Comrade Segun Abatan, Secretary of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Oyo State branch, has said that Governor SeyiMakinde ended the frustration of pensioners in the state and wiped away their tears.

Abatan, who stated this during an interaction with The People’s Verdict, said before the advent of Makinde, pensioners were regarded as persona non grata and treated with disdain in Oyo State.

He continued, “When Seyi came we were afraid; whether he was going to toe the line of former governors. Lo and behold, he disappointed us by first of all announcing and placing his salary for the payment of pensioners. That was a masterstroke. Then, he stopped the payment of pensions in percentages. It was so bad, before he came, that pensions were paid maybe three times in a year. One month pension was always paid in three installments. So, if you calculate it, it would be payment of three or four months’ pensions in a year.

“We endured that for eight years before Seyi Makinde came on board. Since he came on board, Seyi Makinde has not defaulted for one month. Rather, he has increased the N250million he started with to about N1billion now. So, Seyi Makinde pays N1bn every month in gratuity.

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Makinde wiped away our tears, says Oyo Pensioners Union secretary, Abatan

“Seyi Makinde stopped our frustration; he wiped away our tears and made us live. We were being described as the living dead before Seyi Makinde became the governor. He has not only met our aspirations, he has made us happy. Oyo State pensioners are better than any state pensioners in the whole of the federation.”

Talking about the impact of Makinde’s administration, Comrade Abatan said, “Before Seyi Makinde came, we knew how Ibadan streets were, there was a great disorder. But now, there is order. Then, when you talk about infrastructure development, the roads are now better tarred. He has made the roads leading to the state capital more attractive. He is not concentrating road development in Ibadan alone, it is everywhere in the state; in Oyo, Ogbomoso, Iseyin, Saki, etc. Oyo State is having a better look.”

The union leader also lauded the governor for his policy on agriculture which, he said, has turned Fasola Agric Industrial Hub into a model.

He said, “Makinde has done well in agric. Look at Fasola; in those days Fasola used to be a rural settlement. But see what he has done now. He has turned it into an agric industrial hub. He is assisting farmers with fertilizers and other agricultural input. And he has also improved the health sector.”

Abatan continued, “If it were possible to have a third term, let Seyi go ahead and ride on. Some are even saying that he should be made a life governor in Oyo State because we have never had it so good. Since January 2025 when he increased our pension, life has not been the same for us.”

The NUP scribe, who described Governor Makinde as a very compassionate leader, counseled him to look beyond the National Assembly for his next aspiration.

According to him, “We pensioners don’t want him in the Senate, he is too useful to go and be sleeping in the Senate or the House of Representatives. We want him at the presidency level. If his party can nominate him to vie for the presidency, they will see that he will move mountains. I personally will lead pensioners throughout the federation because pensioners throughout the federation are endangered. If they now see somebody who has done well for pensioners in his state and he is now coming to the federal level, all pensioners will rally round him.”

The Oyo State government is actively working towards creating more resilient cities, focusing on sustainable urban development and improving quality of life for residents.

Commissioner for Lands, Housing and Urban development, Mr. Williams Akin- funmilayo stated this at an International Conference on a sustainable built environment, held at the Faculty of Environmental Design and Management University of Ibadan.

He added that the Governor Seyi Makinde led administration is proud to be at the forefront of integrating resilience into urban planning.

The commissioner explained that across Africa and especially in Nigeria, our cities are under tremendous pressure, Urban populations are growing rapidly often faster than the planning framework can handle, saying by 2050, it is projected that over 70% of Nigeria’s population will live in urban areas.

He maintained that, resilience is not optional but necessity and Oyo State is not immune to these challenges from the ever- expanding Ibadan metropolitan area to the rural – urban migration.

Akin-funmilayo added that pressures in towns like Ogbomoso and Oyo, Saki, Iseyin, Ibarapa are witnessing increasing demand for housing services and land, noting that challenges have presented the State Government opportunities to innovate, reform and to build more resilient cities.

According to him, “On Urban Renewal policy framework, the Lands Commissioner explained that in 2021, the State Government under the present administration launched a renewed Urban Renewal Strategy aimed at making the cities in Oyo State more livable, inclusive and future – proof and this includes: Comprehensive upgrading of both major and inner-city roads and drainage systems; Revitalization of public facilities/infrastructure such as schools, health centers.

He explained further that Digitization and GIS- Based Land administration one of most transformation initiatives has been the Digitization of land records and planing approvals through the Oyo State Geographic information System (OYOGIS)
He said that (OYOGIS)
have mapped over 45% of Ibadan’s metropolitan land and the Ministry of lands, housing and urban development are now able to issue Certificates of Occupancy within weeks not years which enhances tenure security, reduces land disputes and encourages planned development.

