A Goal for the Future”: Hon. Kafilat Ogbara Scores Big with Youths as She Champions Football for Development in Kosofe

 

In a heartwarming and inspiring display of leadership and community engagement, Hon. Kafilat Ogbara, Member of the Federal House of Representatives representing Kosofe Federal Constituency, partnered with the Kosofe Youth Forum and Universal Global Sports Agency Ltd to host a thrilling grassroots football tournament aimed at empowering and uplifting the youth of the constituency.

The grand finale, held on Sunday, 18th May 2025, at Ayedere Nursery & Primary School, saw two energetic teams — Omojuwa Estate/Church Avenue and Makinde Street — battle for glory on the pitch. But beyond the scores and the goals, the real victory was for the youth of Kosofe.

Following the pulsating final match, Hon. Ogbara addressed the enthusiastic crowd, praising the spirit of sportsmanship displayed by all participating teams and declaring that “every team is a winner.” In a symbolic and generous gesture, she awarded cash prizes to all the teams, underlining her commitment to equity and inclusion.

“This tournament is not just about football,” Hon. Ogbara said. “It is about our future. It is about taking our youth off the streets, away from thuggery and drug abuse, and giving them something greater to aspire to. It is about discipline, passion, teamwork, and hope.”

With emotion in her voice and sincerity in her words, the Honourable Representative promised that the tournament would not be a one-off event, but the beginning of a continuous initiative to engage the youth meaningfully.

“This is just the beginning,” she assured. “As long as I serve the great people of Kosofe, this initiative will continue and grow. Together, we will build dreams, we will inspire talent, and we will secure the future of our constituency.”

The event, jointly organized by the Kosofe Youth Forum and Universal Global Sports Agency Ltd, received widespread praise from the community. Mr. Michael Omojuwa, FIFA agent and representative of Universal Global Sports, lauded Hon. Ogbara for her unwavering commitment to youth development, while Hon. Ayo Omojuwa, Manager and key stakeholder in the event, described the initiative as “a legacy in motion.”

“Youths across Kosofe are grateful for this platform,” said a team captain during the appreciation remarks. “Hon. Ogbara has not only invested in our talents, but she’s also shown that we matter — that we can dream and achieve.”

The Kosofe Youth Forum expressed deep appreciation for her vision and impact, stating that Hon. Ogbara’s intervention has set a new standard for political leadership and youth engagement in the area.

As the sun set over the Ayedere field and cheers echoed through the air, one thing was clear — Hon. Kafilat Ogbara is not just representing Kosofe in Abuja; she is transforming lives, one goal at a time.

#KosofeYouthRising #OgbaraForDevelopment #FootballForChange #YouthEmpowerment #KafilatOgbara #GrassrootsLeadership #HopeInKosofe #UnityThroughSports

VIDEO - Oyo CPS on Monday: Makinde has put us in dire straits, says Olabiyi-Agoro, TUC chairman

Chairman of Oyo State council of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Bosun Olabiyi-Agoro, says the governor of Oyo State, ‘Seyi Makinde, has put the labour leaders in the state in a difficult situation.

Olabiyi-Agoro, who disclosed this in an interview with The People’s Verdict, said Makinde’s performance had made it difficult for labour leaders to be critical of his administration.

The TUC chairman said, “It has been very difficult for us as labour leaders to speak about this government, as led by Engr ‘Seyi Makinde, without sounding as if we are his hype men. He has been wonderful, he has been magnanimous. 

He has been good. This is not far-fetched going by the series of awards that he has been winning. Even before the awards, the NBS (National Bureau of Statistics) came out in September 2024 and stated categorically that Oyo State Government is the number one labour-friendly state in Southern Nigeria and number two in the entire nation. That tells us what he has done and how much he has given into the welfare of workers in the state.”

Talking about the recruitment of different categories of workers by the state government, Olabiyi-Agoro said, “In his first term he recruited 5,000 teachers. Just at the beginning of his second term, SUBEB took in 7,000 teachers; TESCOM took in 7,500; 1,500 medical and health workers, comprising of doctors, nurses and others, were employed. Even in the schools, 3,000 non-teaching staff were recruited. Some ad-hoc staff in the local government, who were just casual workers, he regularised their employment and brought them into the mainstream of local government employment. 

“Some staff that were thrown away before, he looked into their issue case by case and those that had good cases, he absorbed them back into the mainstream employment even with the promotion that they had missed while the issues were ongoing. There were some OYSADEP workers that were also regularised back into the mainstream of Oyo State employment. About 791 people were taken into the civil service; I am not talking about SUBEB or TESCOM now but the civil service. I can go on and on. 

“That is why I said he has put us in a difficult position, though a positive one, because it is what we see that we are going to talk about. When there are issues, we shout but when there are no issues and we see things that are positive like this, in the same vein, we must say it so that people will know and others will be encouraged.”

