By Afolabi Oyekunle. The Ogun State Government on Thursday recorded a major breakthrough in its fight against kidnapping, with the successful rescue of the seven students of Gateway ICT Polytechnic, Saapade, in Remo North Local Government Area, who were abducted by suspected kidnappers earlier this week. Governor Dapo Abiodun, while addressing journalists at the Governor’s Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, in the company of security chiefs and some of the rescued students, reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to ensuring that kidnappers and other criminal elements have no hiding place anywhere in Ogun State. The Governor disclosed that the rescue was achieved through a coordinated security operation involving the Nigeria Police Force, the Armed Forces, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Ogun State Security Network Agency (Amotekun Corps), local vigilantes and hunters. “I am pleased to inform the good...

By Afolabi Oyekunle.   The Nigeria Employers' Consultative Association (NECA) has expressed deep concern over the continued closure of manufacturing and commercial facilities within the Dopemu industrial corridor of Lagos State following the enforcement of a warrant of possession by the Lagos State High Court Sheriff's Department on July 30, 2026, in a longstanding land dispute.  While reaffirming its unwavering respect for the independence of the judiciary and the rule of law, the Association urges the Federal Government, through the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) and the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI), together with the Lagos State Government, to urgently convene all relevant parties to explore a balanced interim solution that safeguards jobs, protects investments, sustains industrial activities and mitigates the growing socio-economic consequences of the closures, pending the final determination of the matter by the C...

By Afolabi Oyekunle. Dangote Cement Plc, Ibese Plant, has reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable community development and stakeholders engagement with  the successful hosting of  this year’s Annual Capacity Development Workshop for leaders of its host communities.   The one-day workshop in its fourth edition, held at the Yewa Frontier Hotel,  Ibese in Ogun State, brought together traditional rulers, Baales, community representatives, women and youth leaders, as well as government officials under the theme, "Community Leaders as Ambassadors and Conciliators."   The training focused on strengthening leadership capacity, enhancing communication and stakeholders engagement skills, and equipping participants with practical tools for negotiation, conflict resolution, and community development.   Speaking at the opening ceremony, the General Manager, Human Assets Management and Administration (HAM/Admin), Dangote Cement Plc, Ibese Plant, Mr. Aina Olugbenga, com...

By  Afolabi Oyekunle. Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has commended the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Tunji Disu, for the prompt deployment of an operational police aircraft to support ongoing security operations in the state. Governor Abiodun had requested the deployment of the aircraft as part of efforts to further strengthen the state’s security architecture and sustain the fight against criminality and banditry. The request was swiftly approved by the Inspector General of Police. Receiving the aircraft and its crew on behalf of the Ogun State Government, the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tokunbo Talabi, expressed the Governor’s appreciation to the Inspector General for his prompt response and unwavering commitment to the safety of lives and property in the state. Talabi noted that the deployment of the aircraft would significantly enhance aerial surveillance, intelligence gathering, and rapid response capabilities of security agencies, thereby ...

By Afolabi Oyekunle. Fifteen years after the Employees’ Compensation Act was signed into law, the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) on Tuesday  presented the first compensation cheques worth N31,720,570.5 million directly to five beneficiaries from treasury-funded Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs). The maiden presentation held in Abuja, brought together families who lost loved ones or suffered workplace injuries in the course of public service. Managing Director and Chief Executive of NSITF, Mr Oluwaseun Faleye, said the event was not ceremonial but the fulfilment of a legal promise. "We are not h hiere for a ceremony. We are here to keep a promise," Faleye told beneficiaries, permanent secretaries and heads of MDAs. "What began as a system on paper has, today, become a cheque in someone's hand. That is the distance between policy and people, and today, we closed it." The ECA 2010 guarantees compensation to every worker in Nigeria...

By Afolabi Oyekunle. LASWA Concludes Module Three of Africa's First Ferry Safety Development and Mentoring Programme The Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), in partnership with Interferry, has successfully concluded Module Three: Ferry Safety of Africa's first-ever Ferry Safety Development and Mentoring Programme, marking another significant milestone in its commitment to raising safety standards and building professional capacity within the inland waterways sector. The module equipped 50 emerging ferry professionals with critical knowledge and practical skills in ferry safety, emergency preparedness and incident response, reinforcing the programme's objective of developing a highly skilled and safety-conscious workforce for Africa's growing ferry industry. Held throughout July 2026, the module combined self-paced virtual learning with intensive practical training.  The academic sessions were facilitated by Dr. Bolaji...