Category: The Nation – Nigeria

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has opposed a move to invite the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, to brief lawmakers on preparations for the 2027 general elections.

Kalu argued that INEC’s periodic public briefings were sufficient to address concerns about the commission’s preparations for the polls.

He made the remarks during Wednesday’s plenary while contributing to a motion moved by the Minority Whip, Mansur Soro, and the Deputy Minority Leader, Abdulsamad Dasuki.

The lawmakers had proposed inviting Amupitan to brief the House on INEC’s preparations for the elections.

Opposing the prayer seeking the chairman’s appearance before the House, Kalu said inviting him and his team with about 80 days remaining before the elections could distract the commission from its preparations.

He maintained that the commission’s existing public communication channels provided an avenue for addressing concerns about the electoral process.

According to him, all other concerns beyond INEC’s public briefings should be channelled to the relevant Standing Committee of the House constitutionally mandated to interface with the Commission.

Kalu argued that inviting INEC before the full House at this time risks causing panic and eroding public confidence in the electoral process.

He noted that the Commission has complied with the Electoral Act and is already responding to concerns through its public statements.

To avoid security risks and undue pressure on the Commission, the Deputy Speaker maintained that the committee should handle such matters, describing this as the House in miniature.

Kalu added that the House, as,s the bastion of democracy, should be canvassing support for the Commission, stressing that the timing of any plenary inquisition is wrong when INEC is in the middle of public engagement and preparations for the elections.

He said: ‘Mr Speaker, I have gone through this well-written motion by my brother, Mansur Soro a, nd I have also taken cognisance of some paragraphs of this particular motion which have to do with awareness, concern and recognition paragraphs. Mr Speaker, it appears that when the chairman of INEC presented to the public not too long ago and addressed some of these concerns and questions, they were not listened to.

‘We are very serious about public engagement, concerning the preparations. Mr Speaker, they have not complained about logistics. They have started on time.

‘It is the committee of the House that has been given this responsibility to do so a, nd that is why I stand not in support of the prayer of this particular motion b, because supporting the prayer is belittling the mandate of the committee set up to carry out this function.

‘Inviting the Chairman of INEC to come and brief the House when he just briefed the entire nation is not ideal. Don’t we believe in our committees again? They are charged with the responsibilities, nd the chairmen of these committees are well educated and informed to carry out their responsibilities

‘Mr Speaker, based on that, I want to move that this prayer be changed to inviting INEC to meet with the committee for any briefing, not coming to the House’.

The proposed amendment of the Deputy Speaker to refer further concerns to the relevant committee of the House was later seconded by Hon. Babajimi Benson from Lagos.

When put to a voice vote by the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, who presided over plenary, the motion was overwhelmingly supported, prompting the Speaker to refer it to the House Committee on Electoral Matters.

Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji has sought the approval of the House of Assembly to reappoint three commissioners who served in his first-term administration and appoint 10 special advisers.

In a letter dated October 26 and addressed to Speaker Adeoye Aribasoye, the governor sought the screening and confirmation of the nominees barely 10 days after his inauguration for a second term.

The commissioners named for reappointment are: Dayo Apata (SAN)- Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice; Akintunde Oyebode – Commissioner for Finance; and Dr. Oyebanji Filani – Commissioner for Health and Human Services.

The request is part of the governor’s efforts to constitute key components of his administration early and ensure continuity in critical sectors of governance.

The state government described the justice, finance, and health portfolios as crucial to effective take-off of the new administration, particularly in view of prevailing developments in the country.

The request comes as Oyebanji begins his second term with a focus on sustaining governance and strengthening service delivery across the state.

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has threatened a mass protest against the management of the Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, over a tuition fee increase.

The association, through its Joint Campus Committee, Ekiti Axis, gave the management a five-working-day ultimatum to reverse the increment and restore the previous fee structure, warning that failure to comply would trigger a mass protest.

In a statement issued on Wednesday in Ado-Ekiti, the students’ body described the increase as unjustifiable, citing the economic hardship students and their parents face.

