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64th Independence: Anxiety About Nigeria’s Future Real, Requires Immediate Action – Abiodun

Published

1 year ago

October 1, 2024

The Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun on Tuesday said rising inflation, unemployment, and cost of living have impacted the lives of many, creating anxiety about the future.

These challenges, he said, “are real and urgent, requiring immediate and sustained action.”

Abiodun renewed the call for all hands to be on deck to build a prosperous and stronger nation that could be the pride of all.

Abiodun made this call while speaking during Nigeria’s 64th Independence anniversary held at the Arcade Ground, Governor’s Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

The governor said that though the country has its fair share of socio-economic challenges to deal with, these are not insurmountable with the cooperation and support of the citizens.

He said: “Today, Nigeria faces turbulent economic times. Global economic pressures, coupled with domestic challenges, have placed significant strain on our resources. Rising inflation, unemployment, and the cost of living have impacted the lives of many, creating anxiety about the future.

“These challenges are real and urgent, requiring immediate and sustained action. As citizens, this is a time for deep reflection and prayer for the continued progress and stability of our nation.”

He said that the the current administration led by President Bola Tinubu is however fully aware of these challenges and is working hard to reverse the trajectory.

Abiodun said that his administration has also aligned with the Federal Government’s efforts towards economic recovery as substantial efforts are being made to navigate these trying times.

The governor explained that the “President understands that governance is not only about policies but about addressing the needs and aspirations of the people. He is irrevocably committed to steering the nation through these challenges.

“It is this sincerity of purpose that fuels the success of the “Renewed Hope” agenda. The Federal Government remains steadfast in its commitment to creating a brighter future for all Nigerians, ensuring that prosperity and well-being prevail across the nation.

“We, in Ogun State, align ourselves with this beacon of hope, confident that together, we will overcome adversity and build a stronger, more resilient nation.”

Abiodun maintained that to build a more stronger and prosperous Nigeria however remain a collective effort urging Nigerians to rededicate themselves to joining hands with the government to lift the country far above its present level.

He said “We must remain united, support one another, and be patient as we work together to navigate this journey. The President’s economic policies are designed to foster long-term stability and sustainable growth, and they require our collective commitment and sacrifice.

“On this 64th Independence Day, let us draw strength from the labours of our founding fathers. Let us reflect on the past, learn from it, and recommit ourselves to building a society where every Nigerian has the opportunity to fulfill their potential.

“As citizens, we must return to the values of hard work, honesty, justice, equity, and respect for authority.”

The governor hailed the country’s resilience, saying that in the last 64 years, the nation has achieved numerous milestones and has continued to be a symbol of strength, unity, and hope for the African continent.

Abiodun noted that his administration has, in the past five years, made significant strides in sectors such as agriculture, energy, and transportation, as well as providing opportunities for food security, job creation, and support for small and medium-sized enterprises, which are the backbone of the state economy.

“Additionally, our investment in educational infrastructure, vocational training, and youth empowerment programs continues to equip our young people with the skills and opportunities they need to thrive in this economic climate.

“We are committed to working with all stakeholders to ensure the successful implementation of the ‘Building Our Future Together’ agenda, which is focused on rebuilding our economy, uplifting our people, and fostering the peace and progress Ogun State and Nigeria deserve,” he added.

He disclosed that Gateway Trading Company would soon begin offering a wide range of food items at wholesale prices across the state’s four zones.

Present at the occasion were the State Deputy Governor, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele; Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Oludaisi Elemide; members of the National and State Assembly; former governors and deputy governors; top government functionaries; APC chieftains; and service chiefs, among others.

News

Back To School: Lions Club Distributes Educational Materials In Edo Schools

Published

5 hours ago

October 4, 2025

Editor

The Benin Etete Unique and Edo Heritage Lions of the International Association of Lions Club on Friday jointly distributed educational materials to two schools in Benin City as part of the association corporate services to humanity.

The two clubs in District 404-A4 Lions Nigeria, jointly carried out the distribution of notebooks, maths sets, school bags and sandals, pens and other writing materials to excited pupils in Ivbioba Primary School and Oghede-Ivioba Primary School, Ugbighoko, Egor Local Government Area, and Evbiyenava Primary School, in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State.

Themed, Back to School Project, pupils were also engaged in Reading Action Program (RAP) and Spelling Bee Competition, after which winners were presented with special prizes.

In their remarks, Lions Darlington Uyi and Franca Nikoro, presidents of Benin Etete Unique and Edo Heritage Lions Clubs stated that the vision of the Lions International is to serve humanity.

They, therefore, tasked pupils on commitment to their studies in order to attain their fullest potentials in life.

