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Makinde Launches Whistle-blower Programme

Published

7 months ago

February 23, 2026

The Oyo State Government has unveiled an environmental whistleblower programme to curb indiscriminate waste disposal and other environmental infractions, as part of renewed efforts to address the growing sanitation challenges across the state.

Governor Seyi Makinde, who launched the initiative in Ibadan, said the scheme would empower residents to report environmental violations and receive rewards for verified information.

The governor, represented at the event by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Musibau Babatunde, described the programme as a strategic shift towards citizen-driven environmental governance.

The launch, held at the Local Government Staff Training School, Agodi Secretariat, Ibadan, drew top government officials, traditional rulers, market leaders and environmental stakeholders.

Makinde noted that while the government had invested in waste management infrastructure, including the procurement of additional waste trucks and the development of more structured disposal systems, progress had been hampered by persistent acts of indiscriminate dumping, blockages of drainage channels and illegal construction on waterways.

“To address these challenges, we have introduced a whistleblower programme that allows citizens to report environmental hazards through multiple platforms, including WhatsApp, telephone lines and dedicated mobile applications,” he said.

According to him, the digital framework is designed to ensure a real-time response, with reports transmitted instantly to the relevant authorities for swift enforcement action, thereby eliminating the bureaucratic delays traditionally associated with written complaints.

The Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Hon. Ademola Aderinto, said the initiative goes beyond reporting environmental infractions, adding that it introduces incentives to encourage public participation.

“We are not just encouraging reporting; we are rewarding it,” Aderinto said. “We want residents to be the eyes of the Governor in their communities. This is about sanity, not just sanitation.”

He assured residents that all whistleblower reports would be handled with strict confidentiality to protect identities and encourage widespread participation.

“We guarantee confidentiality. Everyone who supports this initiative will be protected and rewarded,” he added.

Providing further insight into the operational framework, the State Lead Consultant on the Informal Sector, Mr. Olabode Ajetunmobi, described the system as simple and citizen-driven.

“You see something, you say something,” he said, explaining that the programme would operate through two channels: dedicated enforcement personnel monitoring environmental violations and voluntary citizen participation via digital reporting platforms.

Ajetunmobi expressed confidence in the state’s technological infrastructure, noting that the system can process large volumes of reports simultaneously. He added that the initiative aligns with the administration’s ambition to position Oyo as the cleanest state in Nigeria, drawing inspiration from Kigali, widely regarded as one of Africa’s cleanest cities.

In his goodwill message, the Chairman of the House Committee on Environment and Ecology, Hon. Cephas Olorunpoto, commended the executive for the initiative and pledged legislative backing to strengthen environmental enforcement.

Stakeholders at the event agreed that collective responsibility would be critical to the programme’s success. Government officials stressed that environmental cleanliness remains central to attracting investment, generating employment and restoring Oyo’s reputation as the Pacesetter State.

Related Topics:#Seyi Makinde Makinde Oyo

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Six Corps Members Receive N10m Grants To Boost Agribusiness

Published

2 days ago

September 22, 2026

Editor

Six members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) have received a total of N10 million in grants to expand their agribusiness ventures under the Farmers for the Future Programme.

The programme was organised on Monday by the British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation (BATNF) in collaboration with the NYSC to encourage young Nigerians to embrace agriculture and develop sustainable businesses.

Presenting the cheques to the beneficiaries in Abuja, the NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, urged Corps members to maximise the opportunities provided by the service year by venturing into commodity marketing and other viable businesses.

Nafiu said agribusiness remained a viable avenue for young people to build sustainable enterprises, create employment and generate wealth.

He also stressed the importance of value addition to the success and sustainability of business ventures, while commending BATNF for placing Nigerian youths at the centre of its entrepreneurship initiatives through value-chain development, employment creation and its partnership with the NYSC.

“I charge you to spread the news around. We have seen the outcome, and it is a good idea,” he said.

The beneficiaries are Dominic Olufemi (FC/25C/1143), who received N3 million; Temitope Adewole (ED/26A/2251), N2 million; Abdulwaheed Bala (ED/25B/1402), N2 million; Olanike Mayungbe (OG/26B/1037), N1 million; Kingsley Udoeyen (KG/26A/1735), N1 million; and Lorember Lorsue (JG/25B/1742), N1 million.

