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ADDRESS DELIVERED BY THE GOVERNOR OF OGUN STATE, HIS EXCELLENCY, PRINCE DAPO ABIODUN MFR, AT A THANK YOU VISIT TO THE PRESIDENT FOR THE HONOUR ACCORDED LATE CHIEF MOSHOOD KASHIMAWO OLAWALE ABIOLA HELD ON TUESDAY, 30TH JULY, 2019
Protocols,
Mr. President Sir, on Tuesday 12th June, 2018, Your Excellency held an event which you might have considered a simple acknowledgement of a democratic milestone in the annals of our dear country. However, Mr. President Sir, what Your Excellency did was doing a great thing in a simple way.
2. For us, as a Government; the Family of Late Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola of Gbagura Quarters of Abeokuta; and, the entire good people of Ogun State, Mr. President, you have done us a great honour. And as our people say, “Eniti a se lore ti ko dupe, bi olosa ko ni leru lo ni”. Literally translated as “He, who refuses to acknowledge a good deed, is no better than a robber”. Therfore, Mr. President, I stand on behalf of the Government; the Family of Late MKO Abiola; and, the entire good people of Ogun State, to thank you most sincerely, for the honour done to one of our illustrious sons.
3. Indeed, this honour is not only to MKO as he is fondly called, but the entire good people of Ogun State. Mr. President, you have demonstrated in unambiguous terms that you are a true democrat
.
4. Mr. President, Ogun State occupies a preeminent position in all fields of human endeavour in Nigeria. Time and space will not permit me to list our firsts, and/or, trail-blazing records in different spheres of human life. But for the purpose of this gathering, I will mention a few: The individual and collective roles of heroes and heroines such as the Sage, Late Chief Jeremiah Obafemi Awolowo; Late Reverend Isreal Oludotun Ransome Kuti, and his wife, Late (Mrs.) Funmilayo Ransome Kuti; and so on, in the independence of Nigeria, is written in stone. Even after independence, the roles of Ogun sons and daughters in entrenching good democratic principles and processes, cannot be forgotten in a hurry.
5. We also recall that during the turbulent period of our democratic history, especially after the June 12, 1993 election and the return of democracy in 1999, we cannot but mention the names Ogun sons and daughters in that struggle to bring back democracy. Names of Professor Wole Soyinka; the Late Kuti Brothers, Professor Olikoye and Dr. Beeko will continue to resound. We are lucky to have in this gathering, one of the dogged fighters in the NADECO trenches, Senator Olabiyi Durojaiye. And not forgetting a generalissimo on many fronts, Baba Olusegun Osoba, our revered leader.
6. Needless to say that it is a son of Ogun State, Chief Earnest Sonekan that was entrusted with the leadership of the Interim Government: a move which doused the tension generated by the annulment of the June 12 election.
7. We must not forget, Your Excellency, that the democracy we are enjoying today, was paid for by the blood of a great and illustrious son of Ogun State. The man, Abiola, even in death, means many things to many different people. He was a Pan-Nigeria- as at that time he had friends in all parts of Nigeria. He was a Pan-African and an ardent supporter of the Black Congressional Caucus in the United States of America and other causes in support of the black race and humanity in general. He was also passionate about the reparation struggle. He was a lover of sports- which earned him the title: Pillar of Sports in Africa. He was a philanthropist. He was a bridge builder among people of many races.
That was MKO before contesting the June 12 Presidential election. Clearly, it was his passion for the development of humanity that made him name his campaign slogan “HOPE 93”. That hope was dashed; that hope was broken and washed away when MKO died in incarceration on 7th July, 1998 at the age of 60.
8. As a government and as people of Ogun State, we are quite aware that we carry a big burden, but we are proud inheritors of the legacies bequeathed to us by all this heroes and heroines. We owe it a duty to all of them, dead and living, to ensure that Ogun State sustain its enviable position among the comity of States in Nigeria.