“Emulate Lions in your visions for tomorrow. We have various professionals as members, and if you are committed to your studies, obedient to your parents and teachers, you will attain great heights,” Lion Uyi Darlinton Stated.

“Our vision is to serve, and we are here like we do every period to ensure Literacy is inculcated in pupils to enable them to attain their full potential. It is our earnest desire that you grow into well rounded personalities. Literacy is important in order to actualize that aspiration,” Franca Nikoro stated.

Earlier, in his address, Lion Sir Dede Henry Idemudia, Zone 6A Chairperson, tasked the pupils on good conduct, honour to parents and guardians and obedience to instructions of school authority.

News

NAFDAC Gives Nigerian Food Companies 18 Months To Cut Trans Fats

Published

6 hours ago

October 3, 2025

Editor

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has set an 18-month grace period, effectively giving food companies until early 2026 before facing full enforcement of regulations to eliminate industrially produced Trans-Fatty Acids (TFA).

The initiative, launched as a comprehensive strategy and roadmap for TFA regulation, moves Nigeria from simply having the policy to enforcing its world-class standard: a regulatory limit of no more than two grams of industrially produced trans fat per 100 grams of total fat or oil.

The Director-General of NAFDAC, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, emphasised that the roadmap moves the country beyond policy creation to aggressive enforcement and implementation.

This was contained in the NAFDAC DG’s keynote speech posted on the agency’s official X (formerly Twitter) on Friday.

Adeyeye stressed the moral imperative of the Agency’s mission.

“The removal of industrially produced trans fats from the food chain is not only a technical achievement, but a moral imperative.

“Eliminating industrially produced trans fats is possible, achievable, necessary, and urgent,” Adeyeye stated, calling for national collaboration.

The moratorium period is designed to allow manufacturers to exhaust existing stock with outdated labels and reformulate their products to comply with the legal limit.

NAFDAC’s action targets a dangerous dietary risk factor strongly linked to cardiovascular disease, stroke, and premature death globally.

Adeyeye emphasised the significance of the move beyond technical compliance, noting, “The removal of industrially produced trans fats from the food chain is not only a technical achievement, but a moral imperative.”

This aggressive step builds upon Nigeria’s existing reputation; the country was recognised by the World Health Organisation in 2023 for adopting best-practice TFA elimination policies.

The new roadmap is key to securing WHO validation of Nigeria’s full TFA elimination programme, establishing the nation as a regional leader in public health interventions.

News

Mohbad’s Father Urges Lagos AG To Prosecute Wife, Nurse, Others

Published

7 hours ago

October 3, 2025

Editor

Joseph Aloba, the father of late singer Mohbad, has urged the Lagos State government to initiate criminal proceedings against individuals named in the coroner’s inquest into his son’s death.

Mohbad passed away on September 12, 2023, following an injection administered by auxiliary nurse Feyisayo Ogedengbe.

Despite being buried the next day, public outcry and ongoing investigations led to the exhumation of his body on September 21, 2023, for an autopsy.

In a letter dated October 3 and addressed to the attorney general of Lagos State through his lawyers, Aloba demanded that criminal charges be filed against those indicted within 14 days.

“Specifically, we refer to persons indicted by the coroner’s verdict hereunder: Miss Ogedengbe Fisayo, indicted for unlawful medical practice and gross medical negligence; and Mrs. Omowunmi Aloba, indicted for negligence,” the letter reads.

“This includes Ibrahim Owodunni, a.k.a. Prime Boy, and others who either facilitated the invitation of the auxiliary nurse or refused to take him promptly to a recognised medical facility for treatment.”

Mohbad’s father said he was concerned that despite the coroner’s clear verdict, no prosecutorial steps had been taken against those indicted nearly three months after the judgment.

He asked the attorney general to exercise prosecutorial powers within the 14 days, or, in the alternative, grant him and his legal team a fiat to prosecute the matter on behalf of the state.

“Our Client, as a bereaved father desirous of ensuring that justice is done and seen to be done, is deeply concerned that notwithstanding the clear indictments contained in the Coroner’s Verdict, no prosecutorial steps have been taken against the aforementioned persons since the delivery of the Verdict on 11th July, 2025,” the letter reads.

“The judicial observations amount to clear indictments warranting the prosecution of the said individuals in order to give full effect to the Coroner’s findings and recommendations, and to ensure that justice is manifestly and adequately served in this matter.

“We request that you exercise your prosecutorial power on the above subject matter within 14 Days Next, in view of the high sensitivity of this matter and the public attention and outrage it has generated.”

In October 2023, Naira Marley and Sam Larry were arrested over allegations linking them to Mohbad’s death, but were released on bail after five weeks in detention.

By February 2025, a magistrate court cleared them of any involvement in the singer’s demise.