Landmark

- Pen-Pecker  Otunba Gbenga Daniel (OGD) stands out as a firm promoter and unwavering believer in local content and economic self-reliance. His commitment to supporting indigenous capacity remains unmatched. During his eight-year tenure as Governor, he maintained a clear policy direction ensuring that no foreign contractor handled state projects. This deliberate decision was rooted in his strong conviction that Ogun State’s resources should circulate within the state and benefit its people. According to him, this was the most effective way to strengthen the local economy and empower homegrown businesses. Under his administration, local contractors experienced significant growth and opportunities, leading to increased wealth creation, job opportunities, and the development of technical expertise within the state. Indeed, OGD’s legacy in promoting local content is not only commendable but also a model for sustainable economic development.

By Yekini Alli In public policy, ideas rarely gain true legitimacy until they travel. A reform conceived in one place, tested under real conditions, and then adopted more broadly carries a certain authority—proof not just of concept, but of impact. This is the trajectory now defining Nigeria’s adoption of the Learner’s Identification Number (LIN), a reform that has quietly moved from state innovation to national policy. At the centre of this transition is Ogun State, where the foundations of the LIN framework were first laid under the leadership of Governor Dapo Abiodun. What is today presented as a nationwide digital education initiative had its earliest expression in the Gateway State five years ago, where it was designed not as a symbolic gesture, but as a practical response to systemic weaknesses. For years, Nigeria’s education sector has grappled with a familiar set of challenges: fragmented data, weak accountability, and planning processes undermined by unreliable statistics. In ...

A Magistrate Court sitting in Ogba, Ikeja, Lagos, has set aside its earlier ex-parte order authorizing the arrest, remand, and “wanted” declaration of Hammed Tajudeen Akanbi, also known as Hammed Ajiran. The development follows the earlier declaration of Akanbi as wanted for alleged multiple murder by the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Moshood Olorundare Jimoh, on February 19, 2026. However, in a ruling delivered today, Magistrate L.A. Owolabi of Magistrate Court 3 nullified the ex-parte order initially granted on February 16, 2026. In his decision, Magistrate Owolabi held that the order was obtained through the concealment of material facts. The court specifically noted that the counsel who filed and argued the application, Nosa Watson Uhumwangho, was under suspension by the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee at the time and therefore lacked the right of audience before the court. The ruling sparked jubilation among members of the youth wing of the Ojomu royal family, who...

By A.R. Olanrewaju  For decades we’ve watched senators from Ogun East step into that red chamber carrying our hopes on their shoulders. Some delivered quiet wins. Others left solid footprints. But then Otunba Gbenga Daniel showed up… and the entire game exploded into a whole new stratosphere. Let’s be real and run the tape on the legends who came before him, because their stories deserve respect, but they also set the stage for why Daniel’s run feels like pure fireworks. Chief Abraham Adesanya? The unbreakable titan of the struggle era, integrity on steroids, laying early democratic foundations when military boots still echoed everywhere. Olabiyi Durojaiye came roaring in the first democratic wave, planting seeds in education and health that many still lean on today. Gbenga Kaka brought that fiery youth energy and health pushes that lit up communities. Buruji Kashamu dropped serious bills on environment and healthcare that actually moved the needle. Ramoni Lekan Mustapha chased job...

Leading financial institution, Fidelity Bank Plc, is set to host a high-level virtual webinar focused on helping public institutions to strengthen revenue systems, improve fiscal transparency, and build smarter digital structures for collections, oversight, and accountability Scheduled for Tuesday, March 24, 2026, the session, themed Digital Fiscal Transparency: Unlocking Sub-national Opportunities for International Partners, will bring together a cross-section of public sector leaders, development institutions, heads of parastatals and agencies, as well as financial experts to explore practical solutions for stronger public finance management. “As public institutions seek ways to improve internally generated revenue and strengthen public trust, there has been a renewed focus on fiscal transparency. This is particularly important in the face of recent macro and micro economic developments with many public sector agencies under pressure to do more with limited resources. “It is against ...

Four years ago, Ogun East didn't just elect a Senator, a builder was sent to Abuja. Today, the evidence of that choice is no longer in a manifesto. It is in the laws of our land and the asphalt on Ogun East roads. Legislative Impact: Most first term senators spent their years "learning the ropes." OGD, the Chairman of Senate Committee on Navy, however, hit the ground running. With 16 bills and 4 major motions. Under three years, he is among the most productive senators  in the 10th National Assembly. OGD isn't just sitting, he is leading Ogun state delegations in bill sponsorship. OGD Regional Vision: The South-West Development Commission bill (SB 102) is his "Crown Jewel." He didn't just purpose it, he saw it through Presidential Accent on (March 25, 2025) This law is a generational win. It secures federal funding for roads and erosion control across the entire South West States. OGD has effectively instutionalised the development of our region. Only a ...

