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The Presidency on Saturday released the list of members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The presidential election is scheduled to hold in January 2027, according to the timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

A statement signed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, disclosed that President Bola Tinubu would serve as Chairman of the Presidential Campaign Council, while Vice President Kashim Shettima, who is expected to serve as his running mate in the 2027 election, would be Vice Chairman.

The APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, was also named Vice Chairman.

Former Zamfara State Governor and Senator representing Zamfara West, Abdulaziz Yari, was appointed Director-General of the campaign.

Imo State Governor and Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, Hope Uzodinma, was named Secretary of the campaign council.

APC National Secretary, Ajibola Bashiru, and Hadiza Bala-Usman will serve as Deputy Secretary and Assistant Secretary respectively.

According to the statement, ‘The Chairman of the Campaign Council, President Tinubu, will work with a body of advisers comprising Chief Bisi Akande, Chief Segun Osoba, Senator Rochas Okorocha, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, and Senator Florence Ita Giwa.’

The statement further read: ‘Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, and Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State have been assigned as Deputy Directors-General for the campaign in the South and the North. They will work with Senator Bamidele Opeyemi and Senator Jibril Barau in the two zones.

‘Senator Adams Oshiomhole will serve as Deputy Director-General in charge of mobilisation, while the President’s Chief of Staff will serve as Deputy Director-General for Administration.

‘James Abiodun Faleke, who played a pivotal role in the 2022/2023 campaign, has returned as Deputy Director-General for Election Planning, Coordination and Monitoring.

‘Faleke will work with zonal directors, with Senator Olushola Adeyeye in the South-West, Dr Ngozi Olejeme in the South-South, Senator Uche Ekwunife in the South-East, Muntaqha Rabe in the North-West, Ahmed Muhammed Ketso in the North-Central, and Senator Sani Danladi in the North-East.

‘Ms Stella Okotete, Engineer Abdullahi Garba Ramat and Audu Maikori will serve as Secretaries of the Election Planning Directorate.

‘Muiz Adeyemi Banire will lead the Legal Directorate as Director, with Dr Liman Hassan and Babatunde Ogala as deputies. Other members are Prince Lateef Fagbemi, former Governor Ibrahim Shema, Worgu Boms and Dr Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh.

‘The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris Malagi, will serve as the Coordinating Director for Media and Strategic Communication, along with Dele Alake, Bayo Onanuga, and Lanre Issa-Onilu.

‘The Media Directorate also includes Tunde Rahman, Sunday Dare, Daniel Bwala, and Felix Morka, who have been assigned as Coordinating Deputy Directors.

As we march into the campaign season, we have many achievements to trumpet-let us confidently showcase our record and inspire hope in every corner of our nation. Let us soundly defeat all those forces who plan to take our country backwards.’

Chairman-elect of Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi, Engr. Osborn Nweze Umahi, has pledged to reject his salary and allowances throughout his tenure, saying they will instead be donated to the people of the local government.

The 28-year-old emerged chairman of Ohaozara following Saturday’s local government election in the State.

Umahi contested the election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and emerged the party’s candidate earlier this year before going on to win the council poll.

Speaking after his victory, Umahi’s son said his decision to forgo his salary was driven by his desire to serve the people rather than pursue personal financial gain.

Umahi’s son said; ‘I will neither accept any salary nor allowance as Ohaozara LGA chairman.

‘I am coming to serve and not to enrich myself.’

He pledged to focus his administration on infrastructure development, youth empowerment, economic opportunities and improved service delivery across communities in Ohaozara.

Umahi is the son of the Minister of Works and former Governor of Ebonyi State, Senator David Umahi.

The younger Umahi had, during his campaign, presented himself as a new-generation politician seeking to combine his private-sector experience with public-sector administration.

Nigeria’s Federal Executive Council has approved a proposed amendment to the National Mental Health Act that would decriminalise attempted suicide, in a move campaigners described as a significant shift away from treating people in suicidal crisis as offenders.

The move comes against the backdrop of longstanding criminal provisions that make attempted suicide an offence in Nigeria. Section 327 of the Criminal Code Act and Section 231 of the Penal Code expose people who survive suicide attempts to possible imprisonment.

