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The Ogun State Committee on Export Promotion (SCEP) has reaffirmed its commitment to boosting the State’s export sector through improved market access, value addition and increased investment in export-oriented enterprises, as its new Chairman, Mr. Adedeji Sowunmi, presided over the committee’s meeting for the first time.
Sowunmi, who is also the new Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, made the commitment while chairing the committee’s second quarterly meeting held at the Ministry’s Conference Room in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.
The SCEP chairman who was also in company of the newly appointed Director of Commerce, Mr. Sulaimon Aminu, said the committee would build on the achievements of previous leadership by promoting inclusiveness, innovation and result-driven partnerships to enhance the competitiveness of Ogun-made products in local and international markets.
“As Chairman of this Committee, I am committed to providing purposeful leadership that promotes inclusiveness, transparency, innovation and results-oriented collaboration. Together, we shall work towards identifying and addressing the challenges confronting exporters, improving the competitiveness of Ogun State products, strengthening market access, encouraging value addition and attracting greater investment into export-oriented enterprises,” he said.
Sowunmi stressed that sustainable economic growth could only be achieved through stronger collaboration among government, the private sector, development partners and the business community.
He urged committee members to make practical recommendations that would advance the State’s export promotion agenda, expressing confidence that the committee would continue to support Ogun’s economic transformation in line with the Building Our Future Together agenda of the Dapo Abiodun administration.
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Grandparents and elderly persons have been urged not to judge themselves by the limitations that may come with old age, but to remain hopeful in the knowledge that God will not forget them, even amid the challenges of that stage of life.
The Parish Priest, Our Lady Seat of Wisdom Catholic Church, Adigbe, Abeokuta, Rev. Fr. Gabriel Adesoye Oyebola, gave the admonition during the Parish’s annual get-together and Health Enlightenment Package held at the Sacred Heart Catholic College, Abeokuta to commemorate the 2026 World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, instituted by Pope Francis in 2021.
The event, themed, “I will never forget you” (Isaiah 49:15), was the fourth consecutive edition organised by the Church’s Education Committee to celebrate grandparents and elderly members of the parish.
Oyebola said elderly persons should not feel abandoned or define their worth by the physical and social changes associated with ageing.
“The Lord does not forget us. Our elders should not feel forgotten. They should not judge themselves by the state of their old age. A lot of them have been super productive while they were younger, so they should not judge themselves by this stage of their lives. They should dig deep; there are still things they can do for humanity . Even if it is words of mouth that is left, they should draw hope from it. They should draw strength from the fact that God does not forget His people,” Rev. Fr. Oyebola said.
The cleric urged the elderly to keep their families united and maintain close relationships with their children, noting that research had linked strong family bonds with longevity.
“This older generation should not allow the intended dichotomy with the younger generations to take place. If the younger ones pull back, they should come closer. We need continuity; we need to marry the old and the young together. There are a lot of things that young people suffer that could have been avoided if they had good interaction with the elderly. We need to really bridge that gap,” the clergy said.
Oyebola also advised the elderly to prioritise their health and avoid placing their future entirely in the hands of the government or employers.
He commended the Education Committee for its commitment and consistency in organising the programme, adding that the church was exploring ways to provide financial support for the annual event.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Education Committee, Our Lady Seat of Wisdom Parish, Adigbe, Abeokuta, Dr. Olu. Ola. Aikulola, said the church valued members across all age groups and organised the annual get-together and Health Package to honour grandparents and elderly parishioners.
Aikulola, a retired Permanent Secretary in the Ogun State Civil Service, also urged participants to take proper care of their health.
In a talk on health insurance, a health insurance expert, Mr. Stephen Olokede, advised the elderly to be more conscious and proactive about their health by embracing suitable health insurance packages to support healthy living.
Olokede added that elderly parishioners could also consider enrolling in the Catholic Men Organisation scheme, which requires an annual fee of N7,000 and provides a N500,000 benefit to the next of kin of a participant after the participant’s death.
