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WE’LL RESTORE LOST GLORY OF LAGOS ISLAND- AMBODE …Performs Ground-Breaking Ceremony Of J.K Randle Centre For Yoruba Culture And History …Commissions Multi-Agency Safety Arena In Oshodi, New Model College In Ikorodu

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Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Tuesday said his administration was making strategic efforts to transform Onikan-Marina axis to a world class tourism hub that would go a long way to restore the lost glory of Lagos Island.

The Governor, who spoke at the foundation laying ceremony of the J.K Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History in Onikan, Lagos, said the Centre was part of a grand plan by his administration to turn the Onikan axis into a critical tourist hub, not just in the country but in the continent.

He said the Centre, originally built in 1928, was one of the centres that provided avenues for recreation and entertainment, but that the State Government has embarked on projects to regenerate, redesign and reactivate special cultural and tourist infrastructure in the State and convert them to centres of recreation, tourism and entertainment.

“In recent times, the centre has become redundant serving uses other than those for which it was built before falling to great neglect and disrepair. As a result, the Lagos State Government decided to redevelop the Centre and we are here for the ground-breaking ceremony of the new J. K. Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History. In the past, the Centre provided recreational services to the Lagos populace but the new J. K. Randle Centre will do a lot more,” the Governor said.

According to him, the new Centre, among other things, consists of an Exhibition Centre, a Library, a Multi-Purpose Hall, Learning Spaces, Restaurant and Lounges, while the Centre will also retain its swimming pool and sports facilities as well as a pavilion for stage performances.

Governor Ambode said aside the J.K Randle redevelopment, his administration has also embarked on the development of the Eko Park which will comprise of the Lagos Heritage Centre for Leadership at the former Presidential Lodge Marina, the Lagos History Center at the former State House Marina and a Lagos Museum as well as the erection of a 55-feet Eyo Statue at the Lagos History Centre.

Besides, the Governor listed the ongoing upgrading of the Onikan Stadium to a standard sports arena, regeneration of CMS Marina and Multi-Layer Car Parks around Onikan as other developments coming to the Onikan-Marina axis.

“All these will serve as a catalyst for the rest of the regeneration of Lagos Island, restoring it to its former glory, while reinforcing the position of Lagos State as one of the world’s most vibrant, cosmopolitan and exciting places to experience,” he said.

While noting that the State Government decided to retain the name J. K. Randle in recognition of the exploits of the late Lagos socialite, Governor Ambode thanked the present Board of Trustees comprising Chief Femi Majekodunmi, Mr. Femi Adeniyi-Williams and Bashorun J. K. Randle for their support and cooperation towards the redevelopment initiative.

He said the in course of the project, the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund would collaborate with Construction Kaiser to use the construction site as a training ground for over 200 Artisans and construction Entrepreneurs’ under the Lagos State Employability Support Project.

In his goodwill message, one of the members of the Board of Trustees of the Centre, Dr Femi Majekodunmi, thanked Governor Ambode for redevelopment of J.K. Randle Centre as envisioned by the late J.K Randle, who was a close friend of his father.

“There are two performing two Governors that I know that have made up of their pledge, you are one of them, the other, I’ll keep the other 35 guessing”, Majekodunmi said.

He recalled his time as a resident in Lagos Island and had his primary and secondary education within the area, saying that he would pass the Centre every morning on his way to school and back.

“Every day, I walk pass there and in the afternoon, I swim over there.  We use to know how it was then till the time it was demolished.

“But after his death, his very good friends and committed Lagosians, which included my father, Dr M.A. Majekodunmi, Chief Alhaji I.S. Adewale and other trustees decided to immortalise this illustrious son of Lagos, J.K Randle. But with this what you have done, you have beat us to it,” Majekodunmi said.

Earlier, Governor Ambode while commissioning the Safety Arena in Bolade Oshodi, housing over 12 departments and agencies responsible for safety and emergency management in the State, said it would engender better synergy among them and a significant improvement in the response time to most safety and emergency issues.

