Author: Olugbenga Fashina

PRESS RELEASE •Says govt set aside $2 million since 2021 for redevelopment of Makoko waterfront The Lagos State Government on Monday declared that the recent demolitions in Makoko were part of a broader, statewide safety and environmental policy aimed at preventing disasters linked to unsafe settlements, fire outbreaks, and high-risk infrastructure locations. The State Government made the declaration during a press conference by the Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on eGIS and Urban Development, Dr. Olajide Babatunde, at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa. Dr. Babatunde, flanked by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, and Special…

There is a season in life when the phone will not stop ringing.Your name trends. Your presence opens doors. Your silence is noticed.And then—quietly, almost without warning—the season changes.Yusuf Buhari, son of Nigeria’s late president, once shared a sobering truth about life after power. He recalled how, immediately after Goodluck Jonathan congratulated his father on winning the presidency, his phone became a public utility. Calls poured in before dawn. Old classmates resurfaced. Long-forgotten acquaintances rediscovered memories. Distant relatives suddenly remembered blood ties. Even people who had once passed briefly through the Buhari household found reasons to reconnect.It felt like relevance…

In February 1976, General Murtala Mohammed created 7 new states to deepen federalism and accelerate development: Bauchi, Benue, Borno, Imo, Niger, Ogun, and Ondo. Fifty years later, the results are mixed — and for many, deeply disappointing. Region: North-East Population: ~8 million Poverty rate: ~56–60% (NBS Multidimensional Poverty Index) IGR: Below ₦25bn annually Economy heavily dependent on FAAC allocations. Historic reality: Despite agriculture, solid minerals, and tourism sites like Yankari, Bauchi failed to industrialize. Manufacturing contribution to GDP remains minimal. 50 years later: No major industrial hub. Youth unemployment remains high. The capital city still lacks modern infrastructure. Development outcome:…

BY KAYODE ODUNARO Over the weekend, precisely on Saturday, February 7, the race towards the governorship seat of Ogun State in 2027 got a push with a radio declaration to contest for the position of governor by no less a figure than Senator Iyabo Obasanjo, the first daughter/child of former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo. Not a few were surprised by the announcement coming shortly after her expression of the opposite sentiment to a news channel in Remo, Ogun State. The denial then, followed some bill board advertising suggestive she is back from a seeming self-imposed political sabbatical. In the ensuing…

History often turns quietly—behind palace doors, away from microphones, and in moments when custodians of tradition choose to speak frankly about the future. Such was the weight and symbolism of the meeting held on Sunday, 8th February 2026, when Oba Kehinde Gbadewole Olugbenle, the Olu of Ilaro, Paramount Ruler of Yewaland and Chairman of the Ogun State Council of Obas, received Oba Prof Abdulkadir Adeyemi Obalanlege, the Olota of Ota, in a private and deeply strategic engagement. This was not a courtesy visit. It was a deliberate convergence of history, grievance, hope, and political calculation—anchored on what has now become…

Reverend Dr. Ebunoluwa Oluwaseyi Bakare (Mama Gboromiro)Founder & Presiding Prophetess, Gboromiro Christian Ministry Inc.Reverend Dr. Ebunoluwa Oluwaseyi Bakare, affectionately and reverently called Mama Gboromiro, is a woman raised by God for deep spiritual impact in this generation. She is not just a minister of the Gospel; she is a divinely commissioned oracle, a carrier of prophetic fire, and a mother to destinies. Her life and ministry reflect the unmistakable evidence of God’s hand—shaped by intimacy with the Holy Spirit, forged through obedience, and released for the transformation of lives.From the very foundation of her calling, Mama Gboromiro has walked in…

Rite Foods Limited, a proudly Nigerian and world-class food and beverage company, congratulates the legendary Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo Kuti on his historic posthumous recognition with the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, conferred by the Recording Academy in January 2026. The global honour reinforces Fela’s enduring legacy as a fearless cultural icon whose music inspired generations. It also resonates strongly with Rite Foods’ Fearless Energy Drink, which in 2021 became the first brand to confer a posthumous award on the Legend, recognising his audacity, originality, and uncompromising voice during the Felabration festival at the Afrika Shrine, Lagos. Presented at the Special Merit Awards ceremony in Los Angeles ahead of…

In a time when decisive, forward-thinking leadership is more needed than ever, one young leader has emerged from Ota, Ogun State with uncommon drive, clarity of purpose, and an unshakable commitment to impact. Hon. Chief Abayomi Omoroga, the Eletu of Ota, is not merely a title holder but a force of change, a beacon of hope, and a tireless advocate for youth empowerment and success.From his early journey, Chief Omoroga has consistently demonstrated a rare blend of ambition, courage, and compassion. With a relentless work ethic and an action-driven mindset, he refuses to merely occupy positions of influence; instead, he…

OGUN AT 50: RENEWING THE PROMISE OF FAIRNESS AND INCLUSIVE LEADERSHIP Fifty years is not just a milestone; it is a mirror. As Ogun State marks her golden jubilee, the Gateway State must reflect not only on achievements recorded, but on justice dispensed—and justice delayed.Ogun State, the land of firsts, has contributed immensely to Nigeria’s intellectual, industrial, and political evolution. Yet, even in celebration, truth must be spoken with courage. In fifty years of statehood, Ogun West Senatorial District has never produced a governor. Not once. For half a century, an entire district—rich in people, culture, and productivity—has watched leadership…

By Fashina Olugbenga Ogun at 50 is more than a celebration of years; it is the celebration of a people, a spirit, and a promise that has refused to fade. For me, Ogun State is not just a place on the map—it is home, memory, struggle, and hope woven together. I was shaped by the soil of Ogun. By its early mornings where the sun rises with quiet determination, and by evenings where stories travel faster than the breeze. Ogun taught me resilience early—the kind that does not shout but endures. From our towns and villages to our bustling corridors…