Also speaking, a mental health nurse, the Psychogeriatric Unit of the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta, Miss Eunice George, said elderly men and women should prioritise their health through regular medical check-ups, a balanced diet, adequate water intake, moderate exercise and good relationships with God and fellow human beings.
George advised the elderly to be cautious in the use of mobile phones and social media, warning that older persons were often targets of scammers.
In another presentation titled, “Practical Demonstration to Function Well as an Aged”, a mental health nurse at the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta, Mr. Oluwapelumi Johnson, urged older persons to ensure there are railings around the stairs while advising them not to isolate themselves but to share their thoughts with trusted people.
In the final presentation, titled “Age Gracefully”, a clinical psychologist at the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta, Hope Nwosu, said elderly persons needed to accept changes in their bodies, care for their mental well-being, avoid suicidal thoughts and embrace positive thoughts and words.
Speaking on behalf of the elderly participants, Chief Benedict Sodeke and Mrs. Bosede Owokoya commended the Education Committee and the church for consistently celebrating them, assuring that the knowledge gained during the programme would be put to good use in improving their health and living conditions.
The celebration also featured brain teasers, colour shading and other recreational activities.
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At last, the kidnapped Oyo students and teachers regained freedom after 56 days in captivity. This news was enough relief for all Nigerians on July 10, 2026 given the public widespread outburst and outcry over the deteriorating security situation in the most populous African country.
Since the release of these 39 students and six teachers, there had been a form of immense outpour of congratulatory messages to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria as well as the security agencies for security the release of these innocent souls without paying a penny.
It is sad to note that Mr. Micheal Oyedokun did not make it back to the family considering his gruesome murder by the wicked men of underworld called bandits who are in the business of causing pain and anguish. They also gunned down another teacher who tried to escape when they were kidnapped from three different schools in Orire Local Government area of Oyo State.
However, the saying that, “if you keep doing things same way, you will keep getting the same result,” is very apt for such a time as this for the Nigerian society. The country that gained independence on October 1, 1960 with a population of about 45 million people is totally different from what it is today with a population of over 200 million.
If the same security approach of 1960 is still in operation today, then the nation is in for a big trouble. It is appalling that by now the bill to establish state police is not yet signed into law in Nigeria with such a huge poplation.
It should be noted that human beings and their society evolve daily. And this evolution is all -encompassing. It affects our education, technology, culture and even corruption and wicked strategies. Mind you, the issue of insecurity is a global thing depending on how the leadership readily tackles it.
At the time of independence, the high level corruption of today was a farce and the levels of evil practicss such as banditry, kidnappings, incessant killings and inhuman treatment were strange to human societies, especially Nigeria and Africa by extension.
But the world as postulated by Marshal McLuhan is a global village where there is an easy exchange of idea and evil tendencies on all fronts. In this age, you do not need to travel abroad to know how things operate there. We now exhange handshake across the Internet and social media.
In those days, Nigerian Army was highly respected on the continent. No wonder Nigeria’s foremost foreign policy states inter alia that ” Africa is the centre piece of Nigeria’s foreign policy.”
History cannot forget the efforts of our troops in queling the fire of civil war in Liberia and Sierra Leone. Nigeria played a major role in the Economic Commuity of West African States Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) without bathing an eye.
But the same Nigeria has been battling with insurgency since 2009 till date. The country had lost numerous men and officers of the Army to this struggle, including high ranking officers.There were some reports that the so-called monsters called bandits had modern strategies and training in this evil business by virtue of their link with other terrorists organizations.
The point remains that the old system of depending on Federal Government for policing cannot suffice for the present challenges. As such, the need for state police cannot be pushed aside any longer.
In a country that localizes its policing, the quality of intelligence gathering and timely reach will be top notch. The people will be able to adopt and donesticate the system it as theirs given its closeness to them. By extension, they will freely relate with the community police by dishing out timely intelligence considering its benefits to their survival and well being.
