Category: Nigerian Tribune

The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Ogun State, Solomon Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, has said the state will mobilise at least two million votes for President Bola Tinubu, out of its more than three million registered voters, in the next election.

Adeola, who spoke on Saturday at the official inauguration of the City Boy Movement in Ogun State, said the massive support would be a way for residents to appreciate the Tinubu administration for what he described as the numerous projects and interventions being delivered across the state.

He said Ogun currently has about 3.01 million registered voters, making it one of the states with the highest number of registered voters in the country.

Adeola said, ‘No other state can match us with where we are today. We welcome the City Boys Movement in Ogun State and you will not be alone because we have a total of 3.01 million registered voters in Ogun State and we are targeting nothing less than two million votes for the President to appreciate what the President has done to us in Ogun State.

‘Our votes in this state must not be less than two million votes because all what the President is doing for us must not go in vain and that is why we must be ready. We are now about number three or four in Nigeria in terms of the total number of registered voters.’

Adeola listed several federal projects as evidence of the benefits Ogun had received under the Tinubu administration, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road, the Sokoto-Badagry Road and the ongoing rehabilitation of the Sagamu-Benin Expressway, among others.

He said, ‘With how much is given, much is expected. The President has done a lot for us in Ogun State.

‘Even before becoming your governor, I can tell you that the state is loaded by a singular action. If the IGR of this state is still less than N500bn, with all that the President has now done, I can tell you that within one year, our IGR will hit N1trn.’

He added that Ogun had also benefited from the Federal Government’s efforts to develop its infrastructure and natural resources.

He stated, ‘Under his watch, within three and half years of his government, the coastal road, we are part of the beneficiary. We are also a beneficiary of the Sokoto-Badagry Road.

‘The Sagamu-Benin Expressway, which is still under construction from Sagamu interchange, has continued and that is courtesy of our President.’

Adeola also disclosed that oil had recently been discovered in Ogun State, saying exploration was expected to commence soon.

‘Recently, we discovered oil in Ogun State, one in Eba and the other in Tongegi. The one in Eba, exploration will begin there shortly,’ he said.

According to him, the discovery had also prompted Tinubu to approve the establishment of a naval base in the state to strengthen security around the emerging oil infrastructure.

‘Because of the discovery of oil, Tinubu has approved that a Naval base is established in Ogun to create deserved security for the infrastructure,’ Adeola said.

Also speaking at the event, the Minister of State for Health, Dr Iziaq Salako, urged young Nigerians to take ownership of the country’s political future through active participation in elections.

‘The youths are the owners of Nigeria and if anyone says otherwise, they may be speaking in ignorance. From what I can see too, it shows that young Nigerians have agreed that President Bola Tinubu should continue,’ Salako said.

He described the administration’s policies and projects as investments in the future of young Nigerians, urging them to participate actively in the democratic process.

He stated, ‘This is laying the foundation for progressive Nigeria and the development of the country which is for the youth of the country. So we youths must be ready to vote and hold future in our hands.’

Salako also urged residents to support the APC, describing Adeola as a youth-friendly candidate.

‘It is also important to remind you that our candidate in Ogun State is a youth-friendly personality. So, from top to finish, please vote for the ruling party,’ he added.

Earlier, the Ogun State Coordinator of the City Boy Movement, Kakorudeen Yusuf, stressed the importance of giving young people a meaningful role in governance.

He said the movement was committed to ensuring that the energy, creativity and ideas of young Nigerians translated into tangible contributions to public life.

‘As young people deserve a seat at the table, a voice governance and a platform through their energy ideas talents and ideas are translated into meaningful anticipation in public life and affairs,’ Yusuf said.

The remains of veteran Nollywood actor, Oludotun Baiyewun Jacobs, popularly known as Olu Jacobs, were on Friday laid to rest in Lagos State, as his family, colleagues and dignitaries gathered to bid farewell to the screen legend.

Jacobs’ dark, polished wooden casket, adorned with flowers, was placed in front of the altar at This Present House, Freedom Way, Lekki Phase I, where his funeral service was held.

