Top Stories
Opinion: Governor Makinde’s first 365 days: An appraisal of a focus administration | By Olamiposi Ishola
May 29, 2020 marked the first 365 days of the new administration in Oyo state that ushered in Engr. Seyi Makinde as the 5th Executive Governor of the state after the return of the forth republic – the on going uninterrupted civilian rule since 1999.
No doubt, the road to Agodi government house was tortuous and deadly, just like any other governorship seat in Nigeria due to the rigorous exercise of electioneering campaign and Processes. Oyo state governorship seat is more difficult been the political headquarters of the south west region.
There is no gainsaying the fact that the exalted seat that the likes of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Chief Samuel Akintola , Oba Adesoji Aderemi , Chief Kolapo Olawuyi Ishola, Alhaji Lam Adesina and others too numerous to mention sat is not just a seat but hot seat for tough political decisions.
I need to apologize for this lengthy article because I am a broadcast journalist and do not write much unlike print journalism where respected bosses of mine like Messrs Festus Adedayo, Taiwo Adisa, Jide Ajani, Lasisi Olagunju, Lani Baderinwa and host others dominated the space of most newspapers in the country.
However, here is my appraisal of Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration.
I am one of the few journalists who were and still with Engr. Seyi Makinde as Governor’s elect and eventually Executive Governor of the pace setter state.
I must not fail to acknowledge the Management of the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State under Veteran broadcaster , Prince Dotun Oyelade for given me the rear opportunity to be at the state Secretariat as the corporation’s Governor’s office correspondent and add more to my Broadcast journalism experience.
Since last year May 29, I have reported over 200 events of Governor Seyi Makinde where he reiterated his administration’s commitment to bring much needed development to the state .
As a reporter and political observer, it is not out of place to encourage young politicians to emulate the leadership style of Governor Seyi Makinde, especially, Simplicity and his approach to governance .
Governor Makinde had declared that he has no god father except God who is the father and pilot of his administration and that’s why the welfare of people is given utmost priority by his government.
There are many abandoned companies when the present administration took over the mantle of leadership in 2019. These abandoned projects and waning companies should have been a great assets to the pacessetter state if effectively utilized.
For instance, the Pacessetter Asphalt plant and Quarry in Ijaye Area of Akinyele local government of Oyo state was established in 2004 by the administration of former Governor Rashidi Ladoja with the aim of producing Asphalt for road construction across the state. It had given direct and indirect jobs to over 700 people in Oyo State and thereby generated more revenue into government coffers. But for political and other reasons best known to previous administration, the place was abandoned and later became moribund.
Now, the present administration under Governor Seyi Makinde has handed over the Asphalt plant to CARBONCOR Technology limited to commence operation at the site. He also directed the local government caretaker chairmen to buy Asphalts from the company. This singular gesture will no doubt improve the Internally Generated Revenue of the state.
It is interesting to know that despite the August 2011 flood disaster that claimed scores of lives and rendered many people homeless, past administration did not deemed it necessary to repair the damaged 77 year old Eleyele dam, but now the dam has been repaired . In his commitment to the social security agenda, Governor Makinde has reconstructed the Dam within one year of this administration.
It is another sad development that the LAUTECH Teaching Hospital Ogbomoso which was an initiative of former Governor Adebayo Alao Akala was neglected for eight years of the immediate past administration with over 40 billion Naira. The over N40billion hospital is nearly or completely moribund perhaps crying for help.
Let me also intimate you that five critical roads in Oyo state which include, New Garage/Kuola to Apata , Saki township road, Moniya/Iseyin road,Bashorun/Akobo road and the proposed Ibadan circular road was left uncompleted by the previous administration.
Among these projects- Moniya Iseyin road has been rewarded to competent contractor, while work is very slow at other projects, especially Bashorun Akobo road. And nothing reasonably has been done as regards the proposed Ibadan circular project, due to the bottle neck attached to the contracts by the immediate past administration.
Despite the Covid-19 Pandemic, the payment of salary and pension to the active and inactive workers is still regular in Oyo state. The salaries and pensions are being paid on or before the 25th of every month. This according to Governor Seyi Makinde will no doubt boost the economy of the state, coupled with the on going developmental projects in every nook and cranny of the state.
