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We’ll enact laws to address root causes of insecurity – Speaker Abbas
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The 10th House of Representatives would enact legislation to address the root causes of security challenges in Nigeria, Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, Ph.D. has said.
He said the House would also strengthen the capacity of Nigeria’s Armed Forces to be able to respond to such challenges.
Declaring open a two-day post-inauguration retreat for members of the House Committee on Defence organized jointly by the Committee and the National Defence College, Speaker Abbas noted that security is one of the priority areas highlighted in the Legislative Agenda of the 10th House.
He stated that the security of the nation is a collective responsibility and that the legislative arm of government has a critical role to play in ensuring that the Armed Forces and the police are well-equipped and adequately funded to tackle the multiple security challenges facing the country.
He said: “As legislators, we have a critical role in ensuring that the necessary legislative frameworks are in place to support the national security architecture. This includes enacting robust legislation that addresses the root causes of the security challenges.
“We must also strengthen the capacity of our Armed Forces and other security agencies to respond to these complex and ever-evolving challenges effectively. The 10th House will continue to support the efforts of security agencies and actors through adequate funding, the provision of modern equipment, ramping up training, and improving the welfare packages for security personnel.”
Speaker Abbas said the retreat came at the right time, noting that capacity strengthening for legislative Committees on security and defense was crucial to maintaining robust oversight and governance within the security sector.
While commending the leadership of the Committee, chaired by Hon. Babajimi Benson (APC, Lagos), for the foresight in planning the retreat to equip Members to discharge their oversight and lawmaking functions effectively, the Speaker lauded the efforts of the National Defence College partnering the Committee in providing a functional understanding of Nigeria’s national security architecture and other defense-related issues.
He added that “The Legislative Agenda of the House, which I unveiled on Tuesday, 14th November 2023, highlights security and states our commitment to adopting legislative measures to improve national security.
“In furtherance of this commitment, the House is set to commence sectoral debates today at its plenary. The maiden edition of the debates will be on security. All Service Chiefs and the Inspector-General of Police have been invited to appear before the House to brief Members on their respective agencies’ overall state of affairs.
“The purpose of this is to enable us to understand the progress made so far as well as the challenges requiring legislative intervention,” the Speaker said.
Emphasizing the importance of a comprehensive approach to national security, the Speaker explained it should involve a coordinated effort between the Executive, Legislature, and Judiciary with other stakeholders such as civil society organizations, the private sector, and the international community.
He urged members of the Committee to make the best use of the retreat to engage with experts, share ideas, and ask critical questions that would improve their understanding of the defense sector for proper oversight.
“I am confident that with the support of the National Defence College and the collective efforts of all stakeholders, we can create a functional understanding of Nigeria’s national security architecture and higher management of defense-related issues and build a more secure and prosperous future for our country.”
Speaking at the event, Chairman of the House Committee on Defence, Hon. Benson said the Committee was concerned about the security challenges in the country.
He said the Committee had continued to interact with the defense establishment to find lasting solutions to the challenges, noting that they would leverage the knowledge garnered from the retreat to improve funding to the security sector within the available resources.
“I want to reiterate my assurance to Nigerians that we are determined to carry out our legislative functions effectively, efficiently, and in a manner that will ensure the safety of their lives and property.
“Consequently, I have sponsored several bills aimed at revolutionizing Nigeria’s defense sector. These bills include the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria Bill, the Nigerian Armed Forces Support Trust Fund (Establishment) Bill, the Defence Research and Development Bureau Bill, the Armed Forces Act (Amendment) Bill to establish a Space Force for the Armed Forces of Nigeria, and many others.”
The Defence Committee Chairman said he was optimistic that at the end of the retreat, Members would gain useful skills, knowledge, and experiences that they would bring to bear in the performance of their duties in the Committee.
He thanked the Speaker for declaring the retreat open and appreciated the National Defence College for its readiness to develop the capacity of the members of the Committee to efficiently carry out their mandate.
“The House Committee on Defence looks forward to an even more robust partnership with the college as we work towards a peaceful and secure Nigeria,” he said.
The Commandant of the National Defence College, Rear Admiral Olumuyiwa Morakinyo Olotu, said the College was ready for more partnerships with the Committee in the coming years.
While thanking the Speaker for being personally present to declare the retreat open, the Commandant lauded Speaker Abbas for providing good leadership in the House.
He noted the critical role that the Legislature plays in the democratic journey of every country, especially about security.
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The Ogun State Government has assured residents of adequate funding and logistics support for the forthcoming measles–rubella vaccination campaign scheduled to commence on January 27 and end on February 5, 2026.
