NEWS
Adeleke Hosts Ife Dev’t Board, Moots Better Infrastructure For Ile Ife
Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has decried the low physical and infrastructural development of Ile Ife, the cradle of Yoruba people.
Gov Adeleke, on Monday, in Osogbo, declared that the source of Yoruba race should be given a total infrastructural upgrade including flyovers, dualised roads and upgraded facilities.
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He bared his mind while hosting a delegation of Ife Development Board at the Government House, where he noted the low developmental outlook of the ancient city, which he described as not acceptable to him and his team.
According to Gov Adeleke, this informed the decision to commence massive upgrade starting with the Lagere flyover and the dualisation of the road leading to the palace.
He justified his administration’s decision to change the face of Ile Ife on the ground that the ancient city cannot continue to look like a village when global visitor comes calling, affirming that Ile Ife is too important to remain low rated in infra outlook.
Gov Adeleke, accompanied by his Deputy, Prince Kola Adewusi told the visiting dignitaries that Ile Ife is not only the cultural capital and source of all Yoruba people but also the global tourism and religious base of Yorubas in North America, South America and other parts of the world.
Thanking the Ooni of Ife and other Ife leaders for supporting him on the ongoing flyover and dualisation projects at Ile Ife, the Governor said aside the cultural and tourism factors, the economic case for the Lagere flyover has been well canvassed as the junction is the meeting point for business interaction from Osun West, from Ilesa and from Ondo through Garage Olode.
He said, “Our administration is committed to completing the flyover as well as the dualisation of the road leading to the Ooni palace. I want to be recorded in history as the Governor who transformed Ile Ife into a modern cultural and tourism city.”
On the requests for rehabilitation of some other roads at Ile Ife, the Governor assured that the list would be forwarded to the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure for addition to the list of roads scheduled for reconstruction and rehabilitation.
He promised that the request for expansion of the dualisation to Ilesa Garage will be evaluated for further action by the technical team.
On security, he assured the Ife Development Board that his administration is already reforming the state’s Amotekun security service as a bridge between local communities and the federal security services.
Gov Adeleke explained that local vigilante and forest hunters would henceforth be working with Amotekun service and other formal security agencies to secure Osun cities and rural areas.
On the need for further action on the agricultural sector, the Governor informed the delegation that the state government will soon unveil an AFDB supported agricultural processing zone to be located at Ile Ife.
On his part, the President of Ife Development Board, Gbenga Adefaye, commended Gov Adeleke for his development strides in Osun State and particularly at Ile Ife, listing requests touching on road expansion, security and agriculture.
He reiterated that “Ile-Ife is our collective heritage. It deserves more than passing attention. As the ancestral home of all Yoruba both here in Nigeria and in the Diaspora, we all owe ourselves the duty to transform it and make it more amiable, more welcoming as the poster place for all proud Yoruba.”
Gov Adeleke subsequently directed the Deputy Governor to ensure follow up on the meeting to ensure sustainable partnership between the state government and the Ile Ife Development Board.
NEWS
Edo: Gov Okpebholo Launches Probe Into Obaseki Administration
Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has announced the establishment of a 14-member Assets Verification Committee to examine the financial records and asset management of the previous administration led by Godwin Obaseki.
In a statement released on Sunday by his Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, the governor revealed that the committee would be inaugurated on Tuesday, November 26, in Benin City.
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The panel is tasked with creating a detailed account of the state’s assets and liabilities to ensure transparency and accountability.
The committee will be chaired by Ernest Umakhihe, with Anslem Ojezua as Deputy Chairman and Frank Edebor as Secretary. Other members include Kassim Afegbua, Patrick Ikhariale, Taiwo Akerele, Patrick Idiake, Rasaq Bello-Osagie, Fredrick Unopah, Abdallah Eugenia, Patrick Obahiagbon, Kenny Okojie, Lyndsey Tes-Sorae, and Abass Braimoh.
Explaining the rationale behind the committee, Mr. Itua stated, “Despite repeated calls for a more holistic database of the assets and liabilities of the previous administration, the Godwin Obaseki-led government presented a scanty and limited report.”
He added that the initiative reflects the governor’s commitment to his campaign promises.
“In line with the governor’s campaign promise to ensure probity, accountability, and transparency in government, and to deepen the governance process, a committee made up of respected sons and daughters from Edo State has to be constituted,” the statement noted.
The committee’s work is expected to pave the way for a more accountable and developmental governance structure in Edo State.
NEWS
NECO Expands Global Footprints, Accredits Niger, Equatorial Guinea Schools
In a bid to increase its global presence, the National Examination Council (NECO) has accredited more foreign schools.