The casket was carried into the church by pallbearers dressed in black, providing one of the most emotional moments of the ceremony as his widow, veteran actress Joke Silva, and their sons, Olusoji and Olugbenga Jacobs, watched.

Although the casket attracted attention at the funeral because of its imposing and elegant appearance, no official figure has been disclosed by the family or funeral organisers regarding its purchase price.

Beyond the high-profile attendance of political dignitaries and movie stars, the centerpiece of the emotional day was the highly polished dark wooden casket bearing the late national icon.

While the family has kept the exact price tag and the official manufacturer confidential, industry insiders and premium funeral planners estimate that a high-end casket of this caliber costs between ?2,000,000 and ?5,000,000 and more in the current Nigerian market.

The private burial followed the funeral service, according to the family’s previously announced arrangements.

But beyond the flowers, casket and solemn ceremony, the funeral brought renewed attention to the private battle fought by the actor during the later years of his life.

Jacobs died on September 16 at the age of 84 after a career spanning more than five decades across theatre, television and film. His death was announced by his family through his son, Olusoji, who described him as the ‘Lion of Lufodo’ and said the family was grateful to God for ‘a life well lived and fought.’

That reference to a life ‘fought’ became particularly significant in the tributes surrounding his burial.

At the Night of Tributes held on Wednesday at Glover Memorial Hall, Lagos, Soji offered an intimate account of the man the public knew primarily as one of Nigeria’s most commanding actors.

He said that, despite his father’s enormous reputation in the entertainment industry, he knew him first and foremost as his father.

‘I didn’t really watch his films back then. For me, he was simply Dad,’ Soji said, according to Channels Television.

He also recalled how Jacobs deliberately separated his professional life from his family life and fiercely protected the privacy of his children.

‘As much as the industry loved him and as possessive as they were of him, he always drew a fine line between that world and ours. He protected our privacy fiercely,’ he said.

Behind that private family life, however, Jacobs was dealing with a debilitating illness.

His wife, Joke Silva, had publicly disclosed in 2021 that the actor was living with dementia with Lewy bodies, a progressive neurological condition. The disclosure came after years of growing public concern about his health and his disappearance from the screen.

The illness eventually kept the veteran actor away from the public eye, even as false reports of his death repeatedly circulated on social media.

His family had to dismiss such reports several times before his actual death was announced in September.

Veteran actor, Pete Edochie, while mourning Jacobs last week, described his colleague as someone who ‘fought like a man and like a soldier’ until his death. He also praised Silva for the care she gave her husband over a period of six years.

Edochie’s tribute offered another insight into the severity and duration of Jacobs’ final battle.

He said the last six years of Jacobs’ life were not what they had expected, while acknowledging the effort made by Silva in caring for him.

For the Jacobs family, therefore, the funeral was not simply the closing ceremony for an 84-year-old actor. It was also the end of a prolonged and largely private chapter in which the screen icon battled declining health away from the cameras.

Jacobs had enjoyed an extraordinary career long before Nollywood became a globally recognised industry.

After training at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, he worked in British theatre and television and appeared in international productions before returning to Nigeria.

He subsequently became one of the defining actors of Nigerian television and film, particularly known for his commanding portrayals of kings, chiefs, patriarchs, political figures and other men of authority.

Together with Silva, he also established the Lufodo Group and Lufodo Academy of Performing Arts, extending their influence beyond acting into film production, distribution and professional training.

At Friday’s funeral, those different chapters of his life converged.

His wife and sons stood beside his casket, while colleagues and dignitaries gathered to celebrate a career that helped shape Nigerian entertainment.

The funeral service was attended by several prominent Nigerians, including Lagos State First Lady, Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu; Deputy governor Obafemi Hamzat; former Ogun State governor, Ibikunle Amosun; and wife of former Ekiti State governor, Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi.

The man who spent decades playing powerful fathers, kings and elders on screen was finally being mourned by his own children.

And as his dark wooden casket was carried away from the church, the tributes had already established that behind the celebrated actor was a father whose family watched him fight a difficult illness with dignity.

Olu Jacobs’ final journey, therefore, ended not merely with the burial of a Nollywood icon, but with the closing chapter of a life that moved from the theatre stages of Britain to Nigerian television and cinema, and ultimately into the hearts of generations of viewers.