The labour leader also lauded the governor for taking the payment of workers’ wages seriously.

He said, “I make bold to say that Governor Seyi Makinde has laid a foundation of which anyone that comes after him cannot afford to go lower, it will become an issue because Oyo State workers are already used to what he has given us already. Since he came into the office six years ago, he has made sure that he pays salary on or before the 25th of every month.

 That was not the narrative before. As far as we are concerned in Oyo State, it is something extraordinary to us. Yes, we have people who say that paying salaries is his basic duty to do.

 My question to those people is that when we had governors who were not doing that, what were we able to do to them? In many states, even in Oyo State, we had governors who were not paying regularly, governors who turned workers’ salaries into ajo (contribution) and were paying in bits, we were not able to do anything to them. So, we are very grateful for what he has done. He has promised us that until he leaves the office, Oyo State workers will get their salaries on or before the 25th of every month.

 He added 13th month salary to it and he has been paying. When we had issues due to the removal of fuel subsidies and everybody was introducing wage awards, I can tell you that Oyo State was among the very few states that were religious with the wage award.”

The labour leader, however, noted that the governor’s commitment to workers’ welfare had not impaired the development of the state as the governor has also invested immensely in infrastructure development.

Watch the video.

  

Gov Dauda Lawal’s Weak Leadership Fueling Insecurity in Zamfara — Northern Advocacy Group

 

A northern civic advocacy organisation, Coalition for Safer North-West Communities (CSNC), has blamed the persistent insecurity in Zamfara State on what it described as the “lack of courage and gross administrative ineptitude” of Governor Dauda Lawal.

A strongly worded statement signed by its President, Alhaji Murtala Shehu Gusau, on Wednesday, said the worsening wave of kidnappings, killings, and banditry in the state reflect a failure of leadership at the highest level of the state government.

The group said despite the deployment of military personnel and federal government interventions, Zamfara remains one of the most dangerous states to live in, owing largely to the governor’s inability to take decisive action and coordinate effective security responses.

“We are alarmed at the continued deterioration of security in Zamfara State, and after a critical assessment, we have no choice but to hold the state government accountable. Governor Dauda Lawal has shown a worrying lack of courage in the face of terror and has consistently failed to provide strategic leadership that inspires confidence among residents or security agencies,” the group declared. 

CSNC said Zamfara’s rural communities have become killing fields, while residents in the capital live in daily fear of abductions, despite the governor’s repeated assurances and media statements.

“It is not enough to issue statements from Gusau. What the people need is action. From Dansadau to Maru, Anka to Tsafe, farmers can no longer access their farmlands, women are being kidnapped in broad daylight, and children are growing up under the sound of gunfire,” Alhaji Gusau said.

According to the group, the governor’s approach to security management has been marked by inconsistency, lack of collaboration with federal authorities, and an inability to rally local leaders and traditional institutions towards community-based intelligence gathering.

“Zamfara is bleeding, and the government seems more interested in political propaganda than real solutions. How many more people need to die before we begin to see seriousness? The governor needs to admit that his strategy, if any, has failed and make way for fresh thinking,” the statement added.

CSNC also accused the Lawal administration of sidelining critical stakeholders in the state’s security architecture, including traditional rulers, local vigilantes, and federal agencies, in a bid to centralise control without the capacity to manage such complexity.

“We must stop pretending that things are normal. The situation in Zamfara is a full-blown emergency, and if Governor Dauda Lawal cannot show the willpower to govern in a crisis, then he must accept that leadership is not for him. Zamfara deserves more than photo-ops and empty meetings,” the group insisted.

Alhaji Gusau said the group’s position is based on consistent engagement with affected communities, civil society organisations, and humanitarian workers in the North-West, many of whom have raised alarm over the governor’s silence or delayed responses to critical incidents.

The group also questioned how billions allocated to security in Zamfara’s state budget have been spent, demanding transparency and accountability from the administration.

“We challenge the Zamfara State Government to publish the breakdown of its security spending for 2023 and the first quarter of 2024. We deserve to know what has been done with public funds meant to protect lives,” Alhaji Gusau said.

The group called on the National Assembly, particularly lawmakers from Zamfara, to conduct an independent assessment of the security situation in the state and recommend a pathway to restoring peace.

“This is not the time for partisan silence. Zamfara’s future is at stake. We urge Senator Ikra Aliyu Bilbis and other representatives to raise their voices and ensure that the suffering of our people is not ignored at the national level,” the statement added.

CSNC said it would continue to mount pressure on elected officials at both the state and federal levels until Zamfara experiences a turnaround in security and governance.

“We want peace. But peace will not come through platitudes. It requires bold leadership, integrity, and vision — all of which are sorely lacking in the current state government. Governor Dauda Lawal must wake up to his responsibilities or respectfully step aside for someone who can,” the statement concluded.