Unfortunately, our leaders travel abroad. I am sure they have an idea of what community policing is. Let me give a good picture in this manner: In Nigeria, you need to go to the police station to report a crime or an incident. In countries that practice community policing, the police are right at your doorstep to forestall any criminal tendency.
In another instance, in Nigeria, many of our policemen cherish being under the roof of their offices-be it police station, government houses or those working directly with the very important personalities (VIPs). In the practice of state/community policing in the western world, majority of policemen and security agencies are on the streets, driving all day from one end to another. Some others are on motorcycles and bicycles with the aim of gathering intelligence.
With this approach, their response time to an incident is the shortest you can think of because they are right within your neighborhood. In that wise, it is impossible for some criminal elements to round up a group of 250 students and take them away without any trace of security operatives stopping them.
I am aware that community policing is more expensive than the present Federally-controled system we operate, but Nigeria as a nation has the resources to fund it if we really want to be sincere. It is just a function of political will. Is it about the the manpower, equipment, gadgets that are needed to function? Yes, Nigeria can afford it. Of what use is a system that is not effective in the 21st century while many innocent lives are being lost daily.
For instance, it is on record that since 2014, over 2300 students have been kidnapped in various school across Nigeria in mass abduction. Many of these children were eventually rescued or released after ransoms were paid,and hundred remain unaccounted for till date.
In addition, if state policing approach will work, the security operatives who risk their lives must be handsomely remunerated.Frankly, I do not know of any beggerly security men and women in any country of the world than Nigeria. Obviously, there is a way poverty put everyone in harm’s way given how it makes one prone to unnecessary pressure and temptation. The government of Nigeria should be intentional about uplifting the livelihood of its men and officers in all security agencies with good salaries and allowances.
Also, there should be a system in place for the this police reform to succeed. This system as practised in great countries of the world will shield it from political interference.Above all, if we do away with “endemic” corruption, bureaucratic bottlenecks and issues resulting in public distrust, I have no doubt that this great nation called Nigeria will sing a new song as state policing of the nation will help the reduce incidents of crimes and criminalities to the barest minimum.
-Femi Onasanya, a public affairs analyst wrote via femibimboo@gmail.com
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The Nigeria-China investment relations continues to deepen with the commissioning of the multi-million-dollar Sinomart Superstore at The Palms Shopping Mall, Ota, reinforcing Ogun State’s status as Nigeria’s leading investment destination.
Speaking at the event, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Engr. Kehinde Akintomide, described the project as a reflection of the growing confidence of Chinese investors in Ogun State as well as a vote of confidence in the State’s business-friendly environment.
Represented by the Director of Investment, Ms. Yemisi Folarin cited the Ogun-Guangdong Free Trade Zone which is the first of its kind in West Africa and the numerous Chinese-owned manufacturing firms in Agbara and Igbesa as clear examples of the enduring economic ties driving the State’s industrial growth.
Engr. Akintomide revealed that Sinomart is among over 12 major industrial and commercial projects commissioned or facilitated within the Sango-Ota industrial corridor in the last five months, with cumulative investments running into several hundreds of billions of naira.
“This commissioning is a resounding vote of confidence, confidence in the economic viability and growth trajectory of Ogun State; confidence in the quality of our infrastructure, which continues to improve through targeted investment in our industrial corridors; confidence in our policy environment, which we have deliberately shaped to be transparent, predictable, and business-friendly; and confidence in the 5.5 million citizens of this State, whose purchasing power, entrepreneurial energy, and aspiration for a better quality of life make Ogun one of the most dynamic consumer markets on the African continent,” the Permanent Secretary said.
Commissioning the facility, the Olota of Ota, Oba (Prof.) Adeyemi Obalanlege, attributed the steady influx of investments to the peaceful and welcoming nature of the Ota community.
He said the investments have continued to create jobs and stimulate economic activities, while reaffirming the traditional institution’s commitment to supporting policies that promote enterprise and development.