Mental health advocates welcomed the decision but cautioned that removing criminal penalties alone will not address the country’s suicide crisis.

The Nigerian Mental Health and the Nigeria Suicide Prevention Advocacy Working Group, in a press release, urged lawmakers to urgently pass the National Suicide Prevention Bill 2024 and called for the full implementation of the National Mental Health Act.

They said the decision marked an important step towards recognising suicide attempts as a public health issue requiring care and intervention rather than arrest and prosecution.

The groups commended the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, and the Federal Executive Council for supporting the reform, arguing that criminalisation can deepen the distress of survivors, discourage help-seeking and make families less willing to report suicide attempts or seek emergency assistance.

The advocacy groups cited World Health Organisation estimates that about 15,000 Nigerians die by suicide each year, while roughly 300,000 suicide attempts occur annually.

The WHO also identifies suicide as the third leading cause of death globally among people aged 15 to 29, a particular concern for Nigeria, whose population is predominantly young.

The campaigners said the proposed reform followed years of advocacy, including the #SuicideNotCrimeNG campaign, which brought together more than 40 mental health-focused professional associations, non-governmental organisations and businesses.

Chime Asonye, founder of Nigerian Mental Health, said the FEC decision recognised the distinction between punishment and medical intervention.

‘A person who survives a suicide attempt needs a clinician, not a charge sheet. The Council has now said so, and that matters,’ Asonye said.

He, however, warned that the government’s target of reducing suicide deaths and attempts by 15 per cent by 2030 would not be achieved through legal reform alone.

Asonye pointed to the failure to establish and fund the Department of Mental Health Services mandated by the National Mental Health Act 2021, saying the institutional gap threatens to undermine implementation of the law.

The campaigners said the proposed National Suicide Prevention Bill 2024 would complement decriminalisation by establishing a framework for suicide prevention, including improved data collection, crisis intervention services, dedicated funding and specialised training for healthcare professionals and first responders.

Prof. Taiwo Lateef Sheikh, convener of the Nigeria Suicide Prevention Advocacy Working Group, said the amendment and the bill should be viewed as complementary reforms.

‘The amendment and the National Suicide Prevention Bill are two halves of one reform: one removes the punishment, the other builds what should be there instead,’ Sheikh said.

He warned that passing only the decriminalisation amendment would leave important gaps in Nigeria’s response to suicide.

‘The executive has moved; the question now belongs to the National Assembly: whether both pass in this session or wait for another. Every year they wait is counted in lives,’ he said.

The advocates also raised concerns about the wider implementation of the National Mental Health Act, which was passed in 2021.

They said the Department of Mental Health Services had still not been established and funded more than three years after the legislation was enacted. They also noted that the Act had not been domesticated in many states.

The organisations warned that without the necessary structures, decriminalisation could remain largely symbolic.

According to them, removing attempted suicide from the criminal code must result in practical changes in police stations, hospitals and emergency services.

‘Reform is measured by what changes in a police station and a general hospital, not by what changes in the gazette,’ the groups said.

The organisations also called on the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the Ministry of Justice to publish the proposed amendment, saying public access to the draft would allow civil society groups, legal experts and lawmakers to determine whether it would achieve full decriminalisation.

The groups outlined three immediate priorities: passage of the National Suicide Prevention Bill 2024; establishment and funding of the Department of Mental Health Services; and publication of the proposed executive amendment.

They said the FEC decision could change how Nigeria responds to people who survive suicide attempts, but stressed that its success will depend on effective implementation.

Decriminalisation could remove the threat of prosecution and make it easier for people in crisis to seek assistance.

However, without accessible mental health services, trained professionals, crisis response systems and reliable national data, the legal change may have limited impact.

The advocates are therefore pressing the National Assembly and federal health authorities to treat the measures as part of a broader transformation of Nigeria’s mental health system.

For them, the test of the reform will not simply be whether attempted suicide disappears from the statute books, but whether people experiencing suicidal distress can access care without fear of arrest, stigma or punishment.

The proposed amendment now awaits consideration by the National Assembly, where campaigners say lawmakers have an opportunity to turn the executive decision into lasting change in Nigeria’s approach to suicide prevention.

Lagos is set to host the Drum Queens Festival 2026, a celebration of female drummers, African percussion and cultural expression, on Sunday, August 23.