The Oyo State Government has declared Monday, October 5, 2026, a work-free day for teachers across the state to commemorate the 2026 Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) Day.

The declaration was contained in a circular issued by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Musibau Babatunde, directing all public school teachers in the state to observe the day.

According to the circular, the decision was in recognition of the contributions of teachers to the development of education and the state.

The government said the work-free day would enable teachers to participate in activities lined up to mark the annual NUT Day.

The circular stated: ‘The Oyo State Government has approved Monday, October 5, 2026, as a work-free day for all teachers in the state in commemoration of the 2026 Nigeria Union of Teachers Day.’

The government congratulated teachers in the state on the occasion and commended them for their dedication to educating and nurturing the younger generation.

It urged teachers to continue to uphold professionalism and contribute their quota to the development of the education sector in Oyo State.

A Christian group under the aegis of Christians United for Israel (CUFI) Prayer Outreach has urged Christians to pray for the peace and security of Israel following an emergency involving a Flydubai flight bound for Tel Aviv.

The group also commended the courage and swift response of passengers, crew members and other pilots who helped bring the situation under control after the captain, Smit Machchhar, sustained serious injuries.

In a statement issued to newsmen over the weekend by its Executive Secretary, Revd. Dr. Samson Ozovehe, CUFI Nigeria said the incident could have resulted in a major tragedy but was contained through the intervention of those aboard the aircraft.

The organisation said the aircraft was eventually landed safely in Saudi Arabia after other pilots on board assisted in bringing it under control.

It described the survival of the 174 passengers and crew members as a significant outcome, while commending those who responded promptly during the emergency.

‘The courage of Captain Smit Machchhar, the passengers, crew members, and all those whose swift actions helped prevent catastrophe is worthy of recognition,’ the statement said.

CUFI Nigeria also expressed solidarity with Israel and those aboard the aircraft, while praying for the recovery of passengers and crew members who sustained injuries during the incident.

The organisation said the development had reinforced its call for Christians to continue praying for the peace and security of Israel.

‘For Christians who stand with Israel, this moment reminds us afresh of the biblical injunction: ‘Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee,” it stated, quoting Psalm 122:6.

The group attributed the safe outcome to what it described as divine intervention, expressing gratitude that the passengers and crew survived what could have been a catastrophic incident.

‘Above all, glory to the God of Israel for His saving grace and preserving hand. We are thankful that this also became a testimony of divine intervention,’ the statement added.

CUFI Nigeria prayed for continued protection for Israel and its people, particularly Jerusalem, and called for peace and security across the country.

The Senator representing Jigawa North-East Senatorial District, Ahmed Abdulhamid Malam Madori, has donated brand-new Toyota Hilux vehicles, buses and cars for the campaign of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Jigawa State Governor Malam Umar Namadi ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Madori, who chairs the Senate Committee on Police Affairs, said the donation was aimed at strengthening the campaign machinery of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and facilitating effective grassroots mobilisation across the state.

Presenting the vehicles to the presidential campaign council through Governor Namadi at the Government House, Dutse, the senator said the vehicles were equipped with communication gadgets to enhance coordination and facilitate campaign activities.

He disclosed that more than 10 additional buses and cars had also been provided to the APC in Jigawa North-East Senatorial District and across the state to support the campaigns of Tinubu, Namadi and other party candidates.

The senator said the two leaders deserved a second term to consolidate their achievements and complete ongoing human and infrastructural development projects.

According to him, the administrations of Tinubu and Namadi have introduced programmes and executed projects aimed at improving the living conditions of Nigerians, particularly residents of rural and urban communities.

He called on patriotic and progressive Nigerians, particularly the people of Jigawa State, to support the re-election of Tinubu and Namadi in 2027 to sustain their respective development agendas.

‘Tinubu and Namadi deserve a second term in office to consolidate their achievements and complete ongoing human and infrastructural development projects across Jigawa State and the country,’ he said.

Madori added that returning APC candidates to the National Assembly and the Jigawa State House of Assembly would enable the party to sustain its legislative and development agenda.

