OYO GOVT, UNICEF PROMOTE HOUSEHOLD GARDENS FOR BETTER NUTRITION

The Oyo State Government and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have expressed their readiness to strengthen collaboration on food and nutrition security through the promotion of the “All Homes, A Garden” initiative across the state.

The initiative is aimed at encouraging households to cultivate food crops and vegetables in their backyards to improve access to fresh, nutritious and locally produced food, particularly for children and women.

The Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Barrister Olasunkanmi Olaleye, stated this while receiving the Chief Child Nutrition and Development, UNICEF, Mrs. Nemat Hajeebhey, who led a team from the organisation on a courtesy visit to the Ministry in Ibadan.

Olaleye said the “All Homes, A Garden” initiative would encourage families to cultivate gardens within their homes, noting that food produced locally would provide households with fresh and nutritious alternatives to processed foods.

He stressed that improved household food production would complement the government’s efforts towards achieving food security and improving the nutritional wellbeing of the people.

The Commissioner said the present administration in Oyo State, under the leadership of Governor Seyi Makinde, had invested significantly in the agricultural sector, adding that the food security being experienced in the state and neighbouring states was supported by the government’s huge investment in agriculture.

He disclosed that under the government’s 50 per cent tractorisation subsidy programme, about 39,000 acres of farmland had been ploughed across the state, with the government bearing 50 per cent of the cost of land preparation for beneficiaries.

According to him, the investment was part of the administration’s deliberate efforts to expand agricultural production, support farmers and strengthen the state’s food system.

Olaleye therefore called for deeper collaboration between UNICEF and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, particularly in areas that would improve household food production, nutrition and the wellbeing of vulnerable groups.

Speaking on the reason for the visit, the Chief Child Nutrition and Development, UNICEF, Mrs. Nemat Hajeebhey, said the engagement was aimed at strengthening the food and nutrition system in Oyo State to promote the healthy growth and development of children and women, particularly pregnant women.

She acknowledged the efforts of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development towards improving food and nutrition security in the state, noting that the Ministry’s contribution to addressing nutrition-related challenges could not be underestimated.

According to her, strengthening collaboration among relevant stakeholders remained critical to ensuring that children and women have access to adequate, safe and nutritious food.

Earlier in her welcome address, the Coordinating Director, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Olaide Azeez, welcomed the UNICEF delegation to the Ministry and expressed the Ministry’s readiness to support initiatives aimed at improving food and nutrition outcomes in the state.

She noted that agriculture remained central to addressing food and nutrition challenges, stressing the importance of collaboration among relevant government institutions and development partners.

Part of the team that accompanied Mrs. Nemat Hajeebhey on the visit were the Data Officer, UNICEF, Mr. Bolu Ogunjimi; the Permanent Secretary, Career Management Services, Office of the Head of Service, Oyo State, Mr. Lateef Osungbekun; and the Director of Nutrition, Ministry of Health, Oyo State, Dr. Alarape, among others.

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT

 

   

NIGERIAN ARMY RECRUITMENT EXERCISE FOR THE 92 REGULAR RECRUITS INTAKE (RRI) FOR TRADES/NON-TRADESMEN AND WOMEN

Nigerian Army Recruitment Exercise for the 92 Regular Recruits Intakes (RRI) for Trades/Tradesmen and Women has commenced from 9th September to 21st October, 2026 for all interested and qualified candidates from Oyo State.

The application form is free and is available online at https:recruitment.army.mil.ng.

All applications will be screened and qualified applicants will be shortlisted to attend the physical screening exercise at the State Recruitment Centre, Adekunle Fajuyi Cantonment, Ojoo, Odogbo, Ibadan, Oyo State.

Interested male and female Indigenes of Oyo State who wish to apply are hereby advised to obtain Oyo State Indigeneship  Certificate at Room 53, Governor's Office, Secretariat, Ibadan and Liaison offices at Abuja and Lagos to confirm that they are bonafide indegene of Oyo State Origin.

Listeners are enjoined to please circulate this information to eligible Indigenes of Oyo State for general awareness that Nigerian Army Recruitment Exercise for 92 Regular Recruits Intakes (RRI) will commence from 9th September and close 21st October, 2026 for all interested and qualified Indigenes of Oyo State.

Thank you

                    ANNOUNCER

          Professor Musibau Babatunde
Secretary to the Oyo State Government

Makinde’s Govt. Will Sustain Investment in Youth Development - Oyo SSG

 

The Secretary to the Oyo State Government, Professor Musibau Babatunde, has reiterated the present administration commitment to prioritise youth development and creating opportunities for young people to thrive in the state.

