By Afolabi Oyekunle Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has disclosed that construction work on the over $7 billion Gateway Deep Sea Port and Ogun State Blue Marine Special Economic Zone in Ogun Waterside Local Government Area will commence in November this year. Abiodun made the disclosure while addressing All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders in Ijebu East and Ijebu North Local Government Areas, days after signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with DP World MEA FZE in Paris, France, in the presence of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The governor said the groundbreaking ceremony for the project would take place in November, after which construction would commence immediately, with the port expected to be substantially completed within two and a half years. “By November, we will perform the groundbreaking and the construction will start immediately. In two and a half years, that port will almost be completed 100 per cent,” Abiodun said. He said the project, to be undert...

By Afolabi Oyekunle. Dangote Cement Transport has been honoured with the Champion of Transport Industry Development Award by the Transport Correspondents Association of Nigeria (TCAN) in recognition of the company's contributions to advancing road transport operations, safety standards and logistics efficiency in Nigeria. The prestigious award was presented during the 3rd Transport Summit organised by TCAN in Lagos, bringing together key stakeholders, policymakers, regulators and industry leaders to discuss strategies for transforming Nigeria's transport sector and driving sustainable growth.   Leader of the Dangote Cement delegation to the summit, Mr. Murilo Silva who is the Head of Dangote Cement Transport, received the award on behalf of the Transport management and reaffirmed Dangote Cement's commitment to promoting safety, innovation and excellence across the transport value chain. Technical Adviser to the Vice President, Dr Segun Obayendo, left Mr. Murilo ...

By A folabi Oyekunle. Evanna Empowerment Initiative (EEI) has concluded a two-day drive held across cities in Nigeria including Lagos, Owerri, Abuja, and Abeokuta from 25 to 26 September 2026, providing bakers with essential baking materials to support their craft. The over one hundred bakers who took part received margarine, cake icing, sugar, and a range of other baking supplies, provided over the two-day drive. The drive forms part of EEI's continued work training and supporting bakers and small enterprise owners across Lagos.  For EEI, it is a direct extension of the mission of putting real materials into the hands of bakers already doing the work, not a one-off gesture. Grace Ilesanmi, Founder and Executive Director of Evanna Empowerment Initiative, described the drive as a direct extension of her own path into baking, and a practical investment in the futures of the bakers who took part. Commenting on the initiative, she said, “Baking is what brought me here, but teaching oth...

By Afolabi Oyekunle. Contributory Pensioners in Lagos state have been assured that the Lagos state government is in the process of paying their benefits, despite the initial delay. The assurance was given by the NUPCPS Chairman in Lagos state, Comrade Michael Omisande. NUPCPS Chairman Comrade Michael Omisande/ LSG Babajide Sanwoolu. "I wish to inform you that we are making progress as the government is cooperating very well on the matter. I want to assure you that there is no delay tactics employed by the government and no Compromise on the part of the Union." Comrade Omisande laid the blame of the delay at the doorsteps of the Director General of LASPEC, Mr. Babalola Obilana  for his incompetence and manipulation to deprive the Pensioners of their benefits.     DG LASPEC Mr. Babalola Obilana According to him, Laspec was passing negative information to the government as per pensions matter in the state.  "Many revelations came up as product of...

By Afolabi Oyekunle. Stakeholders in the transportation industry are unanimous of the need of greater integration of all means of) transport, road, rail, water  and air systems to boost economy growth and development of the country. They spoke yesterday at the 2026 Transport Industry Summit organised by the Transportation Correspondents Association of Nigeria (TCAN)  with the Theme, "Unlocking Economic Growth Through Transportation Logistics." According to them an efficient multimodal logistics system is critical to reducing business costs, improving movement of goods and driving economic growth. Speaking at the summit, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Dr Kayode Opeifa, said transportation should be treated as a major driver of productivity, trade, industrial development, employment and national competitiveness.            NRC MD. Dr. Kayode Opeifa Dr. Opeifa represented by his special adviser on media, ...