He urged party supporters to intensify grassroots mobilisation and enlighten voters on the achievements of APC-led administrations at the federal, state and local government levels.

Receiving the vehicles, Governor Namadi expressed appreciation to the senator for his support for the party, the campaign councils and his constituents in Jigawa North-East Senatorial District.

The governor commended Madori’s commitment to strengthening the APC and supporting its preparations for the 2027 general elections.

Namadi also urged APC candidates, senators, members of the House of Representatives, state lawmakers, local government chairmen, political appointees, party officials and other stakeholders to intensify mobilisation in their respective constituencies.

He directed party leaders and campaign officials to take the party’s message to polling units across the state and sensitise residents on the achievements of the federal, state and local governments.

The governor said the meeting was convened to develop effective campaign strategies, establish necessary committees and ensure that the party’s structures were adequately prepared for the elections.

‘We have put our strategies in place and established all the necessary committees. From now on, our people will begin visiting every polling unit to sensitise and enlighten the electorate on what the APC has achieved at the federal, state and local government levels,’ Namadi said.

He expressed confidence that sustained grassroots engagement would enable the party to communicate its programmes and development initiatives effectively to voters ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Sokoto State has recorded an impressive 84 per cent success rate in the June/July 2026 Senior Arabic and Islamic Studies Certificate Examination (SAISCCE), earning commendation for its students’ strong performance across the subjects they sat for.

In a letter dated Monday, September 28, 2026, and conveyed through the State Coordinator, Jajuli Hassan, on behalf of the Registrar of the examination board, the Executive Secretary of the Arabic Board, Ahmed Baba Altine, commended Sokoto State for its credible performance in the examination.

According to the Executive Secretary, students from Sokoto State performed commendably across all the subjects they sat for, describing the result as a reflection of the growing attention being given to education in the state.

He attributed the achievement to the commitment of the Sokoto State Government under the leadership of His Excellency, Dr. Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto, FCNA, particularly through the implementation of his Nine Point Smart Agenda, which places strong emphasis on transforming the education sector.

The success, he added, also reflects the support and leadership of the Honourable Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Prof. Ahmad Ladan Ala, alongside the ministry’s management team and other stakeholders in the education sector who continue to work tirelessly to improve the standard of education across the state.

The state government has continued to prioritise quality education by strengthening supervision, supporting teachers and learners, and ensuring that relevant stakeholders remain actively engaged in efforts to improve educational outcomes.

The 84 per cent performance recorded in the SAISCCE June/July 2026 examination therefore represents another significant milestone in Sokoto State’s ongoing efforts to reposition its education sector and provide students with better opportunities to excel academically.

The state government appreciates the students, teachers, parents, school administrators, and the entire education management team for their contributions to this achievement, while reaffirming its commitment to sustaining the momentum and achieving even greater results in subsequent examinations.

The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has condemned the reported abduction of about 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members travelling to their orientation camp, describing the incident as another troubling sign of worsening insecurity in Nigeria.

Obi, in a statement posted on his Facebook page, said the victims were young Nigerians preparing to serve their country but were unable to travel safely on the nation’s roads.

He expressed concern over the growing fear among families that their loved ones could become victims of kidnapping while travelling within the country.

According to him, the continued occurrence of abductions should not be treated as an ordinary feature of life in Nigeria, stressing that the protection of lives and property remains the foremost responsibility of government.

‘Protecting lives and property is the government’s foremost responsibility. We cannot continue to regard insecurity as an ordinary occurrence or act only after people’s lives have been disrupted,’ Obi said.

The NDC presidential candidate called for the immediate and safe rescue of all the abducted corps members and the arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the attack.

He said Nigeria must urgently restore confidence in the safety of its roads and communities, particularly for young Nigerians travelling for education, employment, national service and other legitimate activities.

Obi said the country must become one where young people can travel, work and serve their nation without fear, warning that the continued insecurity poses a serious threat to national development and the future of Nigerian youths.

