Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has approved the appointment of Mrs. Adenike Ayobami Fasina as the new Head of the Oyo State Civil and Public Service.

She takes over from Mrs. Olubunmi Olufunke Oni, mni, who has retired upon reaching the mandatory age of service, in accordance with public service regulations.

Mrs. Fasina, who hails from Eruwa, Ibarapa East Local Government Area, joined the Oyo State Civil Service as a Statistician II in 2000. She rose through the ranks and most recently served as Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance. Over the course of her career, she has received the Oyo State Merit and Productivity Award twice.

Mrs. Fasina, a member of the National Institute (mni), is also an alumna of the National Institute for Strategic Studies, Kuru, and belongs to several professional bodies.

In a related development, Governor Makinde also approved the appointment of 20 Executive Secretaries and General Managers across the Oyo State Civil/Public Service.

Mrs. Olubunmi Oni, mni, officially bows out as Head of Service following her retirement.

The Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) has successfully conducted seamless change of command ceremonies across Sectors 1, 2, and 3 of the Theatre, reinforcing command continuity, operational stability, and sustained momentum in ongoing counter-terrorism operations in the North East region. In Sector 1, the General Officer Commanding 7 Division Nigerian Army and Commander Sector 1 Joint Task Force North East Operation HADIN KAI, Brigadier General Ugochukwu Unachukwu, formally handed over command to Brigadier General Solomon Diwa, during a ceremony held at Headquarters 7 Division, Maimalari Cantonment, Maiduguri.

The event marked the end of a successful tenure characterized by operational progress and consolidation of gains within the Division’s Area of Responsibility.

In his valedictory remarks, Brigadier General Unachukwu described his tenure as challenging yet rewarding, noting that the Division is being handed over in a more stable condition. He commended brigade and field commanders for their dedication and urged personnel to sustain operational momentum, emphasizing that command transition must not affect the commitment to duty.

He further appreciated the support of all personnel and reaffirmed confidence in his successor. In his assumption of command remarks, Brigadier General Diwa pledged to sustain and improve on the achievements recorded by his predecessor. He assured troops of his commitment to operational effectiveness, innovation, and continuous improvement in line with the Chief of Army Staff’s Command Philosophy aimed at building a well-motivated and combat-ready force capable of joint and multi-agency operations.

In Sector 2, located in Damaturu, Yobe State, Brigadier General Beyidi Martins formally handed over command to Brigadier General Edet Effiong in a ceremony conducted in line with established military traditions and protocols. In his valedictory remarks, Brigadier General Martins expressed appreciation to officers and soldiers for their dedication, resilience, and professionalism throughout his tenure, which he noted was marked by notable operational achievements, improved troop morale, and strengthened civil-military cooperation within the Area of Responsibility. He urged personnel to extend maximum cooperation to his successor in order to sustain ongoing operational gains. In his assumption remarks, Brigadier General Effiong commended his predecessor for his exemplary leadership and pledged to consolidate on the achievements recorded while intensifying ongoing operations across the sector. He emphasized professionalism, discipline, adaptability, and enhanced collaboration with local communities as key imperatives for addressing evolving security challenges.

Similarly, in Sector 3, located in Monguno, Borno State, Brigadier General Shehu Ahmed formally assumed command from Major General Suleiman Tilawan in a colourful and dignified ceremony steeped in military tradition, which also marked the transition of command within the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) component of the sector. The outgoing commander expressed deep appreciation to officers and soldiers for their unwavering support, loyalty, and sacrifices, attributing the operational successes recorded in the sector to teamwork and collective commitment. He urged troops to remain steadfast and fully support the incoming commander to sustain operational momentum. Brigadier General Ahmed, in his remarks, paid glowing tribute to his predecessor and pledged to build on the solid foundation already established, with renewed emphasis on professionalism, discipline, operational efficiency, and troops’ welfare. He assured that under his leadership, the sector would sustain offensive operations and strengthen efforts aimed at restoring lasting peace and stability. Highlights of the various ceremonies included the signing of handing-over notes, symbolic transfer of command flags, presentation of souvenirs, operational briefings, visits to key locations, critical stakeholders and group photographs. The Theatre Command of Operation HADIN KAI assuages general public of its unwavering commitment to sustaining operational tempo across all sectors, denying terrorist elements freedom of action, and ensuring the safety and security of citizens throughout the North East.