The statement was signed by the JCC Chairman, Comrade Yekeen Toheeb; General Secretary, Comrade Olumorin Folafoluwa; and Public Relations Officer, Comrade Ekundayo Goodluck

NANS demanded a complete reversal of the increase, insisting it would not accept a partial reduction, temporary adjustment, or any alternative arrangement instead of restoring the former fees.

The association also urged students to suspend further payments pending the reversal of the increment and further directives from its leadership.

NANS maintained that the increase of more than 15 per cent would impose additional financial burdens on students and their families, many of whom were already struggling with the rising cost of living.

It noted that the polytechnic, as a federal institution, was expected to provide access to higher education at affordable rates, warning that excessive tuition fees could deny students from low-income families the opportunity to pursue their academic ambitions.

It also expressed concern that the increment could disrupt the financial arrangements of students who had applied for loans under the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) based on the previous fee structure.

It said the introduction of additional fees after students had registered under the scheme could expose beneficiaries to unexpected financial obligations, undermine the purpose of the loan programme and potentially disrupt their studies.

NANS further faulted the management for allegedly failing to adequately consult the Students’ Union leadership before implementing the increase.

It said that students, as the direct beneficiaries of the institution’s services and the group most affected by its fee policies, should be involved in decisions capable of determining their ability to continue their education.

The association warned that NELFUND should not justify additional financial demands on students, adding that the cost of running the institution should not be disproportionately transferred to students and their struggling families.

It urged the Federal Government, the Federal Ministry of Education and NELFUND management to intervene and ensure that policies designed to support students were not undermined by increased tuition fees.

It also warned against any attempt to intimidate or victimise students who complied with its directive to suspend payment, saying such action would attract an appropriate response from the student movement.

The Federal High Court in Abuja has restrained the Delta State government from enforcing a five per cent consumption tax on transactions covered by the federal Value Added Tax (VAT) regime.

The court nullified provisions of the Delta State Hotel Occupancy, Restaurants and Departmental Stores Consumption Tax Law, 2017, which imposed the tax.

Justice Peter Lifu, in an October 9, this year judgment, a copy of which was obtained yesterday, declared the challenged provisions invalid.

He set aside Sections 3 and 4 of the Delta State law, as well as Section 7(b), Item 13 of the Schedule to the Taxes and Levies (Approved List for Collection) Act (Amendment) Order No. 77 of 2015.

The court also issued a perpetual injunction restraining the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, the state Board of Internal Revenue, and their agents or representatives from implementing or enforcing the affected provisions.

The suit was instituted by the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) and Retail Supermarkets Nigeria Limited, which operates Shoprite stores, against the Attorney-General of the Federation, state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, and state Board of Internal Revenue.

The plaintiffs commenced the action through an originating summons filed by Dr Joseph Nwobike (SAN) of Osborne Law Practice, who led their legal team, with G. D. Nwani also appearing.

J. O. Obaje represented the Attorney-General of the Federation, while Isaiah Bozimo (SAN) appeared for the Delta State defendants.

NECA, which represents more than 480 corporate members, and Shoprite challenged the constitutionality and validity of the disputed provisions. They argued that the additional consumption tax created an overlapping burden on goods and services already subject to VAT.

They contended that the state could not lawfully impose a separate consumption tax that substantially overlapped with the federal VAT regime, as this would increase the tax burden on businesses and consumers.

The plaintiffs sought declarations that Sections 3 and 4 of the Delta State law, which provide for the imposition and collection of the consumption tax, were inconsistent with the federal VAT framework and exceeded the state’s legislative competence to the extent of the alleged overlap.

They also challenged Section 7(b), Item 13 of the Schedule to the 2015 amendment order, arguing that it could not validly authorise a separate consumption tax on transactions already covered by VAT.

According to the plaintiffs, the levy imposed an additional five per cent charge on specified goods and services supplied by restaurants, supermarkets and departmental stores. Shoprite, which operates retail outlets in Delta State and other parts of Nigeria, said it adversely affected its business.