As Nigeria marks 66 years of independence, Christian leaders have offered prayers, warnings and prescriptions for national renewal, focusing on economic hardship, insecurity, leadership, corruption, unity and the responsibility of citizens, SEYI SOKOYA reports:

AT 66, Nigeria’s challenges have become a recurring burden for its citizens, but Christian clerics across the country believe the nation’s story can still change.

In their Independence-season messages, the clerics combined prayers with strong calls for responsible leadership, economic relief, security, integrity, unity and a change of attitude among Nigerians, insisting that rebuilding the country requires both divine intervention and human responsibility.

Tribune Church chronicles the positions, demands and messages of the Christian bodies and clerics across the country for a better nation after the celebration.

CAN: Prosperity must reach every Nigerian home

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), through its President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, placed the welfare of ordinary Nigerians at the centre of its Independence Day message.

CAN welcomed the Federal Government’s declared shift from economic reforms to an era of prosperity but said the real test of progress should be whether the gains of those reforms are reflected in the daily lives of citizens.

The Christian body said prosperity should not be measured by economic statistics alone, but by whether families could afford food, young people could secure decent jobs, communities could live safely and children had fair opportunities to build their futures.

It consequently called for lower food, transportation and energy costs, stronger social protection for vulnerable households, improved access to education and healthcare, and affordable credit.

CAN also linked economic prosperity with security, stressing that Nigerians cannot fully benefit from economic opportunities if they are afraid to farm, trade, travel or sleep peacefully.

It urged the government to sustain efforts to protect lives, secure communities and restore public confidence.

The association also sounded a warning as political activities gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections, cautioning politicians against presenting themselves as the ultimate solution to Nigeria’s problems or using Christianity as a political weapon.

CAN reaffirmed its commitment to remaining a non-partisan moral voice, speaking when citizens are hurting and holding public office holders to the principles of justice, accountability and compassion.

Wale Oke: Confront insecurity, hardship

The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), through its National President, Archbishop Francis Wale Oke, used the 66th anniversary to call for deeper reflection on Nigeria’s journey and the challenges confronting the country.

Oke called for stronger action against banditry and terrorism, including efforts to identify and prosecute those financing criminal activities.

He also expressed concern about economic hardship, arguing that Nigeria’s vast human and natural resources should benefit the wider population rather than a privileged few.

The PFN president advocated industrialisation and policies capable of strengthening businesses and expanding the country’s productive capacity.

Corruption, he added, remained a major obstacle to development, while the illicit drug trade posed another threat, particularly to young Nigerians.

Despite the difficulties, Oke urged Nigerians across ethnic, religious and social lines to unite and recommit themselves to building a nation founded on peace, justice, love and righteousness.

Sam Adeyemi: A new Nigeria needs functional systems

For Pastor Sam Adeyemi, Senior Pastor of Daystar Christian Centre, the question of Nigeria’s future goes beyond who occupies political office.

In his Independence-season reflection, Adeyemi urged Nigerians to look beyond the 2027 elections and recognise that elections alone cannot create the new Nigeria many citizens desire.

His central argument was that the country needs functional systems and institutions capable of producing consistent results, regardless of the individuals occupying political positions.

Adeyemi’s position introduces a broader dimension to the Independence conversation: national transformation should not depend solely on finding the right political personalities.

Rather, Nigeria needs systems that work, institutions that endure and citizens who understand their responsibility in sustaining those systems.

The pastor’s intervention therefore shifts the conversation from simply asking who will lead Nigeria to asking what kind of structures should govern the country and produce better outcomes.

It also places responsibility on citizens to demand functioning institutions rather than limiting their expectations to electoral change.

Bakeni: Church leaders must speak truth to power

The Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Borno State, Most Rev. John Bakeni, used the Independence anniversary to challenge religious leaders to examine their own role in Nigeria’s development.

Bakeni said religious leaders must remain voices of truth and justice and should not become too closely associated with political interests at the expense of their moral responsibility.

He urged pastors and other Christian leaders to speak truth to power and draw the attention of government to policies and actions that undermine the common good.

Reflecting on Nigeria at 66, he described the occasion as one requiring sober reflection, particularly in view of the hardship and insecurity confronting citizens.

Bakeni argued that Nigeria had sufficient resources to cater for its people, but that proper management remained a major challenge.