Borrowing the words of M.K.O. “only real democracy can move our nation forward towards progress, and earn her the respect she deserves from the international community”.
9. Indeed, our administration’s “Building our Future Together” agenda encapsulates the focus of Awolowo and Olabisi Onabanjo in education, agriculture and governance; the ground-breaking records of the Ogunlesis, Lambos, Olikoyes in medicine and entrenching human right; the model of Baba Osoba in rural development; the prowess of Anthony Asiwaju and Biyi Afonja in academia; to mention but a few. These form the basis for our Administration’s unalloyed commitment towards upholding the principle of good governance – governance that is participatory, inclusive, responsive, effective and efficient – that will ensure a free, fair, equitable and just society for the people of Ogun State, and all those who have made our dear State their home.
10. Mr. President, distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, permit me to recount a story ascribed to Chief MKO Abiola – Late Dr. Rolihalahla Nelson Mandela, one-time President of free South Africa and one of Africa’s greatest – who dedicated his Pan African Broadcast Heritage Award to the memory of Late MKO Abiola. At the event, the Madiba was represented by the then President of South Africa, His Excellency, Thabo Mbeki. Mr. Mbeki recounted a story that MKO told him. Mr. Mbeki said Abiola told him a story of the black ants and he described how dangerous the black ant is. He said that MKO described the black ant as very small but one that could wreak much havoc if it had access to one’s clothing. He quoted MKO as saying that it was easier to take care of the black ant than to allow it to wreak havoc. In Nigeria today, no one will deny that our own black ant is corruption. Mr. President, no matter what the skeptics say, you are fighting Nigeria’s black ant. Let me therefore use this medium to enjoin all Nigerians, at home and in the diaspora, to join hands with President Muhammadu Buhari in the anti-corruption crusade so that we all kill corruption rather than allowing corruption to kill Nigeria.
11. Mr. President, let me assure you that the government and the good people of Ogun State are appreciative of your recognition of Late MKO Abiola. The fact that the award of Grand Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (GCFR) is reserved for only those who has served Nigeria at the highest level is a clear indication of your love for Ogun State. Mr. President, let me once again reassure you that the government and the people of Ogun State will continue to collaborate, support and cooperate with your Administration at the Federal level to ensure that the dividends of democracy and benefits of good governance get to the generality of the people of Nigeria. We are committed to giving priority to the people as the focus of our Administration. We will rekindle the hope of the people and reawaken their belief in their government That is the best memorial we could ever give MKO.
12. Mr. President, as I end this address, I cannot but express our appreciation. Once again, as a government and people. Let me say, we will always be grateful in words and in deeds at all the time.
13. I thank you all for listening, and God bless.
Prince Dapo Abiodun MFR
Governor of Ogun State, Nigeria
Tuesday, 30th June, 2018
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Senator Adeola Yayi Bags Royal Blessings at Foundation Laying of Yewa Traditional Council Secretariat in Ilaro
Senator Adeola Yayi Bags Royal Blessings at Foundation Laying of Yewa Traditional Council Secretariat in Ilaro
…Clerics, Monarchs and Political Leaders Offer Prayers for His Future Aspirations
ILARO-YEWA, OGUN STATE — The ancient town of Ilaro, headquarters of Ogun West Senatorial District, came alive on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, as royal fathers, political leaders, clerics and community stakeholders gathered for the historic foundation-laying ceremony of the proposed ultra-modern Yewa Traditional Council (Obas’) Secretariat Complex.
The culturally symbolic project, facilitated by the Senator representing Ogun West at the National Assembly, Distinguished Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (Yayi), attracted widespread commendation, fervent prayers and royal blessings from traditional rulers across Yewaland, alongside leaders and stalwarts of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The ceremony officially marked the commencement of construction of what is envisioned as a state-of-the-art secretariat that will serve as the institutional headquarters of the Yewa Traditional Council.
