Connect with us

Politics

Governor Abiodun Unveils Intimidating Achievements In Forestry Sector

Published

on

Governor Abiodun Unveils Intimidating Achievements In Forestry Sector

 

 

In his continued efforts to demonstrate a strong commitment to sustainable forest management and conservation in Ogun State, the Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has recorded numerous achievements through the State’s Ministry of Forestry.

Governor Abiodun through sterling leadership via the Ministry of Forestry has maintained nine forest reserves, executed tree planting agreements and expanded forest cover through investor-friendly policies.

All these moves aligned with his ISEYA mantra as well as laying down of strong template that will stand test of times.

The Governor’s foot soldier and Commissioner of the Ministry, Engr. Taiwo Oludotun, FNSE ensures that the ball is not dropped.

The Forest Commissioner, Engr. Oludotun, FNSE while rolling out some of the Ministry accomplishments as of October 2024, listed to include the establishment of indigenous plantations, forest expansion, annual planting of thousands of trees, concessioning of land for pulp wood production, procurement of essential operational tools, security and protection of forest resources, collaborations with corporate bodies and farming groups, and significant revenue generation.

Below are some of the key accomplishments as of October 2024

“Maintenance of the State’s nine forest reserves sustainably to position the State in good standing in the comity of timber producing States in Nigeria”

ii. Execution of Tree Planting Agreements:

• The Ministry executed Agreement with Nigerian Breweries Pic for the establishment of 500ha of indigenous plantation over a period of 10 years in Olokemeji Forest Reserve. The planting which is being carried out as part of the Corporate Social Responsibility programme of the Company is in recognition of the efforts of the Ministry at developing the State’s forestry sector. As at present, about 150ha out of the proposed 500ha has been planted up.

The Ministry also executed a partnership Agreement with International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan for the establishment of 300ha of indigenous tree species to increase the raw material stock of the Forest Estate and to sequester atmospheric carbon. This partnership came on the heels of the success recorded with the Agreement signed with Nigeria Breweries. The partnership is expected to last for a period of 5years in Olokemeji Forest Reserve after which the plantation will be handed over to the State Government for maintenance and ownership.

iii. Forest Expansion: As a result of the investor friendly policies of the Ministry, over 2,000 hectares of forest land with approximately 3,000,000 trees established in seven Forest Reserves through direct planting and collaborations with investors like Nigeria Breweries Pic and International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA).

Annual Planting:

2021: 521,837 trees on 469.7 hectares

ο 2022: 360,409 trees on 324,4 hectares

ο 2023: 1,565,399 trees on 1,409 hectares

2024:510,838 trees on 459,8 hectares,

iv Planted 4,080 trees at the Ogun Agro-Cargo Airport at Iperu.

V. State’s inclusion in the United Nation-REDD program: The State was included in the list of States to partake in the UNREDD+ program being coordinated by the Federal Government, A REDD+ Secretariat has been created and other activities are currently going on to ensure that the State begins to access fund from the Carbon Credit platform. The implementation of the project is in phases which began with the “Readiness phase”. This phase has been completed with the State’s enlistment while the second phase “Implementation Phase” is almost completed. The final phase will be the full “National Implementation” and this is expected to commence immediately the second phase has been achieved.

vi

Concession: Concessioning of 4,000ha to Dahua Forest Resources Development

Company Limited in Eggua Forest Reserve for pulp wood production. The concession is set to achieve the establishment of Eucalyptus trees, 10,000,000 trees would be planted through the concession. This is to provide raw materials for paper producing industries particularly Dahua Papers.

Procurement: The Ministry procured the following during the period: 5nos of new motorcycles and also refurbished 2 Tractors, 4 patrol vehicles as well as 25 motorcycles to ease monitoring.

• Essential operational tools for the Forestry Extension Unit to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the Unit in attending to its assignments

across the State. Different units of horticultural tools to establish fruit orchard and horticultural seedlings for revenue generation.

Security and Protection: The Ministry intensified efforts towards the protection of forest resources planted with Government funds. To this end, the Ministry embarked on enhanced patrol and protection activities. This effort led to the apprehension of over 30 illegal perpetrators, recovery of illegally logged trees and timber, and generation of over N25 million from fines.

ix Collaborations: In the last one year, the Ministry partnered with 11 corporate bodies and 17 farming groups to carry out Agro-forestry. The partnership led to the establishment of over 120 hectares Agroforestry plantations in Ilaro Forest Reserve,

Farmer Enumeration: To ensure the protection of lives and properties within the Reserves, the Ministry commenced plans to rid the Reserves of miscreants endangering lives of residents of the Reserves. The Ministry commenced the enumeration of farmers in Omo Forest Reserve, Over 6,000 farmers have so far been enumerated. This initiative is to curb miscreants’ influx into the Reserve.