Earlier, the Managing Director of Sinomart Superstore, Mr. Sky Chunming Huang, commended the Ogun State Government and the host community for providing an enabling environment for businesses to thrive. He noted that the company has contributed to job creation and the growth of local suppliers through its expanding operations.
Also speaking, Chairman, Adalemo Community Development Association, Engr. Jeremiah Olaonipekun whose Community Development Association hosts the Sinomart Superstore pledged to provide a safe, conducive and supportive environment appealing to the management of Sinomart to maintain established open door policy.
The event attracted government officials, business leaders and community stakeholders, including the Commissioner for Community Development and Cooperatives, Alhaji Ademola Balogun, represented by the Director of Cooperative Services, Mr. Samuel Mustapha, and the Chairman of Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government, Hon. Wasiu Lawal.
The commissioning of Sinomart Superstore adds to the growing list of strategic investments positioning Ogun State as a hub for commerce, industry and foreign direct investment in Nigeria.
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The Ogun State Government through the Bureau of State Pensions, Office of the Head of Service has extended the online verification exercise for all retirees on Ogun State Government pension payroll known as “I AM ALIVE” till August 10, 2026.
A statement signed by the Permanent Secretary, Bureau of State Pensions, who doubles as the Chairman, Pension Fund Management Committee, Mrs. Arinola Adetayo indicated that the extension was borne out of massive plea to accommodate more retirees into the system.
According to Mrs. Adetayo, the exercise was put in place to ascertain the status of the State retirees towards making life more better for them in retirement.
The Permanent Secretary added that for the retirees to be verified, they should on their android or IOS mobile phones, download OGUN STATE PENSIONERS APP from Play store or Apple store; and proceed to Set Up, enter Personal Enrollment Number (PEN), registered phone number and Submit.
She said they should thereafter follow the instructions which includes snapping of photograph to complete the verification exercise.Mrs. Adetayo advised all concerned retirees to take advantage of the extension to verify that they are still alive.
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The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has called for calm among Nigerians stating that there is currently no confirmed case of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in the country.
According to a public health advisory issued on Sunday, the Director-General of the NCDC, Jide Idris, said, “Nigeria currently has no confirmed case of Ebola Virus Disease”.
The advisory followed the outbreak of the disease in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and a recently confirmed case in Uganda.
The advisory stated that the agency and other stakeholders are “closely monitoring the situation and working with relevant stakeholders, including the Port Health Service (Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare), to ensure continued vigilance and preparedness within the public health system,” the advisory read in part.
The NCDC asked Nigerians to avoid spreading misinformation about the disease, and maintain preventive measures like avoiding contact with bodily fluids of sick persons and regular hand hygiene, among others.
“Healthcare workers are advised to maintain a high index of suspicion for EVD in patients presenting with compatible symptoms and relevant travel or exposure history,” it said.
In a related development, the World Health Organization declared an international health emergency on Sunday over an outbreak of an Ebola strain in the Democratic Republic of Congo that has killed more than 80 and for which there is no vaccine.Fears of further spread grew when a laboratory on Sunday confirmed a case in the major eastern DRC city of Goma, which is controlled by the Rwanda-backed M23 militia.A total of 88 deaths and 336 suspected cases of the highly contagious haemorrhagic fever have so far been reported, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC Africa) said in an update on Saturday.
“A positive case in Goma has been confirmed by tests carried out by the laboratory. It involves the wife of a man who died of Ebola in Bunia, who travelled to Goma after her husband’s death whilst already infected,” Professor Jean-Jacques Muyembe, director of the Congolese National Institute for Biomedical Research (INRB), told AFP.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed deep disquiet as the reported cases rose.“I determine that the epidemic constitutes a public health emergency of international concern,” Ghebreyesus posted to X, albeit adding that as yet it “does not meet the criteria of pandemic emergency” as defined by existing international health regulations (IHR).
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Ogun State Deputy Governor, Engr. (Mrs.) Noimot Salako-Oyedele, the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tokunbo Talabi and other top dignitaries in the State have celebrated the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment , Dr. Olu. Ola. Aikulola on the occasion of his statutory retirement from the State Civil Service and 60th birthday.
