Business
“I’m Contesting To Ease The Pains Of Ogun People” …Guber Hopeful, Otunba Deji Adeleye
Business mogul and former governorship candidate of the Alliance for Democracy in the April 14, 2007 governorship election in Ogun State, Otunba Deji Oshinowo Adeleye, has repeated his desire to throw his hat in the ring once again as the state prepares for the next dispensation in 2019. In this interview, the renowned philanthropist popularly known as ODOA in the political circle, shares his passion which he says is to turn around the fortunes of Ogun State if elected governor after the tenure of the incumbent; his expectation of Governor Amosun, why he is unstoppable on the governorship mission, and more. Excerpts…
You are one of those eyeing the seat of Governor Ibikunle Amosun in 2019 and you have been so consistent announcing your interest for the office. What is the latest about your aspiration?
One thing that we must avoid in Ogun State is to allow ourselves to fall into wrong hands. What some of us have noticed is that Governor Amosun has a plan to transfer the seat to a candidate of his choice. This is not right as far as democracy is concerned. It must not be allowed because the governorship of Ogun State is not for sale. Let the Adebutus and the Kashamus of this world, and whoever that has the idea of foisting a governor on Ogun State, know that.
There is also Senator Solomon Yayi who is said to be another big challenge to the governor on the 2019 governorship. But you came on to say that Yayi was not a threat to you and that he is not from your hometown where he claims to hail from. Can you explain more about this?
Well, the fact is, Yayi is not a threat in anyway like I have said earlier. Yes, he is not from my hometown. If he is claiming to be from my hometown, then this is a big fraud. I’m not disputing the fact that Yayi is from Ogun State but I don’t know where he comes from. If Yayi is claiming to be from my mother’s hometown, then I’m saying he is not from there. What I’m saying is that we need to be vibrant like Lagos State. People of Ogun State are suffering. I’m not laying claim just because I’m from Ogun East and Ogun West. My father is an Ijebu from Ogun East and my mother is from Yewa in Ogun West. All I want is a situation where the Ogun people are not cheated.
The governor has just appointed Chief Tolu Odebiyi as Chief of Staff. Some are saying he is the governor’s choice for 2019 governorship. Are you also aware of this plot?
I’m aware that the governor now has Tolu as chief of staff. Tolu is my junior brother. He’s my aunt’s son. But I don’t think Tolu is the governor’s choice for 2019. Governor Amosun is just deceiving the Ogun people, he is just playing those who genuinely have interest in the governorship. What he is doing, to the best of my knowledge, is to just fix Tolu there and later he would pick his choice for governor. We cannot all face the same way. This country is lopsided; the Ogun State present structure is lopsided.
How well prepared are you for the governorship dream? Though, you have been constant with the awareness, do you have the structure to support your campaign?
Let me tell you this; Ogun is a state under siege. We are under siege in Ogun State. Amosun is everywhere. You cannot even hold an ordinary meeting in the state without facing attacks from Amosun or his goons. It is that bad. I’m talking about structure. Amosun’s can be likened to the regime of OGD. They say that the future belongs to the youth, but where is the future? Naira and kobo is not what will give the youths the future. They need to wake up and make sure that their future is not jeopardized. If anyone says I do not have a structure, the person doesn’t know what he or she is talking about. I was the Alliance for Democracy (AD) governorship candidate in Ogun State in 2007. Talk about vibrancy, talk about somebody that has the desire to serve and multiply the interest of the people, I’m the man. Talk about the man that is geographically located, I’m the man. Talk about the man that represents the future of the people of Ogun State, I’m the man. Talk about prudence, I’m the man. I’m not the groovy, the gay type that storms every party as if everything is okay; no, things are not okay. Nigeria is not okay, Ogun State is not okay. We don’t have to deceive ourselves, our country is not okay. No sane country operates the way we operate. No sane state operates the way Ogun State under Amosun operates. Amosun is a sole administrator of Ogun State. The people of Ogun State should wake up from their slumber. I’m not going to submit myself to a system like this. Let the youths wake up and realize that the future belongs to them. The rebellion of the belly which Nigerian politicians have introduced is the worst rebellion that anyone can face in the world. The media should also wake up to their responsibilities. The sooner we realize that Ogun State is not for sale, the better for all of us.
