first confront substance abuse. That is why this NDDC initiative is not just welcome, it is urgent. It is a war we need to collectively fight, NDLEA cannot do it alone. Most of the vices we have in our society today are traceable to the use of substances.

‘Our position is clear, drug supply reduction through seizures and arrests must go hand in hand with drug demand reduction through sensitisation and rehabilitation. That is the holistic approach, and this campaign by NDDC is a bold step in the right direction.’

She added that the NDLEA is ready to partner with the Commission and other stakeholders to extend the sensitisation drive to schools, communities, and marketplaces across the Niger Delta.

‘We cannot afford to lose our youth to drugs. Every young person who escapes the trap of drug abuse is one more builder of peace, one more contributor to the future of this region.’

Some of the students who spoke after the programme expressed support for the campaign against substance abuse jointly championed by the NDDC and the NDLEA, describing it as timely and life-saving.

One of the students, John Ebiwonjumi, said: ‘This campaign is very important because many young people around us are falling into drugs without realising the damage. Some of them drop out of school, and some join violent groups. If we want peace in this area, we young people must say no to drugs.’

The students called on the NDDC and NDLEA to sustain the campaign, extend it to rural areas, and provide rehabilitation opportunities for those already struggling with addiction.

‘If we don’t help those already on drugs, the problem will not end. We need counselling centres in schools and communities, not just lectures.’

Controversial Nigerian content creator, Ayomiposi Oluwadahunsi, popularly known as Mandy Kiss, has continued to trend online for the past few days following the announcement of her plan to attempt a Guinness World Record (GWR) for the highest number of sexual partners in one day.

She made the announcement in an Instagram post, where she shared a flier bearing the GWR logo. The post revealed that the attempt was scheduled to begin on October 30.

According to the flier sighted by Tribune Online, the target was to engage with ‘100 men’ within 24 hours, with the event scheduled to take place in Ikorodu, Lagos.

‘100 men for 24 hours. I can and I will,’ Mandy wrote in the caption.

Following the announcement, GWR dismissed the proposed attempt by Mandy Kiss, saying the body does not monitor such records. Reacting to the plan, GWR stated, ‘This is not a record we monitor.’

However, despite the dismissal of the attempt by GWR, the controversial internet sensation doubled down on her plan to proceed, saying that she would record herself if the world-recording body failed to acknowledge her attempt.

She said, ‘Nobody can stop me from sleeping with 100 men, I’m the owner of my pussy. If you don’t record it, I will record it myself.’

The development, however, took a new turn when a monarch in Ogun State, the Eselu of Iselu Kingdom, Oba Akintunde Akinyemi, petitioned Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, calling for the arrest of Mandy Kiss following her intention to engage sexually with 100 men in 24 hours.

The monarch described the plan as ‘shameful, disgraceful, and a stain on Nigeria’s reputation.’

Following the call for her arrest by the monarch, Mandy Kiss made a U-turn on her intentions to engage sexually with 100 men.

Reacting to the call for her arrest in a TikTok video, Mandy Kiss admitted the announcement was not real but a desperate publicity move to revive her dwindling online presence.

‘I was just trying to see if I was still relevant. Everywhere was dry on my page, so I came up with the idea to boost engagement and get adverts,’ she explained, adding that she could not afford legal battles.

However, Mandy Kiss, who was recently named Lagos State Kick Against Drug and Substance Abuse (LASKADA) ambassador, is not new to controversy, as the content creator has often been in the news for controversial statements.

In this article, Tribune Online takes a look at five controversial comments from Mandy Kiss.

1. ‘Men always leave after sleeping with me’

In September 2023, during an interview with OAP Nedu Wazobia on the Honest Bunch podcast, Mandy Kiss expressed frustration that many men she dated would lose interest or end relationships after intimacy.

She explained that this was painful because she felt used despite believing she had qualities that should sustain relationships.

She said, ‘It has not been easy for me [as regards finding true love]. I have suffered a lot. I just want happiness. I just want someone who will love me. But with my money and body, I’m still getting dumped.

‘They [suitors] will come, and I will think I have found true love. They will call me always, we will talk at night. But once they sleep with me, they leave,’ she lamented.

2. ‘I regret tattooing Naira Marley’s face on my lap’

While reacting to the death of Nigerian rapper, Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad in September 2023, Mandy Kiss said she regretted tattooing the face of rapper Naira Marley on her thighs.