The Deputy Governor, Engr. (Mrs) Noimot Salako-Oyedele, who also chairs the State Task Force on Primary Health Care, gave the assurance during a meeting of the task force held at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.
In her remarks, Engr. Salako-Oyedele commended the Ministry of Health, health sector stakeholders, and development partners—particularly UNICEF—for their continued support, including the provision of ambulance boats to enhance healthcare delivery in riverine communities. She praised their efforts in sustaining a resilient primary healthcare system despite existing challenges and reaffirmed the administration’s commitment, as well as Governor Dapo Abiodun’s continued support, to all primary healthcare interventions.
She acknowledgethe d challenges highlighted in the report presented at the meeting and assured that they would be escalated to the Governor for urgent attention. The Deputy Governor also called on religious bodies, Community Development Associations, women groups, the National Orientation Agency, and the media to intensify sensitisation efforts, urging them to leverage social media platforms and influencers to effectively reach parents and young people.
According to her, the state government would do everything necessary to ensure the success of the measles–rubella campaign. “Thfunding requestng has been made, and we are confident it will be approved promptly to enable us to meet our responsibilities in this very intensive exercise,” she said.
Earlier, in her welcome address, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Tomi Coker, applauded development partners, religious leaders, community-based organisations, and other stakeholders for their consistent collaboration with the state government in strengthening healthcare delivery, particularly at the grassroots level.
She noted that the task force meeting provided an opportunity to review progress across the state’s primary healthcare system and align strategies ahead of the statewide immunisation exercise.
Also presenting at the meeting, the Executive Secretary of the Ogun State Primary Health Care Board, Dr Elijah Ogunsola, delivered a detailed report on the board’s achievements and challenges in 2025. He disclosed that most local governments recorded improvements across key health indicators, although some setbacks persisted, largely due to infrastructure and logistics gaps.
Dr Ogunsola further revealed that the measles–rubella immunisation campaign would run for 10 days and target children aged nine months to 14 years, describing it as one of the widest age-range vaccination exercises ever undertaken in the state. He added that over 8,000 health workers would be deployed across schools, health facilities, and communities to ensure full coverage.
Speaking on behalf of development partners, UNICEF representative Mrs Moloku commended the Ogun State Government for its commitment to strengthening primary healthcare delivery, noting that the initiative aligns with the global goal of ending preventable diseases in Africa. She was assured of UNICEF’s continued technical and financial support for the successful implementation of the vaccination campaign.
News
OGUN ASSEMBLY MOVES TO RESOLVE APUNREN LAND DISPUTE WITH MILITARY IN IJEBU-NORTH EAST, IJEBU- EAST LGAs
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Ogun State House of Assembly has assured the Community Leaders and people of Apunren community and other affected villages near Erunwon in Ijebu-North East and part of Ijebu- East Local Government Area that immediate steps would be taken to address the indiscriminate military land acquisition creating tension and apprehension amongst residents in the areas.
The Speaker, Rt. Hon. Oludaisi Elemide, gave the assurance today, while leading other members of the Assembly on an on-the-spot assessment of the affected areas; pledging that the State legislature would compile and present its findings to the Governor at the state level as well as engage the Legislative and Executive arms of Government at the Federal level to achieve a lasting solution to the matter.
He explained that the land crisis stemmed from the failure to properly gazette and document the earlier review that reduced the portion allocated to the Nigerian Army; while commending the members representing the two affected constituencies, Honourables Oluwaseun Adesanya and Waliu Owode for their efforts and urged the residents to remain peaceful and law-abiding as elected representatives moved to address the matter.
The Speaker also advised all affected communities to formally communicate with the House of Assembly, assuring that lawmakers would deliberate on the matter and adopt a resolution to be communicated to the appropriate authorities for necessary action towards achieving a permanent resolution.
On their part, the members representing the two constituencies, Honourables Adesanya and Owode, assured the people of a lasting resolution; the lawmakers encouraged them to remain calm and law-abiding as they intensified efforts to resolve the dispute.
In his remarks, the State Surveyor-General, Surveyor Oladele Ewulo, stated that his team had conducted an initial assessment of the area and would undertake further investigations and inquiries; noting that the outcome would guide stakeholders toward a peaceful and sustainable resolution.
Addressing the delegation, the Kabiyesi of Apunren Kingdom, Oba Jimson Owode Oyelaja, appealed to the State House of Assembly to intervene on the matter, which he noted had lasted nearly 50 years.