How far have you gone with your plan in terms of consulting with those that can help your project?
I have been talking with everyone; I have been meeting with those that have the love of Ogun State at heart. I have met with leaders of thought like Baba Obasanjo and others; I have met with OGD, I have met with everyone that matters and I’m still talking to people that care to listen. We need to realize that some people just sit somewhere milking our state, milking our future. Yayi is coming as a cowboy from Lagos, trying to buy everybody over. It cannot work. Ladi Adetutu wants to buy the office with their lotto money, it cannot work. That’s why I say Ogun State is not for sale. Buruji Kashamu is trying to buy everybody over with his questionable wealth, it cannot work. Governor Amosun is trying to elongate his tenure by installing a puppet governor in 2019, it cannot work. Ogun State is not for sale. You can imagine, Kashamu is elected senator but he cannot even represent the people because he is a dummy senator. The essence of electing a senator is not to distribute rice and oil to the people but to represent the interests of the people. Is the senate a place where you sell rice? You are just there distributing rice, beans andindomie to the people. That is not the work of a senator. The work of a senator is to ensure that the people are well represented and enjoy the largesse of governance. I’m ashamed that the people of Ogun East have a man like Kashamu representing them in the senate.
Are you one of those that reportedly approached Governor Amosun to seek his blessing for their governorship ambition?
No, I’m not one of them. Governor Amosun is someone I respect so much. I do not have any problem with him. He is my friend. Why will I approach him to beg for a position? As a friend, I have been to his office on a number of occasions. I’m a comfortable man. But, you see, we are getting over. We are not supposed to leave this generation stranded. The typical Nigerian youth today is a 419ner, a man who does not know where he is going or what the future portends. That is the state of the Nigerian youth. Therefore, I want to appeal to the governor to finish his tenure and ensure that Ogun State has credible election in 2019. If elected, I’m someone who can ensure that Ogun State generate enough money for development that will surpass that of Lagos State. I do my best, I contribute my quota and I give to people when I can. But the fact is, I’m not a drug dealer. I can only do my best. And I’m not going to be building from city to city just to convince you that I’ve got the resources, like some of our people are doing now. Let the Ogun people open their eyes and see those who will serve their interests genuinely. They should not allow anyone to pull wool over their eyes. I am a man sent to serve Ogun people. I’m a sent man. A sent man is a man on a mission. A sent man is a man with a vision. A sent man is unstoppable. I’m unstoppable on this mission, by God’s grace.
What is your fear, given that politics is a dirty game in this part of the world where you have the challenge of political assassinations, denting of characters and other dreadful realities?
I have no fear of any kind. I fear no foe. See, if you are not determined to be a governor, don’t even venture into it. Politics should be played with maturity. And I do not think anybody would want to attack my life or character because I nurse the desire to serve the people with honesty. Well, except such person or persons want their generations to be forgotten in history. I’m an Oodua. No man can kill an Oodua. I’m a spirit. I have a dream and by God’s grace I’m going to be the governor. I will be the governor ever to serve Ogun State.
On what party platform are you contesting for governorship?
I’m with the flow. I’m contesting on the APC platform, I’m going to run a credible campaign and I’m going to win the primary election. If all aspirants are given a fair playground to campaign, none of the co-aspirants can defeat me in the primary election. I don’t care whether anyone is supported by Washington or Bourdillon, I ’m the man needed by Ogun State people as the next governor.
You state with confidence that you are the next governor of Ogun State, what’s your back-up?
I’m going to win because I’ve not seen in anyone that aspires to that office now who has my kind of back-up. I have friends in high places, locally and internationally. Baba Obasanjo is my friend, Gbenga Daniel is my friend, Buruji Kashamu is my friend, Amosun is my friend. But the problem there is that these people need a stooge, a puppet who would cover their tracks. I am not going to be a puppet governor. But I will not probe anybody. I’m a man, a full fledged man. I’m next in rank as Oba of Odogbolu but I don’t intend to be an oba. We still have an oba in the palace. Even if it happens that it shifts to me, I don’t intend to be an oba. The people of Ogun State have been deceived for too long. I’m going to end that deception. It’s not rocket science to serve the people, leadership is not rocket science. People are hungry. I will do the best that I can to ensure that I bring about change to ease the pains from the past. Education will no longer be a sign of endurance in Ogun State. I’ve enough clout to generate funds to develop Ogun State. I’ve been a supportive businessman for 25 years. I’m into oil and gas. I have businesses in America. I pay my taxes both in Nigeria and abroad. But I will not be a puppet to anyone so I can perform. I will respect every leader, including Baba OBJ and the governors and I will not infringe on their rights and they will have their dues as former leaders. I will not probe anyone but I will not be a puppet governor.