 

xi Encroachment Reduction: Drastic reduction in forest encroachment through policy reviews and enactments,

xii. Wildlife Sanctuary: To ensure the safety of the different wildlife in the State particularly Elephants in the Forest Reserves, the Ministry requested and secured His Excellency’s approval to acquire and gazette 4,000ha of land in Itasin in Ijebu East LG. The acquired land currently houses a herd of Elephants, The Ministry has Commenced the process of takeover of the approved 4,000-hectare Wildlife Sanctuary at Itasin Community.

Bamboo Plantation: The Ministry established 5 hectares of Bamboo plantation at Ilaro Forest Reserve. This was done to reclaim some degraded parts of the Reserve.

Security Operations: Following the registration and identification of genuine farmers in Omo Forest Reserve, the Ministry carried out a successful Task force operation to rid Omo Forest Reserve of criminals.

Infrastructure Development: To ease log evacuation and for administrative convenience, the Ministry created Laagan Range. The range was carved out of Area J4 in Omo Forest Reserve. In addition to creating the range, a befitting building which serves as the office was constructed and furnished. Also, solar power supply system was deployed to provide power at the range.

XVI Reclamation: The Ministry reclaimed over 5,000 hectares encroached land within the State’s Forest Reserves. Part of the reclaimed land were allocated to investors for establishing Agro-forestry plantations.

xvii.

Global Environment Facility (GEF) Project Approval: The Ministry secured approval for the Conservation of Biodiversity and Sustainable use of low-land forest mosaic landscape in Ogun, Edo, Delta, and Ondo States. This project will guarantee ecosystem restoration and sustainability, climate mitigation and adaptation, biodiversity conservation, improved livelihood and food security.

xviii. Internally Generated Revenue: The Ministry has achieved 95% of her revenue target for year 2024 as at October 2024. This feat was made possible through the leadership style of Engr. Taiwo Oludotun FNSE, the Hon. Commissioner for Forestry.

Politics

Lagos APC in Turmoil as Chairmanship Aspirants Reject ‘Imposition Plot’ Ahead of Council Polls

Published

on

Lagos APC in Turmoil as Chairmanship Aspirants Reject ‘Imposition Plot’ Ahead of Council Polls

Lagos APC in Turmoil as Chairmanship Aspirants Reject ‘Imposition Plot’ Ahead of Council Polls

LAGOS — With barely two months to the July 12 local government elections in Lagos State, crisis is rocking the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) amid growing outrage over alleged attempts by party powerbrokers to impose chairmanship candidates across several councils.

What began as routine preparations for the party’s primary elections has exploded into factional disputes, protests, and petitions—threatening to fracture the APC’s long-standing grip on Lagos politics.

Aspirants and stakeholders across multiple Local Government Areas (LGAs) and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) have accused influential party figures of hijacking the screening and selection process under the guise of “consensus,” which many claim is being used as a smokescreen for imposition.

In Ojokoro LCDA, tension escalated after a group known as the Ojokoro Apex Council declared Mobolaji Sanusi as the consensus candidate in a letter endorsed by former House of Reps members, Ipoola Omisore and Adisa Owolabi. However, controversy erupted when a rival group presented Rosiji Yemisi as their preferred aspirant, sparking accusations of “importing a candidate backed by Speaker Mudashiru Obasa.”

“You can’t force a stranger with no political roots here on us,” said a local party member who requested anonymity. “This is not democracy; it’s dictatorship in disguise.”

Similar unrest flared up in Yaba LCDA, where a coalition of landlords, electorates, and political stakeholders cried foul over an alleged attempt to replace top-ranked aspirant William Babatunde—who scored 85% in the screening exercise—with Babatunde Ojo, who reportedly came 11th.

In a passionate petition addressed to First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, the group warned that repeating the politics of imposition could destabilize the APC’s base and impede development.

“We urge President Tinubu and Her Excellency to intervene and halt this travesty,” said Amoo Ismail, the coalition leader. “We must protect the democratic voice of our communities.”

The discontent isn’t isolated. In Agboyi-Ketu LCDA, Opeyemi Ahmed, media aide to outgoing chairman Dele Osinowo, slammed party leaders in a now-deleted Facebook post. He warned that ignoring internal democracy could backfire in 2027.

“If a few are writing names at the top and using fake strategy to call for consensus at the bottom, then Tinubu should be ready to lose Lagos come 2027,” Ahmed cautioned.

Veteran APC chieftain Fouad Oki added weight to the warnings in a scathing open letter titled “Lagos APC’s Crisis of Democracy”. Oki described the brewing conflict as a “crisis of confidence” and warned of an electoral backlash that could reverberate beyond local elections.

