Landmark

By Tayo Mabeweje Leadership is often measured not by the heights one reaches but by the journeys one takes to get there. As Prince Adedapo Oluseun Abiodun, CON, once sought a seat in the Nigerian Senate, destiny charted a path that was larger than ambition itself. Instead of immediate gratification, he was entrusted with Ogun State—a stage where his leadership would not just be seen but felt in every street, town, and household. As John F. Kennedy once said, “Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.” Dapo Abiodun has embodied this truth, turning governance into a masterclass of vision, discipline, and results. Under his stewardship, Ogun State has become a living testament to what happens when foresight meets action: roads connecting communities, industries thriving, and opportunities multiplying for every citizen. To call him merely a governor would be like calling the sun “a light in the sky.” His tenure has been transformative, reshaping Ogun State into a beacon of p...

  By Toby Prince      In the very words of Nelson Mandela, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”   This same view was echoed by Malcolm X, who asserted that “Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.”   While these quotes capture the essence of education as a tool for personal growth, societal change, and empowerment, they perhaps informed Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila's drive towards leveraging legislative representation as a viable tool for societal reconfiguration and educational reformation.   Today, the facts, as they say, speak for themselves. Indeed, Rt. Hon. Gbajabiamila is no stranger to lawmaking. He has been making positive impact and driving national development for several years through effective legislation.   Fundamentally, Chief Femi has been instrumental in the sponsorship of numerous and wide-ranging Bills, with many already passed into l...

The Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, has accepted to be the Royal Father of the Day at the New Telegraph Awards Night/ Dinner holding at the Grand Ballroom of the Oriental Hotels, Lagos this Friday. That is as veteran Elder journalist and former Governor of Ogun State, Aremo Olusegun Osoba, has also accepted to be the Chairman of the event.  The New Telegraph Awards Night/Dinner is a high octane event, where governors, captains of industry, banking and financial institutions and executives as well as public, private sector players and sports personalities would be honoured. Nine state governors from across the country have confirmed their attendance at the event, with other awardees expressing delight and anticipation towards the event. In a letter conveying his choice as the Royal Father of the Day, the Management of Daily Telegraph Publishing Company, publishers of the New Telegraph, Saturday and Sunday Telegraph titles informed the paramo...

The Ogun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has announced plans to hold an Extended Stakeholders Strategic Meeting on Wednesday, February 11, at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Abeokuta, by 2:00 p.m. The meeting is expected to convene key party leaders and stakeholders across the state, including former Governors and Deputy Governors, former Speakers of the Ogun State House of Assembly, serving and former members of the Federal Executive Council from Ogun State, as well as serving and former members of the National and State Assemblies. Also expected are members of the State Executive Council and other major stakeholders of the party. According to a statement from the party, the strategic gathering will be presided over by the Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, CON, MFR, as part of efforts to strengthen party unity and chart future political strategies. The State APC Chairman, Chief Yemi Sanusi, urged all invited stakeholders to attend in party attire, stressin...

Dangote Cement Plc has reaffirmed its commitment to making Africa fully self‑sufficient in cement production, strengthening the continent’s industrial backbone and reducing reliance on imported construction materials. Speaking during a strategic briefing on the company’s expansion drive, the Group Managing Director of Dangote Cement, Mr. Arvind Pathak, emphasised that the company is accelerating its investments across African markets to close supply gaps and support the continent’s infrastructural ambitions. According to him: “Our vision is clear — to ensure Africa produces enough cement to meet its own needs…Through continuous expansion, operational excellence, and a strong distribution network, we are positioning Dangote Cement to power growth across the continent. We are not just building a business; we are building Africa’s future.” Pathak added that Dangote Cement remains Africa’s leading cement producer and is targeting a production capacity of 90 million metric tonnes per annum ...

The late Prince Albertson Babatunde Osokoya, mni Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has described the death of former Head of Service and Secretary to the State Government, Prince Babatunde Osokoya, as a painful and significant loss to the state. Osokoya, an elder statesman from Omu-Ijebu, passed away at the age of 81 after a brief illness at a private hospital in Abeokuta. Until his death, he remained actively involved in public affairs and recently participated in events marking Ogun State’s 50th anniversary. Governor Abiodun said the news of his passing left him deeply shaken, noting that the late administrator was full of life during the golden jubilee celebrations. “It is profoundly shocking that Omoba Albertson Babatunde Osokoya, mni, who joined us during the thanksgiving service and anniversary banquet, is no longer with us,” Abiodun said. “We are, however, grateful to God for the impactful life he lived and the enduring legacy he leaves behind.” He described Osokoya as a...