Speaking on the selection process, the Acting Director, Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED), Mrs Winifred Shopeka, said the programme began with an online registration portal through which Corps Members engaged in agribusiness submitted their business plans.

She said nearly 3,000 Corps members applied and underwent a rigorous selection process that produced 20 finalists.

According to her, the finalists participated in a boot camp and a final pitching session, which produced the 10 best presenters before the six ultimate winners were selected.

Shopeka said the beneficiaries had also been mentored and attached to established market operators to assist them in marketing their products.

She added that Corps Members who did not make the final stage of the competition were also trained by BATNF.

The BATNF Team Lead, Mr Oludare Odusanya, congratulated the beneficiaries and urged Corps Members engaged in agribusiness to master the fundamentals and acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed.

“We are happy with our collaboration with the NYSC, and it will continue,” he said.

Odusanya explained that BATNF was an independent organisation established to contribute to poverty reduction in Nigeria through sustainable agricultural practices and other interventions.

He said the Farmers for the Future Programme was instituted in collaboration with the NYSC to encourage Corps Members to venture into agribusiness and become job creators.

He added that the beneficiaries would be attached to mentors who would guide them towards achieving success in their respective businesses.

According to him, the programme has, since its inception, continued to enhance the entrepreneurial capacity of Corps Members.

News

CBN Reduces Interest Rate To 23%

Published

2 days ago

September 22, 2026

Editor

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on Tuesday announced the reduction of the interest rate, also known as Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) to 23 percent.

Briefing the media in Abuja, the Governor of the CBN, Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, said at the 307th MPC meeting held on September 22, 2026 agreed the resetting of the MPR and recaliberation of the monetary policy market.

According to Cardoso, the committe is satisfied with the disinflation progress, adding that members noted stable banking sector following successful recapitalisation.

Meanwhile, according to Nigerian Tribune, reports that that the MPC, at its 306th meeting in July 2026, disclosed its resolution to retain the interets at 26.5 percent.

According to the Governor of the CBN, Olayemi Cardoso, “the Committee’s decision to maintain the current policy stance followed a thorough assessment of the balance of risks. Although headline inflation moderated marginally in June 2026, global uncertainties have heightened, due mainly to the renewed hostilities in the Middle East.

“In view of the evolving developments, maintaining a cautious monetary policy stance remains appropriate. In arriving at its decision, the Committee noted the recent resurgence of hostilities in the Middle East, with particular attention to its spillover effects on global energy prices and the potential pass-through to domestic inflation.”

News

NURTW: KWAM1 Settles Long-time Rift Between MC Oluomo, Tafa Sego

Published

2 days ago

September 22, 2026

Editor

Nigerian Fuji musician, Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as KWAM1, has brokered a peace deal between the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) National President, Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo, and the Lagos State Chairman of the union, Mustapha Adekunle, aka Tafa Sego.

The reconciliation took place at Ojusagbola in Ijebu, Ogun State, where several NURTW chieftains gathered for the meeting.

The development was announced on Tuesday on KWAM1’s digital media page on Instagram, alongside photographs from the meeting.

According to the post, the two union leaders have resolved their differences after years of strained relations.

“After years of an age-long rift, MC Oluomo and Tafa Sego have finally settled their differences. And from what we know now, this is final,” the post said.

The musician was said to have intervened as the Mayegun of Yorubaland, with the aim of bringing an end to the longstanding disagreement between the two NURTW figures.

“K1 acted in his role as the Mayegun of Yorubaland by seeking an end to the long-standing rift, once and for all,” it said.

The post also described the meeting as a significant step beyond previous public displays of reconciliation.

“This time, it was not just another handshake for the cameras. The two old friends and colleagues came together at Ojusagbola, with King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (K1) playing the peacemaker.”

Both MC Oluomo and Tafa Sego were reported to be pleased with the outcome of the intervention.

“Both parties are delighted about the new development,” the post said.

The two men had previously been allies and prominent figures within the Lagos NURTW before their relationship became strained amid disagreements linked to leadership of the union in the state.