The judgment followed the dismissal of preliminary objections by the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Delta State defendants, who had challenged the court’s jurisdiction. Justice Lifu held that the plaintiffs’ challenge to the validity of the federal amendment order brought the dispute within the court’s constitutional jurisdiction under Section 251 of the Constitution.

In determining the dispute, the judge examined whether Delta State could lawfully impose a separate consumption tax on transactions already covered by the federal VAT regime. He considered the Supreme Court’s decision in Attorney-General of Lagos State v. Eko Hotels Limited (2018) 7 NWLR (Pt. 1619) 518, which addressed the relationship between VAT and state consumption taxes.

The defendants had argued that the two taxes operated differently, with VAT collected at multiple stages of a transaction and the state consumption tax applied at a single stage. They further contended that Section 4 of the Delta State law excluded VAT from the computation of the consumption tax, thereby preventing double taxation.

However, Justice Lifu rejected the argument that differences in the methods of assessment and collection were sufficient to justify the additional levy.

He also considered Section 4(5) of the 1999 Constitution, which provides that where a state law is inconsistent with a valid law enacted by the National Assembly, the federal law prevails to the extent of the inconsistency.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that over 52,225 Permanent Voter Cards(PVCs) have yet to be collected across Bayelsa State.

According to the Commission, Ekeremor has the highest number of PVCs awaiting collection with 12,023, followed by Sagbama with 10,080 and Southern Ijaw, 7,115.

Yenagoa has 6,332; Brass, 6,211; Kolokuma/Opokuma, 3,712; Nembe, 3,620 and Ogbia, 3,132.

Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Mr Shaka Ehimeakhe, revealed the figures at a stakeholders’ meeting in Yenagoa.

Participants had raised concerns about electoral violence, misinformation, voter participation and logistical challenges affecting riverine communities.

Ehimeakhe urged political parties, traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society organisations and the media to mobilise the registrants to collect their PVCs.

He commended political parties for their peaceful campaigns so far and urged them to sustain the atmosphere by focusing on policies and programmes rather than hate speech, personal attacks and misinformation.

Some stakeholders appealed to INEC to consider alternative arrangements for residents of remote riverine communities who face high transportation costs travelling to collect their cards.

They also urged the commission to publish voter registration and PVC collection figures to support targeted mobilisation and improve election logistics, particularly in communities accessible mainly by water.

On security, the state Commissioner of Police, Ajao Adewale, urged political actors to place national interest above personal ambitions and avoid statements or actions capable of triggering violence.

The stakeholders also called for improved training and assessment of ad hoc election personnel, adequate protection of electoral materials and stronger coordination between INEC and security agencies to prevent errors and delays.

The meeting also emphasised the need to protect the participation rights of women, young people and persons with disabilities through voter education and accessible electoral arrangements.

Representatives of Women Organised for Mentorship and Advocacy Network (WOMAN) and Do Foundation, Mrs Eunice Nnachi and Mrs Dise Ogbise- Harry, pledged support for voter education and sensitisation against electoral violence.

INEC announced at the meeting that its recruitment portal for prospective ad hoc staff members, which opened on September 18, 2026, would close at midnight on November 18, 2026.

Governor Dapo Abiodun has reassured the people of Ijebuland that a new Awujale will emerge before May 29, 2027.

He also projected a major economic transformation for the Ogun East Senatorial District through emerging oil exploration activities and the proposed Gateway Deep-Sea Port.

The governor gave assurances on Tuesday at the Ogun East Senatorial District stakeholders’ meeting in Ijebu-Ode, where he engaged representatives of various interest groups on traditional affairs, governance, and the district’s economic prospects.

On the succession process for the revered Awujale stool, Abiodun assured the people that his administration was committed to facilitating a smooth, peaceful, and widely acceptable process leading to the emergence of a new monarch.