The festival is scheduled to take place at Breath of Life, Obanikoro, Lagos, at 3:00 pm, bringing together female percussionists, music lovers and cultural enthusiasts for an afternoon dedicated to rhythm and live performance.

Organised by Topsticks, the event is built around the concept of bringing female drummers together on one stage to celebrate their talent and highlight the significance of percussion in African music and cultural expression.

One of the performers announced for the festival is Yemmysticks, who is expected to deliver a live performance during the event.

Drumming has historically played an important role in African societies, serving as a form of entertainment, communication, storytelling and accompaniment during ceremonies and celebrations. In Nigeria, traditional percussion remains an important part of the country’s diverse cultural heritage.

Beyond its entertainment value, the festival is also expected to spotlight the growing participation of women in music and performance, particularly in an area that has traditionally been dominated by men.

By placing female drummers at the centre of the event, Drum Queens Festival provides a platform for performers to showcase their creativity and skills while potentially inspiring younger women to explore percussion and other areas of the creative industry.

As preparations continue, the festival is expected to combine live percussion, performance and cultural celebration, while drawing attention to women contributing to the preservation and evolution of African musical traditions.

For Lagos residents and lovers of live music and culture, Drum Queens Festival 2026 promises an opportunity to experience the energy of live African percussion while celebrating the women making their mark in the field.

A businessman, Alhaji Dauda Dahiru, has dragged his ex-wife, Rabi’atu Suleiman to Shari’a Court sitting at Magajin Gari, Kaduna, Kaduna State, for refusing to leave his house after two years of divorce.

The counsel of the complainant, Hassan Sadisu, told the court that their union is blessed with five girls and a boy.

He also said that the defendant was pregnant with their last child when their marriage was dissolved, but was allowed to stay in the house till she put to bed.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Sadisu further said that Rabi’atu stayed in the house until she gave birth, and two years after, she is insisting that the house should be left for her.

The complainant prayed the court to order her to vacate the house because he had sold the property, but is ready to rent her a house for the sake of their children.

However, the defendant insisted that Dauda should buy a one-bedroom flat for her or rent a house with five years of rent paid.

The judge, Malam Mu’awiyah Shehu, explained to the defendant that she has no valid reason to make the complainant do all the things she requested.

He added that the complainant is only responsible for the children’s upkeep and wellbeing and not for her, and cannot be forced to pay five years’ rent.

The judge adjourned the case until September 8, and ordered the defendant to find a house and present to the court so the complainant can pay the rent as agreed.

He said Suleiman should vacate the house immediately, failing which, there would be consequences.

The Young Progressives Party (YPP) has substituted Anita Zugwai-Chukwu with Peter Agada as its presidential candidate for the 2027 general election.

Agada was formally presented and affirmed as the party’s presidential candidate alongside Ndidi Patience Key, who emerged as his running mate, at the party’s Presidential and Vice-Presidential Substitution/Affirmation Programme.

Zugwai-Chukwu had earlier emerged as the party’s presidential candidate at its congress and subsequently served as the presidential placeholder during an earlier stage of the electoral process.

Speaking at the event, the YPP National Chairman, Comrade Emmanuel Amakiri who was represented by the party’s Deputy National Chairperson, Nana Aisha Mahmoud, described the substitution and affirmation as the beginning of a new chapter for the party ahead of the 2027 elections.

Mahmoud said the party was not merely changing names but reaffirming its commitment to providing Nigerians with what she described as a credible, competent and inclusive political alternative.

She said the country was at a critical crossroads, with citizens demanding opportunities, security, economic stability, infrastructure, quality education, healthcare and accountable leadership.

According to her, the YPP would seek to build a political institution where young Nigerians, women, professionals and communities could participate meaningfully in the democratic process.

She also appealed to members to work together following the emergence of the new presidential ticket, urging the party to avoid divisions between supporters of the presidential and vice-presidential candidates.

‘From this moment, there must be no Presidential camp and Vice-Presidential camp. There must be no old members and new members. There must be no North and South within our campaign family,’ she said.

Mahmoud also commended Zugwai-Chukwu for accepting to serve as the party’s presidential placeholder, describing her role as an important contribution to the party’s transition.