“By providing ‘The Safety Arena’, we are not only institutionalizing inter-agency co-operation and collaboration but we are moving our emergency response mechanism to a new level with a more robust approach to emergency rescue through improved coordination and faster response time.

“Let me assure you that we are not only determined to institutionalize inter-agency collaboration but we are equally desirous of improving the inter-sectorial cooperation and synergy for Emergency Responders required for an effective Incident Management System,” the Governor said.

While charging management and staff to sustain the existing synergy among the various safety and emergency agencies, Governor Ambode urged them to desist from treating residents inhumanly, warning that professional misconduct would not be tolerated.

Meanwhile, speaking in Ikorodu where he commissioned the Lagos State Girls’ Junior Model College, Agunfoye, Igbogbo and newly constructed block of 20 classrooms with state-of-the-art facilities at Anglican Primary School, Isawo, Governor Ambode said the resolve of his administration was to make qualitative education available and accessible to every child of school age in the State.

The Governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Dr Idiat Adebule, said the opportunity being provided for children at the foundational stage with massive investment in education in the State, was crucial to the development of the country and as well designed to mould them into better individuals.

Governor Ambode said it was gratifying that the huge investment in education by his administration was already yielding positive results as evidenced by the improved students’ performance in examinations, national/international competitions, as well as improved morals and confidence in public speaking.

Besides, the Governor said the unveiling of the new Model College was another statement of his intention to take the education sector to a higher level and expand opportunities for girl child education.

The new college, which increased the number of Model Colleges in the State to 31, is equipped with 9 ultra-modern classrooms, library, laboratory, computer room, toilets and conducive offices for teachers, among others.

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Ogun Central To Host Final Zonal Townhall Meeting for Sen. Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, April 30

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Ogun Central To Host Final Zonal Townhall Meeting for Sen. Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, April 30

-.Removes Hon.Olugbenga Lekuti as Deputy Director General,Ogun East

One of the leading Political Groups, Ogun Visionaries is set to host the final zonal edition of the Sen. Solomon Adeola Yayi town hall meetings in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital. The Ogun Central Edition, scheduled for April 30, 2026, aims to engage the electorate and push for Senator Yayi’s Governorship bid in 2027.

The event is themed ‘Ogun 2027: Yayi For All,’ marking the finale of the zonal town hall meetings.

Addressing Journalists on Tuesday in Abeokuta, Ogun State Capital,the Director General of Ogun Visionaries, Hon. Leye Odunjo, said the meeting will draw key stakeholders from Ogun Central’s political power circle.

Hon.odunjo stated that the event will kick off with a health walk, ‘Ogun Visionaries For Yayi Unity Walk,’ in the morning of April 30, 2026.The walk is themed ‘Let’s Walk for A United and Prosperous Ogun State,’ aiming to rally support for Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola Governorship aspiration.

“The town hall meeting is expected to feature prominent personalities, including Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola Yayi as the Special Guest of Honour. The event will provide a platform for interaction and engagement with the electorate”.

Ogun Visionaries has successfully held town hall meetings in Ogun West and Ogun East senatorial districts. The Ogun Central Edition is the final zonal meeting before moving to LGAs and wards.

The Director General while acknowledging the support received from various personalities since inception of the group,disclosed that distinguished individuals would be honoured with Award of Recognition during the event.

Odunjo, who is also a Senior Legislative Aide to the Deputy Senate President said “The political atmosphere in Ogun State is reportedly in tune with the people’s yearning for Yayi’s emergence. Ogun Visionaries is at the forefront of making this a reality.

“The event aims to unite stakeholders and push for a prosperous Ogun State. With Senator Yayi’s popularity growing, the meeting is expected to draw a large turnout.

“The Ogun Central Edition will provide a platform for stakeholders to interact and engage with the electorate. The event is seen as a crucial step towards achieving the group’s goals.

“Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola Yayi’s presence is expected to energize supporters and further boost his campaign for 2027” he added

Meanwhile, Ogun Visionaries has announced removal of Hon Olugbenga Lekuti as the Deputy Director General, DDG,Ogun East, of the group.

Announcing the removal in a brief statement made available to Journalists, Hon.Odunjo stated that Hon.Lekuti was relieved of the position as a result of his anti -group and anti -Yayi’s acts.

He added that a new Deputy Director General would be announced in due course.

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Political Earthquake in Kano: How, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Nasiru Gawuna’s Move to ADC Reshapes North-West Politics

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Political Earthquake in Kano: How, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Nasiru Gawuna’s Move to ADC Reshapes North-West Politics

 

 

The political atmosphere of Nigeria’s North-West was fundamentally altered on a sweltering afternoon in 2026 after Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso former Governor of Kano State and Former Minister for Defence who is also the “Grand Commander” of the Red-Cap revolution, finalized a move that many viewed as the ultimate masterstroke of his political career. By transitioning from the NNPP to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Kwankwaso did more than change platforms; he effectively reset the coordinates of the nation’s largest voting bloc.

 

Senator Kwankwaso’s pedigree is defined by a singular devotion to human capital development and an almost mythical grassroots loyalty preceded him. He turned a local movement, the Kwankwasiyya, into a disciplined, ideological army that transcends traditional party structures. His entry into the ADC instantly transformed a secondary party into a formidable fortress, signaling to the ruling elite that the North-West is no longer a monolith under their control.

 

The gravity of this shift is most profound in Kano, the heartbeat of Northern commerce. For years, the state was a polarized battlefield between the Kwankwasiyya and established conservative wings. However, the entry of Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna into the same ADC orbit has created a “Kano Super-Alliance” that was previously unthinkable. Kwankwaso, the visionary architect who sent thousands of Kano’s children to global universities, now finds his populist ideology merging with Gawuna’s administrative steadiness and deep-rooted institutional connections.

 

This synergy is a seismic departure from the politics of “zero-sum” rivalry; it is a calculated fusion of mass appeal and the strategic machinery required to protect and deliver votes.

This move reshuffles the entire North-West deck. As Kwankwaso plants the ADC flag across the region, he is attracting a wave of heavyweights from Kaduna to Sokoto who feel marginalized by the status quo. His political pedigree allows him to speak with a regional authority that others lack, positioning himself as a protector during a time of economic uncertainty. By bringing Gawuna into this fold, the dynamics of Kano politics have shifted from a war of attrition to a coalition of necessity. This alliance creates a “Third Way” that bypasses the failures of the old guard, promising a return to the rapid growth that defined the Kwankwaso years, but with a broader, more inclusive base that could dictate the occupant of Aso Rock in 2027.

 

Kwankwaso’s career has always been defined by a uniquely personal brand of power. From 1999 to 2015, he served two terms as Governor of Kano State, in addition to roles as Minister of Defence and Senator. While many were surprised by his recent maneuvers; especially following closed-door meetings with President Bola Tinubu, he chose the emerging ADC over the ruling APC.

 

In the high-stakes theater of Nigerian politics, few events have jolted the region quite like the defection of Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna from the APC to the ADC on March 31, 2026. Coming just twenty-four hours after Kwankwaso’s move, Gawuna’s transition fundamentally has also altered the political calculus in Kano. What makes this moment remarkable is the sheer drama of the reversal. Gawuna’s political journey has been a steady, calculated ascent through Kano’s establishment. He first shot to prominence as Commissioner of Agriculture under Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, earning a reputation for hands-on management in a state where farming is the economic backbone. He eventually rose to Deputy Governor, serving for nearly six years and gaining invaluable executive experience. Beyond partisan politics, Gawuna distinguished himself as Chairman of the Governing Council of Bayero University and, most recently, as Chairman of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN). He resigned from the FMBN on March 27, 2026, citing compliance with presidential directives regarding political appointees.

