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10,000 Affordable Houses Coming – Abiodun

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Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has assured the people that his administration would provide an additional 10,000 affordable houses and complete all ongoing road projects, including the agro-cargo airport in the next four years.

He also promised to refurbish Primary Healthcare Centres in the 236 Wards in the State.

Governor Abiodun who spoke at the Town Hall Meeting on the 2024-2026 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and the 2024 Budget for Remo Division, held at the Akarigbo Palace, Sagamu, also hinted at the construction of a Dry Port at Kajola and a Logistics Hub at Wasimi in collaboration with the private sector.

Represented by his Deputy, Engr. (Mrs.) Noimot Salako-Oyedele, the governor said though his administration has done well in touching all sectors of the economy, especially in the provision of infrastructure, security and the general well-being of the people, efforts would be made in the next four years to deliver more dividends of democracy to the people.

The governor said: “We will be fully implementing e-learning programmes in our public schools while continuing with the reconstruction of schools and the provision of furniture. Our government will be collaborating with Lagos State to leverage the blue and red rail lines by investing in their extensions to Ogun State for the efficient transportation of people, goods, and services.

“We believe these will not only increase our ranking in the ease of doing business index but will also create jobs for thousands of our youths and sustain the momentum we have achieved as the industrial capital of Nigeria.

“It may interest you to know that our administration will commence the implementation of some other initiatives, like the Light-Up Ogun Project, taking advantage of the constitutional amendment to provide uninterrupted power supply to our major cities by collaborating with the private sector.

“We have already launched our e-mobility and gas mobility projects, through which our mass transport systems will be powered by electricity and gas and achieve carbon credit as we join other advanced countries in going green.”

Abiodun said his government would prioritize the provision and supply of potable water to cities and towns, while the State would join the league of oil-producing state as discussions on the exploration of oil prospects at Tongeji Island and Olokola, had been concluded.

The governor emphasized that policies and reforms to enhance efficiency and effectiveness have been introduced, maintaining that more efforts would be geared towards sustaining investment drive and maintaining the State’s position as the investor and industrial destination of choice.

“We will continue to develop our human capital through greater investment in quality healthcare service delivery, qualitative education, skill acquisition, and entrepreneurship,” he said.

He said that his administration has constructed and rehabilitated many roads in the Sagamu division, including; Ilishan Market Road, Ilishan; Sagamu-Ikenne Road; Obafemi Awolowo Way; Mada-Takete Road; Orile Oko Road; Sagamu Junction-Iperu Roundabout Phase 1 (4 Lanes); Iperu Roundabout-Ode Road; Oba Erinwole Road (Phase I & II); Sagamu-Ode-Lemo Road, and the Ogun State Agro-Cargo Airport, among others.

The governor said the introduction of the online engagement platform during and after the Town Hall meetings was done specifically to bring the people closer and obtain their input towards the preparation of the MTEF and the Annual Appropriation Bill.

The process, the governor opined, was to engender a bottom-up approach, which provides a unique opportunity for the people to make meaningful contributions and provide input on their developmental needs and requirements.

The governor promised to adhere to the provisions of the State Fiscal Responsibility Law and demonstrate commitment to transparency and accountability in the utilisation of resources for the benefit of the people.

Prince Abiodun said his administration would not turn away from the pragmatic and strategic approach which is geared towards formulating policies and implementing developmental programmes across all the critical sectors of the state’s societal structure.

Abiodun revealed that to meet the obvious challenges currently being faced globally, his government would continue to deploy developmental policies that will stimulate and gradually activate the state’s economy to grow faster than it did in the pre-COVID-19 era. This he said will be done through realistic up-scaling investments in critical socio-economic sectors, infrastructure, sustainable debt management, as well as deepening structural reforms in governance, public service, and business regulations.

Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Mr. Olaolu Olabimtan, in his remarks, said 125 projects that cut across the ISEYA development pillars, have been executed in Remoland, adding that the meeting was not an annual ritual, but a platform to hear from the people and ensure that their inputs were included in the State budget.

He said the Budget was based on ISEYA pillars and the allocation of funds on projects that have direct effects on the people as well as even the distribution of resources across the divisions of the State.

Akarigbo of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Ajayi, appreciated the governor for the infrastructural projects that have been sited in the division, even as he called for the construction of more roads and the provision of electricity to cities and towns in the axis.

Representatives of trade unions, religious bodies, student bodies, and associations, among others, called for the reconstruction of some of the deplorable roads, repair and construction of markets and renovation of schools in the division.

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BREAKING: Ex-presidential Spokesperson Okupe Dies

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Doyin Okupe

A former presidential spokesperson Dr Doyin Okupe is dead . He was 71 years old.

Okupe’s death was confirmed by family sources.

He served as a senior adviser to former President Goodluck Jonathan and later as the Director-General of Peter Obi’s 2023 Presidential Campaign.