Engr. Salako-Oyedele in her address during the Retirement/Pen Down and 60th birthday Ceremony organised by the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment in honour of Dr. Aikulola in Abeokuta described the retired Permanent Secretary as a diligent and intelligent civil servant who was impactful in his career and should be emulated.
She congratulated Dr. Aikulola for reaching a milestone of 60 years and statutory retirement praying that his retirement would be a more glorious chapter of his life.
In his address, the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tokunbo Talabi said Dr. Aikulola was one of the very few Permanent Secretaries who left a significant impression on the State Government at the inception of the present administration which inspired his posting to the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment in December 2019.
Talabi lauded Dr Aikulola for serving diligently and being a positive reference for civil servants in the State.
Speaking, Commissioner for Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Adebola Sofela who described the celebrant as a trusted and dependable civil servant and an example for workers to be the best in whatever they do.
“ I have mixed feelings today. His birthday is today and he is also leaving the civil service. I wonder who would succeed him. For me I really enjoyed the last two years working with him. I have been in the private sector and public service in the last 36 years and I can say without fear of contradiction that Aikulola is the best I have worked with and unarguably the best number two you can have. He is reliable and dependable,”
“He rallies the troops to make sure the government agenda that we are pursuing is achieved satisfactorily.
Every good thing we have achieved in the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment in the last two years and probably in the life of this administration also has his impact,” the Commissioner said.
Drawing his short exhortation from Colossians 1:3-5, the Parish Priest, Our Lady Seat of Wisdom Catholic Church, Adigbe, Abeokuta, Rev. Fr. Gabriel Oyebola admonished workers to serve diligently and be distinguished so that people could give positive reports about them.
In his response, the celebrant, Dr. Aikulola appreciated God for his grace upon his life adding that God’s grace had helped him to make the impact people have identified in the course of his career.
While charging workers to remain committed and diligent, Dr. Aikulola also commended the Commissioner, government functionaries and workers for their support.
A major highlight of the celebration was the cutting of the retirement and 60th birthday cake.
Earlier, in recognition of his outstanding service, a special pens down programme was held in celebration of the retired Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment amid fun fare among members of staff and different personalities who have been positively impacted by the seasoned administrator.
Dr. Olu. Ola. Aikulola 
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In the wake of the on-going visa restrictions and increased scrutiny on international students and other non-immigrant visa applicants, the United States Government and United Kingdom have reinforced their determination to ban Nigerians, who overstay their visa duration from their respective countries.
This warning came amidst significant shifts in the immigration rules in both countries, with the UK recently implementing new measures to reduce immigration through stricter English Language requirements and a longer residency period for indefinite leave to remain.
On its part, the US its has implemented sweeping changes to curtail immigration since President Donald Trump took office in January this year.
In an updated visa policy announcement, the US Mission in Nigeria urged Nigerian travellers to adhere strictly to the terms of their United States visas, just as it warned that misusing them could jeopardise future travel to the country.The Mission made this known in a post on its official X handle, where it emphasised that overstaying in the country beyond the authorised period might lead to severe consequences, including restrictions on future travel.
“It’s important to use your US visa according to its terms. Misusing it, for example, by overstaying, may affect your ability to travel to the U.S. in the future,” the Mission stated.
In another development, the US Department of State said it has halted the dropbox facility and was mandating in-person interviews for most categories effective immediately.
The change marks a major rollback of the interview waiver programme, commonly known as “Dropbox,” which previously allowed applicants to skip consular interviews under certain conditions.According to the US Department of State, all non-immigrant applicants, including those under 14 and over 79, must now attend in-person interviews, except in narrowly defined cases.
The US Department of State clarified that exceptions applied to applicants under visa symbols A-1, A-2, and C-3, excluding attendants, servants, or personal employees of accredited officials.
In a related development, the UK Home Office urged foreign students in the country to leave before their visa expiration or face removal.