He stressed that Apunren and other affected villages had existed for over 600 years and lamented recent demolitions, loss of lives, destruction of schools, hospitals, houses, and properties allegedly linked to the enforcement of the disputed acquisition.
The monarch urged his people to remain calm, peaceful, and law-abiding, expressing optimism that the visit of the lawmakers signalled an imminent relief and a lasting solution to the long-standing hardship facing the communities.
In a presentation delivered at the commencement of the meeting, Major General S. A. Odunsi (Rtd) explained that the Apunren community was seeking legislative intervention to restore ancestral lands excessively acquired by the military in 1977; noting that although a reduced portion was earlier agreed upon for military use, a 1987 gazette controversially reinstated the larger expanse, thereby plunging the people into decades of uncertainty.
The retired General further appealed to the State House of Assembly to treat the matter with the urgency it required, as the dispute approaches its 50th anniversary; appealing to government to make 2026 a “year of jubilee” for the affected communities.
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Here is the list of candidates nominated for the position of Awujale of Ijebuland.
Prince Adetunji Adeleke
Prince Bello Ayodeji
Princess Oluwakemi Onanuga
Prince Babatunde Alesinloye
Prince Ayodeji Osibogun
Prince Oluwatosin Osunsanya
Prince Abimbola Onabanjo
Prince Adekunle Adeite
Prince Aderibigbe Morounfolu
Prince Adekoya Onakoya
Prince Odedina Taiwo
Prince Gbadebo Ali Adebambo
Prince Ogunwo Adebowale Emmanuel
Prince Abayomi Kadiri
Prince Hassan Adekunle Olubola
Prince Akintola Adewunmi
Prince Olabode Onanuga
Prince Ayo Olugbenga
Prince Ademorin Kuye
Prince Olamilekan Badiru
Prince Odubiyi Olufemi
Prince Abdulrasheed Kukoyi
Prince Ottun Olaseni
Prince Kayode Adenuga
Prince Adeleye Onanuga
Prince Olanrewaju Mabawonku
Prince Adeyemi Akeem
Prince Nurudeen Akeju
Prince Adeleke Adewale
Prince Olaide Ashiru
Prince Oriola Yusuf
Prince Ajibola Odunsi
Prince Aderibigbe Azeez
Prince Oriola Olawale Yusuf
Prince Fatai Adesegun Arowolo
Prince Alatise Saheed
Prince Bakare Adeleke
Prince Olukokun Adedeji
Prince Oludamisi Tuyo
Prince Jide Taiwo
Prince Adeyinka Bakare
Prince Sakiru Ademola
Prince Aderibigbe Adewunmi
Prince Adeleye Abdul
Prince Ademola Kazeem
Prince Sherrifideen Kazeem
Prince Bello Abiodun
Prince Bashorun Akeem Adetola
Prince Oshifuye Oduntan
Prince Bello Tajudeen
Prince Adegboyega Banjoko
Prince Abdulwaheed Shote
Prince Kama’ldeen Abdul
Prince Odejayi Akintunde
Prince Muideen Adeleye Adio
Prince Olalekan Shote
Prince Mustapha Mojeed
Prince Adegbenga Bakare
Prince Adebiyi Adeleye
Prince Okeowo Olusegun Obafemi
Prince Olumoko Qudus
Prince Shote Kazeem Olawale
Prince Adebowale Olufeko
Prince Muizdeen Abimbola
Prince Bamidele Adenuga
Prince Ogidan Adewale
Prince Adefuwape Adegboyega Abimbola
Prince Oduwole Tajudeen
Prince Adelaju Adenuga
Prince Odedina Oluwatobi
Prince Adekunle Adenuga
Prince Sulaimon Odubanjo
Prince Otun Abubakre Taiwo
Prince Olajibu Olalekan Azeez
Prince Abdul Olamilekan
Prince Adeleye Adeyemi
Prince Odedina Olukayode
Prince Osunsanya Oladapo
Prince Abiodun Onanuga
Prince Muftaudeen Abimbola
Prince Kamorudeen Lawal
Prince Abimbola Olusegun
Prince Tajudeen Abimbola
Prince Hammed Babatunde
Five additional names were nominated at the venue. candidates,
Meanwhile, the Olori Ebi Fusengbuwa ruling house and former ICAN President, Otunba Abdul Lateef Owoyemi, has said that anyone displeased with the selection process for the next Awujale should channel grievances to the government, assuring that the kingmakers will not make any mistakes.
He also stated that within a month, there would he a new King in Ijebuland.
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