By Afolabi Oyekunle. Technical Adviser to the Vice President on Transportation, Logistics and Innovation, Prince Segun Ochuko Obayendo, wants t he Federal Government  to accelerate the transformation of Nigeria’s transportation and logistics system through greater integration of road, rail, waterways, ports and other modes of transport, with technology and professionals.                    Prince Obayendo           He said this   yesterday  at the 2026 Transport Industry Summit organised by the Transportation Correspondents Association of Nigeria (TCAN) at the Radisson Hotel in Lagos. Obayendo said Nigeria could not unlock its economic potential without addressing the structural weaknesses in its transport and logistics system, arguing that delays, fragmented modes of transportation, multiple checkpoints, insecurity, poor coordination and informality in the road transport sector we...

Dangote cement and its subsidiaries will continue to prioritize road safety and ensure its drivers comply with safety standards. This assurance was given today by the Head of  Transport, Dangote Cement Plc, Mr. Murilo Silva,  during the presentation of an award, "TCAN Champion of Transport Industry Development" to the organisation  at this year 2026 Transport Industry Summit of Transportation Correspondents Association of Nigeria held at Radisson Hotel, G.R.A. Ikeja.                Mr. Murilo Silva. He said Dangote Cement would continue to monitor its drivers using modern equipment to ensure they comply with speed limit and all other standard. Mr. Silva with TCAN President Tola Adenubi and others. He commended the Transport Correspondents Association of Nigeria (TCAN) for valuing the services of Dangote Cement. Other organisations presented awards were NPA, NIWA, LASWA, NRC, Sifax logistics, Nugerdock FZE, LA...

By Afolabi Oyekunle. The Managing Director of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), Mr  Oluwaseun Faleye, said the Fund has moved decisively from manual, top-heavy operations to a more digital, efficient and accountable institution in the last two years. Faleye made this assertion, Monday, September 21, 2026, when he received the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Dr. Kamil A. Shoretire, on a familiarisation visit to the NSITF Headquarters in Abuja. Welcoming the Permanent Secretary and his entourage, the NSITF boss said the visit offered an opportunity to share first-hand the Fund's reform journey, present realities and aspirations.      PS Shoretire/ NSITF MD. Giving details of his stewardship, the NSITF MD said when the current Management assumed office in July 2024, it met an institution with significant reliance on manual processes, a management structure heavily concentrated at the top, career stagnation, gaps...

B y Afolabi Oyekunle. Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has approved the appointment of Mrs Olubunmi Omotayo Oso as Secretary of the Ogun State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB). The appointment, according to the Head of Service, Mr Iskeel Olanrewaju Saka, is aimed at strengthening leadership continuity and improving operational efficiency in the state’s basic education administration.          Governor Dapo Abiodun Saka said the appointment was made in accordance with the Ogun State Universal Basic Education Board Law, 2005, and established procedures for appointing qualified officers to senior positions in the state public service. He charged Mrs. Oso to deploy her wealth of experience and professional expertise to advance the implementation of the state’s education policies and contribute to the realisation of the “Building Our Future Together” agenda of the Abiodun administration. Oso, born on November 21, 1972, joined the Ogun Stat...

By Afolabi Oyekunle As part of its commitment to promoting water safety and protecting lives across Lagos waterways, the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) has distributed over 250 life jackets to riverine communities across Lagos, including Ito-Osun, Saga, Abomiti, Emina, Itake and Yegunda in Epe, as well as Sagbokoji and Takwa Bay.       Several of the beneficiaries LASWA said the initiative was aimed at strengthening water safety awareness and ensuring that residents and waterway users have access to essential personal safety equipment while navigating the waterways. "Beyond the distribution of life jackets, LASWA continues to engage with riverine communities, encouraging safe practices, responsible use of the waterways and greater awareness of the importance of personal protective equipment."       Part of the life saving jackets "Through sustained community engagement and safety initiatives, LASWA remains committed to build...

By Afolabi Oyekunle                                                                 Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) has suspended industrial actions by  Federal Unity Colleges nationwide and directed all officials to resume their normal official duties while they await further directives. This is according to a statement by Comrade Shehu Mohammed,  National President and the Secretary General, Comrade Joshua Apebo.                           ASCSN It said following the industrial action over the controversial Public-Private Partnership (PPP) concession model for King’s College, Lagos, the leadership of ASCSN, alongside its parent body, the Trade Union Congress (TUC), was invited to an emergency high-level meetin...