This came after allegations linked the Marlian boss to the sudden death of the singer.

Reacting via her Instagram story, Mandy expressed regret for idolising the Marlian Music boss.

She wrote, ‘I regretted the day I tattooed ur face on my laps, Naira Marley. You’re a big m*ss. Best day of my life is June 30 d day I erased ur face.’

3. ‘I like girls’

In a video that generated widespread criticism online in January 2024, the controversial content creator revealed her admiration for women.

According to her, she finds females very attractive. In the video, she is seen professing her love for women with an expression of pure bliss on her face.

‘I like girls. I like girls so much. I just don’t know why but I like fine girls so much.’

4. ‘I lost opportunities to sleep with rich men last year because I was acting a good girl’

In another controversial video in 2023, she lamented missing opportunities to have sex with wealthy men in 2022.

According to her, many opportunities to make money passed her by after she turned down offers from rich men who had approached her for affairs.

She said she acted like a ‘good girl’ because she was worried about what bloggers might publish about her.

She vowed that 2023 would be different, as she was ready for anything and determined to enjoy life.

She said, ‘Last year I threw away a lot of opportunities to sleep with rich men because I was acting like a good girl, being shy and afraid of what bloggers will post about me but this year I’m ready for anything.’

5. ‘Nobody can stop me from sleeping with 100 men’

In her most recent controversial comment in September 2025, Mandy Kiss insisted that nobody could stop her from sleeping with 100 men in 24 hours. She had earlier announced her plan to embark on a Guinness World Record ‘Sexathon’ with 100 men within a day.

However, the proposal was rejected by GWR, which maintained that the body does not monitor such records.

Despite GWR’s rejection, she insisted on going ahead, declaring, ‘Nobody can stop me from sleeping with 100 men, I’m the owner of my pussy. If you don’t record it, I will record it myself.’

Experts, in a new study, reported that eating more fruit could help protect lungs from air pollution damage, particularly in women.

In the study, presented at the European Respiratory Society Congress in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, they declared that fruit may act as a natural shield against air pollution’s harmful effects on the lungs.

The beneficial effects were most noticeable in women who ate four or more portions of fruit a day.

Air pollution from tiny particles in the air comes from car exhaust, factories, and other sources. It is linked to breathing problems, asthma, COPD, and even heart disease.

Over 90% of the global population is exposed to air pollution levels that exceed WHO guidelines, and ample research shows that exposure to higher air pollution levels is associated with reduced lung function.

Separately, a healthy diet – particularly one high in fruits and vegetables – has been linked to better lung function.

Using UK Biobank data from around 200,000 participants, Kaewsri compared people’s dietary patterns – including their fruit, vegetable and whole grain intake – with their lung function (FEV1 – the amount of air exhaled in one second) and their exposure to air pollution in the form of fine particulate matter (PM2.5).

PM2.5 concentration is the amount of very tiny particles, 2.5 micrometres or smaller, released into the air, for example, by vehicle exhaust and industrial processes.

Additionally, exposure to fine particulate matter from sources such as industrial processes and vehicle exhaust was taken into account by the researchers. Socioeconomic position, age, and height were also taken into account.

The researchers found that women in the low fruit consumption group inhaled 78.1 ml less air per second for every five microgrammes of PM2.5 exposure, while women in the high fruit intake group only saw a 57.5 ml decrease.

Pimpika Kaewsri, a PhD student from the Centre for Environmental Health and Sustainability at the University of Leicester, UK, who presented the report of the study, said that a healthy diet is linked to better lung function in both men and women, regardless of air pollution exposure.

According to Kaewsri, ‘And those women who consumed four portions of fruit per day or more appeared to have smaller reductions in lung function associated with air pollution, compared to those who consumed less fruit.’

‘This may be partly explained by the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds naturally present in fruit. These compounds could help mitigate oxidative stress and inflammation caused by fine particles, potentially offsetting some of the harmful effects of air pollution on lung function.’

Kaewsri also noted that, in the study population, men generally reported lower fruit intake than women. ‘This difference in dietary patterns may help explain why the potential protective effect of fruit against air pollution was only observed in women,’ she added.

As Nigeria marked its 65th Independence Anniversary, the Arewa Youth Assembly for Good Leadership has lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what it described as courageous efforts to reposition the country despite longstanding social and economic challenges.