He acknowledged the Awujale institution’s importance to Ijebuland’s cultural heritage, identity, and unity, and appealed to the people to remain calm and patient as the necessary processes concluded.

The governor said his administration was giving the matter the attention it deserved to ensure the process concluded peacefully and that any new Awujale enjoyed the people’s acceptance and support.

He thanked the people of Ijebuland for their continued support and cooperation with his administration, assuring them of his commitment to addressing issues of importance to the district and preserving peace and harmony across the state.

Abiodun explained that the stakeholders’ meeting was organised to strengthen engagement between the government and the people, give various groups a platform to express their views, and showcase his administration’s achievements over the past seven years.

Turning to Ogun East’s economic prospects, the governor said the district is on the threshold of significant economic expansion, driven by emerging oil exploration activities and the proposed Gateway Deep-Sea Port in Ogun Waterside Local Government Area.

He identified the discovery of crude oil around Eba Island and the deep-sea port project as strategic developments that could transform the district’s economic landscape, attract new investment, and create jobs for residents.

The governor said the projects, along with the proposed Blue Marine Special Economic Zone, would strengthen Ogun State’s position as a major destination for industrial investment, international trade, and maritime business.

The Gateway Deep-Sea Port is expected to open new opportunities in shipping, logistics, manufacturing and related industries, while associated industrial development is projected to stimulate economic activity across Ogun East and other parts of the state.

Abiodun expressed optimism that emerging investments would enhance the district’s commercial importance, expand opportunities for local businesses and create jobs for young people, while strengthening Ogun State’s contribution to Nigeria’s economic growth.

He reiterated his administration’s commitment to infrastructure development, investment promotion, and policies to improve residents’ living conditions, stressing the importance of cooperation among government institutions, traditional rulers, communities, and the private sector in realising the state’s development aspirations.

The governor also acknowledged the Federal Government’s support for critical infrastructure and development initiatives in Ogun State, expressing appreciation for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s cooperation with his administration.

He called for continued collaboration between the state and federal governments, noting that such partnerships are important for advancing major projects and unlocking Ogun State’s economic potential.

Representatives of various groups at the meeting, including market men and women, hunters, and members of the Council of Baales and Olorituns, commended the governor for engaging grassroots stakeholders and providing a platform to discuss issues affecting their communities.

They described the meeting as an opportunity to strengthen communication between the government and the people, noting that direct engagement is important for understanding local concerns and advancing grassroots development.

The representatives also expressed support for the administration’s development initiatives and pledged to mobilise their members and supporters for the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidates in the forthcoming general elections.

The meeting provided a platform to discuss the Awujale succession process, infrastructure development, investment opportunities, and the future of Ogun East, with the governor reaffirming his administration’s commitment to working with stakeholders to advance peace, prosperity, and sustainable development across the district.

The Chairman, Ifo Local Government in Ogun State, Kusimo Olalekan, has urged the Lagos State government to call the Chairman of Ojodu Local Government to order over the erection of a signpost bearing the inscription, ‘Welcome to Lagos State,’ at a disputed location on Yakoyo-Ojodu Road.

He said placement of the signpost had raised concerns about the boundary between Ogun and Lagos states, particularly around Yakoyo in Isheri-Ojodu Ward, where Ifo Local Government maintained that the location falls within Ogun’s territory.

The council boss expressed concern that the signpost, which indicates the beginning of Lagos, could create confusion among residents and road users over the actual boundary between the two neighbouring states.

The development comes amid concerns over the territorial limits of the two states in the affected area, following the construction of a road by the Ogun government under Governor Dapo Abiodun.

He maintained that the disputed location falls within his jurisdiction and called on the Lagos government to intervene by directing the Ojodu Local Government chairman to desist from actions that could aggravate the boundary disagreement.

According to the council, the issue of territorial jurisdiction around the Yakoyo-Ojodu axis has generated concerns over the years, with what it described as repeated attempts by Lagos to assert control over areas claimed by Ogun.