She urged the new presidential and vice-presidential candidates to lead with integrity, courage, competence and compassion, while keeping the interests of ordinary Nigerians at the centre of their campaign.

In his acceptance speech, Agada said his emergence was not about his personal ambition but about addressing the challenges confronting Nigerians.

He cited poverty, hunger, insecurity, unemployment and abandoned projects among the problems he said required urgent attention.

‘Today is not about me. Today is about 140 million Nigerians that the IMF says are living at or below a national poverty line,’ Agada said.

He also referred to the estimated 35 million Nigerians he said would require food assistance during the 2026 lean season and millions of young people entering the labour market without adequate opportunities.

Agada said he accepted the YPP mandate because he believed the party provided a platform where competence, capacity and results could take precedence over other considerations.

‘I came because Nigeria is tired and I am tired too. Tired of abandoned projects. Tired of darkness. Tired of hunger. Tired of insecurity,’ he said.

The YPP candidate said his administration, if elected, would focus on what he described as ‘governance with GPS’, promising to address the underlying causes of poverty rather than merely managing its consequences.

He identified security as a major priority, arguing that economic activities, farming, education and infrastructure development could not thrive without safety.

‘First of all, security. You cannot farm, you cannot trade, you cannot go to school, you cannot build because you are not safe. We will secure the highways,’ he said.

Agada said the party’s platform was based on ideas, ideology and delivery, while pledging to make competence and capacity central to his proposed leadership.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial candidate for Jigawa Northeast, Senator Ahmed Abdulhamid Malam Madori, has said his campaign organisation is fully prepared to commence grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 National Assembly elections.

Madori, through his Special Assistant, Hon Ibrahim Gira, said the campaign would focus on tangible development projects and programmes executed by the APC-led administrations of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Jigawa State Governor Umar Namadi, as well as his own constituency interventions.

He said the campaign would use the projects to demonstrate the impact of the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, Governor Namadi’s 12-Point Agenda and his representation as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Police Affairs.

‘We are fully ready and very much prepared. As I am talking to you, we are very much on the ground. We are with our people and our people are with us,’ Gira quoted the senator as saying.

He said the campaign would focus less on political rhetoric and more on projects with direct impact on residents across the eight local government areas that make up the senatorial district.

According to him, the Federal Government’s reconstruction of the Kwanar Danja-Tsalle-Hadejia road would be among the major federal projects to be highlighted during the campaign.

Gira also mentioned federal institutions and projects attracted to the state, including the Federal College of Education, Malam Madori, and the Federal College of Agriculture, Kirikasamma, as part of the growing Federal Government presence in the area.

He said the Namadi administration had also recorded interventions in irrigation, roads, housing, water supply and rural development under its 12-Point Agenda.

Among the projects, he cited interventions around the Hadejia Barrage irrigation scheme and Warwade Dam, as well as road construction and rehabilitation and housing projects in communities within the senatorial district.

Gira said Madori’s constituency projects would also form a major component of the campaign, pointing to the construction and equipping of a primary healthcare centre at Yayari Ward in Hadejia, which was later handed over to the Jigawa State Government.

He said the senator had also prioritised security infrastructure through the rehabilitation and upgrading of the Birniwa Divisional Police Station and provision of patrol vehicles to police divisions across the eight local government areas.

Other interventions attributed to Madori included scholarships and educational support, classroom projects, solar streetlights, transformers and youth empowerment initiatives.

Gira said Madori’s position as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Police Affairs had further enabled him to contribute to efforts aimed at improving policing, security infrastructure and community safety.

He described the senator as ‘well-rooted, widely accepted and loved’ across the district, attributing his popularity to his accessibility and record of representation.

‘Without fear of contradiction, Jigawa Northeast Senatorial District has never had a senator like Distinguished Senator Ahmed Abdulhamid Malam Madori,’ Gira said.

He disclosed that Madori had returned to Jigawa ahead of the formal flag-off of his campaign, adding that his campaign structure had developed a comprehensive mobilisation strategy for President Tinubu, Governor Namadi, Madori and other APC candidates.

Gira said the campaign would take its message to the grassroots, with emphasis on what he described as the ‘tangible dividends’ of APC governance and the need to sustain the Renewed Hope Agenda at the federal level and the 12-Point Agenda in Jigawa State.