By Afolabi Oyekunle. Ogun State’s growing digital transformation has earned Governor Dapo Abiodun a major national recognition, with the Governor emerging Governor of the Year – Public Service Innovation at the Nigeria eGovernment Excellence Awards 2026. The award, organised by the Nigeria eGovernment Summit, recognised Abiodun’s leadership in deploying technology and e-governance reforms to modernise public administration, improve service delivery and strengthen transparency and citizen engagement. The organisers specifically commended Ogun State’s remarkable digital penetration and innovation, citing the administration’s technology-driven initiatives as a significant step towards building a more efficient, accessible and citizen-centred public service. Under Abiodun, Ogun has increasingly deployed digital platforms across government operations, using technology to simplify access to public services, streamline administrative processes and improve the overall interface bet...

By Afolabi Oyekunle. The Ogun State Executive Council has approved a fresh package of infrastructure and economic development projects, including new road constructions, two general hospitals, a power-generation investment and the establishment of an agency to drive the growth of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). The decisions, approved at the weekend, further reinforce the administration’s drive to expand infrastructure, strengthen healthcare delivery, support businesses and provide the energy required to sustain Ogun’s rapidly growing industrial economy. Briefing journalists on the outcome of the Council meeting on Sunday, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Information and Strategy, Hon. Kayode Akinmade, said the Council approved the reconstruction of the 4.87-kilometre Siun Junction–Iperu Junction Road, linking Obafemi Owode and Ikenne Local Government Areas. Hon Kayode Akinmade, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy. It also approved the recon...

By Afolabi Oyekunle. Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has expressed the readiness of Gateway Air, the state-owned airline, to airlift not only Ogun pilgrims to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for Hajj, but also intending pilgrims from other South-West states. The Governor said Ogun would explore opportunities to participate in the emerging private-sector-driven Hajj airlift arrangement, particularly for pilgrims from Oyo, Osun, Ondo and Ekiti states. Abiodun disclosed this on Friday when he received a delegation of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), led by its Commissioner of Operations, Prince Anofiu Elegushi, at his office. Governor Abiodun with the delegation. The Governor said the state government had taken note of the new regulations governing private-sector participation in Hajj operations, while commending NAHCON for its support towards ensuring the successful and safe airlift of Ogun pilgrims from the Gateway International Airport to Saudi Arabia...

By Afolabi Oyekunle. Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has fulfilled her ₦10 million education pledge to 12-year-old Ogun State artist, Master Morenikeji Ebunoluwa Joshua, less than a month after being impressed by his artistic talent. The ₦10 million Education Development Trust Fund, presented to Joshua through the Ogun State Government, is to support his education through the tertiary level. The First Lady had announced the pledge on August 18 after spotting Joshua displaying a portrait he had painted of her at the launch of the South-West Zonal National Food Bank Programme at the Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta. Impressed by the quality of his work, Senator Tinubu invited the young artist to the podium and immediately pledged ₦10 million towards his future education. Presenting the cheque on behalf of the First Lady, Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, described the fulfilment of the pledge as a demonstration that “a promise made is a promise kept.” Abiodun said th...

By Afolabi Oyekunle. The Ogun State Government has released N6.75 billion for the payment of gratuity and Additional Pension Benefits (APB) to retirees in the state. The Head of Service, Mr. Olanrewaju Saka disclosed this in a statement on Friday, saying the release was part of the government’s continued efforts to address outstanding pension obligations and improve the welfare of retired workers. According to him, N2.751 billion was released to pay gratuity to 432 beneficiaries, while another N4 billion was released for the payment of Additional Pension Benefits to eligible retirees from July 2025 to date. Saka said the government remained committed to ensuring that workers who had served the state meritoriously received their retirement benefits despite competing demands on the state’s resources. Explaining the Additional Pension Benefit, Saka said it was introduced to cushion the difference between the pension benefits retirees would have received under the old Defined Benefit Schem...