The council warned that such developments could create unnecessary tension and uncertainty for residents, stressing the need for both state governments and their respective local government authorities to handle the matter with caution and responsibility.

It called for an objective determination of the boundary through official records, approved survey coordinates and other relevant government documents to establish the precise territorial limits of both states.

The council noted that a resolution based on authoritative records would help prevent further misunderstandings, protect the interests of residents and promote peaceful relations between Ogun and Lagos states.

Olalekan further urged the Lagos State government to ensure that the actions of local government officials did not undermine efforts to maintain cordial relations between the two states, particularly in communities located around their shared boundary.

Reaffirming Ifo Local Government’s commitment to protecting its territorial interests, the chairman said the council would continue to defend the rights of its residents while pursuing a resolution of the matter through appropriate channels.

The council also called on all parties to exercise restraint and respect established territorial boundaries pending an authoritative clarification of the disputed area.

State Police has virtually become a reality.

The only steps remaining are the collation of state endorsements and the transmission of the Bill by the National Assembly to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for assent.

As at last count yesterday, 30 Houses of Assembly have concurred with the amendment of the Constitution to pave the way for State Police.

The threshold for Constitution amendment is concurrence of two-thirds of 36 states – which is 24.

Also yesterday, the Presidency requested the Organised Private Sector (OPS) to develop a financing and implementation blueprint for the proposed State Police system.

It said businesses had compelling reasons to support the reform because insecurity imposes costs beyond private security expenditure, including abandoned investments, delayed expansion and disrupted commercial activities.

‘A company can reinforce its perimeter. Its workers still have to travel home, and its suppliers still have to move through the surrounding communities.

‘Your long-term security depends on the strength of public institutions beyond your gates,’ said Chief of Staff to the President and Chairman of the Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill, Femi Gbajabiamila.

Four more states yesterday endorsed the constitutional amendment as the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, defended the initiative.

Lagos, Niger, Kogi and Ebonyi Houses of Assembly approved the proposed constitutional amendment, bringing the tally to 30 states that have endorsed the Bill.

The endorsements underscore growing legislative support for decentralised policing, although concerns remain about the capacity of state governments to finance the system, protect its independence and prevent governors from using it against political opponents.

During a plenary session on ‘Security, stability and economic resilience’ at the 32nd Nigerian Economic Summit in Abuja, Gbajabiamila said insecurity was driving away investments, disrupting supply chains, delaying factory expansions and undermining employment opportunities.

He urged the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), chambers of commerce and business associations to develop practical proposals for financing, institutional management and accountable partnerships.

He said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to establishing state police offered businesses an opportunity to contribute to security institutions capable of protecting investments and strengthening economic resilience.

‘I therefore ask the NESG to carry this engagement beyond our meeting. Bring forward a considered private sector contribution on financing and implementing state police, with practical proposals for accountable partnerships.

‘Take that work into the legislative process and into your engagement with state governments,’ he said.

Gbajabiamila urged business leaders to engage governors and legislators, contribute expertise in institutional management, expenditure control and risk assessment, and identify security failures preventing viable investments.

He warned that private sector participation must not compromise police independence, insisting that contributions towards communications infrastructure, equipment maintenance and financial planning must be transparent.

‘Where businesses provide resources, those contributions need published accounts and independent scrutiny.

‘Public funding must remain dependable, and a donation must never purchase influence over an investigation or preferential treatment,’ he cautioned.

The Chief of Staff said states seeking to establish police services must demonstrate sustainable financial capacity beyond the initial provision of vehicles, uniforms and equipment.

They must be able to meet recurring obligations, including salaries, professional training and operational maintenance, he said.

Failure to meet these obligations, Gbajabiamila warned, could expose police institutions to private influence and unlawful demands on citizens.

He assured that federal policing would remain available in states that were not financially or institutionally prepared to establish their own services.

30 Assemblies endorse amendment

Providing an update on the reform, Gbajabiamila said 24 State Houses of Assembly had approved the constitutional amendment as of October 23, meeting the required two-thirds threshold at that stage.