“Unity forged under injustice is brittle. Lasting strength requires inclusivity,” Oki wrote. “Let this be a rallying cry: abandon the politics of imposition or risk losing Lagos to our own internal discord.”

Reacting to the mounting accusations, APC Lagos Publicity Secretary Seye Oladejo denied any wrongdoing, insisting that the primary process had not been concluded. He defended the use of consensus as a valid and constitutionally backed method that had helped reduce post-primary tensions in the past.

“Where consensus fails, delegates will vote. Nobody is being sidelined,” Oladejo stated.

Despite assurances from the party’s leadership, the storm within the Lagos APC appears far from over. With primaries slated for today, the credibility of the process—and the party’s unity—hangs in the balance.

Continue Reading

Politics

PDP in Crisis: The Political Exodus That May End Africa’s Largest Party

Published

on

PDP in Crisis: The Political Exodus That May End Africa’s Largest Party

By George Omagbemi Sylvester

Never did we imagine that the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), once hailed as Africa’s largest political coalition, would witness such dramatic erosion from within. But in today’s Nigeria, where political loyalty is as volatile as the economy, the PDP is now hanging by a thread. What was once a formidable machinery that ruled Nigeria for 16 unbroken years has become a political shadow, limping from one internal crisis to another, gasping under the weight of ambition, betrayal and irrelevance.

This is no longer mere speculation. This is a full-blown political exodus.

The warning signs have long been in the air, but the silence of the party’s leadership only emboldened the defections. More PDP governors, senators and influential political actors are preparing to “throw in the dirty towel” to use a common Nigerian parlance and “get a change of toiletries” from a more promising political vehicle. The All Progressives Congress (APC), despite its governance failures, has remained the dominant force. Meanwhile, Labour Party (LP) and its ideological frontmen have seized the imagination of Nigeria’s politically conscious youth. Where is the PDP in all this? Nowhere near the pulse of the nation.

The Collapse of a Giant

Once upon a time, PDP stood like a colossus, commanding national attention and holding sway across all six geopolitical zones. In 2007, it controlled 28 out of 36 state governorships. By 2015, that number had dropped to 21. Today in 2025, the PDP controls just 9 states, an embarrassing decline that reveals the party’s waning appeal and fractured internal unity. Analysts have blamed this on the party’s failure to manage its primaries democratically, an outdated power-sharing formula and the overbearing influence of godfathers.

“Power is not something you hold forever. You must constantly renew your legitimacy through the people,” said late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, a former PDP leader known for his integrity. The party has clearly forgotten this principle.

The Atiku Albatross

The PDP’s 2023 presidential campaign was marred by one fatal error: the insistence of fielding Atiku Abubakar, a serial contestant whose political capital has been dwindling with each election cycle. The PDP’s inability to learn from its past mistakes and reinvent itself through younger, credible candidates shows how deeply the party has lost touch with contemporary realities.

Even within the party, Atiku is increasingly seen not as a unifier but a divider. His constant grip on the presidential ticket has frustrated younger aspirants and caused internal blockades that push members away.

“One man cannot hold a whole party to ransom,” said former Senate President Bukola Saraki in a private meeting leaked last year. That message reflects what many insiders are saying in hushed tones.

The Shockwaves of 2027

As the 2027 election cycle begins to take shape, permutations are in full gear. And while Atiku may be warming up for a record-breaking sixth attempt at the presidency, his influence is anything but stable. The PDP is already seeing rebellion from within, particularly from southern blocs who believe it is time the North stopped dominating the party’s presidential ambition.

Key political actors are already exploring alternative alliances. Rumours abound of secret talks between PDP governors and Tinubu’s men. Some are also aligning quietly with Peter Obi’s Labour Party, hoping to hedge their bets.

A recent poll by SBM Intelligence showed that 61% of PDP voters in the South-East and South-South are “open to switching allegiance” if the party fails to restructure before 2026. That’s a political red flag.

Why Governors Are Jumping Ship

What exactly is triggering this mass departure? The reasons are numerous, but four stand out:

Self-Preservation: Most Nigerian governors operate in a transactional political environment. Their loyalty lies not with ideology but with continuity of power. With the PDP unlikely to win the presidency in 2027, many are seeking new alliances to protect their political future.

Lack of Internal Democracy: The PDP has failed repeatedly to conduct transparent and fair primaries. Recent gubernatorial primaries in states like Delta, Rivers and Abia were marred by allegations of imposition and backdoor deals.

Atiku’s Grip: The feeling that Atiku is determined to contest in 2027, regardless of public sentiment, is unsettling. Many believe that as long as he remains a central force in the party, others have no space to thrive.

