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Why Dapo Abiodun Deserves Another Term In Ogun State By Femi Oyewale

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Gateway City Project: Otegbeye Lied to Imams - OGSG

Why Dapo Abiodun Deserves Another Term In Ogun State By Femi Oyewale

 

 

To know the good from the bad, study a man or woman’s history of actions, not their record of intentions.

Suzy Kassem

 

 

 

Arguably,  the Ogun State Governor,  Prince Dapo Abiodun deserves another term in governance. His strategic intentional act about transforming Ogun state amidst scarce revenue is worthy of honour.

 

 

Why Dapo Abiodun Should Be Given Another Chance To Rule Ogun State By Femi Oyewale

 

Objectively, Governor Abiodun is a responsive and responsible first-class citizen of Ogun State. Despite the political and bureaucratic tentacles, entanglement, and traps surrounding him, he has been able to wriggle his way out in advancing the course of governance in the state.

 

 

 

Of a truth, many naysayers will not agree with the fact that he merited a second chance because, but the truth remains that for continuity,  performance, and advancement,  you can’t change a winning team. No leader is perfect and no leader can meet the needs of the citizens fully, but a performing governor needs more time to actualize his visionary agenda without politicking…

 

 

 

 

One thing you can’t take away from Dapo Abiodun is the fact that he is a responsive governor. For instance, the condition of St. Kizito’s High School, a secondary school in Iwopin, Ogun Waterside, Ogun State this year shook the internet. A video capturing this condition showed a classroom of students writing their promotion exams on the bare floor. The goal of the video was to shame Governor Abiodun as he prepares for the 2023 gubernatorial election, and turn the heart of the Ogun State people against him,

 

 

 

 

 

However, Governor Abiodun rose to the occasion and not in the manner anticipated by his detractors. Rather than point accusing fingers at his predecessor, which is what many other governors have done when faced with the same situation, Abiodun immediately sent furniture over to St. Kizito’s High School. Moreover, Abiodun’s constructive response came less than 12 hours after the video started making rounds, showing that he cares more about the students than about holding up the reputation they had attempted to ruin.

 

 

 

 

Moreover, even neutral onlookers have noted that although Abiodun could not have known about such a situation in his state, it is already quite amazing that he responded quickly and without submitting an excuse or counter-accusation.

 

 

 

 

With this achievement, Governor Abiodun continues to hold his position as one of the country’s more responsive, progressive, and visionary governors.

Long Bridge/Kara gridlock: Abiodun calls for synergy between FRSC, TRACE

 

Also, from the rebuilding of the Abeokuta-Sagamu interchange road to the Epe-Ijebu Ode Expressway, and the different infrastructural development, including improvement in Education and quality Health-care,  Governor Abiodun’s strategic intentions about transforming Ogun state into an industrial capital of the continent, particularly with the new Ogun state Agro-Cargo Airport which is dubbed to be the first truly International Cargo Airport in Nigeria and the fastest constructed airport in the continent. Cannot be contested.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amidst distractions and limitations, He has been firing on all cylinders, ensuring that the ISEYA mantra comes to reality. From road infrastructure to housing, health, education, agriculture, and the digital sector, evidence abounds of policies and plans executed to change the development narrative and take the state to enviable heights. As described by Governor Dapo Abiodun himself, the projects executed by his administration “have the inputs and are informed by the needs of the people as expressed by them at different engagement fora.” This, he avers, “is because we anchor our Building our Future Together Agenda on inclusiveness, equity, fairness, transparency, accountability, justice, and obedience to the rule of law.”

 

 

 

 

Abiodun

 

 

 

No less a personality than the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), attested to this vision when he inaugurated projects in the state, including the Ijebu-Ode-Epe road, a strategic arterial road that links the Lekki/Epe corridor of Lagos State to the eastern corridor of Ogun State at Ijebu-Ode, provides a ready alternative to the Lagos/Ibadan expressway for those going to Lekki and adjoining areas and provides a fillip for socio-economic activities in the South-East and South-South zones of Nigeria through the linkage of the road to Sagamu-Benin Expressway for easier access by motorists to Lagos, Nigeria’s largest economy. The president inaugurated the 42km Sagamu Interchange-Abeokuta Road, the main arterial road that leads to the state capital and which comes with a dual carriageway with streetlights, median and other road furniture vastly redesigned and reconstructed to address the daily challenges being experienced by commuters.

