Category: PM News

The Lagos State government on Tuesday honoured 506 officers of the Unified Local Government Service for over 30 years of meritorious service, with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by Deputy Governor Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, saying the state appreciates their years of service.

Speaking at the Long Merit Award ceremony organised by the Office of Local Government Establishments and Training and held at Adeyemi Bero auditorium, Sanwo-Olu said a career in public service is not measured by the number of years spent but by service that were render to ordinary citizens.

‘We should be proud and happy that God has placed you in positions where you have added value. Some of you have served for more than 30 years. It is a career of service, showing up through changes in leadership, technological changes, and changes in the demographic shape of the communities that we serve. Through all of this, you stayed, you moved around, and you served the people,’ Sanwo-Olu applauded the retirees.

He assured them that the state will continue to appreciate them adding that ‘this government will stand by you, and the community will stand by you.’

Sanwo-Olu called on junior officers in public service to emulate the senior ones by showing discipline and commitments.

‘For the young ones just starting out, I think we should look closely at the people sitting here today. Their careers offer something no classroom can teach: the value of consistency, discipline, and integrity. Learn from their experiences and help carry the public service into a future where citizens receive faster, more transparent, more decentralised, and more responsive government,’ the governor said.

The Head of Service, Olabode Agoro said the state will always recognize and celebrate officers who have put greater number of their years into service to humanity, to serve as motivation for others.

He added that the 506 officers comprises of 492 Senior Officers and 14 Junior officers and urged not to rest on their oars, but rather, continue to uphold the highest standards of responsibility, commitment to duty and loyalty for which they were being honoured.

In her address, the Permanent Secretary, Office of Local Government, Establishments and Training, Ms. Toyin Ogunlana said the Long Service Merit Award was instituted to recognise officers whose careers have been marked by loyalty, discipline and unwavering commitment to public service.

‘This initiative celebrates the values that sustain an effective and responsive public service, including integrity, diligence, accountability and excellence,’ she said.

Some of the officers thanked the state government for given them the opportunity to ‘serve’.

‘It has been a pleasant experience working in Lagos State local government. My advice to other junior officers is to be committed and active. I have tried my best,’ Mosunmola Otaiku, the Council Manager for Kosofe Local Government.

Also, the Council Manager for Mosan-Okunola Local Council Development Area, Joseph Oladeji urged junior officers to ‘ be punctual at work and ensure they display discipline.’

‘The government is always there to give incentives to workers as at when due, Others coming behind should be dedicated to their work, ‘ he said.

Many Nigerians who react badly to milk respond by cutting dairy out of their diet completely, when the part causing the trouble is a single sugar that some dairy foods carry far less of than others.

That sugar is lactose, and the body breaks it down with an enzyme called lactase.

Babies produce plenty of lactase because milk is the only food they have, but for most adults production falls away after childhood and never returns.

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases reports that most people in Africa and Asia have lactose malabsorption, and that it is least common among people whose families come from Europe.

The condition is therefore common in Nigeria, and often mistaken for something else.

When lactase runs short, undigested lactose travels down to the large intestine, where gut bacteria break it down instead. That process is what produces the bloating, cramping and gas an hour after a glass of milk, a bowl of ice cream, or tea taken with plenty of milk.

The pattern has been documented in Nigerian families for half a century. A 1975 study published in Gastroenterology traced lactose digestion through family pedigrees and found that where both parents could not digest lactose, none of their children could either.

This is a normal developmental pattern rather than an allergy.

Yogurt is handled differently by the gut. It begins as milk, but fermentation alters it before it reaches the chiller.

The live cultures in yogurt consume part of the lactose during fermentation, which is why plain yogurt carries less of it than the milk it was made from.

Those cultures also keep working during digestion. The European Food Safety Authority accepts that live cultures in yogurt improve digestion of the lactose in the yogurt, which is why many people who cannot manage a glass of milk handle a bowl of yogurt without trouble.

Lactose is only part of the picture, since how Greek yogurt affects digestion and gut health also depends on what those cultures do once they reach the intestine.

Greek yogurt adds one more step. The watery portion of the yogurt, called whey, is strained out.