He expressed confidence that the combination of federal and state development projects, alongside Madori’s constituency interventions, would strengthen the APC’s campaign and improve the party’s chances in the 2027 elections.

University admission in Nigeria involves more than UTME scores and departmental cut-off marks. For candidates seeking admission into competitive federal universities, understanding the admission framework can help in making informed choices about institutions and courses.

One important aspect of this framework is the university catchment area policy.

Catchment areas are geographical regions linked to specific federal universities for admission purposes. The policy is intended to promote a more balanced distribution of access to higher education across the country.

However, being from a university’s catchment area does not guarantee admission. Candidates must still meet the academic and programme-specific requirements of their chosen institutions.

What is a university catchment area?

A university catchment area refers to a group of states considered to be geographically connected to a particular federal tertiary institution.

According to the admission framework outlined by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), federal tertiary institutions operate a three-part admission structure comprising 45 per cent merit, 35 per cent catchment area and 20 per cent for candidates from Educationally Less Developed States (ELDS).

The catchment allocation, however, should not be interpreted as a quota reserved exclusively for people from the state where a university is located.

A federal university may have several states within its designated catchment area, depending on the institution and applicable admission guidelines.

Therefore, living close to a university does not automatically make a candidate eligible for its catchment consideration.

Catchment status does not guarantee admission

There is a common misconception that candidates from a university’s catchment area can secure admission with significantly lower scores.

Catchment status does not mean that a candidate with a lower score will automatically be admitted ahead of a higher-scoring candidate. Academic performance remains important, particularly for highly competitive programmes.

The 45 per cent merit component also makes academic performance a major part of the federal admission framework. Catchment should therefore be regarded as one factor in the admission process rather than a substitute for strong academic preparation.

Why catchment matters more for competitive courses

Catchment areas become more significant when the number of qualified applicants exceeds the available spaces.

Candidates seeking admission into competitive programmes such as Medicine, Law, Nursing, Engineering and Computer Science still face stiff competition, even when applying to institutions within their catchment areas.

Applicants should therefore consider each university’s admission requirements, previous admission trends, programme competitiveness and available spaces before making a decision.

Choosing a university solely because it is believed to offer a catchment advantage could prove risky.

Catchment area differs from state of origin

While the terms are sometimes used in the same way, state of origin and catchment area are different.

State of origin is the student’s legal home state, while a catchment area is the geographical region connected to a university.

JAMB’s system allows schools to look at many factors, including the chosen program, state of origin, Local Government Area (LGA), gender, and UTME scores. This shows why accuracy is important during the admission process.

Claims about a state of origin must be based on facts and documents, not on what is convenient or the location of a school.

Establishing state of origin

Documentation depends on the school and the time of the admission cycle. Screening often requires a Certificate of Origin or Local Government identification to verify a student’s status.

For example, the Federal University of Technology, Akure, and the Federal University Lokoja both require a Certificate of Local Government of Origin.

Students should make sure all documents are real and consistent across JAMB registration and university enrollment.

Choosing a university based on catchment

Catchment status can be considered when selecting a university, but it should not be the sole basis for the decision.

Candidates should assess their UTME scores, O’level results, course requirements, post-UTME performance, ELDS considerations, institutional policies and available spaces.

A candidate interested in engineering, for instance, should compare several universities offering the programme instead of assuming that a nearby institution automatically provides the best admission opportunity.

The goal should be to find an institution where the candidate’s academic profile and chosen programme align with the admission requirements.

Candidates outside catchment areas can gain admission

Being from outside a university’s catchment area does not prevent a candidate from securing admission.

The policy does not exclude candidates from other parts of the country. The 45 per cent merit component provides an avenue for candidates to compete based on their scores regardless of their location or state of origin.

A candidate from a non-catchment state with strong academic qualifications can therefore remain competitive for admission.

State universities have different admission rules

The federal 45:35:20 admission framework does not automatically apply to state-owned universities.

According to the source, state universities operate under criteria approved by their respective proprietors, which may differ from the federal framework.

Candidates applying to state-owned institutions should therefore consult the admission policy of the specific university rather than assuming that federal university rules apply.

Using catchment information strategically

Catchment information can be useful when it forms part of a broader admission strategy.