He noted that following the devastating floods in Ibadan in 2011 and recent extreme weather events the State Government embedded climate adaptation into planning in the area of massive channelization of rivers and streams across Ibadan including the construction of drainages, culverts and bridges guided by international best practices through the Ibadan Urban flood Management project (IUFMP) in collaboration with the World Bank.

Akin- Funmilayo added that since the inception of this administration,the Ministry has evolved a better and sustainable approach to provision of land for housing development through what we called ” Land swap” under this arrangement, the Government through the Ministry of lands housing and urban development provide lands as equity while the private sector ( infrastructure partners) provide infrastructure such as roads, drainage, water, electricity.

He hinted that the Ministry in collaboration with the private sector have embarked on provision of affordable housing schemes in other major towns in the state such as Oyo, Ogbomoso, Saki, Iseyin with Real-time property search and tracking ( AWARI app).

“Through this Journey Oyo State Government has learned a few key lessons to share, Resilience is local Global framework are helpful but Urban planning must be grounded in local realities social, environment and cultural.

“We have benefited immensely from collaboration with the private sector ( developers, infrastructure partners, investors, consultants) other government agencies, international organization and grassroots communities.

“We also hope to foster collaboration with academia such as the University of Ibadan.

“I want to extend an open invitation to all of you researchers, students, and private sector partners to work with the Oyo State Government to co- create the resilient futures.”

The Commander of the Nigerian Army Training Centre (NATRAC), Major General John Sokoya, has called for enhanced collaboration between NATRAC and the Training and Doctrine Command Nigerian Army (TRADOC), to administer effective and realistic training to personnel of the Nigerian Army (NA).

Maj Gen Sokoya made the call on Tuesday, 3 June, 2025, when he paid a familiarisation visit to the Commander TRADOC NA, Major General Kevin Aligbe, in Minna, Niger State.

He said the visit was aimed at strengthening the existing partnership between the two critical institutions of the Nigerian Army in line with the Chief of Army Staff’s (COAS) Command Philosophy to effectively tackle contemporary and hybrid security threats facing the country in a Joint Operational Environment.

Maj Gen Sokoya described TRADOC NA as the hub and brain trust of the NA, emphasising its role as a custodian of army doctrine which has connection with all forms of training that assist in operational development and training standardisation.

He highlighted TRADOC’s critical role in the formulation and execution of NA Training Directives, noting that constructive collaboration between TRADOC and NATRAC is essential for conducting realistic and mission-specific training for troops on behalf of the Army.

The Commander NATRAC. therefore appreciated the Commander TRADOC NA for window given to him to come and discuss important issues concerning enhancement of realistic training, adding that NATRAC conducts wider range of training for other security agencies.

“NATRAC is soliciting support of TRADOC to prepare for the subsequent EXERCISE MUGUN BUGU which is the highest Army level field training exercise.

The Commander also commended TRADOC for its pivotal role in the coordination and successful execution of EXERCISE MUGUN BUGU I, II and III, a large-scale operational training designed to test and refine the operational effectiveness and combat readiness of NA formations and units through training institutions.

In his response, the Commander TRADOC NA, Maj Gen Aligbe, described the visit as timely and mission-driven, emphasising that the collaboration between TRADOC and NATRAC remains vital to the formulation of training policies that will boost the performance of the Nigerian Army ‘s formations and units in the field for better operational outcomes.

Maj Gen Aligbe lauded NATRAC for its commitment to continuous training of formed and capacity enhancement of troops through realistic exercises.

“When you train together, you fight better together. Command and control is much easier when elements of a unit understand each other in the field. Such joint training initiatives have significantly improved the Army’s preparedness to address the country’s mutating security threats,” he said.

The Commander TRADOC NA thanked the Commander NATRAC for sparing time and space out of tight schedules to come to TRADOC for operational and training discourse.

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, Engr. Oyedele Hakeem Alao (Allow Alao), has sent a condolence message on the demise of the Oniroko of Iroko, Oba Olasunkanmi Abioye Opeola, Kurunloju 1.

In his message sent through his Media Aide, Engr. Alao wrote :

“With a heavy heart and deep sense of loss, I mourn the passing of a revered royal father, a symbol of peace, wisdom, and dignity — His Royal Majesty, Oba Olasunkanmi Abioye Opeola, Kurunloju I, Oniroko of Iroko, who peacefully departed this world at the age of 63.

“Kabiyesi was more than a monarch; he was a father figure to me in every sense of the word. He was a close friend to my late father, and after my father’s passing, he graciously and wholeheartedly took me as his own son. Since then, his love, care, guidance, and fatherly affection have remained a constant presence in my life. I will forever cherish the memories of his words of wisdom, his calm demeanor, and his unwavering support.

“His reign brought unity, progress, and honor to Iroko and its environs. Kabiyesi’s leadership was marked by fairness, cultural preservation, and a profound commitment to the well-being of his people. His death is not only a loss to the Iroko community but also to all of us who had the privilege of knowing him personally and benefiting from his generosity of spirit.