Lactose dissolves in water, so a good share of it drains away with the whey. Straining also thickens the product and concentrates the protein, which is why Greek yogurt is the denser, heavier item on the shelf.

USDA FoodData Central lists about 4.8 grams of lactose per 100 grams of whole milk, and plain yogurt made from it comes in lower, with a strained Greek product lower again.

The exact figure varies by brand and by how long the yogurt has been strained, but the direction is consistent. A serving of Greek yogurt carries less lactose than the same serving of regular yogurt, which in turn carries less than the milk both came from.

Fermentation removes some of the lactose, and straining removes more.

Tolerance is personal, so it is worth testing your own rather than relying on an average.

Start with a small portion, two or three tablespoons, eaten alongside other food rather than on an empty stomach.

Choose plain unsweetened yogurt for the test. Added sugar and fruit flavouring do not change the lactose content, but they do make it harder to tell what you are reacting to.

Wait a few hours and note how you feel. A written record helps, because a reaction is easy to misremember a day later. If nothing happens, try a slightly larger portion the next day, and build up gradually across a week.

Many people who cannot drink milk at all find they manage yogurt comfortably at ordinary portion sizes, and knowing roughly where your own ceiling sits is more useful than avoiding dairy altogether.

One thing is worth ruling out before any of that. A milk allergy is a different condition from lactose intolerance, and the two are regularly confused.

An allergy involves the immune system rather than a missing enzyme. It can cause hives, swelling or difficulty breathing, and it does not improve with yogurt or with straining.

Anyone whose symptoms come on quickly or severely after any dairy at all should stop testing on their own and see a doctor. That is a different condition, and it needs a diagnosis rather than a change of product.

Lactose intolerance is uncomfortable, but it is manageable, and it rarely requires giving up dairy entirely.

The Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, in Zamfara State has raised the alarm over the reported planting of an Improvised Explosive Device, IED, by suspected bandits along the Gurusu-Gwashi Road in Bukkuyum Local Government Area.

The party described the development as a dangerous escalation of insecurity in the state and urged the Federal Government and security agencies to act immediately.

In a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Alkasimu Mustapha Kayatawa, the NDC warned that the use of IEDs on public roads could expose motorists, farmers, traders, commuters and security personnel to greater danger.

It questioned why the huge security deployment witnessed during the recent Osun governorship election could not be replicated in Zamfara and other areas battling persistent attacks.

The party said about 30 Commissioners of Police and thousands of security personnel were reportedly mobilised for the Osun election, while communities in Zamfara continued to face attacks by armed groups.

‘Elections are important to democracy, but the protection of human life is the first responsibility of government,’ the NDC said.

‘The people of Zamfara should not be made to feel that securing ballot boxes attracts greater national urgency than securing their lives, homes, farms and highways.’

The party called for an immediate review of security operations in Bukkuyum and other vulnerable parts of the state.

It demanded stronger intelligence gathering, improved explosive-ordnance capabilities, sustained patrols and increased security presence along major roads and communities.

The NDC also urged security agencies to reinforce operations along the Gurusu-Gwashi corridor and prevent criminal groups from making the use of explosive devices a regular weapon against civilians.

It called on the Zamfara State Government to deepen cooperation with federal security agencies and strengthen community-based intelligence gathering.

‘Zamfara has buried too many innocent citizens. Too many families have paid ransoms. Too many communities have been displaced. Our roads must not now become minefields,’ the party said.

The NDC insisted that residents of Zamfara deserved the same level of manpower, urgency and national attention deployed to secure elections across the country.

First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has called for stronger collaboration between the Federal and state governments to tackle hunger and malnutrition, urging states in the Southwest to take ownership of the National Community Food Bank Programme.

Tinubu made the call on Tuesday in Abeokuta, Ogun State, during the launch of the Southwest Zonal National Community Food Bank Programme, an initiative under the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda designed to improve access to nutritious food for vulnerable households.

She urged governors in the region to establish community food banks in partnership with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) and locate them close to primary healthcare centres to ensure that assistance reaches those most in need.