Government is a continuum and some projects left by previous administrations should be given adequate attention by the present administration but reverse is the case in Oyo state in the last few years before the emergence of Governor Seyi Makinde who is passionate about the development of the state with his wide spread knowledge in Politics and Managerial skills.
Another Amazing fact about Governor Seyi Makinde is that, he has a listening ear and take necessary steps and precaution to issues that are germane to the development of the state. Even where there are mistakes in decision making, he agrees and makes necessary corrections unlike some Governors who were carried away by the glamour of the seat of Governor.
As a correspondent to the Governor’s office whose area of interest is Politics and governance, there is a long way to go for the present administration. A Governor that is passionate about the welfare of the people of Oyo state through provision of basic and infrastructural facilities in line with the four cardinal programmes of his government is being challenged by limited resources. The government lacks financial muscle to execute these lofty ideas at a go, especially in the midst of Covid-19 Pandemic which has ruined social and economic activities globally.
In the last one year, Some Ministries, Agencies and government parastatals have been so wonderful in the discharge of their duties coupled with the resilience of the Media team of Governor Seyi Makinde led by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Taiwo Adisa and Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Mr Jide Ajani only God knows how many propagandas, lies and false statements that would have destroyed the good plan of the government, if not for the professionalism and proactive nature of the media handlers of the Governor.
With less than three years left, Governor Seyi Makinde has the opportunity to rewrite the story of Oyo state. The Governor is urged to be more committed to restoring Ibadan as the commercial hub through his four cardinal programmes.
If the tremendous support and love shown by people to the Seyi Makinde -led government continues, it would be difficult to break the chain despite the threat by opposition party. Any government that has no respect for opinion of people on critical issues affecting the state is a complete failure.
Olamiposi Ishola, BCOS Governor’s office correspondent writes
Residents of the Hotoro area of Kano were thrown into panic after a woman allegedly set her co-wife and two children ablaze in a late-night domestic attack.
The incident occurred on Monday night in the Mai Allo area of Hotoro, leaving four persons with varying degrees of burns.
The victims — a 28-year-old woman and her two children aged seven and three — are currently receiving treatment at the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Dala and Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital.
Their father, who reportedly sustained injuries while attempting to rescue the victims from the inferno, is also undergoing treatment.
A relative of the family informed that they received a distress call around 3am informing them that the woman, her husband and the children had been set ablaze.
According to the source, the victim had spent less than two weeks in her matrimonial home before the attack occurred.
“She is about 28 years old. The children are from her previous marriage. They are stepchildren to the husband, who works as a tricycle rider,” the relative added.
Residents of the area described the incident as horrifying and called on security agencies to ensure justice was served.
“We are shocked by what happened. This kind of violence has no place in our community,” a resident said.
The suspect has since been taken into custody at the Mariri Police Division.
As of the time of filing this report, the Kano State Police Command had yet to issue an official statement on the incident.
Crime & Court
UNIBEN killing: Edo security squad arrests 12 suspected cultists, seals initiation centres
Security operatives in Edo State have arrested 12 suspected cultists and sealed two apartments allegedly used as initiation centres during coordinated raids across parts of Benin City following the killing of a young man near the gate of the University of Benin.
The operation, code-named “Operation Flush Out Cultists and Kidnappers,” was carried out by the state’s Special Security Squad after the killing recorded on Sunday, May 10, 2026.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Patrick Ebojele.
According to the statement, the Chief Security Officer and Principal Security Officer to the governor led the raids conducted in Ekosodin, Isihor, Old Road off S&T Barracks, Airport Road, 19th Street Ugbowo, Ogba-Evbuodia and Evbuomore Quarters, all in Benin City.
Spokesman for the security squad, Noah Idemudia, alleged that some youth leaders within communities in the state were aiding violent crimes and harbouring criminal elements.
He said intelligence reports indicated that sophisticated weapons used in deadly attacks were often traced to communities across the state.
“Reports reaching us indicate that some persons are allegedly harbouring criminals. Intelligence reports also suggest that sophisticated weapons used in deadly attacks on citizens are allegedly sourced from communities.