BBC reported that tens of thousands of international students in the United Kingdom were being directly contacted by the government to leave in a new campaign aimed at tackling what it describes as an “alarming” rise in student visa holders attempting to stay in the UK by claiming asylum.
In a first-of-its-kind move, the government is now proactively contacting students via text and email to issue formal warnings about the consequences of overstaying.
“If you have no legal right to remain in the UK, you must leave. If you don’t, we will remove you,” the messages read, as reported by BBC.
According to Home Office data, around 15 per cent of asylum applications last year, approximately 16,000, were submitted by people who originally arrived on student visas.
While the data does not specify how many of those were made after visas had expired, officials say the pattern is clear enough to warrant immediate action.
Around 10,000 students whose visas are nearing expiry have already received direct warnings.
A further 130,000 students and their families are expected to be contacted in the coming months,
Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, stated that some students were “claiming asylum, even when things have not changed in their home country.”
“We obviously will do our bit to support genuine refugees, but if nothing has changed in their country, people should not be claiming asylum at the end of a student course,” she said.
Cooper also said the growing number of students entering the asylum system is placing added pressure on already overstretched asylum accommodation and hotel services.
The message being sent reads in full, “If you submit an asylum claim that lacks merit, it will be swiftly and robustly refused.
“Any request for asylum support will be assessed against destitution criteria. If you do not meet the criteria, you will not receive support. If you have no legal right to remain in the UK, you must leave. If you don’t, we will remove you.”
The crackdown is part of a broader tightening of immigration rules under the Labour government. In May, the Home Office announced that universities would face stricter thresholds on visa refusal and course completion rates to maintain their ability to sponsor international students.
While much public attention has focused on small boat arrivals across the Channel, ministers are increasingly concerned about legal entrants—such as students—who later switch to the asylum system.
Of the 108,000 asylum applications made in the UK last year, around 40,000 came from people who arrived legally, including on work, study, or visitor visas. By contrast, about 35,000 came from small boat crossings, BBC reported.
Among legal entrants, student visa holders made up the largest group seeking asylum, with numbers almost six times higher than in 2020. Although the figure has since fallen by 10 percent, the Home Office wants further reductions.
Cooper acknowledged that student visa asylum claims account for just over 10 per cent of total applications but insisted that “to fix the system, we must tackle every single bit of it.”
The government has also moved to reduce the amount of time overseas graduates can stay in the UK after completing their courses, from two years to 18 months.
The number of successful asylum claims from skilled worker visa holders has also declined, according to recent Home Office figures.
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Recently, the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation and Nigeria’s former Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, lauded President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms for stabilising Nigeria’s economy despite widespread hardship, and called on the government to focus next on growth and protecting vulnerable citizens.
Okonjo-Iweala who made this commet during her visit to the State House in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, emphasised the need to put social safety nets in place to shield Nigerians from the impacts of sweeping reforms.
Without a doubt, the boldness and political will of the Tinubu led government to address the issues of economic reforms is really commendable. Since May 29, 2023, the present administration in Nigeria has been able to remove long-standing fuel subsidies, unified multiple exchange rates, and addressed central bank financing of budget deficits, policies aimed at fiscal discipline and economic liberalisation.
These moves boosted macroeconomic stability and investor confidence, but they also brought painful consequences for citizens in soaring inflation and high cost-of-living.
The direct consequence was one of the reasons for the controversy between Daily Trust newspaper and Federal Government over the August 7 editorial of the newspaper on the issue of hunger. Obviously, when there is a high cost of living, there will definitely be hunger as a result of a badly affected purchasing power.
There is a common saying in Yoruba land that ” he who is hungry does not need any sermon.” What such person needs is food and immediate action to get food to his table.
In seeking ways to protect the vulnerable from the hardship occasioned by the various reforms, the Federal Government should endeavour to sincerely ask the following questions: What is happening to poverty? What is happening to inequalities? What is happening to unemployment? These are factors that give rise to hunger in a country.