The programme is targeted particularly at children under six, pregnant women and lactating mothers, with the national initiative expected to reach about 500,000 vulnerable households in its first year.

Tinubu stressed that the initiative should not be treated as a temporary food distribution exercise but as a sustainable intervention capable of protecting vulnerable Nigerians from hunger and malnutrition.

‘A food bank is not a food hub. It is meant for those who are disadvantaged, and every treatment and everything done there is for free,’ she said.

She said the success of the programme would depend largely on the commitment of state governments to provide the necessary support and ensure that the food banks remain functional beyond the tenure of the present administration.

‘I encourage the governors in this zone in particular to set up community food banks in their respective states in partnership with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency to facilitate the supply of food items and provide operational support required for the sustainability of this initiative,’ she said.

The First Lady said the ultimate objective was to ensure that Nigerian children received adequate nutrition and had the opportunity to develop into productive citizens.

She also urged stakeholders to regard malnutrition as a collective responsibility, noting that addressing hunger requires coordinated action by governments and relevant institutions.

The programme is being implemented through collaboration among the Office of the Vice President, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, NPHCDA and the Bank of Agriculture.

In Ogun, three community food banks have been established in Sagamu, Yewa North and Abeokuta South.

Ogun State Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun described the programme as a significant intervention that complements the state’s efforts in food security, healthcare and social protection.

Abiodun said the impact of government should ultimately be measured by the number of lives improved, rather than simply the number of projects commissioned.

He described food security as not only an agricultural issue but also a health, economic and social responsibility, warning that hunger can affect children’s learning, undermine the health of nursing mothers and reduce workers’ productivity.

The governor said locating food banks near primary healthcare centres would help government identify vulnerable households, support malnourished children and assist pregnant women and nursing mothers.

He also noted that sourcing food locally could benefit farmers and strengthen the agricultural value chain.

The First Lady’s visit also featured the commissioning of the 108-unit Muhammadu Buhari Housing Estate at Kobape and the Gateway Medical Centre of Excellence, a 250-bed facility designed to provide advanced healthcare services to residents of Ogun and neighbouring communities.

Abiodun commended Tinubu for her interventions targeting women, children, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups, while calling for sustained cooperation between the Federal and state governments.

The Southwest launch forms part of the Federal Government’s nationwide rollout of the National Community Food Bank Programme, with the initiative expected to extend to the South-South and Southeast zones.

Bingo has been part of the Nigerian social fabric for longer than most players realise. The game arrived with the British during the colonial period, embedded itself in community and church fundraising through the mid-twentieth century, and has resurfaced in the smartphone era. It now sits as a quiet but steady online category alongside the far larger sports betting market.

The current online form does not look much like the parlour version most older Nigerians would remember. Digital chat rooms, automated card marking, progressive jackpots, and live streamed sessions have replaced the paper cards and shouted numbers of the community hall era. The social element that made bingo work in Nigerian community settings has been preserved, but the delivery mechanism has changed completely.

This piece walks through how bingo got to Nigeria and what the community tradition looked like before the digital era. It also covers what has changed in the modern online form and where the trajectory is heading.

Nigerian Bingo Today, Mostly Online and Mostly Offshore

The modern Nigerian bingo player base is predominantly mobile and engages mostly through offshore sites. Nigerian regulatory frameworks treat chance-based games differently from skill-based betting. That has kept the domestic bingo category small while pushing engagement offshore.

The offshore sites Nigerian players use are typically UK-licensed or Malta-licensed operators. They offer 75-ball, 80-ball, and 90-ball variants alongside progressive jackpots. Product design at bingo websites including Fruity King reflects the mobile-first assumptions Nigerian players bring, with responsive interfaces, mobile chat rooms, and payment methods for international debit cards and e-wallets.

Participation is loyal rather than mass-market. Bingo in Nigeria does not draw the audience volume that Bet9ja, SportyBet, and 1xBet generate for sports betting. Players who do engage tend to be regular repeat players rather than casual visitors.

How Bingo Actually Got to Nigeria

The historical arrival of bingo in Nigeria is anchored to the British colonial period. British administrators and settlers brought the game with them during the mid-nineteenth century. Bingo has since become an accessible game played across social classes, with both traditional and online forms enjoying continued popularity in modern Nigeria.