That was before six more states joined them.

He said the Presidential Working Group had submitted the draft National Policing Bill and 29 consequential amendment bills to the Federal Ministry of Justice on October 19 for legislative review.

Following the review and final consideration, the proposals would be presented to Tinubu for approval before transmission to the National Assembly.

Addressing fears of political abuse, Gbajabiamila said the proposed legislation would establish enforceable safeguards, national professional standards, independent oversight and remedies against misconduct.

‘A citizen’s entitlement to protection cannot depend on whom he supports or where she comes from,’ he said.

Lagos seeks greater state autonomy

The Lagos State House of Assembly unanimously endorsed the amendment after cutting short its recess.

Speaker Mudashiru Obasa welcomed the initiative but argued that the proposed framework did not adequately address the states’ concerns over control of their police services.

He said successive assemblies, from the fifth to the 10th, had debated the need for state police, but the present amendment still left significant powers at the federal level.

‘It is unfortunate that what we believe in, our art and intention as well as our aspirations over the years, has not been fully captured in this alteration, even though we are pleased that at the end of the day, we have State Police in view,’ he said.

Obasa expressed concern that some powers assigned to state legislatures were subject to joint control with the National Assembly, while the federal position would prevail in the event of a conflict.

‘I don’t know if it is State Police or an offshoot of the National Police. But whatever it is, I want to state that at least, it is a step forward.

‘I want to believe there is hope in the future that further amendments that will give total control to the states will happen,’ he said.

Obasa also advocated the establishment of parliamentary police to protect legislative institutions and preserve their independence, citing past incidents in which state legislative buildings were allegedly demolished or locked at the instance of governors.

Ebonyi, Kogi endorse bill

In Ebonyi, all 24 members of the House of Assembly voted in favour of the bill during plenary at the Assembly Complex, Nkaliki Road, Abakaliki.

Speaker Moses Ije Odunwa said the unanimous endorsement reflected the lawmakers’ commitment to constitutional reforms aimed at strengthening security and protecting lives and property.

He said the demand for state police had been longstanding in Ebonyi, adding that the state had expressed support for the proposal during a National Assembly public hearing on constitutional review.

The Kogi State House of Assembly also unanimously approved the amendment after Speaker Aliyu Umar Yusuf urged members to support the proposal.

Yusuf said terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, farmer-herder conflicts, political thuggery and other crimes had intensified the need for more responsive policing.

In Niger, Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago announced the passage of the bill while speaking in Minna at the inauguration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential and Governorship Campaign Council.

He commended the Speaker, Abdulmalik Sarkindaji, and other lawmakers for their deliberations leading to the passage.

Akpabio defends proposal

Akpabio defended the proposed state police system as a means of strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture, saying it would complement rather than replace the federal police.

He spoke through Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin at the 10th convocation of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies and the University of Benin in Abuja.

Criminologist Prof. Etannibi Alemika delivered a lecture titled: ‘State police in Nigeria: Issues, challenges and prospects.’

Akpabio disagreed with Alemika’s position that public hearings on the proposal had been inadequate, saying hearings were held in Abuja and across the six geopolitical zones to enable Nigerians to contribute.

‘The federal police will remain intact. The objective is to complement the work of the existing police force,’ he said.

He added that state police would operate under regulatory safeguards and federal oversight, with clearly defined limits on their weapons and powers.

Alemika, however, warned that decentralising policing without effective safeguards could worsen insecurity, particularly in states where governors wield considerable influence over public institutions.

He argued that state police alone would not address the underlying causes of insecurity, including unemployment, poverty, inequality, inadequate healthcare, poor education and environmental degradation.

‘The solution to Nigeria’s insecurity lies not simply in state police or federal police, but in good governance,’ he said.

The professor questioned whether constitutional provisions would adequately prevent political interference, given governors’ influence over state legislatures, judiciaries and electoral commissions.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has paid tribute to veteran journalist and clergyman, Reverend Mobolade Omonijo, describing his contributions to journalism and national affairs as enduring.