Achudume: Nigeria needs a change of heart

Apostle Lawrence Achudume, Lead Pastor and General Overseer of Victory Life Bible Church International, used the Independence anniversary to call for transformation in the attitude of both leaders and citizens.

Achudume urged Nigerians to stop speaking negatively about the country and instead recognise the enormous human capacity and resources available to Nigeria.

He said national renewal requires leaders and citizens to place the national interest above personal gain.

For the cleric, Nigeria’s development challenge is not simply a question of resources but also of character, integrity, sacrifice and responsible citizenship.

He, therefore, called for a change of heart, stressing that the country cannot be rebuilt without a corresponding transformation in the values and priorities of its people.

Abiara: Rebuild and restore the nation

Pastor Isaac Abiara brought the message of national renewal to the heart of Nigeria’s Independence reflection, calling on Nigerians to embrace the responsibility of rebuilding the country.

Speaking at a special Independence Thanksgiving Service at the Chapel of Christ the Light, Alausa, Lagos, Abiara drew from Isaiah 61:4 to speak about rebuilding and restoring what had been broken.

He said the task of national renewal could not be left to government alone, stressing that the government, Church and citizens all have roles to play.

Abiara urged Nigerians to move beyond individual interests and embrace compassion, truthfulness, love and responsibility towards one another.

He also called on leaders to see public office as a sacred trust rather than personal ownership and urged citizens to remain hopeful despite the difficulties confronting the country.

For the cleric, Nigeria’s history should not determine its future. Rebuilding the nation, he maintained, requires faith, integrity and purposeful action.

Beyond the celebration

At 66, the Christian response to Nigeria’s Independence anniversary is therefore neither simply celebratory nor pessimistic.

It is a call for reflection

The clerics acknowledge Nigeria’s enormous potential while drawing attention to the gap between that potential and the realities confronting millions of citizens.

Their messages place responsibility on all sides: government must govern responsibly; citizens must contribute positively; religious leaders must maintain their moral voice; institutions must work; and Nigerians must resist ethnic, religious and political divisions.

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Oyo State branch, on Sunday gave the Oyo State Government a two-week ultimatum to resolve the lingering welfare and remuneration crisis that medical doctors are being confronted with.

The Association submitted that it might not be able to guarantee continued industrial harmony in the health sector beyond 12th October, 2026 if the government fails to heed the warning.

The ultimatum was contained in a joint statement signed by the State Chairman, Dr. Olufemi Aworinde and the General Secretary, Dr. J. O. Moharson-Bello, with the theme ‘Doctors’ Welfare Is Patients’ Welfare: NMA Oyo and made available to the Nigerian Tribune in Ibadan.

The statement called for urgent Government Action to avert a Deepening Health-Sector Crisis’ in the state.

It said the Association views with grave concern the worsening welfare and manpower challenges confronting doctors in the service of the state government.

According to the statement, ‘The difficulties facing members of the Association of Resident Doctors, ARD, LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, and the Association of Medical and Dental Officers of Oyo State, AMDO, must not be treated as isolated labour disputes, but as ‘warning signs of a health system under increasing strain, with direct consequences for patient safety, quality of care and the State’s capacity to retain skilled medical professionals.’

The NMA explained that at LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, resident doctors were forced to embark on industrial action after the expiration of an earlier eight-week ultimatum without resolution of critical welfare concerns.

It noted that the strike, which has now entered its 38th day, has serious implications for patient care, emergency services, residency training and the overall functioning of the state-owned tertiary health institution.

The association listed the immediate priorities of the ARD to include completion of the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund, MRTF, payment, implementation of the approved Professional Allowance Table, PAT, and resolution of other outstanding welfare issues that precipitated the industrial action, adding that these are matters requiring urgent, concrete and verifiable action.

In a similar vein, the NMA said AMDO, comprising medical and dental officers in secondary healthcare and other state establishments, after its Annual General Meeting of 17th September, 2026, formally notified the state government of unresolved welfare and conditions-of-service issues affecting its members.

It said the notice provides a 21-day window for satisfactory resolution and demonstrable implementation, failing which AMDO has given notice of strike commencing Monday, 12th October, 2026.