Bingo as a game predates its Nigerian arrival by several centuries. The format originated in sixteenth-century Italy as ‘Il Gioco del Lotto d’Italia,’ travelled to France in the eighteenth century as ‘Le Lotto,’ and spread through European aristocracy. British colonial administrators brought the game across the Empire, landing in West Africa alongside India and South Africa.

The Nigerian adoption pattern followed the same trajectory as most former British colonies. Initial introduction through colonial elites gave way to broader community adoption. The game moved into churches, schools, and community organisations that used it for fundraising and social gathering.

The Community Tradition Bingo Slotted Into

Community-based gambling and lottery-style games were not new to Nigeria when bingo arrived. Traditional number-based games, lottery draws, and communal gaming had existed in various regional forms across pre-colonial Nigeria. Bingo integrated into that broader tradition rather than replacing it.

The church element was particularly important in how bingo took root. Catholic churches across former British colonies adopted bingo as a fundraising tool from the early twentieth century onward. Nigerian Catholic and Anglican congregations followed the same pattern, with church-hall bingo evenings becoming recognisable community events in Lagos, Ibadan, Enugu, and other urban centres.

The social routine mattered as much as the game itself. Bingo evenings created predictable weekly rhythms that pulled community members together around a shared activity. That is exactly the function bingo has performed in every country where it took hold, from Italy in the sixteenth century onward.

What Modern Nigerian Bingo Players Actually Encounter

The online form of bingo Nigerian players engage with today has four distinctive features that separate it from the parlour version of the mid-twentieth century:

Automated card marking. Players no longer physically dab or cross off numbers. Software marks called numbers automatically, tracks progress toward winning patterns, and alerts the player when a card is one number from winning.

Digital chat rooms alongside the game. The social layer that traditional bingo halls provided now runs as a chat interface next to the game window. Players from across Nigeria and internationally can chat, share reactions, and congratulate winners in real time, preserving the community element that made bingo work in physical halls.

Progressive jackpots and side games. Modern bingo product design layers additional prize mechanisms on top of the base game. Progressive jackpots accumulate across many players and pay out large sums when winning patterns are hit, and side games and mini-slots run between bingo rounds to maintain engagement.

Multi-variant availability. The traditional 90-ball British bingo variant sits alongside 75-ball American, 80-ball, and speed variants at most operators. Players can move between variants within a single session, which is not something the parlour version supported.

Each feature preserves something important from the community-hall tradition while adapting the delivery to the mobile, always-on context Nigerian players now use for the game.

The Regulatory Framework That Shapes Access

Nigerian gambling regulation is fragmented across federal and state levels. IMGL Magazine’s analysis of Nigerian gaming law traces the framework to the National Lottery Act 2005, which established the National Lottery Regulatory Commission as the federal licensing authority. On 22 November 2024, the Supreme Court held that lotteries, betting, and gaming fall under state legislative competence, effectively invalidating the federal framework.

Nigerian players are not prevented from accessing offshore bingo sites, and international operators serving the Nigerian audience have grown steadily. The regulatory environment shapes where Nigerian bingo activity happens more than whether it happens. Engagement pushes toward UK-licensed and Malta-licensed operators rather than domestic platforms.

The picture is likely to continue shifting as Nigerian gambling regulation evolves. The offshore access route has been stable enough that most active Nigerian bingo players consider it the default rather than a workaround.

Where the Trajectory Is Heading

Nigerian bingo has never been the mass-market product that sports betting is, and the trajectory suggests it will not become one. The player base is loyal but bounded, growing steadily with smartphone penetration and cross-border payment access.

What is likely to change is the depth of the product available to Nigerian players. Live streamed bingo sessions with real hosts, celebrity-themed variants, and integration with social media platforms are growing in international markets. These will filter through to the Nigerian offshore engagement pattern over the next few years.

