ABIODUN AND THE WOMEN’S AGENDA: EMPOWERING WOMEN, STRENGTHENING FAMILIES, SECURING OGUN By Kayode Akinmade A government’s commitment to women is best judged not by the number of empowerment programmes it announces, but by whether it creates lasting pathways for women to earn, lead and shape society. By that measure, Governor Dapo Abiodun’s record in Ogun State presents a clear and deliberate women’s agenda. Under Abiodun, women’s development has moved beyond episodic assistance to become part of the State’s broader economic and social strategy. From productive capital and livelihood support to skills acquisition, financial inclusion, enterprise development and leadership opportunities, the administration has pursued a simple proposition: Ogun’s development cannot be complete when its women are economically constrained or excluded from decision-making. The scale of the intervention reinforces that proposition. Under his leadership, Ogun State, in partnership with the World Bank-supporte...

By Afolabi Oyekunle. Sanwo-Olu Joins Lagos APC Members in Prayer for Tinubu, Shettima Ahead of 2027 Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu  joined APC members, religious leaders and residents of the state for a special inter-faith prayer service for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima and APC candidates ahead of the 2027 elections. The prayer service  held at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Onikan, Lagos, brought together party members and residents from different walks of life. Sanwo-Olu said the gathering was aimed at committing the party’s candidates into God’s hands as the 2027 elections draw closer. He said the progress being championed by the APC depends on unity, faith and peace, adding that while the party had worked toward its goals, it also recognised the importance of God’s grace. The governor thanked everyone who attended the prayer service and expressed confidence that continued faith and action would help keep Lagos ...

By Afolabi Oyekunle.  About 100,000 women across Ogun state have benefited from the World Bank-supported Nigeria for Women Programme (NFWP) This was disclosed by the Ogun state Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun who described   women’s economic empowerment as a strategic tool for fighting poverty and strengthening families and communities. Abiodun made the disclosure on Monday when he received the United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, Ms. Amina Mohammed, who joined him in interacting with beneficiaries of the programme at the Governor’s Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta. Governor Abiodun receiving the UN Deputy Secretary General, Ms Amina Mohammed in his office. The governor said his administration deliberately embraced and took ownership of the programme because it provided an opportunity to reach women at the grassroots who might otherwise remain outside conventional structures of political and economic empowerment. According to him, empowering women should go beyond app...

By Afolabi Oyekunle. .   Industry stakeholders have described the offer as potentially the largest retail investment drive ever undertaken on the continent, positioning it as a watershed moment for both Nigeria's capital market and Africa's industrial landscape.   Beyond raising capital, the IPO is expected to broaden participation in one of the continent's most strategic energy assets, deepen market liquidity, and create a new generation of shareholders in a business widely regarded as a catalyst for Africa's energy security and economic transformation.   At the grand signing ceremony held in Lagos on Monday, President and Chief Executive of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, who formally unveiled the public offering alongside transaction advisers and key stakeholders involved in the pan-African share sale said the IPO seeks to raise approximately N2.2 trillion, making it one of the most ambitious capital-raising exercises ever undertaken by a private enterprise in Africa. ...

By Afolabi Oyekunle. The Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, Dr. Kayode Opeifa has boosted the purse of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF), with a personal donation of N500,000 (five hundred thousand Naira only). Announcing the donation during the presentation of two operational vans to the Corporation by the LSSTF, Dr Opeifa said the donation, would be drawn from his September salary. He urged all Nigerians particularly everyone living in Lagos, whether individuals or corporate to continue to donate willfully to the Fund to enable them have funds to continue to provide the facilities and amenities needed to keep the state safe from crimes and criminals.          MD NRC:    Dr. Kayode Opeifa  He lauded the Lagos State Governor Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu for his magnanimity, adding that the two vehicles would go a long way in boosting the operations of the Nigerian Police and the Nigerian Secu...

By Afolabi Oyekunle. The Lagos State Government, through the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF), has donated two operational vehicles to the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) to strengthen security operations and enhance the protection of railway infrastructure and other critical national assets. This is according to a statement by Callistus Unyimadu Chief Public Relations Officer of NRC. The vehicles were formally presented to the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the NRC, Dr. Kayode Opeifa, at the Mobolaji Johnson Train Station, Ebute Metta, Lagos. Presenting the vehicles, the Executive Secretary/CEO of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund, Dr. Ayodele Ogunsan, said the intervention was part of the State Government’s continued support for security agencies and institutions operating within Lagos State. Dr. Ogunsan, who was accompanied by the Administrative Secretary of the Fund, Mr. Demola Lewis, said the donation was aimed at enhancing the capacity of sec...

 By Afolabi Oyekunle. The Ogun State Government has vowed to sustain the peaceful political environment in the state ahead of the 2027 general elections, assuring political parties and their candidates of the freedom to campaign, mobilise and seek the support of voters without intimidation or harassment. The Special Adviser to the Governor on Information and Strategy, Hon. Kayode Akinmade, gave the assurance while featuring on a live radio programme in Abeokuta, saying the administration of Governor Dapo Abiodun is committed to ensuring that political activities across the state are conducted peacefully and within the law. Akinmade said the government had deliberately created an atmosphere in which opposition parties could operate freely, noting that their posters, flyers and billboards were being displayed across the state after complying with established procedures. He stressed that, unlike the tension and instability associated with the 2019 election peri...