In December 2022, he stepped down from Obi’s campaign after a money laundering conviction.

He later resigned from the Labour Party after the 2023 general elections.

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BREAKING: Senate Suspends Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Over Sexual Harassment Claim

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Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan

The Senate  on Thursday suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghen for six months for violation of the Red Chambers rules following her allegation of sexual harassment.

Her suspension followed her dispute with Senate President Godswill Akpabio who she accused of sexual harassment.

“That the Senate do suspend Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months for her total violation of the Senate Standing Rules (2023 as amended for bringing the presiding officer and the entire Nigerian Senate to public opprobrium,” Senate President Godswill Akpabio said on Thursday while reading out the recommendations of the Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct probing her claims.

Despite efforts by some senators to reduce the suspension period to three months, the Senate, in a majority vote, sustained the initial decision

However, the lawmakers ruled that the suspension could be lifted or reduced if she tenders a written apology.

“For the Senate to consider lifting this suspension or reducing the tenure of the suspension, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan shall submit a written apology to the Senate before her reconsideration by the Nigerian Senate,” Akpabio said at the Red Chambers on Thursday.

It, however, agreed that her aides’ salaries be paid.

“The aides of Natasha are not Natasha,” Senator Orji Kalu said while calling for an amendment to the sanctions. “It would be wrong for this Senate to deprive these aides of their allowances.”

Following her suspension, the Kogi Central lawmaker was escorted out of the chambers by the Sergeant-At-Arms, but before she left she declared that “this injustice would not be sustained”.

Her suspension was recommended by the committee which found her guilty of a violation of the Senate’s rules after its investigation.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmaker’s suspension is the culmination of weeks of claims and counter-claims between her, Akpabio, and the Senate.

This controversy began on February 20, 2025, after a seating arrangement dispute with Senator Akpabio. Thereafter, Senator Natasha accused the Senate president of sexual harassment and alleged abuse of office.

She submitted a petition on the floor of the upper lawmaking body on Wednesday. But the Senate Committee on Public Conduct, Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions headed by Neda Imaseun (Edo South) dismissed her claims. It declared her petition “dead on arrival,” owing to what it described as a breach of due process and legal limitations.

According to the committee, the senator personally signed the petition, instead of getting someone else’s endorsement, thus rendering it “invalid”.

Senator Natasha, hours after that, re-submitted her petition. However, on the same day, the Imasuen-led committee recommended her suspension for the violation of the Senate rule, a move ratified by the Red Chambers.

It recommended, in addition to her six-month suspension, the locking of the Kogi Central lawmaker’s office; barring her from the National Assembly during the suspension, and stopping her salary and that of her legislative aides.

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How Ex-immigration Boss Died

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David Shikfu Parradang

The police in the Federal Capital Territory have faulted a report that former Comptroller General of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), Mr. David Shikfu Parradang, was kidnapped and killed.

Instead, the police confirmed that he was found dead in a chair inside his hotel room in Abuja after receiving a female guest.

Parradang was discovered dead a day after checking into the Joy House Hotel, Area 3 Junction, by a concerned friend, a military officer, who arrived with hotel staff to check on him.

In an official statement titled, “FCT Police Respond to Misreported Death of Retired Comptroller General David Parradang,” issued by SP Josephine Adeh, PPRO, the police provided details of the incident, emphasizing that there was no case of kidnapping or assassination.

“On March 3, 2025, at approximately 12:00 PM, Mr. Parradang arrived at Joy House Hotel, Area 3 Junction, driving a black Mercedes Benz. He checked into the hotel, paying ₦22,000 for a one-night stay.

Shortly after checking in, he requested that a hotel attendant escort a female guest to his room. The lady left the hotel premises around 4:00 PM on the same day.

Mr. Parradang did not leave his room afterward. Around 4:00 AM on March 4, 2025, a friend, who is a military officer, concerned about his wellbeing, traced him to the hotel.

Upon arrival, the hotel receptionist and the officer proceeded to his room, where they found Mr. Parradang deceased, seated in a chair.

The Durumi Police Station was notified, and officers quickly arrived at the scene to secure the area, take photographs, and collect relevant evidence to preserve the integrity of the investigation.

His body has been transferred to the National Hospital for further examination, while hotel staff are cooperating with police investigations.

The police also confirmed that efforts are ongoing to locate and arrest the female guest who last visited him.

The FCT Police Command has urged the public and media to avoid spreading unverified reports suggesting that the former NIS boss was kidnapped or assassinated.

“We urge the public and media outlets to refrain from spreading unverified information, including claims of kidnapping, that may incite fear or panic.

“The FCT Police Command is committed to conducting a thorough investigation to uncover the circumstances surrounding Mr. Parradang’s death and ensure justice is served.”

The police said that updates would be provided as the investigation progresses.

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