Varsity Don, Dr. Akinyemi Ogunkeyede Ties Nuptial Knot

 

By Abiodun Atilola, Lagos 

A lecturer from the Federal University of  Petroleum Resources Efurun, Warri, Delta State, Dr. Akinyemi Ogunkeyede on Saturday tied the nuptial knot with his heart throb, Sarah Ogunkeyede, at her family home in the Somolu area of Lagos State

The event, which had in attendance dignitaries from all walks of life, including some Oyo State Permanent Secretaries,  General  Managers, Directors  and family members featured   special blessings for the couple, musical entertainment, and lots more.

The Bridegroom Dr. Akinyemi Ogunkeyede is the  Acting Director of the Centre for Waste Management and Sustainable Resources (CWMSR), Federal University of Petroleum Resources,  Efunrun, (FUPRE), Delta State. 

The bride, Mrs, Sarah Ogunkeyede, hailed from (itsekiri), Delta State, she is also a staff member of the Delta State Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources. 

The Oyo State Head of Service, Mrs Olubunmi Oni, mni advised the couple to be patient and tolerant of each other.

She added that understanding is the key to successful marriage,  hinting that it will prevent  the need to bring in a third party into their marriage.

She said there is nothing wrong in inter tribal marriage. It is the personalities that are involved that matter. "It is  not about the tribe. She concluded that the lady is a well trained girl from a disciplined home. We love her."

Dr. Akinyemi Ogunkeyede is the younger brother to the number one Civil Servant in the Pacesetter State, the Oyo State Head of Service,  Mrs Olubunmi Oni, mni.  

The wedding reception was held at a popular event centre in Lagos.

Oyo Lawmaker, Hon. Olorunpoto Canvasses for Alaafin as sole Permanent Chairman of Obas’ Council, Seeks Additional Slot for Oyo Zone

During the second reading of the Council of Obas and Chiefs (Further Amendment) Bill, 2025, at the plenary session of the Oyo State House of Assembly on Thursday, Hon. Olorunpoto  Rahaman, representing Oyo East/Oyo West State Constituency, made a compelling case for the formal recognition of the Alaafin of Oyo as the Permanent Chairman and Presiding Officer of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs.

In his contribution to the debate, Hon. Rahaman emphasized the need for clarity in the bill, particularly expressing concerns over the use of the term “concurrent chairmen” to describe the proposed leadership structure, warned that such language is vague, potentially misleading, and could generate avoidable controversies among traditional rulers.

“I raised a red flag over the use of the word ‘concurrent’ in the proposed amendment. That term lacks clarity and opens the door to conflicting interpretations. If the true intent of the bill is to restore the traditional status of the Alaafin, then the law must state clearly and unequivocally that the Alaafin is the Permanent Chairman and the Presiding Officer of the Council,” Rahaman said.

The lawmaker further stressed that the Alaafin’s primacy in Yoruba history and traditional governance should be properly reflected in the law, not diminished by ambiguous language or equal chairmanship status.

In addition, the lawmaker advocated for an extra slot to be allotted to the Oyo zone in the composition of the Council, argued that Oyo, as the historical seat of Yoruba civilization and a zone with multiple revered traditional institutions, deserves enhanced representation in the restructured Council framework.

“I am calling for an additional slot to be allotted to our zone to ensure fairness, recognition, and proper representation,” he added.

Hon. Rahaman reiterated his commitment to ensuring that the amendment, when passed, reflects cultural integrity, historical justice, and balanced representation for all regions in the state.

Oyo Assembly Chief Whip, Hon. Gbenga Oyekola Advocates Permanent Presidential Seat for Alaafin in the New Oba and Chiefs law of Oyo State

The lawmaker representing Atiba State Contituency, who also serves as the Chief Whip in the Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Gbenga Oyekola has solicited for the elevation of Alaafin of Oyo in the ongoing  proposed Council of Obas and Chiefs ( Further Amendments) Bill ,2025 currently before the 10th Assembly in Oyo State.

Speaking on Thursday during the plenary presided over by the Speaker of the House Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin,  Hon. Oyekola declared that it's high time to Institutionalise the Alaafin of Oyo as the permanent authority and presiding President of the Council of Obas and Chiefs and equally accommodate Olubadan of  Ibadanland and  Soun of Ogbomoso as the rotational Chairmen which  should be contained in Schedule II and Schedule IA of the proposed Amendment law.

Hon. Oyekola noted that such  elevation will further place the Obas and Chiefs in the State in the appropriate hierarchy as being practised in the neighbouring and other Yoruba states.