The President, who expressed sadness over Omonijo’s death, praised his professional integrity, incisive analysis and deep understanding of Nigeria’s political landscape.

In a statement on Wednesday, his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said Tinubu condoled with the Omonijo family, the media community, especially The Nation newspaper, and the Church of God.

He described the deceased as ‘a journalist of immense value whose contributions to the profession and the nation would be remembered for years to come’.

Reflecting on Omonijo’s career, the President said: ‘He distinguished himself in the various assignments entrusted to him throughout nearly four decades of meritorious service in journalism, earning a reputation for incisive analysis, professional integrity and a deep understanding of Nigeria’s political landscape’.

Until his death, Omonijo served on The Nation’s Editorial Board, where he authored several seminal commentaries on national affairs.

He previously served as Political Editor of The Nation and The Vanguard and also worked with The Economist, building extensive experience in journalism and political analysis.

Beyond his media career, Omonijo devoted himself to Christian ministry, serving as Vicar of the Church of Pentecost in Dopemu, within the Diocese of Lagos West.

Tinubu prayed for his soul’s repose and for his family’s succour.

Five communities in Ekiti State have received relief from longstanding social challenges, following interventions by the Environmental Development and Family Health Organisation (EDFHO), with support from ActionAid Nigeria.

The beneficiary communities are Ajebamidele, Aba Osun and Ile-Ona in Ekiti West Local Government Area; Ilupeju-Ijan in Gbonyin Local Government Area; and Ipere-Ekiti in Ilejemeje Local Government Area.

The interventions, implemented under ActionAid Nigeria’s Local Rights Programme (LRP), focused on improving access to potable water, supporting rural agricultural activities, enhancing learning conditions in schools and strengthening grassroots healthcare delivery.

The projects included the installation of a motorised borehole with water storage and distribution facilities in Ajebamidele; donation of furniture to teachers and pupils at the only school in Aba Osun; the provision of tricycles to a women’s cooperative group in Ipere-Ekiti and farmers in Ilupeju-Ijan; aa well as the renovation of a basic healthcare centre in Ile-Ona.

Baale of Ajebamidele, Ibrahim Ajao, commended EDFHO for addressing the community’s longstanding water challenges, noting that the intervention had ended years of difficulty in accessing potable water.

Beneficiaries of the tricycles, school furniture and renovated healthcare facility also expressed gratitude to the organisations, pledging to make effective use of the facilities and ensure their sustainability.

Speaking during the inauguration of the borehole in Ajebamidele, EDFHO Executive Director, Olu Ogunrotimi, said the community’s topography had made the provision of water particularly challenging.

He expressed satisfaction that years of effort had finally yielded results, giving residents access to potable water and improving their prospects for a healthier standard of living.

Ogunrotimi explained that EDFHO had worked hard to facilitate the establishment and approval of the only school in Aba Osun, making the provision of furniture necessary to create a more conducive environment for teaching and learning.

He added that the tricycles donated to farmers in Ipere-Ekiti and Ilupeju-Ijan were intended to ease the transportation of farm produce to towns and markets, thereby supporting agricultural activities and improving livelihoods.

Regarding the renovated healthcare centre in Ile-Ona, he said the intervention was aimed at improving access to quality healthcare services at the grassroots.

Speaking at the inauguration, ActionAid Nigeria’s Local Rights Programme Specialist, Kehinde Arowosegbe, congratulated the beneficiary communities and urged residents to take ownership of the projects and maintain the facilities properly to protect the resources invested in them.

In Ajebamidele, a representative of the Ekiti State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA), Kolawole Ebenezer Okeya, urged well-meaning individuals, corporate organisations and institutions to emulate ActionAid Nigeria’s intervention.

He noted that the government alone could not meet all the needs of the people, stressing the importance of partnerships with non-governmental organisations and other stakeholders in addressing community development challenges.