With politicking intensifying ahead of the January 2027 election, opposition politicians have escalated their campaign of misinformation and calumny to diminish the impact and achievements of this administration over the last three years.

Two years ago, when the administration was struggling to deal with the unintended consequences of its historic reforms, the campaign would have made sense. But not anymore, as the administration can rightly claim bragging rights for what it has achieved against all odds and why the international community is applauding it for putting Nigeria irrevocably on the path of growth and development.

The impact of the three-year-old government is best felt at the subnational level – state and local levels. States that hitherto were unable to pay salaries by May 2023, with months of unpaid obligations to their workers and pensioners, are now doing so with ease and dreaming big about infrastructure. In every state I have visited, I have seen this development. Ogun, my state, Oyo, Nasarawa, Enugu, Ebonyi, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Katsina, and others have witnessed development projects spring up, thanks to President Tinubu’s re-engineering of the federation’s finances and increased allocation to the states. When local councils begin to receive their allocations directly from the Federation Account, the Tinubu effect will ensure that more governance cascades down to the 774 local councils.

State governors who have benefited from this policy have openly admitted that increased allocations have enabled them to bring social and infrastructural development to their states. Many opposition PDP governors who joined the APC did so for this reason—not for the baseless claim that President Tinubu bribed them. Governor Abdulrazak said in December 2024 that his administration embarked on more projects in the first 18 months of Tinubu’s presidency than in his first four years. The Governor of Ebonyi, Nwifuru, who is building iconic underpasses and overpasses in Abakaliki, credited his ambition to President Tinubu. Governor Peter Mbah similarly attested to this, crediting the Naira rain from the centre for his programmes. And Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule, who understands how Tinubu’s financial re-engineering and the end of the subsidy regime have increased the states’ fortunes, said President Tinubu “has taken the bullets for all of them.”

In May 2023, President Tinubu inherited acute petrol scarcity, an unsustainable petrol subsidy regime due to expire in June 2023, multiple exchange rates, arbitrage, and low revenue, with at least 30 states unable to pay workers, let alone fund infrastructure and social projects. Debt servicing consumed 97 per cent of Federal revenue. Additionally, food scarcity and inflation plagued the country as farmers abandoned their fields, recording massive losses amid the currency squeeze introduced by former CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele.

President Tinubu, guided by the Renewed Hope Agenda, wasted no time. He threw the ruinous subsidy out of the window from Day One. Days later, he floated the Naira and ended the artificial fixing of the Naira-to-dollar exchange rate, a system that had enabled well-connected individuals to profit effortlessly. Tinubu declared a food emergency and announced the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms to examine our outdated tax laws, some of which date back to the colonial era. Immediate gains included encouraging dry-season farming, with subsidies and inputs provided for farmlands abutting dams and irrigation sites in at least 14 states.

Even by President Tinubu’s admission, the early months and the first year were tough as the government implemented its programme. The cost of living went up, and businesses claimed the harmonised exchange rate had put them in the red. A few companies even closed shop and left our shores. On the streets, some Nigerians claimed that the policies have left them hungry, a sentiment the opposition still parrots to this day, without any empirical proof. If not sure of the salience of his reforms, President Tinubu would have taken a reverse gear in fright and abandoned all the new reform policies amid the avalanche of attacks from critics and opposition elements in the media. Instead, he persisted.

Two years after the first challenging year, the story has changed for good. However, some opposition elements are stuck in the sentiment of 2023/24, unyielding and adamant about acknowledging the many gains and milestones achieved by the Tinubu administration. But only the blind will fail to admit that this government has taken the country miles away from the state it inherited in 2023.