Stakeholders described the initiative as a landmark achievement in institutional development and a clear demonstration of Senator Adeola’s sustained commitment to grassroots development, cultural preservation and inclusive governance in Yewaland.
Royal fathers present unanimously agreed that the project represents a significant step toward strengthening traditional governance and preserving Yewa cultural heritage. According to them, the proposed secretariat will function as a unifying administrative hub, enhance collaboration among monarchs and safeguard the cultural identity of the Yewa people for generations to come.
Speaking at the event, the Olu of Ilaro and Paramount Ruler of Yewaland, His Royal Majesty Oba (Dr.) Kehinde Gbadewole Olugbenle, Asade Agunloye IV, poured encomiums on Senator Adeola for his extensive infrastructural interventions and developmental footprints across Yewaland and Ogun State.
The monarch noted that the senator’s contributions have repositioned Yewaland on the path of meaningful progress, urging political leaders and stakeholders to embrace unity, cooperation and harmony.
He emphasized that such collective resolve remains crucial to the long-standing aspiration of producing a Yewa indigene as Governor of Ogun State in 2027.
Oba Olugbenle also used the occasion to encourage residents to actively participate in the democratic process by obtaining their Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVCs), stressing that civic engagement is the surest route to credible leadership.
“Yayi Is a Unique Son of Yewaland” — Deputy Speaker
The Deputy Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. (Chief) Mrs. Lateefat Bolanle Ajayi, described Senator Adeola as a “unique and incomparable son of Yewaland,” whose influence transcends Ogun West to Ogun Central and East.
“We have had good sons in Yewaland, but Yayi stands out. His impact is felt in Abeokuta, Ijebu-Ode and beyond. Charity truly begins at home. Even the blind can see and the deaf can hear. We must support him. Come 2027, we have a candidate,” she declared.
Clerics Offer Prayers for Success
Offering prayers at the ceremony, Imam Mohammed Tijani Jamiu, Chief Imam of Surulere Central Mosque, Ilaro-Yewa, prayed for Senator Adeola, the royal fathers of Yewaland and the successful completion of the project.
Similarly, Imam Jamiu Adeniyi Kewulere, Chief Imam of Bibire Central Mosque, Oke-Ola, Ilaro-Yewa, also offered special prayers for peace, progress and divine guidance for all stakeholders.
“A Rare Project of Global Significance” — Yewa South LG Chairman
The Chairman of Yewa South Local Government, Hon. Tunde Ogunshola, described the occasion as one of the happiest moments of his life, noting that the project is unprecedented in scope and cultural significance
.
“This traditional council building is rare, even globally. It is being realized through the support of Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun and facilitated by Senator Adeola. When completed, it will stand as a lasting symbol of our heritage,” he said.
The Ogun State Chairman of Cultural Development, Hon. Olayiwola Taiwo, also hailed the project as a major turnaround for Ogun West, a zone he said had endured years of infrastructural neglect.
“This is a remarkable development. Senator Adeola is truly God-sent to Yewaland,” he stated.
Royal fathers including the Olofin Adimula of Ado-Odo, Oba Idris Olusola Lamidi Osolo, the Abepa of Joga-Orile, Oba Adeyemi Adekeye, and the Onimeko of Imeko, Oba Benjamin Olanite, all expressed confidence that greater projects linked to Senator Adeola would continue to materialize.
A retired Director-General in the Ogun State Civil Service, Mr. Michael Babatunde Ajayi, likened the proposed complex to the Obas’ Secretariat in Abeokuta, noting that it would reduce the need for monarchs in Yewaland to travel to the state capital for meetings.
“This will be the first of its kind in Yewaland. Kudos to Senator Adeola, whose impact is felt across Ogun State,” he said.
APC Leaders Call for Political Mobilisation
The Ogun West APC Chairman, Alhaji Azeez Adisa (Ekwume), alongside party leaders and community stakeholders, described Senator Adeola’s interventions as purposeful and impactful.