 

 

 

 

Abiodun

 

 

The president lauded the Gateway City Gate, an architectural masterpiece made of composite materials towering to a height of 27m and warmly welcoming visitors to the state, and the two Housing Estates for low, medium, and high-income earners at Kobape and Oke-Mosan. Kobape has 300 units of one, two, and three-bedroom flats described as a “Smart City” where people can live, work and play, complete with solar streetlights, a sewage system, a primary health centre, drainage, water, electricity, tarred road, and a police post. And his verdict is quite instructive and ennobling: ‘‘When state governments deliver impactful projects, in consultations with stakeholders, as we have witnessed in Ogun State, the trajectory of our national development will be enhanced.” This verdict becomes extremely hard to contest when the series of fiscal and policy reforms initiated by the Abiodun administration, including the reinvigoration of the Security Trust Fund; establishment of the Public-Private Partnership Office; the Ogun Digital Economy Infrastructure Projects, and the Ogun State Land Revenue and Management Systems are considered together with the business reforms that have ensured that Ogun State is in now Nigeria’s top investment destination.

 

 

Abiodun

Gov. Abiodun

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Buratai Lauded by Top African Literature Scholar for Honouring Ekwensi

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Buratai Lauded by Top African Literature Scholar for Honouring Ekwensi

 

The posthumous conferment of the inaugural T.Y. Buratai Literary Initiative (TYBLI) Young Adult Literature Award on legendary Nigerian author Cyprian O.D. Ekwensi has drawn international acclaim. One of Africa’s most renowned literary scholars, Prof. Ernest N. Emenyonu, described it as a “historic honour” and a vindication of Ekwensi’s enduring legacy. In a personal letter to Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (Rtd), Chairman of the TYBLI and the Tukur & Tukur Foundation, Prof. Emenyonu, emeritus Professor of Africana Studies at the University of Michigan-Flint and Editor of the globally recognised African Literature Today, expressed profound gratitude for the initiative. He praised the recognition of Ekwensi as a timely intervention that will inspire a renewed appreciation of Young Adult Literature (YAL) in Nigeria.

If Cyprian Ekwensi were alive today, he would cherish this award as his most indisputably merited recognition as a Nigerian writer,” Emenyonu stated. “This award is a clear and firm vindication of his pioneering contributions to Young Adult Literature in Nigeria.”

The professor, who has written two seminal books on Ekwensi—Cyprian Ekwensi (1974) and The Essential Ekwensi (1987)—revealed that he is currently editing the late author’s unpublished autobiography, which Ekwensi had entrusted to him shortly before his death in 2007.

“This award has added enormous inspiration and momentum to my work on his autobiography,” Emenyonu noted. Responding with appreciation, Lt. Gen. Buratai (Rtd) expressed humility and joy at the commendation, reiterating his commitment to celebrating icons of Nigerian literature. He said the TYBLI Award aims to highlight and reward authors who have shaped the nation’s literary landscape, particularly in the realm of youth literature. In his letter, Buratai affirmed: “Your words of praise and acknowledgment of the significance of the award in the global literary community encourage the efforts of the Initiative… I look forward to the publication of Ekwensi’s autobiography.” The TYBLI Award, created to honour authors of Young Adult Literature in Nigeria, was launched to elevate the genre’s status and promote literacy among younger generations. Cyprian Ekwensi was recognized as the inaugural recipient in November 2024, cementing his place in Nigeria’s literary hall of fame and energized ongoing efforts to immortalize his work for future generations. Prof. Emenyonu concluded his letter with heartfelt thanks, writing: “Personally, too, the award has added enormous inspiration and momentum to my work now on his autobiography. Thank you, thank you, thank you!” This transatlantic literary exchange marks a historic moment in Nigerian cultural recognition, uniting past and present champions of literature through honour, memory, and continued scholarship.

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Laffmattazz with Gbenga Adeyinka and Friends: The About Time Tour Coming to the UK in August 2025

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Laffmattazz with Gbenga Adeyinka and Friends: The About Time Tour Coming to the UK in August 2025

Laffmattazz, the electrifying comedy experience that has captured the hearts of audiences across Nigeria, is excited to announce its upcoming UK tour, “The About Time Tour,” featuring the renowned Gbenga Adeyinka and a lineup of four heavyweight comedians. This highly anticipated tour will take place in August 2025, bringing laughter and entertainment to cities across the UK.