Despite your assurance not to probe any past leader, how would you react if elected and you find any past leader trying to control your government?
The fact is, there is going to be enough money in Ogun State when I become governor. It’s money that makes people to fight. I will make sure that there is enough money for everybody to enjoy himself whether you know me or you don’t. Small and big businesses will thrive under my leadership as Ogun State governor. Every sector will be positively affected if I’m elected to serve. It’s only when you don’t have enough resources to go round that people begin to try to know who the governor is. Who cares who the governor is if the governor is performing and everybody is enjoying. Who cares who the governor is if you are not trampling on their rights. If you have good policies where people have education and are going to school happy, where people have work and money in their pockets, where people get their wages as and when due and where people enjoy stable power, who will care to know who the governor is. My point is, Ogun State will no longer remain the same. The best is yet to come.
How do you spend your leisure time?
I socialize but not much. I’m a very happy man. I enjoy myself. I relax swimming. I listen to good music, Ebenezer Obey is my favourite. I love life and I enjoy life to the fullest. In spite of the economic situation of Nigeria, I love my country and I intend to show the way. That is the difference between me and those who also have the means but still choose to strangulate the masses. We can make a difference by bringing developments to our state by policy formulation.
Are members of your family in support your political career?
Laughs… my wife and children don’t like politics. But you see, every man comes to this world to achieve one thing or the other. There are those who have come to eat and drink, I’m not one of them. This is the class that comes to enjoy money, enjoy life and that’s all. I’m not one of them. I’m a man on a mission. I’m born to serve Ogun State. People would soon realize that indeed God has sent me on a mission.
Deadline of Compliance: Nigeria’s Urgent Call for Tax Return Filing
By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by SaharaWeeklyNG.com
“Shift or Structural Demand? A Declaration of Civic Duty in a Nation at a Fiscal Crossroads.”
In the unfolding narrative of national development and economic reform, few instruments are as defining as tax compliance. For Nigeria, a nation perpetually grappling with revenue shortfalls, structural dependency on a single export commodity, and entrenched informal economic behaviour, the Federal Government’s recent clarification on tax return deadlines is not mere bureaucratic noise. It is a deliberate and inescapable declaration: the social contract between citizen and state must be honoured through transparent, lawful and timely tax reporting.
At its core, the government’s pronouncement is stark in its simplicity and radical in its implications. Federal authorities, speaking through the Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele, have made it unequivocally clear that every Nigerian, whether employer or individual taxpayer, must file annual tax returns under the law. This encompasses self-assessment filings by individuals that too many assumed ended once employers deducted pay-as-you-earn taxes from their salaries.
This is not an optional civic suggestion, it is mandatory, backed by statute, and tied to a broader vision of national fiscal responsibility. Citizens can no longer hide behind ignorance, apathy, or false assumptions. “Many people assume that if their employer deducts tax from their salaries, their obligations end there. That is wrong,” Oyedele warned, emphasizing that the obligation to file remains with the individual under both existing and newly reformed tax laws.
The Deadlines and the Reality They Reveal.
Across the federation, state and federal revenue authorities have reaffirmed statutory deadlines in pursuit of compliance. The Lagos State Internal Revenue Service, for instance, moved to extend its filing date for employer returns by a narrow window, reflecting the reality that compliance often lags behind legal timelines. The extension was intended not as leniency, but as a pragmatic effort to allow accurate and complete submissions, underscoring that true compliance rises above mere mechanical ticking of a box.
At the federal level, Oyedele’s intervention was even more fundamental. He reminded Nigerians that annual tax returns for the preceding year must be filed in good faith, with integrity and in respect of the law. This applies regardless of income level including low-income earners who have historically believed that they are outside the tax net. “All of us must file our returns, including those earning low income,” he stated.