 

A look back at the 2023 gubernatorial election reveals just how significant Gawuna is. Running under the APC, he polled over 890,000 votes against the formidable Kwankwasiyya machine. This proved that he is one of the few politicians in Kano who can genuinely compete with Kwankwaso’s electoral machinery. His strength is threefold: he appeals to the youth, the religious establishment (Ulama), and the business community; he has the capacity to split the APC vote; and he has demonstrated he can deliver votes independently of a larger party wave. To understand the magnitude of this defection, one must appreciate the complete inversion of alliances since 2023. Back then, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf ran on the NNPP ticket with Kwankwaso’s backing, while Gawuna carried the APC banner with Ganduje’s support. By 2027, the roles will likely reverse: Governor Yusuf is positioned to run under the APC with Ganduje’s blessing, while Gawuna is poised to run under the ADC with Kwankwaso’s endorsement.

 

From the perspective of the Kwankwasiyya movement, Gawuna’s arrival is a “return” rather than a “recruitment,” as he was part of the movement’s pioneer cohort. This narrative neutralizes accusations of opportunism. For his part, Gawuna framed his move in terms of service and divine guidance, with sources indicating he felt marginalized within the APC after his 2023 defeat.

 

The reaction from within the APC has been one of worry and regret. President Tinubu, recognizing the stakes, reportedly directed party leaders to prevent Gawuna’s move, even offering him an automatic Senatorial ticket for 2027. The failure of this pressure campaign, Gawuna reportedly placed his phone on “Do Not Disturb” and traveled abroad to avoid lobbyists represents a significant defeat for the presidency’s political management. This crisis prompted emergency meetings between President Tinubu, Dr. Ganduje, and Badaru Abubakar at the Presidential Villa to reorganize their strategy.

 

The long-term implication is the potential break of the APC-PDP duopoly. The ADC is now positioning itself as a genuine “third force” in the North-West. The defection of high-profile figures like Senator Ahmed Babba-Kaita, Senator Aishatu “Binani” Ahmed, and former Justice Minister Abubakar Malami suggests a coordinated realignment. This competition could force more substantive policy debates and reduce the “zero-sum” intensity of regional elections.

 

The projected 2027 gubernatorial rematch between Gawuna (ADC) and Governor Yusuf (APC) will be a battle between two men with established records. Voters will have a genuine choice between performance and platform rather than just shifting loyalties. As Gawuna put it: “Allah gives power to whom He wants and when He wants.” While the 2027 elections will reveal where that power flows, it is already clear that the political landscape of the North-West will never look the same again.

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Governor Dauda Lawal Approves Gratuity Payment

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Governor Dauda Lawal Approves Gratuity Payment

The Zamfara State Government, under the visionary leadership of Governor Dauda Lawal, has approved the release of funds for the payment of Gratuity Batch 3 for the 2024/25 period. This decisive action underscores the administration’s unwavering commitment to the welfare of retired civil servants who dedicated years of service to the state’s development.

The Accountant General of the State is already working diligently to ensure that all eligible retirees receive their payments promptly and efficiently, reflecting the government’s resolve to uphold transparency and accountability in the disbursement process.

This timely gratuity payment is a testament to Governor Dauda Lawal’s people-centered leadership, which recognizes the sacrifices and contributions of retirees to the progress and stability of Zamfara State. It also reaffirms the government’s pledge to honor its financial obligations without unnecessary delays.

The Zamfara State Government calls on all retirees in the affected batch to exercise patience as the necessary administrative and financial processes are finalized. Every effort is being made to ensure smooth and uninterrupted payments.

This initiative is part of Governor Dauda Lawal’s broader vision to empower citizens and retirees, strengthen confidence in public service, and sustain the morale of those who have committed their lives to the growth of Zamfara State.

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