​Ahead of his platinum jubilee on April 6, former Ogun State Governor and current Senator for Ogun East, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, has received a glowing commendation from the family of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo. ​In a tribute signed by Ambassador Dr. O. Awolowo Dosumu, the family lauded Daniel’s “constancy of conviction,” highlighting a relationship built on mutual respect and a shared dedication to the legacy of Nigeria’s “Sage.” ​The ‘Gentle Charade’ ​Ambassador Dosumu recounted a charming historical anecdote involving her mother, the late Mama H.I.D. Awolowo. She revealed that Mama had once “co-opted” the then-Governor Daniel into a covert mission to persuade the Ambassador to return to Nigeria from the United Kingdom. ​”True to form, he embraced the assignment with characteristic dedication,” Dosumu wrote, describing how Daniel visited her family in the UK and later hosted them on an official visit to Ogun State—all while keeping his “true purpose” hidden to please Mama Awolowo. ...

The Chairman of Ojokoro Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos State, Hon. (Barr.) Rosiji Oluyemisi Adenike has congratulated Muslim faithful as they celebrated the 2026 Eid-El-Fitr.   In a statement she personally signed, Hon. Rosiji Adenike stated that that Eid is a season that reminds everyone of the virtues of sacrifice, obedience, compassion and unwavering faith in Almighty Allah.   The Chairman added that it is a time of gratitude, renewed hope and strengthened unity within the communities.   The state full statement reads;   "On the joyous occasion of Eid-el-Fitr, I heartily felicitate with all Muslim faithful and the entire good people of Ojokoro Local Council Development Area.   "Eid is a season that reminds us of the virtues of sacrifice, obedience, compassion, and unwavering faith in Almighty Allah. It is a time of gratitude, renewed hope, and strengthened unity within our communities.   "As we celebrate the successful completion of the h...

The Chairman, Ayekire Local Government, Hon. Adeyemo Davis, has thrown his weight behind Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji's re-election bid for a second term as the Governor of Ekiti State. In a statement, Chairman Hon Adeyemo Davis highlighted Governor Oyebanji's achievements in Ayekire Local Government, including significant improvements in road infrastructure, electricity supply, education, and agriculture. "We've seen notable projects transform our communities. The construction and rehabilitation of roads have enhanced trade and commerce. Our schools are better equipped, and teachers are more motivated, thanks to Governor Oyebanji's policies," he said. Adeyemo Davis commended the governor's initiatives, saying they've brought development and prosperity to Ekiti State. He assured Oyebanji of the people's unwavering support and pledged that they'll turn out in large numbers to vote for him. "We're confident Governor Oyebanji will con...

The Ogun State Government has appointed Mrs. Feyisara Bolarinwa-Adebowale as the new Director-General of the Bureau of Public Procurement. She takes over from the late Dr. Adesina Olanloye. According to a statement signed by the State Head of Service, Mr. Kehinde Onasanya, the appointment of the new Director-General is in line with the extant Procurement Law (as amended). The HoS noted that Mrs. Bolarinwa-Adebowale emerged through a competitive and merit-based process, which involved the shortlisting and interviewing of suitably qualified candidates who had successfully completed the Executive Training Validation and Development Programme (ETVDP) within the management cadre of the Ogun State Civil/Public Service. The new DG also met the prescribed competencies, skills, and knowledge required for the position of Director-General of the Bureau of Public Procurement. Bolarinwa-Adebowale, a seasoned lawyer, was born on 22 May 1978 in Ibadan, Oyo State. She joined the Civil Service as a Sta...

Ado-Odo/Ota LG Chairman Lawal Wasiu presents ₦13.2bn 2026 budget focused on infrastructure, amenities restoration, and improved living standards... The Executive Chairman of Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government, Hon. Lawal Adewale Wasiu, has set the tone for an ambitious new fiscal year, unveiling a ₦13.2 billion 2026 budget proposal that he described as a decisive roadmap for growth, infrastructure renewal, and improved quality of life for residents. Presented before the Legislative Council at the council’s chambers, the proposal—aptly titled “Budget of Amenities Restoration and Improvement”—is being positioned as more than a financial document, but a strategic blueprint aimed at reshaping the socio-economic landscape of one of Ogun State’s most commercially vibrant corridors. Speaking during the presentation, Wasiu struck an optimistic note, framing the budget as a reflection of both government resolve and the collective aspirations of the people. “This budget reflects not just figures, but ...