The colonial-era introduction of bingo to Nigeria is nearly two centuries old, and the game has survived every social and technological transition since. The current online form is just the latest adaptation of a format that has proven unusually durable. The community element that made bingo work in twentieth-century church halls is what continues to make it work in modern mobile chat rooms.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 48-year-old businessman, Nwankwo Innocent Onyebuchi, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, while allegedly attempting to smuggle 1.550 kilogrammes of cocaine to India.

The suspect, who deals in marbles in Lagos, was arrested at the departure hall of Terminal II of the airport while preparing to board a Qatar Airways flight to New Delhi.

According to the NDLEA, the cocaine was cleverly concealed in the side walls and railings of his check-in bag.

The Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA, Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, saying the suspect had confessed to selling his business and other assets to finance the drug deal.

‘Babafemi said Onyebuchi confessed that he had sold off his marble business and every asset he owned to raise the N23 million he paid for the consignment,’ the statement said.

He added that the suspect expected to sell the cocaine for as much as N100 million in India, a plan that was thwarted by his arrest at the Lagos airport.

Babafemi said the arrest was part of a series of intelligence-led operations conducted by NDLEA operatives across Lagos, Kano, Kwara, Edo, Plateau, Oyo and Delta states, during which large consignments of cocaine, cannabis and pharmaceutical opioids were seized.

In Lagos, operatives raided a warehouse located within a residential compound on Hakeem Dosumu Street, Ago Palace area of Okota, recovering 3,776 cartons containing 377,600 bottles of codeine-based syrup valued at more than N2.6 billion.

The seizure was made between August 7 and 8, according to the agency.

Babafemi further disclosed that operatives raided the residence of a 55-year-old suspected drug kingpin, Shoremi Kayode, at Ipaja Estate, Ipaja, Lagos, where they recovered 324 kilogrammes of Colorado, a synthetic strain of cannabis, valued at N972 million.

Two vehicles, a Mercedes-Benz and a Toyota Corolla, were also recovered from the suspect.

In Kwara State, NDLEA officers arrested Abubakar Adamu, 50, and Bilyaminu Nuhu, 30, at Kam Wire area of Ilorin, with 55.96 kilogrammes of skunk found in a truck.

Two other suspects, 70-year-old Abdulfatai Oyelaran and Abdulrauf Ajadi, 50, were arrested along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Oyo State.

The agency recovered 52,000 ampoules of pentazocine injection and 6,000 ampoules of tramadol injection from their Toyota Sienna vehicle.

Babafemi said NDLEA operatives also intercepted two suspects, Osaro Ikpoba, 43, and Samuel Godbless, 18, along the Onitsha-Asaba Expressway, recovering 124,100 pills of tramadol, 786 bottles of codeine syrup, 2,598 tablets of Rohypnol, 4,800 tablets of diazepam, 470 ampoules of pentazocine and 200 ampoules of tramadol.

In another operation along the Kwale-Ozoro Expressway, Emeka Tony, 50, was arrested with 1,244 cartridges and N8 million in cash.

In Plateau State, NDLEA operatives intercepted a Toyota Corolla along the Riyom-Jos Road and recovered 239,490 capsules of Tramaforce, a brand of tramadol. A suspect, Kasum Sherif, was arrested.

Kano State also recorded major seizures, with six suspects arrested along the Zaria-Kano Road. They were identified as Okodili Ibeabuchi, 60; Onyeka Vincent, 47; Nwanko Wisdom, 36; Success Chigozie, 30; Emmanuel Jude, 27; and Chinedu Peter, 39.

Babafemi said operatives recovered 728,958 pills of tramadol, Rohypnol and other opioids, 360 grammes of cocaine, 99.8 grammes of methamphetamine, 50 bottles of codeine syrup and 2.7 kilogrammes of Loud, another synthetic strain of cannabis, from the suspects.

At Zawaciki Gida Dubu in Kumbotso Local Government Area of Kano State, NDLEA officers recovered 171 blocks of skunk weighing 106.8 kilogrammes and arrested Mustapha Iliya, 30, and Abdulwahab Abdulrashid, 24.

In Edo State, the agency destroyed 4,628.9775 kilogrammes of skunk cultivated on two cannabis farms measuring about 1.85 hectares in the Ugboku/Igbanke forest in Orhionmwon Local Government Area.