In a statement signed by its North Central Coordinator, Dr. Sani Ahmad, the group acknowledged that Nigeria has continued to grapple with insecurity, inflation, unemployment, corruption, poor infrastructure, and erratic power supply.

However, it noted that the Tinubu administration has taken bold steps to confront these obstacles.

‘Under your leadership, we have seen courageous steps to confront these challenges and chart a new course for development. ‘Your commitment to improving security across our regions, tackling inflation, supporting agriculture and industry, as well as expanding opportunities for the youth, are commendable’ Ahmad said.

While celebrating the nation’s independence, Ahmad stressed the importance of consolidating gains in security, particularly in the northern region, urging the President not to relent despite criticisms.

‘I still plead with my two knees down to continue without minding those that never understand the burden of leadership among us and make sure that we are all safe not only in the northern region, but all parts of the country,’ he said.

He prayed for God’s wisdom, strength, and good health for President Tinubu to continue steering the nation towards peace, prosperity, and improved well-being for all citizens.

Four housemates recently evicted from the Big Brother Naija house, Thelma, Kuture, Joanna, and Bright Morgan, have shared thoughts about the connections and relationships they built inside the house.

Bright Morgan, while speaking alongside others in an interview with Tribune Online, clarified his stance with fellow housemate Dede. According to him, his actions were about setting boundaries rather than hatred.

‘Mide and Dede are close, so I just wanted to set boundaries. I don’t dislike her, but we had an issue the other day. Moving forward, I know I don’t have to be friends with everyone. I’m intentional about my relationships. When I have eyes on someone, I just focus on them,’ he explained.

Responding to questions on whether there was more to their connection with KayBobo, especially after a ‘kissing spree’ during her time in the BBNaija House, which apparently shocked other evicted housemates, Thelma revealed she values trust above all else.

She recalled feeling uncomfortable when she learned Isabella had shared KayBobo’s bed before he moved to hers, which created a wrong impression.

She said, ‘I didn’t see the need to explain to anyone, but I wasn’t cool with how things looked. I’d rather KayBobo come outside the house and explain the context, especially after he told housemates when asked about him and Thelma that the house is a social experiment. I don’t owe them an explanation. I just want clarity.’

On her part, Joanna addressed her relationship with Faith, explaining that what viewers saw on the reality show was not a serious relationship but just a friendship.

‘Faith isn’t a relationship person, and we decided to remain true friends. For me, mental connection comes first before anything else,’ she said.

On another relationship drama, Kuture recalled an outburst involving Isabella and Imisi, where things got heated to the point that Isabella poured pepper on Sultana before it was later resolved in a surprising way.

‘They called me to be a witness when they decided to settle their fight with a kiss,’ Kuture added.

The Edo State Police Command, on Wednesday said its operatives neutralised two suspected kidnappers in a gun duel in Ubiaja, Esan South East Local Government Area on September 30.

Spokesperson of the Command, Moses Yamu who stated this in a statement, noted that other suspects escaped with varying degrees of injury, while guns and mobile phones were recovered from the scene.

He said, ‘On 30th September, 2025 at about 09:50hrs, acting on credible intelligence, operatives of the Amedokhian Tactical Division,

‘In synergy with local Hunters and the Vigilante group, led by SP Peter Ogah, embarked on a bush combing operation along the railway track leading to Ubiaja in Esan South East Local Government Area.

‘During the operation, the team encountered a gang of suspected kidnappers who opened fire on the operatives.

‘In the ensuing gun duel, two of the suspects were neutralised, while others escaped with varying degrees of injuries.

‘One AK-47 rifle with breech number 4148, 33 rounds of live ammunition, and two mobile phones were recovered at the scene.

‘The neutralised suspects were immediately taken to the hospital where they were confirmed dead.’

Yamu also said that on the same date, operatives of the same Tactical Division recovered an English-made double-barreled shotgun with breech number 03273286 and two live cartridges in the forest around Idumogun Community in Ukoni area of Esan South East LGA during a bush combing operation.

He said the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, commended the gallantry of the operatives, hunters, and vigilante groups for their swift response and synergy in combating crime.

Agbonika assured members of the public that the Command remains resolute in its commitment to rid the State of criminal elements.

He urged members of the public to support the command’s Community Safety Partnership initiative and informal policing efforts in ensuring a safer Edo State.