By Olayinka Olufowobi from Odogbolu Imagine it, It is 2027, the stakes are sky-high for President Tinubu's legacy, every Senate seat is a battlefield, and the APC in Ogun East is suddenly bleeding votes like a wounded lion. The reason? They handed the ticket to Governor Dapo Abiodun, the same man whose own backyard voters have already turned their backs on him twice in the most humiliating ways possible. This isn't speculation; it's a political horror story written in election results, a governor whose popularity is evaporating faster than morning dew under the Ogun sun. Buckle up, because if APC ignores the red flags screaming from Abiodun's record, 2027 could turn Ogun State into the party's graveyard. Let’s rip the band-aid off with the brutal truth everyone in Ijebu-Ode and Sagamu whispers, but few say out loud. In 2015, Abiodun ran for Ogun East Senate and got demolished by Buruji Kashamu. No close shave, no excuses, just a clear, stinging defeat. Fast-forward ...

By: Al Humphrey Onyanabo  On the final day of Ramadan, inside the quiet elegance of the Transcorp Hilton in Abuja, I sat across from Da Amakiri Tubo, Alhaji Mujahid Abubarkr Dokubo-Asari, Amanyanabo of the oil rich, Elem Kalabari,(The Source,) Torusarama Piri, Dabaye Amakiri 1, a man many know for his strong voice, controversial positions, and unmistakable presence in Nigeria’s public space. But beyond the politics, beyond the agitation, beyond the titles, there is a deeper force that defines him — faith. What emerged in that conversation was not the rhetoric of a public figure, but the conviction of a man whose life is firmly anchored in Islam — not casually, not symbolically, but completely. A Journey That Became Identity For him, Islam was not an accident of birth.  It was a journey — one that began with curiosity but matured into total submission. He spoke of a defining moment — a point where belief stopped being intellectual and became personal, consuming, and irreversibl...

In commemoration of International Women’s Day 2026, Fidelity Bank Plc has announced a series of masterclasses and support initiatives designed to help women build practical, income generating skills, strengthen professional visibility, and accelerate career growth throughout March 2026. The activities are being delivered under the bank’s women focused proposition, HerFidelity, and align with the “Give to Gain” theme guiding this year’s programme of engagements. On March 18, 2026, HerFidelity hosted a “Give to Gain” masterclass focused on communication and presentation. The session offered practical guidance on audience engagement, event moderation, confidence-building, and personal branding, with a strong focus on women looking to improve their public speaking and professional presence. A second event, the Gele Masterclass scheduled for March 30, 2026, will provide hands-on training in gele tying. HerFidelity is positioning the session as a celebration of cultural expression and a mark...

The Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has extended warm felicitations to the Muslim faithful across the state on the successful completion of the holy month of Ramadan. In a statement issued in Abeokuta, the Governor described Ramadan as a sacred period marked by deep reflection, devotion, self-discipline, and renewed commitment to the service of Almighty Allah and humanity. He commended Muslims for their steadfastness throughout the 30-day fast, noting that beyond abstaining from food and drink, the season was characterised by increased acts of charity, compassion, and support for the less privileged—values that strengthen both faith and society. Governor Abiodun expressed appreciation to the Muslim community for their continuous prayers for peace, progress, and good governance in Ogun State and Nigeria at large. He acknowledged that such spiritual support remains vital in fostering unity, stability, and democratic growth. “As our Muslim brothers and sisters celebrate Eid al-F...

APC stalwart from Ibadan North Local Government, Hon. Ademola Alalade, has defended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over criticism surrounding his ongoing state visit to the United Kingdom, insisting that the trip should not be politicised in light of the recent killings in Borno State. Responding to comments made by Peter Obi, who argued that the President ought to have cancelled his trip to address the security situation in Borno, Alalade stated that such calls fail to appreciate the importance of pre-scheduled diplomatic engagements. According to him, state visits are strategic commitments that play a critical role in strengthening bilateral relations, attracting investment, and enhancing security cooperation. He warned that cancelling such engagements at short notice could undermine Nigeria’s international credibility and disrupt ongoing negotiations beneficial to the country. Alalade emphasised that the Federal Government has not neglected the situation in Borno, noting that senior of...

Dangote Industries Limited (DIL) and GCL Group, China’s leading private energy conglomerate, have formalized a landmark US $ 4.2 billion, 25 – year natural gas supply agreement to power Dangote Group major expansion projects in Ethiopia. The agreement, signed in Lagos, reinforces one of the most significant China – Africa industries partnerships to date. Under the long – term arrangement, GCL Group will supply stable natural gas to Dangote Group’s upcoming 3 – million – tonne – per -:year urea fertilizer production complex in Ethiopia. The plant, valued at US $ 2.5 billion, is being developed under a 60 : 40 equity structure between Dangote Group and Ethiopian Investment Holdings (EIH), respectively, and is scheduled to begin operations in 2029. Once commissioned, the facility will become East Africa’s largest modern fertilizer production hub, fully meeting Ethiopian’s current urea import demand while supplying neighbouring regional markets. The project is expected to significantly res...