A suspect, Agholor Elebojie, 40, was arrested during the operation.

Another suspect, Kingsley Anigala, 28, was arrested during a raid on drug joints in the Oluku area of Benin City, with 25.857 kilogrammes of Loud and 93 grammes of methamphetamine recovered.

The NDLEA also continued its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign, conducting sensitisation programmes in schools and communities, including Madarasatu Sheikh Muhammad Rabi’u Arabic School in Kano and Olomu Junior Secondary School in Ajah, Lagos.

Babafemi quoted NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), as commending officers and personnel of the MMIA, Lagos, Kano, Kwara, Edo, Plateau, Oyo and Delta Commands for the arrests and seizures.

Marwa also praised NDLEA commands nationwide for maintaining what he described as a balance between drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts.

The Vice-Chancellor of Osun State University (UNIOSUN), Professor Odunayo Clement Adebooye, has congratulated the Executive Governor of Osun State and Visitor to the University, Senator Ademola Nurudeen Jackson Adeleke, on his re-election for a second term in office.

Professor Adebooye described the Governor’s re-election as a strong affirmation of the confidence and trust reposed in his administration by the people of Osun State, saying the victory was a testament to his commitment to the development and wellbeing of the people.

In a statement issued by the University’s Public Relations Officer, Ademola Adesoji, the Vice-Chancellor was quoted as saying, ‘The re-election of His Excellency, Senator Ademola Adeleke, is a testament to his good deeds in Osun State and the confidence the people have in his leadership. Democracy and the people have once again won.’

The Vice-Chancellor also commended the people of Osun State for their participation in the democratic process, stressing that functional education remained a potent instrument for empowering citizens and strengthening democratic values.

He said, ‘Functional education is a potent weapon against oppression, intimidation and ignorance. We celebrate the people of Osun State and Nigeria for allowing democracy and the people to win.’

Professor Adebooye acknowledged the Governor’s support for education and his commitment to the development of the sector, expressing optimism that his second term would provide an opportunity for the administration to consolidate its achievements and deepen its developmental programmes across the state.

He expressed confidence that the Governor’s continued leadership would further strengthen the partnership between the Osun State Government and the University, while creating greater opportunities for UNIOSUN to contribute meaningfully to the socio-economic transformation of the state.

The Vice-Chancellor, on behalf of the Governing Council, Senate, management, staff and students of Osun State University, wished the Governor wisdom, good health and renewed strength as he continues to serve the people of Osun State.

The Lagos State Government has warned motorists and vehicle dealers against the illegal or permanent use of dealer number plates, saying violators risk having their vehicles impounded and facing prosecution.

The warning followed the apprehension of 175 vehicles by the Vehicle Inspection Service (VIS) for allegedly violating regulations governing the use of dealer number plates.

The state government, in a statement by the Director, Public Affairs, Ministry of Transportation, Bolanle Ogunlola, said dealer number plates were issued strictly for limited and authorised purposes.

According to the government, the plates may be used for authorised test drives, vehicle inspections, delivery or collection of vehicles, and movement of unregistered vehicles from ports or authorised dealer premises to designated locations.

It stressed that dealer plates must not be used for private daily commuting, continuous operation on public roads or on vehicles that have already been sold and are merely awaiting permanent registration.

The government said the dealer plates recovered from the 175 vehicles would be confiscated, while the affected vehicles would undergo further investigation.

It also warned that vehicles found operating with unauthorised, fake, obscured or improperly used registration numbers would face enforcement measures, including impoundment and prosecution under applicable traffic laws.

The government said the enforcement was aimed at strengthening accountability and ensuring that vehicles operating on Lagos roads could be properly identified.

It urged vehicle dealers and motorists to comply with the regulations, stressing that proper use of registration numbers was essential to vehicle identification and road safety.

The state government said the enforcement would continue as part of efforts to ensure compliance with regulations governing the transport sector across Lagos.

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for the successful conduct of the Saturday election and reaffirmed his endorsement of the President for a second term in the 2027.

Adeleke stated this during a press conference on Sunday, shortly after the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, declared him the winner of the August 15 governorship election.