They urged party members to consolidate these gains by strengthening party structures and participating actively in voter registration and mop-up exercises, noting that broad-based participation is essential for electoral success.
Anglican Bishop Describes Project as Timely
Speaking with journalists, the Diocesan Bishop of the Anglican Communion, Rt. Revd. M.A. Oluwarohunbi, PhD, described the project as timely and symbolic, adding that it would enhance the role of traditional rulers in governance.
“This is a very important day in the history of Ilaro and Yewaland. The proposed complex will be an ultra-modern edifice befitting our royal fathers,” he said.
He also prayed for Senator Adeola’s continued strength and the realization of his future aspirations.
At the climax of the event, Oba Olugbenle, alongside other eminent kabiyesis, offered royal prayers and blessings for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun, Senator Solomon Adeola Yayi, and other political office holders across Ogun West and Nigeria, seeking divine wisdom, protection and success in governance.
The well-attended ceremony drew a diverse audience, including revered monarchs from across Yewaland, political leaders, community stakeholders and religious representatives from Christianity, Islam and traditional institutions.
Members of the League of Yewa-Awori Media Practitioners (LOYAMP) were also prominently represented, led by their National Coordinator, Otunba AbuSatar Idowu Hamed.
The colourful event concluded with the formal laying of the foundation stone by royal fathers and distinguished guests, symbolically ushering in a new chapter in the institutional development and cultural renaissance of Yewaland—an occasion many described as another defining milestone in Senator Adeola Yayi’s growing legacy of service and development.
Courtesy: League of Yewa-Awori Media Practitioners (LOYAMP)
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Shadows of Greed: Alison‑Madueke’s UK Corruption Trial and the Cost of Power
Shadows of Greed: Alison‑Madueke’s UK Corruption Trial and the Cost of Power
By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by SaharaWeeklyNG.com
When today’s headlines speak of corruption, they often do so as a distant abstraction as a vague moral failure with little bearing on everyday life. But the unfolding corruption trial of Diezani Alison‑Madueke in a London court throws into glaring relief the real, human and systemic consequences of unchecked power merged with self‑interest. This is not merely the story of an individual on trial; it is a lens through which the world must scrutinise the fragile intersection of governance, resource wealth and public trust.
Diezani Alison‑Madueke, once Nigeria’s Minister of Petroleum Resources and later the first woman president of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), now stands accused before Britain’s Southwark Crown Court of multiple counts of bribery and conspiracy. The accusations against her (which she vehemently denies) paint a portrait of opulence allegedly funded through pay‑to‑play politics that ignored the public good and rewarded those who could feed her lavish lifestyle.
A Life in Oil, a Life Under Scrutiny.
Alison‑Madueke’s tenure as petroleum minister, from twenty ten until twenty fifteen, coincided with a period of immense oil revenue for Nigeria, a country sitting atop the largest oil reserves in Africa. Yet that wealth did not translate into broad‑based prosperity for the citizens she was meant to serve. Instead, British prosecutors allege that her privileged access to that sector was exploited for personal gain.
According to court indictments, she is accused of accepting bribes not in vague promises, but in concrete, high‑value luxury benefits and including cash, chauffeur‑driven vehicles, private jet travel, the use of multiple high‑end properties in London, funded renovations, personal household staff and even costly designer goods purchased at establishments like Harrods and Louis Vuitton. Prosecutors told the court these were not mere gifts, but “financial or other advantages” given by industry players “who clearly believed she would use her influence to favour them.”
The former minister, now sixty‑five, has pleaded not guilty to all charges. Alongside her in the dock are two co‑defendants: oil executive Olatimbo Ayinde and her brother, Doye Agama, both of whom deny the charges connected to the same alleged bribery scheme.
The Anatomy of Allegations.
What makes this trial especially significant is the detail and scale of the alleged benefits. Prosecutors have asserted that Alison‑Madueke was offered:
Access
to luxury homes and private residences in London, bought and maintained by associates seeking lucrative Nigerian contracts.
