Author: Friday Omosola

The Deputy Inspector-General of Police overseeing the Ondo State gubernatorial election, DIG Sylvester Alabi, reaffirmed on Thursday the readiness of the police and other security agencies for Saturday’s poll. Speaking during a press briefing at the Ondo State Police Command Headquarters in Akure, DIG Alabi addressed officers assigned to election duties and members of the press. He highlighted the extensive deployment of security personnel across the state’s 18 Local Government Areas, 203 wards, and 3,933 polling units. He assured that each polling unit would have at least four police officers working alongside personnel from other election security agencies to ensure…

By Friday Omosola The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) has announced a significant milestone in crude oil and gas production, reaching 1.8 million barrels per day (mbpd) and 7.4 standard cubic feet per day (scfd) of gas. At a press briefing on Thursday, NNPC announced it aims to increase crude oil production to 2mbpd by the end of 2024. NNPC attributed the achievement to the mandate of President Bola Tinubu and the dedicated efforts of its Production War Room Team. Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, commended the team for their role in the production recovery process. “The team…

Betty Akeredolu, the immediate past First Lady of Ondo State, has described Nigeria as a ‘zoo.’ In a post on her X page, Mrs Akeredolu compared the just-concluded United States presidential election, which saw Donald Trump emerge, to Nigeria’s 2023 presidential election that produced President Bola Tinubu. She said: “Just thinking. 2023 Nigerian Presidential Election; total votes cast: 25 million and counting duration is 5 days. 2024 U.S Presidential Election, total votes cast, 155 million: counting duration: approx. 10 hours. Moral: When dishonesty is prioritized, simple things become difficult.” Mrs Akeredolu’s tweet caught the attention of an X user, Paulexy,…

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, on Wednesdaypresented an estimated N390 billion budget for 2025 to the State House of Assembly. The budget tagged the ‘Budget of Sustainable Growth and Transformation’, received prior approval from the State Executive Council (SEC). Governor Adeleke revealed that approximately N144 billion is allocated for capital expenditure, while N246 billion is designated for recurrent expenditure. “Following the approval of the Osun State Executive Council earlier today, it was my pleasure to present the year 2025 Budget Appropriation Bill to the House of Assembly at the Osun State House of Assembly Complex. “The 2025 Budget Appropriation Bill…

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has issued a directive to freeze all state-owned bank accounts, effective immediately and until further notice. In a statement released by his Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, the governor instructed commercial banks, as well as heads of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), to ensure full and prompt compliance. The governor further cautioned that any violation of the directive, including by heads of MDAs or civil servants, would attract severe penalties. “All bank accounts in all the commercial banks have been frozen. Commercial banks must comply with the order and ensure that not a dime is…

By Friday Omosola Vice President Kashim Shettima has called on the people of Ondo State to re-elect Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and his deputy, Olayide Adelami, in the upcoming governorship election. Addressing a large gathering at the MKO Abiola Democracy Park, Akure, on Wednesday, Shettima assured voters that the duo would deliver hope, prosperity, and unity, ensuring continued progress in the Sunshine State. Shettima urged the electorate to let their votes send a strong message of unity and strength, emphasising the importance of the election as a choice between progress and stagnation. “Governor Aiyedatiwa is not just campaigning to retain his…

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has introduced extensive security measures to ensure a peaceful, transparent, and credible gubernatorial election in Ondo State on November 16. In a statement, police spokesperson Olumuyiwa Adejobi revealed that the IGP has assigned DIG Sylvester Alabi as the Coordinating DIG for the election. Alabi will oversee the implementation of security strategies to maintain law and order throughout the electoral process. Additionally, AIG Bennett Igweh and CP Tunji Disu have been appointed as the AIG and CP Elections, respectively. The police added that all vehicular movements on roads, waterways, and other transportation channels will…

Ahead of Saturday’s governorship election in Ondo State, the All Progressives Congress (APC) held a grand rally in Akure on Wednesday. The event, which took place at the Democracy Park, was headlined by Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima and attended by governors, ministers, lawmakers, and other senior party officials. The final campaign rally saw a united APC presenting a strong and energetic push to secure victory. Speaking to a large crowd of enthusiastic residents, Vice President Shettima, who represented President Bola Tinubu, emphasised the party’s commitment to Ondo’s development under the Tinubu administration. He urged the people of the state…

The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has emphasised the critical role of asset recovery in combating economic and financial crimes, calling it a significant deterrent to corruption. In a statement released on the EFCC’s X page on Wednesday, Olukoyede revealed that he made the remarks during an address to members of the House of Representatives Committee on Financial Crimes. The committee visited the EFCC’s headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday for an oversight session. Olukoyede further explained that if Nigerians fully understood the complexities involved in investigating and prosecuting financial crimes, they would realize that…

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has disbanded the executive boards, agencies, and parastatals within the state’s public service. In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, the governor confirmed that the dissolution took immediate effect. Governor Okpebholo also instructed all affected appointees to promptly hand over any government property in their possession to the most senior public officer within their respective ministries, departments, and agencies. The statement read, “It is hereby announced for the information of the general public that the Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has approved the dissolution of the executives of all…