Laffmattazz has become a household name in Nigeria, known for its unique blend of comedy, music, and performance. The live shows have consistently sold out, enchanting audiences with their captivating humor and vibrant atmosphere. The About Time Tour promises to deliver an unforgettable experience to UK audiences, showcasing the best of Nigerian comedy.

The tour will kick off in:

– Cambridge: August 22, 2025
– Nottingham: August 23, 2025
– London: August 25, 2025
– Manchester: August 29, 2025

In addition, we are thrilled to announce that SB Live Band will be joining us for two of the cities, adding an extra layer of excitement to the performances.

We are currently in discussions with additional promoters to expand our reach to more cities throughout the UK, ensuring that as many fans as possible can enjoy this spectacular show.

Don’t miss the chance to be part of this incredible tour! Tickets will be available soon, and we encourage everyone to stay tuned for further announcements.

For media inquiries, please contact:

– M-One Events: +44 7787 427862
– DNC Promotions: +44 7412 368190
– First Events: +234 7030011111
– Kinshow Promotions: +44 7877 587857
– oluBADAN: +44 7706 655327

 

About Laffmattazz:
Laffmattazz is a premier comedy platform in Nigeria that brings together top comedians for an extraordinary entertainment experience. Founded by Gbenga Adeyinka, Laffmattazz has consistently provided laughter and joy to audiences through its innovative shows and events.

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“#NatashaLied: Senator Akpoti’s Defenders Accidentally Confirm Ties With Sandra Duru Despite Public Denial”

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"#NatashaLied: Senator Akpoti's Defenders Accidentally Confirm Ties With Sandra Duru Despite Public Denial”

#NatashaLied: Senator Akpoti’s Defenders Accidentally Confirm Ties With Sandra Duru Despite Public Denial”

ABUJA, NIGERIA — A spiraling scandal is engulfing Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan as her own media allies appear to have unintentionally exposed the truth she publicly denied — that she indeed held private conversations with US-based activist Dr. Sandra Duru.

The controversy erupted after Onyekachi Francis, a vocal online supporter of the senator, admitted during a live session with journalist Adeola Fayehun that she had received voice recordings and scripts from Natasha’s camp — materials that detail private conversations between the senator and Dr. Duru.

This comes in direct contradiction to Senator Natasha’s earlier categorical denial of ever knowing or speaking with Dr. Duru. In a Facebook post last week, the senator dismissed the activist as an “attention-seeker” who fabricated claims, including allegations of a falsified sexual harassment narrative involving Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

However, Onyekachi’s remarks have now unraveled that version of events.

“She [Natasha] said she was happy Sandra was supporting her,” the influencer disclosed during the live broadcast. “She never mentioned bringing down any Yoruba government or attacking Oby Ezekwesili in the audios I was sent.”

The comments, meant to deflect accusations against the senator, have instead triggered a political firestorm — confirming to critics that Natasha did indeed communicate with Sandra, despite her public denials.

Even more damaging, the influencer revealed she had been asked to voice over a script from Natasha’s team to discredit Sandra but chose to edit out defamatory sections and avoided using her own voice to avoid legal consequences.

This public relations misstep has set social media ablaze. Within hours, hashtags like #NatashaLied and #Lietasha began trending on X (formerly Twitter), with users accusing the senator of lying to the Nigerian public and attempting to manipulate the narrative through media proxies.

“If Natasha said she never knew Sandra, how come her defenders are confirming that her team sent them personal audios and political scripts?” asked one outraged analyst. “This goes beyond PR damage — this is a serious credibility crisis.”

Meanwhile, Dr. Sandra Duru has maintained her stance, claiming to possess original recordings, call logs, and text messages that support her story. According to her, the senator shared sensitive political plans and personal trauma, including alleged harassment by high-ranking officials.

With the situation spiraling, pressure is mounting on the National Assembly and relevant agencies to launch an independent forensic investigation into the recordings and claims of perjury or misrepresentation.

As of press time, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and her media team have refused to respond to multiple inquiries seeking clarification.

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