“The governor is warning community leaders to maintain peace in their various communities and ensure that no unlicensed weapons are found in their possession, as they will be held liable and treated as criminals,” Idemudia said.
He, however, clarified that the 12 suspects arrested were not directly linked to the killing near the university gate.
According to him, the suspects were allegedly identified as members of different cult groups after security operatives reportedly discovered symbols, signs and other incriminating materials on them during the raids.
Idemudia added that the suspects had been handed over to the Anti-Cultism Unit of the Nigeria Police Force for profiling and further investigation.
Speaking on the properties sealed during the operation, he said one of the apartments was allegedly being used as a cult initiation centre.
He explained that operatives came under attack while attempting to arrest suspects at the location, forcing authorities to seal the premises and invite the property owner for questioning.
He added that another apartment raided allegedly contained shrines and fetish items scattered across several rooms, which investigators suspect were being used for initiation into different confraternities.
According to him, the owner of the property had also been invited for questioning by security agencies.
“The governor has warned those sponsoring cultism and violent killings in the state to desist immediately.
“Anyone found aiding criminality in Edo State will face the full weight of the law, as the state will no longer be conducive for criminal elements,” Idemudia added.
He also warned against unlawful gatherings, alleging that some cult groups were planning anniversary celebrations across the state.
A Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday convicted and sentenced former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, to a cumulative 75 years imprisonment in absentia over a ₦33.8bn money laundering scandal linked to the Zungeru and Mambilla hydroelectric power projects.
The trial judge, Justice James Omotosho, found Mamman guilty on all 12 counts bordering on conspiracy and money laundering filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
The judge ruled that the prison terms would run consecutively, bringing the total sentence to 75 years.
Justice Omotosho held that Mamman deliberately absented himself from court on the day of judgment and during the previous adjourned sitting in a bid to frustrate the administration of justice.
He agreed with counsel for the EFCC, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), that the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015 empowered the court to proceed with sentencing despite the defendant’s absence.
The court consequently sentenced the former minister to seven years imprisonment each on Counts 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 without an option of fine.
Mamman was also sentenced to three years imprisonment on Count 4 with an option of a ₦10m fine, and two years imprisonment on Count 5 without an option of fine.
Justice Omotosho further ordered that the sentence would commence from the date of Mamman’s arrest since he was convicted in absentia.
The judge directed security agencies within and outside Nigeria, including Interpol, to arrest the convict wherever he is found and hand him over to the Nigerian Correctional Service to serve his jail term.
The court also ordered the final forfeiture of two Abuja properties linked to the former minister, alongside various sums recovered in different currencies by anti-graft agencies.
In addition, the court ordered Mamman to refund the outstanding balance from the ₦22bn already traced to the Zungeru and Mambilla hydroelectric power projects out of the ₦33.8bn allegedly diverted.
The conviction followed a lengthy trial instituted by the EFCC, which accused Mamman of conspiring with ministry officials and private companies to divert funds earmarked for the two power projects.
Mamman was arraigned on July 11, 2024 on a 12-count charge and pleaded not guilty.
During the trial, the EFCC called 17 witnesses and tendered 43 exhibits to support its case.
Following the close of the prosecution’s case, the former minister filed a no-case submission on November 19, 2025, contending that the EFCC had failed to establish sufficient evidence against him.
However, Justice Omotosho, in a ruling delivered on December 11, 2025, dismissed the application and held that the prosecution had established a prima facie case requiring the defendant to open his defence.
The matter was subsequently adjourned for continuation of defence before Wednesday’s judgment brought the proceedings to a close.
The case, regarded as one of the most significant corruption convictions in recent years, stemmed from Mamman’s arrest and detention by the EFCC on May 10, 2021.
-
Politics1 day ago2027: APC Perfects Consensus Strategy for Oyo
-
Politics2 days ago2027: Oyo APC Set for Credible Direct Primaries, Says Alake Adeyemo
-
News1 week agoTCN plans power outage in Ibadan over substation maintenance
-
Crime & Court11 hours agoEx-Power Minister Mamman Jailed 75 Years Over ₦33.8bn Fraud