He added, ‘For emergencies, the public can contact the Command through the following lines: 08037646272/08077773721.’

The Oyo State House of Assembly has called on the Executive Arm of Government to take deliberate and urgent steps to expand computer knowledge among students in public schools across the state.

This followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by the Minority Leader, Hon. W.A. Salami, during plenary.

The motion noted that computer literacy has become a fundamental requirement in modern education, enhancing interactive learning and better academic outcomes.

However, many public school students, especially in underserved areas like Oke-Ogun, Ibarapa, and parts of Oyo still lack access to digital education, putting them at a disadvantage in computer-based tests (CBT) such as the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) conducted by JAMB.

Despite being academically sound, a significant number of students have failed to secure university admission due to poor CBT performance, often caused by unfamiliarity with basic computer operations.

In response, the House urged the government to intensify efforts to improve digital education in public schools, including establishing computer rooms, equipping them with necessary accessories, and integrating computer training from the primary school level.

It also called for collaboration with JAMB to set up CBT centres in all 14 federal constituencies of the state and encouraged partnerships with education-focused philanthropists, NGOs, and foreign donors.

The Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin stressed the urgency of bridging the digital divide, noting that in today’s world, digital literacy is no longer optional.

He emphasized that students must be equipped with the skills required to compete and succeed in a technology-driven society.

The Speaker added that it was inclusive for the State Government to prioritise inclusive computer education as a tool for academic success and long-term development.

The Lawmaker representing the Akinyele/Lagelu federal constituency, Hon. Akinmoyede Olafisoye Wasiu, on Tuesday, 30th September 2025, facilitated a 150-million-naira training/empowerment programme on fish farming for no fewer than 600 fish farmers in his constituency.

The lawmaker facilitated the empowerment programme through the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN) in conjunction with Holatekun International Services Limited for selected youths and women who specialized in fish farming in Akinyele/Lagelu federal constituency.

At the end of the one-day training held at the Faith Joe Event Centre, Alegongo, Ibadan, each of the beneficiaries was given artificial fish ponds, fingerlings, fish feeds, and N200,000 each as start-up capital.

Similarly, the lawmaker also facilitated another 3-day training on entrepreneurship basics and empowerment skills under the 2025 capital project support for vulnerable persons in Akinyele/Lagelu federal constituency.

At the end of the training attended by 100 youths within the Akinyele/Lagelu federal constituency, each participant also received #200,000 financial support for their businesses and certificates of participation.

Speaking on the two programmes, Hon. Akinmoyede Wasiu stressed that the motive behind the gesture was to teach the beneficiaries drawn from 26 wards in the Akinyele/Lagelu constituency to acquire necessary skills to be self-reliant and further reduce the level of poverty among the people in his constituency.

Hon. Lafi, who enjoined the beneficiaries to utilize the knowledge they acquired at the training and the money judiciously, disclosed that more empowerment programmes are underway for those who did not benefit from this one before the end of the last quarter of the year 2025.

The Oyo Central senatorial Chairman of the APC, Hon. Joshua Oyebamiji, who spoke on behalf of the party, stated that from what happened at the programme, coupled with Hon. Lafi’s impressive performance, who has been serving his constituents conscientiously, the party may have no choice than to stand by him for re-election because the APC today stands on justice and fair play.

Also speaking, a former Vice-chairman of APC in Oyo State, Alhaji Isiaka Alimi, also attested to Hon. Lafi’s outstanding performance, which, according to him, is quite different from his predecessors in the said federal constituency.

The coordinators of one of the training sessions, Mr Okunubi Goriola and some of the beneficiaries, Jimoh Ridwan Oladayo, Dr. Akintunde Isiaka, youth leader of Lagelu local government; Hon. Teslim Olomopupo, youth leader of Akinyele local government; Mrs Abosede Abodunrin, Women Leader of Lagelu local government; and Mrs Felicia Osunbunmi, Women Leader of Akinyele local government, appreciated Hon. Lafi for always accommodating the youth and women whenever he organises empowerment programmes for his constituents.

Some of the APC leaders who attended the programme include Alhaji Fatai Awoyoola, Engr. Akinniyi Emmanuel Akinbode, Arch. Hassan Giwa, Hon. Biodun Oladeji, Hon. D.A. Lawal, Hon. Mukaila Ambali, Hon. M.L. Lawal, Hon. Debo Arowomole, among others.