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Oyo Holds Special Environmental Day, Distributes 10,000 Waste Bags
At least 10,000 refuse bags were distributed free Mokola area in Ibadan during the flag-off of Oyo State special environmental exercise to further bring the message of cleaner environment to the people by the present administration.
The exercise was carried out by the State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources with support from West Africa ENRG, a waste management consultant company, members of the State of Assembly and government officials from various Ministries and agencies.
Residents of Sabo and other areas of Mokola in Ibadan were seeing clearing their gutters while dancing to music provided by the team led by the officials of the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Water Resources Dr. Bashir Olanrewaju who represented the Commissioner, Hon. Kehinde Ayoola revealed during the special sanitation exercise at Sabo, Mokola on Saturday that the State government was Collaborating with West Africa ENRG, the Official refuse Contractor in Oyo State to distribute 10,000 waste bags to residents in Mokola environs to encourage the people embrace cleanliness and proper waste disposal culture in the State.
He added the that initiative would be taken to other communities in Ibadan and the rest of the State in the following monthly exercises as the major reason for the programme was to sensitize residents on proper ways of bagging their wastes.
Dr. Bashir said that the essence of sensitizing the residents was to key them into the vision of Oyo State Government to ensure zero tolerance to filth and indiscriminate dumping of refuse in the State and as such promoting healthy citizens and aesthetic environment that would attract investors in the State and thriving in their legitimate businesses.
“Our mission here today is to encourage residents on proper ways of disposing their wastes so as not to constitute environmental nuisance to the roads and other open spaces.
“With the bags distributed for free to the people of Sabo, here in Mokola with the painstaking procedural explanations given to them about how to pack and bag their waste, the nuisance of waste will be reduced in this community and we believe the people will make this exercise endure without anybody coming round to nudge them to action.
The Permanent Secretary added that residents’ resolve to dispose their wastes through the approved waste collector was a way of exercising their individual responsibility as well as giving concrete support to the Government in putting an end to the menace of filthy environmental.
“After this sensitization, the mobile court would start immediately with magistrates and environmental tribunal to punish violators of environmental laws. We are not after fining them alone, community service is also part of our agenda, once a violator is caught, apart from paying fines, he or she will be compelled to carry out odd tasks like sweeping, clearing the drainage and wastes on road medians among others.”
In her words, the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Abosede Abioye stressed that present administration was making efforts to rid the State of destitutes living in the streets while assuring that the government had plans towards rehabilitating and showing care to the affected individuals.
In her remarks, the Managing consultant for Oyo State Waste Management Authority, Mrs. Ololade Oresanwo stated that residents who could not afford buying refuse drums should imbibe the culture of proper bagging of their wastes for collectors for proper disposal.
“Wastes not properly disposed find their way into our water and ends up contaminating the aqua life there by resulting to a decrease in life expectancy of individuals due to consumption of contaminated water and food that we unknowingly ingest into our body system,” she said.
Ololade urged residents to put into consideration the idea of separating plastic bottles from other wastes and as such creating wealth for people on the State.
The consultant finally solicited the supports of community leaders in ensuring that residents refrain from patronizing cart pushers and other illegal refuse collectors but the legitimate refuse collector for the community, adding that only token would be paid for disposing their wastes.
The Chairman Vigilante Group for the Sabo Community, Alh. Garuwa Danjuma pledged the cooperation of his group by complying with the environmental laws of the state while also assuring a high level of support with the Government towards ridding the the community of destitutes.
Among individuals that took part in the special sanitation exercise was the member, Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon Oladeni Adebisi and the Accountant General of Oyo State, Mr Gafar Kolawole Bello, as well as the Permanent secretary, Oyo State Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr Gabriel Oguntola.
President Bola Tinubu has transmitted a Constitution Alteration Bill to the Senate seeking the establishment of state police as part of efforts to reform Nigeria’s security architecture.
The proposed legislation, contained in a communication dated June 15, 2026, was read during plenary on Tuesday by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Tinubu said the bill was aimed at providing a legal framework for a dual policing structure that would allow states to establish and operate their own police services alongside the Nigeria Police Force.
According to the President, the proposed amendment forms a key component of ongoing efforts to restructure the country’s policing system to improve security and enhance the protection of lives and property.
He explained that under the arrangement, communities, municipalities and local government areas would play more active roles in policing, enabling local authorities to detect suspicious activities and promptly relay intelligence to security agencies.
Following the presentation, Akpabio referred the bill to the Senate Committee on Constitution Review and directed it to report back on Wednesday.
