The Chairman of the Oyo State Local Government Staff Pension Board , Hon Akeem Ademola Ige has confirmed that the Executive Governor of Oyo State, His Excellency, ,Engr Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde has approved upward review of monthly allocation of the Board from One Billion Naira (#1B) to Thee Billion Naira (#3B).

Hon Akeem Ige made this known in a press statement issued and made available to news men on Thursday, February 12, 2026.

Describing the kind gesture by the Governor as a further confirmation of the present administration’s commitment to the welfare of all pensioners in the state.

According to him “the upward increase from One Billion Naira (#1b) to Three Billion Naira (#3b) is unprecedented , monumental and highly commendable feat which will surely help us to clear the backlog and accrued gratuity and death benefits owed the retired primary school teachers and local government retirees across the state”.

“On behalf of all the pensioners in Oyo State, most especially retired primary school teachers and local government retirees, I sincerely appreciate the workers and pensioners friendly Governor, His Excellency, Engr Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde, FNSE, for this upward increase of the Board allocation to Thee Billion Naira . This will translate to increase in the number of beneficiaries for gratuity and death benefits payment. We are glad that our amiable Governor keeps fulfilling his electioneering campaign promises to the people of the pacesetter state “.

” I therefore urge all pensioners in Oyo state to continue to pray and support the God Sent Man in order to enjoy more dividends of democracy.”

” At the Local Government Staff Pension Board, we promise to implement all government policies and programmes with the fear of God in the daily discharge of our duties ”

A Magistrate Court sitting in Osogbo, Osun State, on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, restrained the United Bank for Africa (UBA) from conducting any business transactions with individuals parading themselves as chairmen of local government councils in the state, pending the conclusion of an ongoing criminal trial involving senior officials of the bank.

In his ruling, Magistrate Adeyeba held that, in the interest of the public and to prevent further abuse of public funds, UBA must refrain from recognising any individual or group of individuals for the purpose of opening, maintaining, or operating bank accounts on behalf of any local government council in Osun State.

The order arises from a criminal case involving four senior UBA officials over the alleged illegal operation of accounts for Osun State local government councils.

The court recalled that on January 30, 2026, it issued bench warrants for the arrest of top UBA officials, including the Group Managing Director, Oliver Alawuba; the Group Legal Adviser, Billy Odura; and the Deputy Managing Director, Chukwuma Nweke, for allegedly failing to honour court summons.

Counsel to the defendants, H.B. Williams, informed the court that the affected officials had approached the High Court, seeking to quash the criminal proceedings at the Magistrate Court.

He argued that the lower court should stay proceedings pending the hearing and determination of the application.

However, counsel to the Osun State Government, Abiodun Badiora, opposed the application, informing the court that under Section 301 of the Osun State Administration of Criminal Justice Law, 2025, the staying of criminal proceedings has been expressly prohibited.

On the defendants’ case at the High Court, the state counsel informed the court that an appeal had already been entered with case number CA/AK/17/2026, which had been duly served. He added that the Osun State High Court had consequently adjourned the matter indefinitely.

Badiora further submitted that once an order is appealed against in a civil case as is applicable in this matter, compliance with it is held in abeyance until the appeal is finally determined.

He therefore urged the court, in the interim, to restrain UBA and its officials from further dealings with any individuals claiming to be local government chairmen in Osun State, in order to prevent the continued commission of alleged offences involving public funds.

In his ruling, Magistrate Adeyeba granted the application, restraining UBA from any further dealings relating to Osun State local government funds pending the final determination of the criminal trial. He also ordered that the criminal proceedings against the bank and its officials should continue.

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has commended the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin, for the successful completion of his tenure as Chairman of the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, describing it as impactful and transformative.

The governor said Ogundoyin’s tenure was eventful and marked by remarkable, trail-blazing achievements that brought pride to Oyo State and strengthened legislative governance across the country.

Governor Makinde also congratulated the newly elected Chairman of the Conference and Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, wishing him a successful and impactful tenure.

According to Makinde, Ogundoyin’s emergence as Chairman was historic, noting that he became the youngest Speaker and the first from an opposition party to lead the Conference— a development he described as symbolic of a generational shift and a new era of inclusive, reform-oriented leadership.

The governor applauded Ogundoyin’s vision and dedication to service, which, he said, drove key reforms such as the digital transformation of state legislatures through a strategic partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) aimed at modernising legislative processes. He also credited Ogundoyin with championing legislative autonomy and strengthening the institutional voice of state legislatures nationwide.

Makinde further highlighted achievements recorded under Ogundoyin’s leadership, including the strengthening of intergovernmental collaboration through sustained engagement with the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) to align Executive–Legislative priorities, advance constitutional amendments, deepen governance reforms and strengthen democracy at the sub-national level. He added that Ogundoyin intensified advocacy for the full implementation of financial autonomy for state legislatures.

The governor also noted that the Conference, under Ogundoyin, played a significant role in the constitutional review process, expanded international and diplomatic engagements focused on democratic values, legislative accountability and institutional capacity building, and fostered strategic collaborations with federal institutions to enhance fiscal transparency, improve revenue and tax legislation, and advance sub-national economic reforms.

Commending further milestones, Makinde said Ogundoyin led the harmonisation of legislative procedures across states and spearheaded the establishment of Nigeria’s first Post-Legislative Scrutiny Unit at the sub-national level.

It is also on record that during Rt. Hon. Ogundoyin’s tenure, the Conference of Speakers actively promoted gender inclusion and equity, strongly advocated increased women representation in governance and legislative leadership, and sustained continuous engagement with the legislative workforce through dialogue with the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN),” the governor said.