Candidates should first identify their preferred course and assess their academic standing. They can then compare universities offering the programme and examine each institution’s admission requirements and policies.

Applicants should also check current information because admission rules can change. Official publications from JAMB and individual university websites remain more reliable than outdated social media posts, rumours or unverified claims.

Catchment is an advantage, not a guarantee

University catchment areas form part of the federal effort to promote wider regional access to higher education.

While the 45:35:20 structure provides a general framework for federal university admissions, it does not guarantee admission to any particular candidate.

UTME performance, programme requirements, institutional policies and available spaces remain important considerations.

For candidates, the best approach is to treat catchment status as one factor in the admission process while prioritising academic preparation and carefully assessing the requirements of their preferred institutions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What percentage of federal university admissions is strictly allocated to national merit scores?

JAMB’s federal admission framework designates 45% for merit, 35% for catchment, and 20% for Educationally Less Developed States. The 45% merit component indicates that nearly half of placements are determined by score ranking, although institutional and programme-specific requirements continue to apply.

How does a candidate legally prove their state of origin during the university physical screening process?

The required documentation varies by institution. Universities typically request a Certificate of Origin or Local Government identification. For instance, institutions like FUTA and Federal University Lokoja list the Certificate of Local Government of Origin among their essential screening documents. Candidates should ensure all documents are genuine and consistent with their application data.

Do state-owned universities apply the same regional catchment area quotas as federal institutions?

State-owned universities do not necessarily apply the same quotas as federal institutions. JAMB guidelines specify that state institutions follow criteria approved by their respective proprietors. Therefore, candidates should consult the specific policy of the state university in question rather than assuming the federal framework applies.

Even though a lot of people regularly take some medications before they can sleep, doctors warn that doing so can be dangerous. Prescription and over-the-counter medications taken for sleep have also been linked to an increased risk for cognitive decline and confusion in older adults, as well as urinary retention and constipation.

Not to mention that relying on a drug or supplement for sleep could be causing you to overlook an underlying health condition that’s behind your insomnia, like anxiety, depression or restless leg syndrome. If you’re having trouble sleeping, talk to your personal doctor about your sleep troubles, especially given the links between poor sleep and other health problems such as heart disease, diabetes and depression.

Your doctor may refer you to a sleep specialist or therapist trained in cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia, which experts in the field say is the first line of treatment for sleep problems.

It is also important to increase your physical activity since exercise has been confirmed to be extremely important in helping people to sleep.

The Imole Campaign Council (TICC) has described Governor Ademola Adeleke’s victory in the just-concluded Osun State governorship election as not an end in itself, but a renewed responsibility to serve, listen to and unite the people of the state.

The council, in a statement at the weekend, said the victory had further strengthened its responsibility to deliver on the aspirations of the people, assuring that the trust reposed in the Imole vision would not be taken for granted.

TICC stressed that Osun could only achieve meaningful progress through togetherness, unity and collective commitment, urging residents to work across political, religious, ethnic and generational divides to build a state that all could be proud of.

In the statement signed by its Director-General and Secretary, Senator Lere Oyewumi and Prince Bola Ajao, respectively, the council said the victory belonged first to God Almighty and the people of Osun State.

It described the victory as a reflection of their confidence in the Imole vision and desire for continued progress, development and good governance.

The council expressed appreciation to royal fathers and traditional rulers across the state for their wisdom, counsel and prayers, noting that their leadership remained crucial to the peace and development of communities.

It also acknowledged Christian and Muslim religious leaders for their prayers and commitment to peace, unity and the wellbeing of the state.

TICC commended members of the party and loyal supporters for their resilience, dedication and steadfastness, which it said contributed significantly to the success recorded at the polls.

The council also recognised the contributions of market women, artisans, traders, farmers and transport workers, describing them as critical pillars of Osun’s everyday economy and thanking them for their sacrifices and support.

It commended workers in the state for their commitment to keeping Osun functioning, while also applauding youth groups and student bodies for bringing energy, ideas and hope for the future into the campaign.

The council further saluted non-indigene communities for their contributions to the economic and social development of Osun, stressing that the state’s strength remained rooted in the diversity, enterprise and collective efforts of all those who call it home.