The stock market is clear proof of the administration’s economic success. In May 2023, Tinubu met the All-Share Index at 53,000 points and the market capitalisation at N30 Trillion. Today, the ASI has risen five times, to a record 250,000 and a market capitalisation of N160 Trillion. Blue-chip companies, including those initially negatively impacted by government policies, are declaring record profits and dividends. Equally, foreign portfolio investors are flocking in to partake in the Nigerian boom. This is not a bubble. It shows that a fundamental paradigm shift has occurred in the economy, all thanks to the Tinubu administration’s policy direction.

In recent weeks, I revisited the manifesto and policy ambitions that won us the election. The Tinubu administration has faithfully implemented its Renewed Hope Agenda, striving to resolve in three years the cumulative problems of decades.

Roads that will outlast this generation are being built nationwide. I recently went home to Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, and was amazed that the highway to my town from the Shagamu intersection now has a concrete pavement, thick enough to withstand the traffic of trailers from the West to the East. The most audacious road projects ever undertaken by any administration since independence are the Illela-Sokoto-Badagry and the Lagos-Calabar coastal superhighways. President Shehu Shagari conceived the Sokoto-Badagry highway in the early 80s. Succeeding administrations, afraid of the huge cost, abandoned the road. The Lagos-Calabar has also been on the map for decades, but no leader has ever dared to turn the idea into reality. President Tinubu has proven to be a transformative leader who has decided to turn the roads into reality, adding new roads to our road network for the first time, beyond those we inherited from the colonialists. Myopic critics of the two roads have assailed the Tinubu administration for taking loans to accomplish them. How else could the roads have been built if we rely only on FG’s share from FAAC? Relying solely on federal allocations would mean waiting 50 years or more, with costs ballooning out of reach, as in the metro-rail to nowhere started by presidential aspirant Rotimi Chibuke Amaechi in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. In the states, governors are building roads of similar standards. I saw some of these in Ogun, Kaduna, Ebonyi and Enugu.

As with roads, the Tinubu administration is also investing heavily in rail transportation, with the Kaduna-Kano-Gusau-Maraadi rail network scheduled for completion next year. City rail networks in Kaduna, Lagos, Kano and Enugu have been approved for construction, along with the Lekki-Ibadan rail.

When historians write about the Tinubu administration in 2031, they will not remember it only for audacious road and rail networks, but also for historic reforms. The oil and gas sector is one area in which the administration has impacted the country. Apart from ending the regime of wasteful subsidies, the government has instituted reforms that have made the sector attractive to fresh investment. International Oil Companies(IOCs) that once shunned our country are returning with billions of dollars in investment. Domestic refining and the innovative Naira-for-crude policy are ensuring energy security, thereby avoiding acute scarcity arising from the disruptive war against Iran and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. More recently, the administration enacted a policy requiring the NNPC to remit oil sales proceeds to the Federation account.

Confronted by the administration’s stellar performance, the opposition and media propagandists dredged up a campaign video of the President promising a 24/7 power supply. They distorted his words. What he actually said was: “Whichever way, by all means necessary, you will have electricity, and you will not pay for an estimated bill anymore. A promise made will be a promise kept. If I don’t keep the promise and I come for a second term, don’t vote for me, unless I give you adequate reasons why I couldn’t deliver.”

What the distorters failed to admit was that the Discos, privatised since 2013 by President Goodluck Jonathan, are responsible for delivering power to the end consumers, not the Federal Government. What this government has done in the last three years has been to address the problems hindering the capacity of Discos to deliver, such as bringing Siemens to strengthen the grid, activating idle GENCOs, and planning to clear the N4 trillion legacy debts owed to GENCOs and GASCos, which will encourage new investments in the sector. The government has also massively implemented its metering policy, providing over 2.5 million meters to homes. Recently, the Tinubu administration announced the establishment of GAMCO, the Grid Asset Management Company, which will optimise power supply and activate idle facilities.

One of the administration’s impactful programmes, apart from issuing passports in less than a week, is the introduction of NELFUND and CREDICORP in 2024. While Credicorp is making loans available to civil servants to buy Made-In-Nigeria products, NELFUND, with N282 billion committed so far, has made tertiary education more accessible for our children. About 1.6 million Nigerian students have benefited. Payment of school fees and stipends is assured for the children, and the government has also renegotiated the 2009 ASUU-FG agreement, such that in the last three years, our universities, along with the Polytechnics and Colleges of Education, have been spared the disruptive academic strikes. Let’s give the Tinubu government some slack: a four-year programme is now a four-year programme. He promised it during the campaign and has delivered. The government has also invested in technical schools, offering students pursuing vocational education allowances. In the universities, TETFUND is once again funding research grants for dons willing to pursue ideas that will be useful to our society.