"Mr. Speaker and my colleagues,  first and foremost, we need to put the  public in the  right perspective. Up till  today, what is in operation by law as regards the status of chairmanship of the council of Obas in the State is rotational. It's after this amendment that the new system will be effective." The Lawmaker reiterated 

"I just want to add a leg that as it's happening in other states of this Yorubaland, Osun and Lagos States for example,  the Ooni of Ife has been elevated to the Post of president,  others can be contesting and rotating the Chairmanship ditto for  Lagos State"

"I'm trying to advocate that we should just increase the seat of Alaafin of Oyo with a ladder , that Alaafin be recognised as the permanent president of Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs."

Seconding the motion on a bill for a law to further amend the Council of Obas and Chiefs law Cap.37 of  Oyo State,  Hon. Oyekola stated that the proposal of the amendment aims to restore historical precedence and ensure a clear leadership structure within the Council.

He stated further that the expansion of the Council will also pave ways for stability in the Oyo State traditional system,  prevent administrative uncertainties, and foster greater respect for the institution in the State.

It would be recalled that a delegation led by the Chairman of the Council of Elders in Oyo Town, Chief Olatoye, paid a solidarity visit to the Speaker of the  House, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin early hours of the day over the proposed amendments to the Council of Obas and Chiefs law.

The delegation commended the Oyo State House of Assembly for the ongoing efforts to amend the Council of Obas and Chiefs law which has been moribund for about fourteen years.

The bill has however passed through the second reading stage and forwarded to the Standing House Committee on Local Government, Chieftaincy Matters and State Honours for further scrutiny and amendments.

2027: Bawa Working With Third Force to Target Key Tinubu Ministers — CFTI

 

The Citizens Forum for Transparency and Integrity (CFTI) has raised the alarm over what it described as “a coordinated and sinister plot” by former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abdulrasheed Bawa, to work with opposition leaders and third force actors to destabilise the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 elections.

In a statement released in Lagos  on Monday, the group alleged that Bawa recently met with key opposition figures in London, where discussions were held on using his former contacts within the EFCC to target four serving ministers in Tinubu’s cabinet. 

According to the group, the plan is part of a larger campaign to discredit the government and erode public trust ahead of the next electoral cycle.

“We have it on good authority that Bawa, who is still nursing bitterness over his removal from office, has now found a new political mission —  to work with the opposition to paint this administration as corrupt and compromised,” the statement read.

The group said it is deeply concerned that the opposition is planning to use state institutions to launch politically motivated probes against top officials of the federal government.

“From the intel available to us, we can confirm that four ministers have been deliberately selected for this smear campaign,” said Alhaji Aminu Mustapha Gidado, President of CFTI. 

“Three of them are former governors — David Umahi, Atiku Bagudu, and Bello Matawalle — while the fourth, Festus Keyamo, is a former minister under the Buhari administration who now holds a strategic portfolio in Tinubu’s cabinet as Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development.”

Gidado claimed that in exchange for his role in this operation, Bawa has been promised a return to public office as National Adviser on Anti-Corruption, a newly proposed position that would oversee the EFCC, ICPC, and the Code of Conduct Bureau if the opposition succeeds in 2027.

“We find it extremely dangerous that a man who once occupied such a sensitive position is now being positioned as a political tool in the hands of those desperate to hijack power,” Gidado said.

The forum called on security agencies, particularly the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), to investigate the meeting held in London and monitor all back-channel activities aimed at weaponising anti-corruption institutions for political vendetta.

“This is not just about politics. It is about protecting our democratic institutions from manipulation and abuse. Bawa may be out of office, but his network remains embedded within the system. We cannot allow such an infrastructure to be turned against loyal public servants whose only offence is their allegiance to the current government,” the statement noted.

CFTI also warned that the growing desperation in opposition ranks is a signal that the 2027 elections may be marred by coordinated blackmail, character assassination, and institutional sabotage if urgent steps are not taken to counter these schemes.

“We are watching a dangerous script unfold. The opposition is not preparing for elections; they are preparing for subversion. They know they can’t win at the ballot, so they’re trying to destroy from within,” Gidado stated.

He further noted that President Tinubu’s cabinet has, despite challenges, made significant progress in stabilising key sectors and attracting foreign investments — achievements he said some politicians are determined to frustrate for selfish reasons.

“Is it not curious that the same ministers driving reforms in infrastructure, industrial policy, defence, and aviation are the ones being targeted? This is not a coincidence. It is a pattern of sabotage,” he added.

The group urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and to reject any narrative designed to weaken confidence in public institutions or derail the government’s momentum.

“This country belongs to all of us, and no one, not even a former EFCC chairman, should be allowed to turn anti-graft agencies into tools of political warfare. We owe our democracy more than that,” Gidado said.

“We are citizens with no political affiliation. Our only loyalty is to truth, justice, and national stability. And we will not hesitate to speak out against those plotting in the shadows.”

CFTI concluded by pledging to continue monitoring political developments and exposing any conspiracy against the current administration or democratic order.