Among its immediate demands, the NMA said, are completion of the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund payment, implementation of the approved Professional Allowance Table and payment of the outstanding Accoutrement Allowance.

Arising from its Emergency State Executive Council meeting of 26th September, 2026, the NMA said it resolved to issue the state government a two-week ultimatum to take concrete and demonstrable steps to resolve the remuneration disparity arising from the non-implementation of the PAT and to address the welfare concerns underlying the industrial action at LAUTECH Teaching Hospital.

That ultimatum, it stressed, expires on 12th October, 2026, same date as that of AMDO.

The state branch of the medical body, while acknowledging the efforts of the Oyo state government and relevant officials who have engaged the medical community on some of these concerns, and recognising the partial payment of the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund, said such steps, though appreciated, must be followed by timely and demonstrable implementation of the outstanding commitments.

It warned that delay in addressing approved remuneration, allowances, career progression, recruitment and retention has placed doctors under considerable pressure and continues to fuel the loss of skilled medical manpower.

‘When experienced doctors leave, vacancies remain unfilled, residency training is disrupted and emergency services are stretched, the consequences extend far beyond the medical profession. Patients and families ultimately bear the burden,’ the statement said.

The association maintained that as the Pacesetter state, Oyo must aspire to a health system in which the conditions of service are sufficiently competitive to attract, motivate and retain the professionals upon whom safe and effective healthcare depends.

Reaffirming its solidarity with its affiliates, the NMA said it stands firmly with ARD LAUTECH and AMDO in the legitimate pursuit of their demands, and called on Governor Seyi Makinde and all relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies to move with urgency from engagement to implementation.

‘What is required at this stage is not another cycle of promises, but measurable action capable of restoring confidence among doctors and bringing stability to the health system,’ the association said.

The NMA, however, said it remains committed to constructive dialogue and industrial harmony, with its overriding concern being the health and safety of the people of Oyo State.

‘Yet there can be no sustainable patient care without a supported, adequately remunerated and sufficiently staffed medical workforce. Should the outstanding issues remain unresolved within the respective stipulated periods, NMA Oyo cannot guarantee continued industrial harmony in the State health sector,’ it warned.

Nasrul-Lahi-li Fathi Society of Nigeria (NASFAT), the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and Fountain University Osogbo have warned the Ummah and youths against drug abuse and other forms of social vices if they must lead good lives and leave enduring legacies.

The warning was made at the NASFAT National Counselling Conference held on Saturday at Fountain University, Osogbo, Osun State, with the theme: ‘Legacy of care: A strategic plan to serve the Ummah, 2027-2032’.

NASFAT’s Vice President, Ajiroba Moroof, said that the essence of the conference was to rally various Islamic organisations and stakeholders together to curb the menace of hooliganism, drug abuse, and other social vices in society.

The conference was designed to equip counsellors with the proper orientation to guide the Ummah and youth against bad habits and to encourage them to imbibe the spirit of good deeds.

The chairman of the NASFAT counselling committee, Dr Koyumu Abiodun Oladiipo, in his remarks, charged the participants to take the message from the conference to their various branches and zones.

Dr Oladiipo assured that they are committed to assisting people who need support in overcoming challenges within the committee’s thematic area of work.

In his keynote address, the chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa, appealed to youths to shun drug abuse and cultivate good character.

Represented by the Kwara State Commander of NDLEA, Fatimah Popoola, Gen. Marwa warned that drugs destroy morality and prevent young people from achieving their goals.

The NDLEA’s chairman said the Federal Government, through the agency, is already intensifying sensitisation against drug abuse across the country.

He noted that the agency’s War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) programme cuts across all strata of society, from communities to schools and parents.

‘Youth are the leaders of today. My message to young people is to shun drug abuse,’ Marwa said.

The Vice Chancellor of Fountain University, Professor Olayinka Ramota Karim, commended NASFAT and NDLEA for their interventions in drug abuse and social vices, which she said are a menace to people and society.

The Vice Chancellor said that the university has put mechanisms in place to monitor students and prevent them from indulging in drug abuse and other related vices.