Professor Babatunde stated this while receiving a delegation from the Abuja Leadership Centre, under the University of Abuja, during a courtesy visit to his office at the SSG’s Conference Room, Secretariat, Ibadan.

He said Governor Seyi Makinde administration attached great importance to youth development, noting that, it had taken deliberate steps to empower, educate and prepare young people to take up leadership responsibilities in the future.

His Words "the present government is  youth-focused initiatives, include empowerment programmes, digital skills training and the provision of soft loans to support young people in small-scale businesses.

He continued “This government believes so much in youth development and that is what the government is doing in the areas of youth empowerment, digital training programmes, soft loans for youth for small-scale businesses and many others.”

Professor Babatunde maintained that the state government would continue to support the youth agenda through policies and programmes designed to provide young people with the opportunity to develop their potential and contribute meaningfully to the growth of the state.

He hinted further that the state government is working towards returning out-of-school children to the classroom, stressing that education remained a critical foundation for the development of any serious nation.

He explained that providing children and young people with access to quality education would not only improve their individual prospects but also contribute to the overall socio-economic development of the state.

Responding, the Director of the Abuja Leadership Centre, Professor Abdulhamid Sulaimon, commended the Oyo State Government for prioritising youth welfare and development.

He called for more programmes and initiatives that will empower young people and equip them with the skills required to contribute effectively to the development of the state and the nation at large. 

Abiodun Atilola 

Media Officer to the SSG/HOS 

September 24, 2026.

OYO GOVT BOOSTS FAMILY PLANNING SERVICES, STRENGTHENS OWNERSHIP

The Oyo State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening family planning services, increasing government ownership and ensuring sustainable healthcare delivery across the state.

The commitment was reaffirmed at the Oyo State Bi-Annual Stakeholders Coordination Meeting organised by the Oyo State Ministry of Health and the Oyo State Primary Health Care Board, in collaboration with the Society for Family Health (SFH), at Jogor Hotel, Liberty Road, Ibadan.

The meeting focused on strengthening family planning integration, government ownership and accountability under SWAp/MAMII at the state and local government levels.

Speaking at the meeting, the Executive Secretary, Oyo State Primary Health Care Board, Dr. Muideen Olatunji, said the changing funding landscape had made it necessary for government to strengthen its institutions and take greater responsibility for sustaining essential health programmes.

Dr. Olatunji disclosed that the state invested N50 million in family planning commodities in 2025 and had earmarked another N50 million for 2026 to ensure the sustained availability of essential commodities and prevent disruptions in service delivery.

He also disclosed that the state had recruited nearly 4,000 healthcare personnel to strengthen the health workforce and improve service delivery, particularly at the primary healthcare level.

He added that Ward Development Committees across the state’s 351 political wards were being leveraged to promote community participation and increase awareness of family planning services.

Representing the ALGON Chairman, Oyo State Chapter, Hon. Sikiru Sanda, the Vice Chairman, Hon. Olayanju Kazeem, called for increased awareness of family planning among women and families.

He stressed the importance of providing accurate information to enable individuals to make informed decisions, particularly in view of prevailing economic realities.

The Iya Loja of Ibadan Land, Alhaja Risiwa Oyinlola Amiringun, also called for sustained sensitisation and training of market women on family planning, noting that inadequate information and limited literacy could affect women’s understanding and utilisation of available services.

During a presentation on the Society for Family Health and Delivering Innovation in Self-Care (DISC) 2.0 interventions, members of the DISC team, Mrs. Paulina Adeyemi, Mr. Afeez Tijani and Mrs. Oluwabunmi Olajide, disclosed that more than 1,000 healthcare workers from 573 health facilities had been trained on family planning and counselling for choice.

The team said the training equipped healthcare workers with the knowledge to address myths and misconceptions about family planning methods and provide accurate information to clients. They added that providers were also trained to counsel clients on possible menstrual bleeding changes associated with some methods.

The DISC team further disclosed that Community Health Extension Workers, community mobilisers and Ward Development Committees had been equipped with family planning messages to strengthen awareness and demand creation.

They added that local government monitoring and evaluation officers had also received training to improve data quality, reporting and accountability.

An assessment presented at the meeting showed that Oyo State recorded 65.2 per cent institutional readiness for family planning, while nine local government areas had incorporated key activities into their routine programmes.