Nigeria’s foremost indigenous radio station, Iworo FM 96.3, on Saturday, 7th February 2026, celebrated its first anniversary in grand style.

By Dare Abejide In every democracy, criticism is welcome. But when criticism drifts into distortion, it becomes necessary to correct the record. Recent commentaries portraying the representation of Ekiti North Federal Constituency II as “dormant” and “docile” are not only misleading; they are fundamentally disconnected from verifiable facts on the ground. Representation is not a talent show measured by volume or theatrics. It is a responsibility assessed by legislative output, constituency impact, and accountable use of public mandate. On these metrics, the record of Hon. Akinlayo Davidson Kolawole stands firm. Contrary to claims of legislative silence, Hon. Kolawole has actively engaged the National Assembly in ways that directly benefit Ekiti North II. He has sponsored bills for the establishment of a School of Nursing in Ikosu Ekiti and a School of Agriculture in Otun Ekiti, institutions designed to expand access to education, strengthen human capital, and stimulate local economies....

The Senate Committee on Finance has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for launching Nigeria's National Halal Economy Strategy, describing it as a bold and strategic move to position the country within the lucrative global halal market, estimated at $7.7 trillion.

The Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum and Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has commiserated with the Government and people of Kwara State over the deadly terrorist attacks that claimed at least 162 lives in the villages of Woro and Nuku. In a statement issued in Abeokuta on Saturday, Abiodun expressed deep sorrow over the incident, describing it as a tragic and unfortunate act in which innocent and law-abiding citizens were brutally murdered while going about their lawful activities. The governor condemned the reported targeting of residents who allegedly refused to adopt Sharia law, noting that homes and shops were burnt while several people were kidnapped by the attackers, who are believed to be affiliated with Boko Haram. He described the act as most horrendous, stressing that Nigeria remains a secular state that respects freedom of religion. Abiodun called on law enforcement agencies to track down the perpetrators and ensure they are prosecuted to the fullest ex...

A newly launched coalition of groups of leading Political Activists in Nigeria, Movement for Credible Elections (MCE) categorically rejects the decision of the National Assembly through the Senate to remove and refuse the mandatory electronic transmission of election results as proposed by the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2026.  The action of the lawmakers is considered by MCE as a direct assault by the National Assembly to subvert the right of Nigerians to freely choose the leaders of their choice. By rejecting the mandatory transmission of election results from the polling units and other critical clauses, the National Assembly has chosen opacity over transparency, manipulation over credibility, and elite conspiracy over the sovereign will of the people.  This is not lawmaking—it is deliberate democratic sabotage against the aspiration of the people of our country as Mandatory electronic transmission of results is not controversial. It is a minimum safeguard against result t...

The Ogun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) will on Wednesday, February 11, hold an extended stakeholders strategic meeting in Abeokuta. This was disclosed in a statement signed by the State Chairman of the party, Chief Yemi Sanusi, on Saturday. According to the statement, the meeting, which is strictly by invitation, will bring together ministers, members of the National Assembly, and other major stakeholders of the party across the state. The strategic session is scheduled to take place at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Abeokuta, and will be presided over by the Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun. The party leadership noted that the meeting is aimed at strengthening internal cohesion, reviewing ongoing political strategies, and positioning the APC for future political engagements in the state.

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of Ogun State, the state governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has thrown open the gates of the MKO Abiola Sports Arena, Kuto Abeokuta, inviting fans to come and support the Nigeria Falconets as they take on Lioness of Senegal in the first leg of the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup qualifiers on Saturday. The government says the gesture was in the mood of the 50years celebration of the state to give residents of the state a sense of belonging. The qualifier, originally scheduled to take place at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan, was relocated to the MKO Abiola Sports Complex in Abeokuta due to the poor condition of the Ibadan pitch. The Honourable Commissioner for Sports Development, Wasiu Isiaka, announced the move on Friday, urging fans to turn out in large numbers to cheer the team to victory. Isiaka said the state government is committed to ensuring that the female team receive the necessary support to excel on the international stage. The match is ...

The Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre has commenced an analysis of a documentary detailing allegations that a Nigerian socialite posed as the Crown Prince of Dubai to defraud a foreign victim of millions of dollars. The Commissioner of Police in charge of the NPF National Cybercrime Centre, CP Uche Ifeanyi, disclosed this on Thursday during a press briefing, saying the police were already reviewing information circulating in the media on the case. “I tell you, we were able to intercept that case that is actually trending now. Just this morning, I summoned my people to conduct a profiling and analysis of the facts that we’ve seen,” Ifeanyi said. He noted that the police had yet to be formally contacted by the YouTuber or documentary producers behind the report, adding that investigators were relying on publicly available information while the analysis continued. “We’ve not been contacted by the YouTuber, so what we have on the ground is information that is already out ther...

The Royal Household of His Royal Highness, Oba Michael Bolorunduro Asaju, has announced the peaceful transition to eternal glory of its revered matriarch, Olórí (Deaconess) Comfort Omoyeni Asaju, who passed on at the blessed age of eighty-six. Olórí Comfort Omoyeni Asaju was the devoted wife of Oba Michael Bolorunduro Asaju, a respected traditional ruler and former President of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), whose distinguished career in public service and the media left an indelible mark on the nation. Her departure, though deeply felt within the palace and far beyond, is being received with heartfelt gratitude to God for a life richly spent in faith, dignity, and selfless service to humanity. A woman of uncommon grace and quiet strength, she was widely admired for her unwavering devotion to God, humility of spirit, and enduring commitment to family values, peace, and community harmony. Fondly remembered as a woman of prayer and compassion, Olórí Comfort Omoyeni Asaju played...

Activities marking the 50th anniversary of the creation of Ogun State continued on Thursday with a vibrant cultural carnival and road show that brought colour, music and excitement to major streets of Abeokuta, the state capital. The procession featured six beautifully decorated floats representing the state’s major regions — Remo, Ijebu, Yewa and Egba (RIYE) — alongside a symbolic fish float highlighting the riverine communities, all celebrating Ogun’s rich cultural diversity. Speaking at a reception held at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena, Kuto, Abeokuta, Governor Dapo Abiodun reaffirmed the state’s growing prominence in Nigeria, attributing its progress to the resilience, creativity and hard work of its people. He described the carnival as a powerful showcase of Ogun’s cultural strength and organisational capacity, noting that it reflected the state’s ability to excel both economically and socially. “Just as we demonstrated during the National Sports Festival, we have once again shown t...

The Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) has called on the bipartisan Conference Committee of the National Assembly to adopt the House of Representatives’ version of the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2026, insisting that the proposal represents the most credible pathway toward transparent and verifiable elections in Nigeria. In a strongly worded press statement signed by the Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the umbrella body of registered political parties and political associations in the country, Comrade James Ezema, the CNPP urged lawmakers to act in the overriding national interest by supporting provisions that make electronic transmission of election results mandatory. The CNPP stated that the House Representatives' version of the bill “unequivocally provides for mandatory electronic transmission of election results and compels Presiding Officers to upload polling unit results to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Result Viewing Portal (IReV)...

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has reaffirmed his commitment to governing with fairness, justice and inclusiveness, assuring residents that development will continue to reach every part of the state. The governor gave the assurance on Tuesday during the State Banquet held at the Arcade Ground, Governor’s Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, as part of activities marking Ogun State’s 50th anniversary. Tracing the state’s journey since its creation on February 3, 1976, Abiodun said Ogun has grown steadily into Nigeria’s industrial capital, driven by consistent investments and strategic planning. He explained that his administration has prioritised human capital development, education, housing, road infrastructure, healthcare, agriculture and sports, leading to what he described as unprecedented progress across sectors. “I am grateful for the opportunity to serve the good people of Ogun State. I assure you that every promise I made will be fulfilled, and I will continue to govern with ...