Herein lies one of the most challenging truths of contemporary Nigerian governance: widespread tax non-compliance is not just a technical breach of law, it is a deep cultural and structural issue that reflects decades of mistrust between citizens and the state.
The Root of the Problem: Non-Compliance as a Symptom.
Nigeria’s tax culture has long been under scrutiny. Public discourse and economic analysis consistently show that a significant majority of eligible taxpayers do not file annual returns. Oyedele highlighted that even in states widely regarded as tax administration leaders, compliance remains strikingly low, often below five percent.
This widespread non-compliance stems from multiple sources:
A long history of weak tax administration systems, where enforcement was inconsistent and penalties were rarely applied.
A perception that public services do not reflect the taxes collected, eroding the citizenry’s belief in reciprocity.
An informal economy where income often goes unrecorded, making filing seem irrelevant or impossible to many.
Lack of awareness, with many Nigerians genuinely believing that tax liability ends with employer deductions.
The government’s renewed push for compliance directly challenges these perceptions. It signals a shift from voluntary or lax compliance to structured accountability, a stance that aligns with best practices in modern public finance.
Why This Matters: Beyond Deadlines.
At its most profound level, the insistence on tax return filings is about nation-building and shared responsibility.
Scholars of public finance universally agree that a robust tax system is the backbone of sustainable development. As the eminent economist Dr. Joseph E. Stiglitz has observed, “A society that cannot mobilize its own resources through fair taxation undermines both its government’s legitimacy and its capacity to provide for its people.” Filing tax returns is not a mere administrative task, it is a declaration of participation in the collective project of national advancement.
In Nigeria’s context, this declaration carries weight. With the enactment of comprehensive tax reforms in recent years (including unified frameworks for tax administration and enforcement) authorities now possess broader statutory tools to ensure compliance and accountability. These measures, which include electronic filing platforms and stronger enforcement powers, have been framed as fair and equitable, targeting efficiency rather than arbitrariness.
Yet the success of these reforms depends heavily on citizens embracing their civic duties with sincerity. And this depends on mutual trust, the belief that paying taxes yields tangible benefits in infrastructure, education, healthcare, security and social services.
Voices From Experts: Fiscal Responsibility as a Public Ethic.
Tax law experts and economists, reflecting on the compliance push, have underscored a universal theme: taxation without transparency is inequity, but taxation with accountability is empowerment. When managed with fairness, a functional tax system can reduce dependency on volatile revenue sources, stabilise national budgets, and support long-term investment in human capital.
Professor Aisha Bello, a respected authority in fiscal policy, notes that “Tax compliance is not a burden; it is the foundation upon which social contracts are built. A citizen who honours tax obligations affirms the legitimacy of governance and demands better performance in return.”
Similarly, a leading tax scholar, Dr. Emeka Okon, argues that “The era when Nigerians could evade broader tax responsibilities simply because automatic deductions occur at source must end. For a modern economy, every eligible citizen must be part of the formal tax fold not as victims, but as stakeholders.”
These authoritative voices point to an unassailable truth: filing tax returns is both a legal requirement and a moral responsibility, an expression of citizenship in its fullest sense.
Challenges on the Ground: Compliance and Capacity.
While the rhetoric of compliance is compelling, the reality on the ground demands nuanced understanding. Many taxpayers (especially in the informal sector) lack meaningful access to digital platforms and resources for filing returns. For others, the fear of bureaucratic complexity and perceived punitive enforcement deters participation.
The government, for its part, has responded by promoting online systems and pledging greater taxpayer support. Tax authorities are increasingly engaging stakeholders to demystify filing processes, explain requirements and offer assistance. This mix of enforcement and facilitation is essential. As one seasoned revenue specialist observed: “The state cannot compel compliance through force alone; it must earn it through education, simplicity and fairness.”
The Broader Implication: A New Social Compact.
Ultimately, Nigeria’s renewed emphasis on tax return filing transcends administrative deadlines. It is an unequivocal declaration that national development is a shared responsibility, that citizens and state must engage in a transparent, accountable, and reciprocal relationship.