Among impactful programmes, apart from issuing passports in less than a week, are NELFUND and CREDICORP, introduced in 2024. Credicorp makes loans available to civil servants for Made-In-Nigeria products, while NELFUND, with N282 billion committed, has made tertiary education more accessible. About 1.6 million students have benefited. School fees and stipends are assured, and the government has renegotiated the 2009 ASUU-FG agreement, sparing universities from disruptive strikes. Today, a four-year programme in the universities, polytechnics and colleges of education is completed in four years. Technical schools offer allowances to vocational students, and TETFUND is funding research grants to academics.

It has not been all rosy the past three years, especially in the area of making our people safe from the band of bandits and terrorists. While the armed forces have been locked in an asymmetrical war against these heartless elements, neutralising their leaders and foot soldiers in several theatres of conflict, the displaced terrorists are attacking vulnerable areas in some of the states, killing and kidnapping. The government is unrelenting in providing the armed forces, intelligence agencies, and police with the tools they need to wage the war. With support from friendly governments like the US, France, and the UK, there is hope that the menace of kidnappers and their political sponsors will become history. The man who has taken the bullets to make Nigeria survive a fiscal disaster is even more willing to take additional bullets to make all Nigerians safe.

Bayo Onanuga is Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Information and Strategy

The Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) successfully conducted a seamless change of command ceremonies across Sectors 1, 2, and 3 of the Theatre, reinforcing command continuity, operational stability, and sustained momentum in ongoing counter-terrorism operations in the North East region. In Sector 1, the General Officer Commanding 7 Division Nigerian Army and Commander Sector 1 Joint Task Force North East Operation HADIN KAI, Brigadier General Ugochukwu Unachukwu, formally handed over command to Brigadier General Solomon Diwa, during a ceremony held at Headquarters 7 Division, Maimalari Cantonment, Maiduguri. The event marked the end of a successful tenure characterized by operational progress and consolidation of gains within the Division’s Area of Responsibility.

In his valedictory speech, Brigadier General Unachukwu described his tenure as challenging yet rewarding, noting that the Division is being handed over in a more stable condition. He commended both brigade and field commanders for their dedication and urged personnel to sustain operational momentum, emphasizing that command transition must not affect their commitment to duty. He further appreciated the support of all personnel and reaffirmed confidence in his successor. In his assumption of command remarks, Brigadier General Diwa pledged to sustain and improve on the achievements recorded by his predecessor. He assured troops of his commitment to operational effectiveness, innovation, and continuous improvement in line with the Chief of Army Staff’s Command Philosophy aimed at building a well-motivated and combat-ready force capable of joint and multi-agency operations.

In Sector 2, located in Damaturu, Yobe State, Brigadier General Beyidi Martins formally handed over the command to Brigadier General Edet Effiong in a ceremony conducted in line with established military traditions and protocols. In his valedictory speech, Brigadier General Martins expressed appreciation to officers and soldiers for their dedication, resilience, and professionalism throughout his tenure, which he noted was marked by notable operational achievements, improved troop morale, and strengthened civil-military cooperation within the Area of Responsibility. He urged personnel to extend maximum cooperation to his successor in order to sustain ongoing operational gains. In his assumption remarks, Brigadier General Effiong commended his predecessor for his exemplary leadership and pledged to consolidate on the achievements recorded while intensifying ongoing operations across the sector. He emphasized professionalism, discipline, adaptability, and enhanced collaboration with local communities as key imperatives for addressing evolving security challenges.