In commemoration of World Cancer Day, slated for February 4, 2026, Polaris Bank has reaffirmed its commitment to community health and social   impact   with   the   launch   of   a   nationwide   free   breast   cancer   screening   initiative   in partnership with its NGO partner, Care Organization and Public Enlightenment (C.O.P.E).  The initiative is designed to promote awareness, screening, early detection, and preventive care, reinforcing   the   Bank’s   belief   that   access   to   health   services   is   a   critical   foundation   for individual and economic wellbeing. As   part   of   this   year’s   World   Cancer   Day   activities,...

The Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has concluded plans to establish a school of Communication in Lagos state, in partnership with the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti. The groundbreaking event, which is to be held on Thursday, 5th of February 2026, will be attended by very important personalities, academicians, officials of the Nigerian University Commission, FUOYE’s officials, to mention a few. According to information available at our disposal, FUOYE will be offering a distance learning programme in the school for communication students and when it's finished, will issue a globally-recognised certificate, confirming the credibility of the institution. Speaking on the reason behind the initiative, Primate Ayodele stated that he has always loved communications as a course of study, and he has always wanted to impact people in such a way that will be of benefit to them. He made it known that he once studied mass communication at a prestigious insti...

The Movement for Credible Elections (MCE) has expressed shock, outrage, and deep alarm over what it described as the latest twist in the Osun State Local Government (LG) crisis, labelling the development a brazen and criminal assault on democracy, the rule of law, and the rights of hardworking citizens. In a press statement signed by its Media Coordinator, Comrade James Ezema, the group alleged that court-sacked All Progressives Congress (APC) local government chairmen in Osun State, in collusion with a former Governor of the state who is now a Minister, as well as the United Bank for Africa (UBA), had illegally hijacked funds released by the Federal Government for the state’s local governments.  According to the Movement, the funds were diverted to unelected politicians and party cronies. Speaking on behalf of the Movement, the head of its National Secretariat, Veteran Olawale Okunniyi, described the alleged act as an "audacious violation of Osun State law", noting that the ...

Leading financial institution, Fidelity Bank Plc has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing quality education and youth empowerment with the renovation of an administrative building to Community Secondary School, Enugwuabo Ufuma, in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State. The one-storey administrative block was comprehensively renovated as part of Fidelity Bank’s interventions to address infrastructural challenges faced by the school. The renovated facility was then formally handed over to the school community at a ceremony attended by government officials, community leaders, and other stakeholders. Speaking at the official handover ceremony, the Regional Bank Head, Fidelity Bank Plc Awka, Dr. Nosa Orumwense, said the project underscores the bank’s long-standing commitment to investing in education as a catalyst for sustainable development. “For us at Fidelity Bank, this project represents more than a building. It represents opportunity, progress, and a shared commitment t...

Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has described the 50th anniversary of the creation of Ogun State as a moment of deep reflection, gratitude, and renewed commitment to sustained development. In a statewide broadcast on Tuesday to mark the Golden Jubilee celebration, Governor Abiodun said the milestone underscored five decades of purposeful existence, built on the vision, sacrifices, and collective determination of the people of the Gateway State. He recalled that Ogun State was created on February 3, 1976, out of the old Western Region, noting that the decision gave birth to a state founded on clarity of purpose and a strong sense of destiny. According to him, the Golden Jubilee offers an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of the past while preparing the state for a more prosperous future. The governor expressed gratitude to Almighty God and paid special tribute to President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for leading the nation at a historic moment when several stat...

L-R: The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako; wife of former president, Chief (Mrs) Bola Obasanjo; former President Olusegun Obasanjo; Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun; former Governor of Ogun State, Chief Olusegun Osoba; wife of the Governor, Mrs Bamidele Abiodun, and the Deputy Governor, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, during the Inter-Faith Prayer and Thanksgiving commemorating, Ogun State's 50th anniversary held at the Arcade Ground, Governor's Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta on Monday. Activities marking the 50th anniversary of the creation of Ogun State continued on Monday with an interfaith thanksgiving and prayer session held at the Arcade Ground, Governor’s Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta. The event drew a distinguished audience, including former President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, former Governor Chief Olusegun Osoba, past military administrators, traditional rulers, and other eminent sons and daughters of the state. Addressing the g...