The governor commended Tinubu for what he described as his support for a free and fair election in the state.

‘At this point, I must deeply appreciate Mr. President, His Excellency Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his strong support for a free and fair election.

‘Mr. President is a son of Osun State, and I hereby reaffirm my earlier endorsement of him for a second term in the 2027 presidential election,’ Adeleke said.

The governor had previously endorsed Tinubu for the 2027 presidential election, despite being a member of the Peoples Democratic Party before defecting to the Accord Party ahead of the Osun governorship election.

Adeleke was declared the winner of the election at about 7:24 am on Sunday by the State Returning Officer, Prof. Joshua Ogunwole, the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti.

The Accord Party candidate polled 511,067 votes to defeat his closest challenger, Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress, who scored 444,815 votes.

Adeleke won 19 of the state’s 30 local government areas, while Oyebamiji won 11. The African Democratic Congress candidate, Najeem Salaam, came third with 17,180 votes.

The result secured Adeleke a second term after he was elected governor in 2022 on the platform of the PDP before moving to the Accord Party for the 2026 election.

Earlier on Sunday, Adeleke thanked Tinubu for calling to congratulate him on his victory and said he expected Oyebamiji to also call and congratulate him.

‘Yes. This is no victor, no vanquished. I want them to come over. I am expecting Oyebamiji to even, as a civilised person, to call me and congratulate me,’ he said.

He added, ‘And of course, I want to seize this opportunity to thank Mr. President. Mr. President has called me and he has congratulated me. And I thank you, Mr. President, for making sure democracy lives on, because you fought for it.’

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted large consignments of opioids and others in Kano, Kwara, Edo, Plateau, Oyo, and Delta states.

The Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA, Mr. Femi Babafemi stated this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

Giving the breakdown, Babafemi said that in Kwara, two suspects were on Thursday arrested at Kam Wire area of Ilorin with 55.96kg skunk in a truck marked DKA 350 XL recovered. He said two other suspects were nabbed by NDLEA officers on patrol along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, Ibadan, Oyo state on Wednesday.

‘Recovered from their Toyota Sienna vehicle marked FFA-115KA, include: 52,000 ampoules of pentazocine injection and 6,000 ampoules of tramadol injection. A total of 124,100 pills of tramadol; 786 bottles of codeine syrup; 2,598 tablets of rohypnol; 4,800 tablets of diazepam; 470 ampoules of pentazocine injection and 200 ampoules of tramadol injection were recovered from two suspects,’ he stated.

He said another interception took place along Onitsha/Asaba expressway on Thursday.

‘Another suspect was nabbed with 1,244 pieces of cartridges and monetary exhibit of eight million naira (N8,000,000) only along Kwale/Ozoro expressway on Wednesday, August 12,’ he said.

Meanwhile, Babafemi said that a Toyota Corolla car with registration number MKD 341 EA was intercepted by NDLEA operatives along Riyom-Jos road. This, he said, was where 239,490 caps of tramaforce, a brand of tramadol, were recovered and a suspect arrested.

In Kano, six suspects were arrested on Aug. 10 by NDLEA operatives on patrol along Zaria-Kano road. Babafemi said that large consignments of opioids were recovered from them including 728,958 pills of tramadol, rohypnol, and others as well as 360 grams of cocaine.

‘Others include 99.8 grams of methamphetamine, 50 bottles of codeine syrup and 2.7 kilograms of Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis,’ he noted.

Similarly, in Kano, NDLEA operatives on Friday raided the Zawaciki Gida Dubu, Kumbotso LGA, where they recovered 171 blocks of skunk weighing 106.8kg and arrested two suspects in connection with the seizure. In the same vein, a total of 4,628.9775kg skunk was destroyed on two cannabis farms that measured 1.851591 hectares at Ugboku/Igbanke forest, Orhionmwon LGA, Edo.

Babafemi said that a suspect was arrested in one of the farms during a raid by NDLEA operatives on Wednesday.

‘Another suspect was nabbed with 25.857kg Loud and 93 grams of meth during a raid of drug joints at Oluku area of Benin city on Friday, August 14,’ he said.