Similarly, in Sector 3, located in Monguno, Borno State, Brigadier General Shehu Ahmed formally assumed command from Major General Suleiman Tilawan in a colourful and dignified ceremony steeped in military tradition, which also marked the transition of command within the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) component of the sector. The outgoing commander expressed deep appreciation to officers and soldiers for their unwavering support, loyalty, and sacrifices, attributing the operational successes recorded in the sector to teamwork and collective commitment. He urged troops to remain steadfast and fully support the incoming commander to sustain operational momentum. Brigadier General Ahmed, in his remarks, paid glowing tribute to his predecessor and pledged to build on the solid foundation already established, with renewed emphasis on professionalism, discipline, operational efficiency, and troops’ welfare. He assured that under his leadership, the sector would sustain offensive operations and strengthen efforts aimed at restoring lasting peace and stability. Highlights of the various ceremonies included the signing of handing-over notes, symbolic transfer of command flags, presentation of souvenirs, operational briefings, visits to key locations, critical stakeholders and group photographs. The Theatre Command of Operation HADIN KAI assuages general public of its unwavering commitment to sustaining operational tempo across all sectors, denying terrorist elements freedom of action, and ensuring the safety and security of citizens throughout the North East.

The gubernatorial aspirant of the Action Democratic Party (ADP) in Oyo State, Kunle Olatunji, has officially emerged as the party’s gubernatorial candidate through a consensus arrangement ahead of the forthcoming general elections.

At a well-attended State Congress held at the ADP State Secretariat, Oke-Ado, Ibadan, Olatunji emerged alongside other consensus candidates vying for various elective positions, including the Senate, House of Representatives, and Oyo State House of Assembly seats.

The congress, which was peacefully conducted, was witnessed by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force, and members of the media.

Speaking during the declaration of the candidates, the Oyo State Chairman of the Action Democratic Party, Apostle Dare Ojo, affirmed that party members drawn from all geopolitical zones and constituencies across the state unanimously endorsed the consensus arrangement.

While addressing the Media during the congress, Apostle Dare Ojo the State Chairman of ADP stated that the party had collectively passed a vote of confidence on Kunle Olatunji and all other candidates produced through the consensus process, describing the exercise as transparent, peaceful, and reflective of the unity within the party.

In his acceptance speech, Olatunji, speaking on behalf of other candidates, expressed appreciation to party leaders and members for the confidence reposed in them. He assured the people of Oyo State of purposeful leadership and excellent governance anchored on empathy, inclusiveness, accountability, and collective progress.

The Action Democratic Party ADP prides in equity, fairness and unity of purpose as one unique Party without rancour, internal wrangling or parallel congresses as witnessed in most parties recently conducting their primaries and congresses.

According to Olatunji, the ADP is prepared to usher in a new dawn of responsible governance where leadership and the citizenry will work together as partners in the overall development and transformation of Oyo State.

I heartily congratulate Alhaji Sakibu Olokojobi, veteran journalist, publisher, and Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of FrontPage, on the occasion of his 60th birthday.

Reaching this significant milestone is not only a celebration of age, but also a recognition of a life devoted to the service of journalism, public enlightenment, and the strengthening of democratic discourse in Nigeria.

Over the years, Alhaji Olokojobi has distinguished himself as a disciplined media professional whose commitment to ethical journalism and credible online publishing has earned him respect within and outside the profession.

Through his editorial leadership and active engagement in the Nigerian media space, he has contributed meaningfully to the growth of responsible journalism in an era of rapid digital transformation.

As a respected member of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers and a consistent advocate of professionalism, he represents the enduring values of integrity, courage, and intellectual depth that remain essential to the survival of the media as the watchdog of society. His career stands as an inspiration to younger journalists seeking to combine professional excellence with public responsibility.

At a time when the media industry continues to confront enormous challenges, the contributions of seasoned professionals like Sakibu Olokojobi deserve recognition and appreciation. His steady voice, editorial experience, and dedication to truth have continued to enrich the journalism profession and strengthen public confidence in credible media practice.

As family, friends, colleagues, and associates celebrate him today, I join in wishing Alhaji Sakibu Olokojobi good health, peace, renewed strength, and many more fruitful years of impactful service to journalism and humanity.

E-signed:
Lanre OgundipeFormer President, Nigeria and African Union of Journalists
May 28, 2026.