Tinubu’s Strategic Poaching: The current APC-led administration is systematically targeting opposition strongholds. Governors are being enticed with promises of federal appointments, project funding and legal shields from EFCC investigations.

Can the PDP Survive?

This is the pressing question. The answer lies in whether the party is willing to undergo painful introspection and renewal. It must adopt a bottom-up approach, re-engage with the grassroots, purge itself of godfatherism and allow credible young candidates to emerge.

It also needs to redefine its ideology. The APC may have failed economically, but it succeeded politically by branding itself as a party of change, regardless of how false that branding turned out to be. The PDP has no distinct narrative today.

What the Experts Say

Prof. Ayo Olukotun, a leading political scientist at Obafemi Awolowo University, recently argued: “The PDP is a classic case of political entropy. Without internal reform, it will disintegrate not by collapse, but by irrelevance.”

Similarly, Dr. Remi Adekoya, political analyst and author of “Politics of Identity in Nigeria”, notes: “The PDP has become a party for political pensioners. It is not inspiring to young voters nor innovative in its messaging.”

A Last Chance

If Atiku and the old guard truly care about the future of PDP, they must step back and allow a new leadership to emerge. Nigeria is moving on. The PDP must do the same. The 2027 ticket cannot be an inheritance. It must be earned. And it must reflect the shifting demographics of Nigerian voters, 65% of whom are under the age of 35.

This is not just about Atiku. It is about the soul of the PDP and whether it can reclaim its place in Nigerian political history or fade into obscurity like the National Republican Convention (NRC) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP) of the 1990s.

Furthermore

History is not kind to political parties that fail to evolve. The PDP has been served many warnings. The defections we see today are not just acts of betrayal; they are symptoms of decay. If the party does not reinvent itself quickly and decisively, it will not survive the coming storm.

The words of Chinua Achebe ring truer than ever: “A man who brings home ant-infested firewood should not be surprised when lizards come to feast.” The PDP brought this upon itself. The only question now is: will it learn, or will it perish?

PDP in Crisis: The Political Exodus That May End Africa’s Largest Party
By George Omagbemi Sylvester

Continue Reading

Politics

Lagos Assembly Charges Security Agencies To Redouble Efforts In Combating Extortion By Miscreants

Published

on

Lagos Assembly Charges Security Agencies To Redouble Efforts In Combating Extortion By Miscreants

Lagos Assembly Charges Security Agencies To Redouble Efforts In Combating Extortion By Miscreants

 

Acknowledging that the scourge of brazen extortion by miscreants on Lagos streets was on the increase, the Lagos State House of Assembly has called on the Commissioner of Police, CP Olohunda Moshood Jimoh, and heads of other security agencies to intensify intelligence gathering with the latest security apparatuses, increase surveillance on black spots across the metropolis, and, where necessary, arrest such miscreants, and have the state rehabilitate them.

Lagos Assembly Charges Security Agencies To Redouble Efforts In Combating Extortion By Miscreants

Hon. Sanni Okanlawon (representing Kosofe Constituency 1) raised the alarm at plenary Tuesday, May 6, under ‘Matter of Urgent Public Importance’ stating; “The unlawful extortion of stranded and innocent motorists by miscreants remains a growing concern that demands urgent attention. Nobody on the streets of Lagos is immune to their activities. If left unchecked, they could render the state unsafe.” He painted different unsavoury scenarios of how the street urchins operate brazenly, which he described as unacceptable, and called for urgent intervention to protect road users.

Supporting the motion, Hon. Kehinde Joseph (Alimosho Constituency II) noted that this particular trend threatens the safety and sanity of road transportation in the state. Hon. Desmond Elliot (Surulere Constituency 1) corroborated this and emphasised the need for active surveillance by security agencies. He also suggested the involvement of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), noting that many of the offenders act under the influence of illegal substances.

Similarly, Hon. Aro Moshood (Ikorodu Constituency II) urged the Commissioner of Police to set up a tactical team dedicated mainly to road monitoring because “It is high time the government took the bull by the horns.” Commending Hon. Okanlawon for moving the motion, Hon. Adebola Shabi (Lagos Mainland Constituency 2) said local government chairmen have a huge role in combating this menace. Effective strategies, she added, have to be devised while recommending the installation of CCTV cameras at identified black spots.

However, Hon. Obafemi Saheed (Kosofe Constituency 2) disclosed that the government has invested heavily in security through the Lagos State Security Trust Fund, LSSTF, and, therefore, should not sit back and watch miscreants take over the city.

Speaker of the Assembly, Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Mudashiru Obasa commended Hon. Okanlawon and the lawmakers who contributed robustly to the debate. He said that the police and other security agencies, including the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC), must collaborate to ensure that Lagos remains safe for residents, commuters, and visitors alike.

Continue Reading

Cover Of The Week

Trending