“In this moment of mourning, I extend my heartfelt condolences to the Royal Family of Iroko, the entire Iroko community, and his fellow monarchs, including the Onikereku, Onijaiye, Alakinyele, and other traditional rulers in the surrounding areas, who no doubt feel the void left by his passing.

“May the Almighty grant his soul eternal rest and give all of us the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss. Kabiyesi has run a good race and has left an indelible mark that time will not erase. He will be deeply missed but never forgotten.

“Adieu, Kabiyesi

“Sun re o, Kurunloju 1.”

Reiterates Commitment towards International Partnership

The Nigeria Police Force has recorded a significant breakthrough in its fight against transnational organized crime with the arrest of two internationally wanted fugitives: Felix Omoregie alias “Eghosa Johnson Omoregie,” a suspected ringleader of a human trafficking syndicate wanted by Belgian authorities, and Okwudili Sabastine Ezeje, a key member of a Dubai-based armed robbery gang.

Felix Omoregie, the alleged mastermind of a large-scale human trafficking operation, had been declared wanted by the Belgian authorities through an INTERPOL Red Notice issued on 19th December 2023, and was arrested in Benin City, Edo State, following diligent intelligence and enforcement efforts by Police operatives. He is scheduled to be arraigned at the Federal High Court in Benin City.

Omoregie is accused of trafficking young Nigerian women—including minors—to Italy and subsequently dispersing them across Europe for the purpose of sexual exploitation. Victims were subjected to voodoo-based oaths and psychological coercion, with fabricated debts ranging between €20,000 and €50,000 used to manipulate and control them. His criminal network involved handlers in Brussels and France who managed the victims’ activities and remitted proceeds to him. Following a conviction in absentia in Belgium in 2021 for multiple counts of aggravated human trafficking and criminal organization leadership, Omoregie fled to Nigeria. Upon his arrest, a search of his premises revealed incriminating materials, including a photocopy of a passport intended for a planned relocation to Canada.

In a separate operation, the INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB), Abuja, apprehended 37-year-old Okwudili Sabastine Ezeje at a hideout in Nsukka, Enugu State. Ezeje is wanted by authorities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for a series of serious crimes including armed robbery, cultism, drug trafficking, and other organized criminal activities. Intelligence gathered reveals that Ezeje continued to coordinate criminal operations remotely from Nigeria. He has been directly linked to several high-profile robberies in Dubai and Sharjah, including an armed robbery at a grocery store in Dubai Mall, a targeted hit on Al Ansari Exchange in Jumeirah, and another heist at a Bureau de Change in Jebel Ali Village.

The arrest was the result of strategic intelligence sharing and operational collaboration between the Nigeria Police Force, the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), and the Dubai Police. The arraignment of Okwudili Ezeje is expected to take place shortly.

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM., commends all operatives involved in these high-profile arrests for their professionalism, diligence, and dedication to upholding Nigeria’s international law enforcement obligations. The Nigeria Police Force remains committed to enhancing its global policing partnerships and ensuring that fugitives find no safe haven within our borders. These arrests serve as a clear message that criminal elements, no matter how far they run or how long they hide, will be brought to justice. The Force calls on citizens to remain vigilant and cooperative in the fight against organized crime, both at home and abroad.

ACP OLUMUYIWA ADEJOBI, mnipr, mipra, fCAI
FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER,
FORCE HEADQUARTERS,
ABUJA.

As Athletic Team Crowned Champions of 6th Osom Games

In an exceptional demonstration of athletic prowess, the athletic team of the Nigeria Police Force has emerged as the overall champions of the 6th One Service One Medal (OSOM) Games, held in Abuja from April 23rd to 29th, 2025, securing an impressive medal haul of 42 Gold, 38 Silver, and 34 Bronze.

The OSOM Games, an initiative of the National Sports Commission, aims to bolster Olympic medal prospects for Nigeria by fostering sporting excellence within the country’s security agencies. The Games featured 12 participating agencies and 15 sporting events, fostering inter-agency collaboration and showcasing remarkable talent.

Leading the NPF to victory was Force Director of Sports, DCP Osifo T. Emefile. Adding to the force’s success, Corporal Oka Dorcas Eworo, a Police swimmer, was honored as the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the Games after winning an incredible 9 Gold and 1 Silver medals. The 6th OSOM Games witnessed unprecedented participation and a high level of inter-agency cooperation.

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM., has expressed his pride in the NPF’s athletic team, and stated that the Nigeria Police Force is proud of its athletes’ achievements and remains committed to supporting the development of sports in Nigeria. The NPF continues the winning tradition of sports legends like DCP (Rtd) Chioma Ajunwa-Okpara, MON, and late SP Sunday Bada.

ACP OLUMUYIWA ADEJOBI, mnipr, mipra, fCAI
FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER,
FORCE HEADQUARTERS,
ABUJA.