This was contained in a statement issued under the signature of its Acting Director of Public Relations, Azeez Sanni, on Saturday.
He revealed that the accredited schools are in Niger Republic and Equatorial Guinea.
Recall that last year, the examination body accredited some centres in Niger Republic to enable Nigerian students in the Francophone country to sit for the examinations.
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The statement read, “Determined to broaden its horizon and expand its global presence, the National Examinations Council has accredited more foreign schools to write the Senior School Certificate Examination and the Basic Education Certificate Examination.
“The newly accredited schools, in addition to the existing ones, are in Niger Republic and Equatorial Guinea.
“NECO accreditation team visited the Schools to assess their readiness to write the SSCE and BECE.
“The accreditation 5eam inspected classrooms, laboratories, libraries, computer laboratories, workshops, examination halls and sports facilities to determine their adequacy and suitability for NECO examinations.
“After a thorough evaluation and comprehensive assessment, the schools were granted full SSCE and full BECE accreditation status.”
NEWS
Ex-UN Envoy Warns Of New Cold War Threatening Africa’s Unity
Renowned diplomat and former United Nations Under-Secretary-General, Ibrahim Gambari, has raised alarms over the looming threat of a new Cold War that could fracture Africa along geopolitical lines.
Speaking at the Realnews Magazine Annual Lecture in Lagos, Gambari urged African leaders to urgently reposition the continent amidst intensifying global power struggles.
The lecture, themed “Africa in World Shifting Geopolitics: Matters Arising on Demography, Technology, Artificial Intelligence, Natural Resources,” explored Africa’s strategic role in a rapidly evolving international system.
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Gambari cautioned that without proactive measures, Africa risks being sidelined or exploited in the unfolding global order.
Africa: Battleground in a New Power Struggle
Describing the increasing militarisation by major global powers, Gambari painted a picture of fierce competition for control over Africa’s resources and strategic locations.
He noted that the proliferation of foreign military bases across the continent is evidence of this struggle.
“A relentless militarisation is taking place across the world—from the Atlantic to the Pacific, the Arctic to the Antarctic,” Gambari said. “Rich in natural resources and strategically located, Africa has become a key battleground in this global power struggle.”
He cited Djibouti as a stark example of Africa’s strategic importance.
The country, located near the Red Sea, hosts both the United States’ only permanent base on the continent, Camp Lemonnier, and China’s first overseas military installation.
Gambari warned that the presence of such bases represents more than security interests, suggesting echoes of colonial ambitions aimed at controlling Africa’s wealth and arable land.
“The seaboard of Africa is already dotted with military bases operated by various powers,” Gambari observed. “The continent is once again at the center of a scramble as the new Cold War intensifies.”
The Return of Zero-Sum Geopolitics
Gambari also highlighted the resurgence of zero-sum geopolitics, where nations compete for influence at the expense of others.
He noted that China and Russia are emerging as dominant players in Africa, with China leveraging infrastructure projects and debt relief, while Russia offers weapons and military support.
“These actions signal a destabilising competition for influence,” Gambari said, adding that traditional powers like France, Germany, India, and the UK are also expanding their presence on the continent.
“The age of zero-sum geopolitics is back, with all its destabilising consequences for African countries,” he said.
Unlocking Africa’s Potential Amid Challenges
Despite the geopolitical rivalry, Gambari emphasized that Africa’s youthful and growing population provides a significant opportunity for the continent to assert its influence globally.
He urged African leaders to invest in education, innovation, and youth-driven initiatives to harness this demographic dividend.
“With well over a billion people and an overwhelmingly youthful population, the African continent is destined for a significant role in the demographics of the world,” Gambari said.
“But we must build national and regional strategies to leverage the energy, innovative acumen, and futuristic vision of our young people.”
Gambari warned that without these strategies, Africa’s demographic advantage could remain underutilised.
He also called for the continent to be proactive in shaping the rules of the emerging global order, rather than being passive participants.
“We cannot afford to sit on the sidelines while the rules of a new world order are being written,” Gambari said.
“We must insist on being joint rule-makers, ensuring the new global order reflects our values and aspirations for a fairer, more inclusive, and equitable world.”
A Call to Action
Gambari concluded with a rallying cry for African leaders to harness the continent’s abundant resources and human capital.
He said Africa must use its demographic and strategic advantages to achieve the structural transformation that has long eluded it.
He said, “We must be ready to harness our abundant human and natural resources to leapfrog our development. Although the outcomes of ongoing geopolitical shifts are uncertain, they need not come at the expense of our people and our continent.”
Gambari stressed the need for bold leadership, warning that Africa cannot afford complacency. “Our youth bulge must become an advantage that places us at the forefront of the digital economy and its innovations,” he said.