Ibarapa North, Saki West and another local government area were, however, identified as requiring further strengthening.

The stakeholders, comprising government representatives, local government authorities, development partners, community structures and healthcare workers, reviewed progress and identified areas requiring further attention.

They stressed the need for stronger coordination, sustained investment and effective community engagement, noting that family planning should remain an integral part of the state’s primary healthcare system through adequate commodities, quality counselling, community participation, reliable data and accountability.

Prophet Ikuru Prays for Tinubu’s Safety, Declares: ‘The President Will Return Safely’

The Founder of Jehovah Eye Salvation Ministry, Prophet Godwin Ikuru, has prayed for the safe journey of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the United States, expressing confidence in the President’s safe return to Nigeria.

Prophet Ikuru said he had committed President Tinubu’s trip to God in prayer, asking for divine protection throughout his visit to the United States.

The cleric urged Nigerians not to be apprehensive about the President’s journey, assuring them that Tinubu would travel to the United States and return safely.

He also expressed optimism that the visit would further strengthen diplomatic relations between Nigeria and the United States and pave the way for greater cooperation between the two countries.

Prophet Ikuru called on Nigerians to continue praying for President Tinubu and the nation, noting that stronger bilateral relations could create new opportunities and contribute to Nigeria’s development.

Public Service Games: Oyo HOS Hails Workers, Commends Makinde’s Welfare Initiatives

 

The Oyo State Head of Service, Dr. Adenike Fasina, mni has charged Civil/ Public Servants in the state to uphold professionalism, integrity and transparency in the discharge of their duties.

Dr. Fasina gave this charge on Monday during the kick-off ceremony of the 2026 Public Service Games football competition held at the Ikolaba High School Mini Sports Complex, Agodi-GRA, Ibadan.

She described the annual Public Service Games as an avenue to strengthen unity, friendship and bonding among civil/ public servants across the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in the state.

The Head of Service urged workers to participate actively in the various programmes lined up for the 2026 Public Service Week, including lectures, sporting activities and the Public Service Merit Awards.

She said  "this celebration is not only about sporting activities but also an opportunity for workers to appreciate God, identify with one another and demonstrate the unity and collective strength of the public service.

Dr. Fasina said, “We start our annual week with a football competition. I charge you all to troop out en masse to celebrate ourselves in the other programmes, lectures and award ceremonies lined up for the 2026 Civil Service Week celebration.

“To whom much is given, much is expected, always embrace professionalism, integrity and transparency in the discharge of your duties, we are celebrating our week to appreciate God, identify with one another and show the system that we are one and we are moving forward.”

She commended the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde for providing the platform for the state’s Civil/Public Servants to celebrate another Public Service Week.

Dr. Fasina described Governor Seyi Makinde as a “talk and do” governor, while appreciating him for approving another transport subsidy allowance for civil servants in the state.

She noted that the welfare initiatives of the administration had continued to demonstrate its commitment to improving the well-being and morale of workers.

The Head of Service enjoined  Civil/Public Servants to reciprocate the gesture by remaining committed, dedicated and professional in the discharge of their responsibilities to the people of Oyo State.

The 2026 Public Service Games football competition is one of the activities lined up for the celebration of the 2026 Oyo State Public Service Week.

Abiodun Atilola 

Media Officer to the SSG/HOS 

September 22, 2026.

Information Sector Shine, Beat Youth and Sports 2–0 in Friendly Encounter

The Information and Communication Sector of the Oyo State Civil Service has recorded a convincing 2–0 victory over the Youth and Sports Sector in a friendly football match ahead of the 2026 Civil Service Games.

The entertaining encounter was played at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan,

as both sectors used the opportunity to fine-tune their preparations and assess the readiness of their players for the forthcoming Civil Service Games.

The Information and Communication Sector displayed impressive teamwork, determination and tactical discipline throughout the match, creating several scoring opportunities and maintaining control of the game.

Their efforts eventually paid off as they found the back of the net twice to secure a 2–0 victory over their Youth and Sports.

The Information and Communication Sector displayed impressive teamwork, determination and tactical discipline throughout the match, creating several scoring opportunities and maintaining control of the game.

Their efforts eventually paid off as they found the back of the net twice to secure a 2–0 victory over their Youth and Sports

counterparts.

The friendly match also provided an opportunity for players and officials from both sectors to build camaraderie, strengthen inter-sectoral relationships and promote the spirit of sportsmanship within the Oyo State Civil Service.