Speaking on the importance of community-based policing, the Senate President said local authorities were better placed to identify security threats and support proactive responses by law enforcement agencies.
“You will know when foreigners infiltrate Nigeria and alert security agencies so they can react proactively rather than reactively,” he said.
Akpabio expressed optimism that sustained collaboration between the executive and legislative arms would ensure the successful passage and implementation of the initiative.
He disclosed that the process would be undertaken in phases through constitutional amendments and subsequent Acts of Parliament.
“We will do it in two phases through alteration and an Act of Parliament. There will be a lot of safeguards; let us come and do this important task. It is extremely important that we come tomorrow,” he said.
The Senate President also informed lawmakers that plenary would not entertain other major business following the death of a member of the House of Representatives, Yahaya Tongo of Gombe State.
Similarly, the Senate Leader urged senators to attend the next sitting, stressing the significance of the proposed state police framework.
“We need a minimum of two-thirds of members to vote on constitutional alterations. The issue of state police is non-partisan and cuts across geopolitical zones and interests,” he said.
The latest development came barely two weeks after the Senate passed an executive bill on state police for second reading.
Akpabio said the fresh Constitution Alteration Bill transmitted by the President builds on the earlier proposal and seeks to provide the constitutional foundation necessary for the establishment and operation of state police services across the country.
The family of the late veteran actor and scholar, Chief (Prof.) Adekola “Kola” Oyewo, has expressed deep appreciation to Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, among other Nigerians, for their messages of condolence and support following the death of their patriarch.
In a statement issued on Saturday by Dr. Adewale Oyewo on behalf of the family, the bereaved household said the overwhelming show of sympathy, prayers, visits and acts of kindness from across Nigeria and beyond had served as a strong pillar of comfort in their period of grief.
The family described the late Oyewo as a respected community leader, accomplished academic, devoted family man, and traditional title holder whose life was defined by service, integrity, and unwavering commitment to societal development.
According to the statement, the tributes received in his honour reflect the far-reaching impact he made on students, colleagues, cultural practitioners and the wider society.
The family particularly appreciated Governor Ademola Adeleke for his condolence message and prayers, noting that his support had been deeply comforting.
It also expressed gratitude to the Ooni of Ife, whose words of encouragement were described as uplifting and consoling during the mourning period.
The statement further acknowledged the Oloba of Oba-Ile, Oba (Prof.) Adekunle Ashamu Oyeyemi (Tewogbade I), the Oloba-in-Council, and other traditional institutions for their fatherly support and solidarity.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar was also commended for his message of sympathy, which the family said brought reassurance in their moment of loss.
The family extended appreciation to professional bodies including the National Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (NANTAP) and the Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN), as well as academic communities of Obafemi Awolowo University, Redeemer’s University, Ekiti State University, and Elizade University, where the deceased served.
They also thanked friends, associates and well-wishers who stood by them with prayers and support.
“As we continue preparations to honour the life and legacy of our beloved patriarch, we humbly seek continued prayers and support,” the statement added, praying for the peaceful repose of his soul.
The Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, has appointed Anietie Iniedu as the new Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Police Force, succeeding Anthony Placid, who was appointed to the position barely three months ago.
The appointment was announced in a statement issued on Friday by Placid, who described his successor as a seasoned police officer with extensive experience in public communication, operational policing, intelligence management, institutional accountability and administration.
An indigene of Etinan Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Iniedu holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Pure Chemistry from the University of Uyo and has attended several professional courses in investigative interviewing, crime scene management, intelligence analysis, strategic communication and human rights-based policing.
Before his latest appointment, Iniedu headed the Complaint Response Unit at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, where he coordinated the management of public complaints and drove initiatives aimed at deepening transparency, accountability and public trust in the Nigeria Police Force.
He also served as Public Relations Officer of the Police College of Information Technology, Kobape, Ogun State, in addition to holding several operational and administrative positions across the country.
His previous postings include Operations Officer at the Maisandari Division in Yobe State, Area Crime Officer at the Umuahia Area Command in Abia State, Staff Officer at the IGP Secretariat, Force Headquarters, Second-in-Command of the 50 Police Mobile Force Squadron, Kubwa, and Officer-in-Charge of the Force Headquarters Situation Room, where he coordinated the dissemination of crime and security information nationwide.
The statement quoted the Inspector-General as expressing confidence in Iniedu’s capacity to lead the Force Public Relations Department, noting that his wealth of experience and professional background would further strengthen the police’s strategic communication architecture and enhance engagement with members of the public.
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