Tax compliance, therefore, becomes far more than a legal act; it becomes a moral claim on the nation’s future.
When citizens file their returns honestly, they affirm their stake in the nation’s destiny. When the government collects taxes transparently and deploys them effectively, it strengthens not only public services but civic trust itself.
In this sense, the deadlines proclaimed by Nigeria’s fiscal authorities mark not an end but a beginning; the beginning of a civic epoch in which accountability replaces apathy, participation replaces indifference and national purpose triumphs over fragmentation.
The road ahead will not be easy. But in demanding compliance, Nigeria is demanding more than tax returns. It is demanding commitment and that, ultimately, is the foundation on which nations are built.
BUA Foods Records 91% Surge in Profit After Tax, Hits ₦508bn in 2025
By femi Oyewale
Business
Adron Homes Unveils “Love for Love” Valentine Promo with Exciting Discounts, Luxury Gifts, and Travel Rewards
Adron Homes Unveils “Love for Love” Valentine Promo with Exciting Discounts, Luxury Gifts, and Travel Rewards
In celebration of the season of love, Adron Homes and Properties has announced the launch of its special Valentine campaign, “Love for Love” Promo, a customer-centric initiative designed to reward Nigerians who choose to express love through smart, lasting real estate investments.
The Love for Love Promo offers clients attractive discounts, flexible payment options, and an array of exclusive gift items, reinforcing Adron Homes’ commitment to making property ownership both rewarding and accessible. The campaign runs throughout the Valentine season and applies to the company’s wide portfolio of estates and housing projects strategically located across Nigeria.
Speaking on the promo, the company’s Managing Director, Mrs Adenike Ajobo, stated that the initiative is aimed at encouraging individuals and families to move beyond conventional Valentine gifts by investing in assets that secure their future. According to the company, love is best demonstrated through stability, legacy, and long-term value—principles that real estate ownership represents.
Under the promo structure, clients who make a payment of ₦100,000 receive cake, chocolates, and a bottle of wine, while those who pay ₦200,000 are rewarded with a Love Hamper. Payments of ₦500,000 attract a Love Hamper plus cake, and clients who pay ₦1,000,000 enjoy a choice of a Samsung phone or a Love Hamper with cake.
The rewards become increasingly premium as commitment grows. Clients who pay ₦5,000,000 receive either an iPad or an all-expenses-paid romantic getaway for a couple at one of Nigeria’s finest hotels, which includes two nights’ accommodation, special treats, and a Love Hamper. A payment of ₦10,000,000 comes with a choice of a Samsung Z Fold 7, three nights at a top-tier resort in Nigeria, or a full solar power installation.
For high-value investors, the Love for Love Promo delivers exceptional lifestyle experiences. Clients who pay ₦30,000,000 on land are rewarded with a three-night couple’s trip to Doha, Qatar, or South Africa, while purchasers of any Adron Homes house valued at ₦50,000,000 receive a double-door refrigerator.
The promo covers Adron Homes’ estates located in Lagos, Shimawa, Sagamu, Atan–Ota, Papalanto, Abeokuta, Ibadan, Osun, Ekiti, Abuja, Nasarawa, and Niger States, offering clients the opportunity to invest in fast-growing, strategically positioned communities nationwide.
Adron Homes reiterated that beyond the incentives, the campaign underscores the company’s strong reputation for secure land titles, affordable pricing, strategic locations, and a proven legacy in real estate development.
As Valentine’s Day approaches, Adron Homes encourages Nigerians at home and in the diaspora to take advantage of the Love for Love Promo to enjoy exceptional value, exclusive rewards, and the opportunity to build a future rooted in love, security, and prosperity.
-
celebrity radar - gossips6 months agoWhy Babangida’s Hilltop Home Became Nigeria’s Political “Mecca”
-
society6 months agoPower is a Loan, Not a Possession: The Sacred Duty of Planting People
-
Business6 months agoBatsumi Travel CEO Lisa Sebogodi Wins Prestigious Africa Travel 100 Women Award
-
news6 months agoTHE APPOINTMENT OF WASIU AYINDE BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AS AN AMBASSADOR SOUNDS EMBARRASSING
You must be logged in to post a comment Login