At least a six‑figure sum in direct cash payments.
Private jet flights and schooling fees for her children.
Vast quantities of luxury goods and services from upscale retailers.
While the prosecution concedes it has not yet produced direct evidence that she awarded specific contracts to individuals who should not have had them, it maintains that the acceptance of such benefits by a public official who oversaw multi‑billion‑dollar contracts is inherently improper and contrary to fundamental principles of public service.
Voices of Accountability.
The allegations have drawn sharp commentary from observers worldwide who see the trial as emblematic of broader governance challenges across resource‑rich nations.
Nigerian social justice advocate Aisha Bello has observed, “Corruption is not a peripheral defect in governance but a corrosive disease that accelerates inequality. When leaders treat public office as a gateway to private treasure, citizens pay with lost opportunities and diminished hope.”
Similarly, Professor John Githongo, a renowned anti‑corruption scholar, argues that “Transparency and accountability are not optional extras in public administration; they are indispensable pillars of a just society. When the public good is subverted for private gain, the very fabric of trust unravels.”
These sentiments resonate deeply in contexts where natural wealth exists alongside persistent challenges in education, healthcare and infrastructure also illustrating that corruption is not an isolated moral failing, but a fundamental impediment to development.
Corruption Beyond Borders.
What makes this case notable on the global stage is not just its connection to a former minister, but its international footprint. The United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency (NCA) has taken up the case because many of the alleged transactions (the properties, cash flows, and luxury perks) touched British jurisdiction. This underlines a critical truth: corruption today is not contained by national boundaries. Illicit financial flows, luxury goods, and asset holding often travel across continents, making international cooperation essential in pursuit of justice.
Andy Kelly, head of the NCA’s International Corruption Unit, stated during earlier proceedings that investigations revealed “financial rewards” accepted by Alison‑Madueke that were “suspected to relate to the awarding of multi‑million‑pound contracts.” He emphasised that such impropriety has “devastating consequences for developing nations.”
This collaborative legal action reflects a growing global consensus: no public official, regardless of stature, should be beyond accountability. When a former head of state institutions is brought before a foreign court, it is not just a legal milestone but it is a moral affirmation of shared values in the rule of law.
The Nigerian Context.
In Nigeria, the oil sector has long been both a blessing and a burden. Despite generating huge revenues, mismanagement and corruption have often undermined potential gains for the wider population. A 2023 report by Nigeria’s statistics agency ranked corruption as one of the most significant challenges facing the country. It is a sobering backdrop that shapes how this trial is interpreted at home and abroad.
Former officials and critics alike have noted that transparency in governance is not merely a matter of legality but one of national dignity. As legal scholar Dr. Funke Adekola puts it, “When leaders betray public trust, they erode the very essence of citizenship. Restoring that trust requires not just trials, but systemic reform in values and institutions.”
What Lies Ahead.
The trial, expected to stretch over several months of testimony and evidence examination, is itself a test of judicial endurance and political will. It presents complex questions about proof, credibility, and moral accountability. Yet beyond the sterile halls of courtrooms, its wider implications reverberate in global public discourse about how nations manage wealth and how societies hold leaders accountable.
For ordinary citizens around the world, this case is riveting not because of luxury houses or private jets, but because it forces a collective reckoning: What price should a society pay when those entrusted with public resources place personal enrichment above national welfare?
Summative Insight.
As Diezani Alison‑Madueke’s trial unfolds before the world’s eyes, it stands as a stark reminder that the fight against corruption must be relentless and unflinching. It exposes the corrosive effects of unethical conduct at the highest levels of power and underscores the necessity of accountability, irrespective of nationality or office.
In the final analysis, justice is not only about punishment, but about restoring faith in the systems meant to protect the common good. As the British court hears testimony and as evidence is meticulously weighed, the world watches a profound test of justice, one that could shape how future generations understand leadership, integrity and the true cost of power.
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