Governor Makinde wished Ogundoyin success in his future endeavours as he continues to serve the nation.

Akeem Akintunde, former Director of Programmes at Ogun State Television (OGTV) and ex-Chairman of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Ogun State chapter, is dead.

The veteran broadcaster and sports journalist passed away on Wednesday night following a protracted illness, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ogun State Council, has confirmed.

A statement released by the Council’s Secretary, Bunmi Adigun, described his death as the end of an era in Ogun State journalism.

“His passage tonight after a protracted illness marks the end of a remarkable career defined by dedication, excellence, and an unwavering passion for journalism and sports,” the statement read.

Until his death, Akintunde was widely regarded as a repository of broadcasting and sports knowledge. Colleagues recall a man who “lived and breathed journalism and sports until his last moments.”

His tenure as Director of Programmes at OGTV remains one of the most impactful in the station’s history, earning him admiration across generations of broadcasters.

Burial arrangements will be announced by the family.

The NUJ has called on colleagues and associates to uphold the family in prayers as they mourn what it termed an “irreparable loss.”

The Forum of Oyo State Local Government Chairmen has praises the Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin, for his landmark leadership and impactful contributions to governance, particularly during his tenure as Chairman of the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria.

This words of commendation followed the successful completion of Ogundoyin’s tenure as Chairman of the Conference of Nigeria Speakers where the council chairmen said he distinguished himself through purposeful leadership and institutional reforms that strengthened legislative practice across the country.

In a statement jointly issued by the Forum Chairman, Hon. Sikiru Sanda and Publicity Secretary, Hon. Ibrahim Akintayo respectively, the chairmen noted that Rt. Hon. Ogundoyin’s tenure was marked by a strong commitment to transparency, youth inclusion, gender advocacy, and international engagement, which helped position the Conference as a modern, responsive, and forward-looking institution.

According to the statement, Ogundoyin’s leadership represented a defining period of reform, inclusion, and institutional strengthening within the Conference of Speakers.

As the youngest and first opposition Speaker to occupy the position, he was described a genius by bringing fresh energy and a unifying leadership style that elevated the relevance of state legislatures in Nigeria’s democratic governance.

The Forum further highlighted that under his leadership, the Conference pursued far-reaching reforms, including the promotion of legislative autonomy, the digitalisation of parliamentary processes, the harmonisation of standing orders across state assemblies, and the introduction of post-legislative scrutiny to ensure that laws deliver measurable impact.

Speaking further, the council chairmen said Ogundoyin also strengthened collaboration between state assemblies, the executive arm of government, and development partners, thereby ensuring that sub-national legislatures maintained a strong and effective voice in constitutional and broader governance reforms.

The Forum concluded that Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin’s legacy as Chairman of the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria remains one of the best In terms of innovation, unity, and sustainable legislative development across state legislatures nationwide.

Oyo State Government has met with the leadership of the African Continental Free Trade Area in Ghana to discuss collaborative initiatives as the state begins the full implementation of the AfCFTA Strategy.

This followed a Training the Trainers Workshop held in Ibadan last week, with the Special Adviser on International Trade and AfCFTA, Ms Neo Theodore Tlhaselo, stating that the deliberation in Ghana, which was the first in 2026, was held to “set the tone for the collaborative initiatives intended between Oyo State Government and the AfCFTA Secretariat, as the full rollout of implementation begins.”

According to her, the discussion centred on the 2026 Action Plan of the Oyo State Government on AfCFTA, following the allocation of funds to the AfCFTA in the 2026 Budget to drive the initiative and support the Oyo State AfCFTA Strategy rollout.

At the meeting, the AfCFTA Secretary-General, Mr Wamkele Mene, praised Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde for exhibiting purposeful and visionary leadership, noting that Oyo State stands out as one of the few governments with isolated budget for the AfCFTA rollout outside the budget of its Ministry of Trade.

Mene also noted that Oyo State Government, through the Governor, has continued to demonstrate commendable commitment to AfCFTA, a development which he said would greatly help the state’s AfCFTA Implementation Strategy and propel the state to economic success.

The meeting discussed the action plan and collaborative engagements with the AfCFTA Secretariat, as the Secretary-General engaged with the state government on advancing AfCFTA implementation at the sub-national level and accelerating industrial development in Oyo State.

Tlhaselo added that the discussion also touched on strengthening Oyo State as a manufacturing and trade hub, leveraging on special economic zones, and modernising trade systems through digital solutions, while also placing emphasis on attracting strategic investment, improving logistics and border efficiency, and linking local industries to continental value chains under the AfCFTA framework.

She said: “You would recall that we had the Training of Trainers Workshop on AfCFTA Implementation Strategy in Oyo State on 6th February, 2026, which sought to further dissect the strategy and key in economic players and government officials for an understanding of their role in the implementation and roll out.

“Trainers were encouraged to further train their colleagues and traders on the strategy so that the rollout becomes seamless.

“Following this workshop, we had to come to the AfCFTA Secretariat in Accra, Ghana, where we met with the Secretary-General, AfCFTA, HE Wamkele Mene.

“This first meeting of the year was to set tone for the collaborative initiatives intended between Oyo State Government and AfCFTA Secretariat as the full rollout of implementation begins.”
She added, “The engagement highlighted the growing importance of state-level leadership in delivering practical trade outcomes and transforming AfCFTA from policy into tangible economic opportunity -driving jobs, competitiveness, and deeper regional integration.”