If the media and public relations handlers of the Federal Government will conduct communication research to feel the pulse of the people, the feedback will be alarming. Since feedback is an important component among the elements of communication, it would help the Tinubu administration to have a better understanding of the living conditions of its citizenry.
It is, therefore, expedient for the government to give a pride of place to the issue of safety nets that will bring relief to citizens. In doing this, the federal government should courageously put a round peg in a round hole without leaving any stone unturned.
It is no news that the federal allocation being distributed to states and local government on a monthly basis is more than double the previous earnings prior to Tinubu’s era in office.
Unfortunately, the 774 local government areas in Nigeria are yet to have their full autonomy in practice in line with the judgment of the Supreme Court of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. For whatever reasons, the local governments that make up the third tier of government in Nigeria are still subject to significant influence and control by state governments. The Apex court rulings supported financial autonomy for local governments, but their administrative and overall autonomy remained limited.
The federal government should know that the importance of three arms of government is not just for the records but for impacts that will be felt on the streets and villages. As such, there are limitations to what the governors can do when it comes to poverty allevaition that will get to the real grassroots and hinterland.
Even developed countries do not joke with municipality and county, which are the closest to the people since they understand the essence of governance is to touch lives postively. If this Tinubu government will make a mark that would be commendable by all and sundry, it should boldly take the step that will give full autonomy to the local government irrespective of the opinions of the high and mighty who have opposing views.
Incidentally, President Tinubu passionately displayed his knowledge of the importance of grassroots governance during his tenure as Lagos State Governor when the Federal Governmment under the leadership of the then President Olusegun Obasanjo denied the state of its allocation. Asiwaju Tinubu creatively thought out-of-the-box to generate revenue to fund the state and went as far as coming up with Local Council Development Areas, which are still standing tall till date.
The Special Adviser to the President, Mr. Sunday Dare in putting record straight on the Daily Trust Editorial mentioned that three million families had been assisted with N75,000 each by direct transfers with plans to scale up to 15 million, adding that the Presidential MSME Grant Scheme has disbursed funds to over 250,000 businesses in 2025, supporting small and medium-sized enterprises despite the outcry on CBN interest rates.
While these moves are lofty, I am confident that distribution will be more efficient if there is a stronger local government involvement and not one Federal Ministry relating with State Ministry which has little or no knowledge of the rural dwellers orientations.
Besides, how did the government determine the needs of people without direct interaction? Development Communication preaches the need for direct interaction that will involve focus group discussion with stakeholders, advocacy visits to communities on market days, ɓ community meetings for sensitization, among others. These channels will help the leaders to have a sound knowledge of the people’s needs.
Otherwise, if you go ahead to think for them, you are only doing what you think is their problem when you are not actually solving their problems.
The government, therefore, should research into the actual needs of the people and stop thinking for them.
Sadly, in Nigeria today, the prices and tariffs of almost everything have skyrocketed but for the salary of government workers as far as I know. President Tinubu promised living wage during his electioneering campaign. I do not need to be told that the so-called salary increase of 2024 was a farce. An addition of N40,000-N42,000 on worker’s salaries without following the normal accounting protocols cannot be a safety net that can cushion the effects of any hardship.
The popular joke of the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, ” let the poor breathe,” is a major point to note in coming up with safety nets that will assuage the fear of Nigerians Today, the wider gulf between the poor and the rich is more noticeable, just as the middle class in the society is fast being wiped out to join the league of the poor.
Poverty has far-reaching and devastating effects on individuals, families, and communities, impacting various aspects of life, including health, education, and social well-being. It increases the rate of insecurity, kidnapping, and ritual killing, among others.
If the poor will breathe, the government should also be ready to address the high cost of items and untowards tarrifs increase of some services. The beneficiaries should be all citizens, regardless of political affiliation. Also, safety nets should not necessarily be about distributing palliatives but making the economy “habitable” for citizens.
Femi Onasanya, a public affairs analyst and Development Communication Expert, wrote via femibimboo@gmail.com.
Upperhill News 