NEWS
Gov. Adeleke Celebrates Two Years In Office, Lists Major Achievements
Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, marked his administration’s second anniversary on Wednesday by announcing key accomplishments across various sectors, including the settlement of N12 billion in pension debts.
In a state broadcast to commemorate the milestone, Adeleke revealed that his government had paid off pension arrears totaling N12 billion in just two years, significantly surpassing the N11 billion settled by the previous administration over a 12-year period.
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“During the two years of our administration, we have successfully cleared N12 billion in pension debts, a feat that far exceeds the N11 billion settled by the previous government over 12 years,” Adeleke stated.
The governor also highlighted strides made in healthcare, with a focus on preventive care. “We pursue a preventive healthcare policy which places emphasis on access to health care,” he said, noting that his administration had upgraded 200 of the state’s nearly 400 primary healthcare centers.
These upgrades included the installation of solar power, boreholes, and the provision of medical materials.
Further strengthening the state’s healthcare system, Adeleke pointed to the success of two major Imole medical outreach programs, which have collectively served over 100,000 beneficiaries.
A third edition is already in the works, and the state has also enrolled 29,000 pensioners in a health insurance scheme to cover their medical expenses.
The governor also outlined major water supply initiatives, revealing that 332 boreholes had been drilled across Osun’s 332 political wards, with another set of boreholes currently under construction.
“332 boreholes were also delivered across the 332 political wards in the state, and another 332 borehole project is ongoing,” he said.
On the agricultural front, Adeleke spoke about his administration’s efforts to revitalize the state’s farming sector, including the revival of farm settlements and the launch of cocoa and cashew expansion projects.
To further support agriculture, the government has purchased 31 tractors to kick-start a state farm mechanization plan.
In education, Adeleke celebrated the establishment of the University of Ilesa, which has received take-off grants and accreditation for its courses.
“The University of Ilesa has also become a reality with take-off grants and accredited courses,” he said.
Additionally, the governor reported the rehabilitation of 99 secondary schools, the completion of four abandoned projects at Osun State University, and the launch of a new anatomy laboratory at the institution.
The upgrading of six technical colleges is also underway.
Looking ahead, the governor reassured citizens that his administration remains focused on completing ongoing projects and addressing the needs of the people.
“Our work is far from over,” Adeleke emphasized. “We are committed to ensuring the continued development of Osun State.”
Oil marketers have warned that Nigerians may soon pay as much as ₦1,500 per litre for Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, as global oil prices surge following the escalating conflict involving Iran in the Middle East.
The National President of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), Dr. Billy Gillis-Harry, issued the warning on Tuesday while speaking on a television programme on the impact of the global crisis on fuel prices.
According to him, the current volatility in the international oil market has already pushed petrol prices above ₦1,000 per litre at the depot level, with the ex-depot price from the Dangote Petroleum Refinery now standing at about ₦1,175 per litre.
He explained that once logistics, transportation, and other operational costs are added, the final pump price could rise significantly, possibly reaching ₦1,500 per litre in the near future.
Despite concerns about the rising cost of fuel, Gillis-Harry noted that steady availability of petroleum products from the Dangote Refinery remains a major relief for Nigeria, stressing that consistent supply is better than a nationwide fuel scarcity.
He added that the refinery’s production capacity is helping to stabilize supply across the country at a time when global markets remain highly unstable.
The latest price adjustment by the Dangote Refinery marks the fourth review within two weeks. Petrol prices increased from ₦995 per litre to ₦1,175 per litre, while diesel rose from ₦1,430 to about ₦1,620 per litre.
The development comes amid a sharp spike in international crude oil prices triggered by fears of supply disruptions due to the ongoing Middle East conflict.
Brent crude recently climbed above $102 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) rose to around $101 per barrel.
Industry analysts say the rising oil prices are already having a ripple effect on Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector, forcing depot operators and fuel marketers to adjust their prices in response to the global market trend.
Meanwhile, the management of Dangote Petroleum Refinery has stated that although Nigeria introduced a crude-for-naira arrangement to support local refineries, the facility still purchases crude oil at international market prices, leaving it exposed to global price fluctuations.
The United Nations has raised the alarm over a dramatic surge in attacks on schools worldwide, reporting a 166% increase between 2021 and 2024.
The rise highlights the escalating dangers faced by children in conflict zones.
United Nations Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, Nada Al-Nashif, revealed the figures during the annual meeting of the UN Human Rights Council on the rights of the child on Monday.
The session, themed “Mainstreaming the Rights of Children in Armed Conflict: Prevention and Protection,” focused on protecting children amid global conflicts.
Al-Nashif noted that the attacks were particularly concentrated in Sudan, Ukraine, the Gaza Strip, Myanmar, and Ethiopia, where children remain among the most vulnerable victims.
“In 2024, armed conflict directly affected nearly one in six children globally—about 470 million children,” she said. “Years of lost education, trauma, and lasting mental scars shape societies for generations. Long after the fighting subsides, children continue to face deadly risks.”
She highlighted Gaza as having the world’s highest number of child amputees per capita, warning that the impact of war goes far beyond immediate violence.
In Lebanon, government figures show that more than 450,000 people were displaced in less than a week, with at least 394 fatalities, including 83 children, during the 2024 conflict with Israel.
Al-Nashif also stressed the disproportionate risks for displaced children, who are more likely to die from disease linked to unsafe water and sanitation than from direct violence.
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, a 2025 cholera outbreak killed 340 children, underscoring the long-term consequences of conflict.
She called on states to uphold their international obligations to protect children, insisting that protecting children is “both a legal obligation and a humanitarian moral imperative.”
Also speaking at the council, Vanessa Frazier, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, warned that violence against children continued at extreme levels in 2025.
She urged mainstreaming child protection across peace, security, humanitarian, human rights, and development efforts, emphasizing that children should actively participate in shaping policies designed to safeguard them.
Frazier highlighted her office’s global campaign, “Prove It Matters,” aimed at amplifying children’s voices in conflict resolution and peacebuilding.
The UN report underscores the urgent need for coordinated international action to protect children and ensure their safety in conflict zones worldwide.
Portugal officially inaugurated its new president, Antonio Jose Seguro, on Monday, pledging to bring stability to a nation shaken by political uncertainty and natural disasters.
Seguro, the centre-left candidate, won last month’s presidential run-off against far-right rival Andre Ventura, following weeks of catastrophic storms that killed at least seven people and caused approximately €4 billion ($4.6 billion) in damage.
Speaking at his swearing-in ceremony in Lisbon’s parliament, Seguro emphasized cooperation with the minority right-wing government and vowed to end the country’s “electoral frenzy.”
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“I will do everything I can to put an end to this electoral frenzy,” he said, pointing to the inability of previous governments to complete their terms.
Amid global crises, including conflicts in the Middle East and a more isolationist US approach under President Donald Trump, Seguro stressed the importance of multilateralism.
“The force of law has been replaced by the power of the strongest,” he remarked.
Seguro succeeds Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, a conservative who leaves office at 77 after serving two five-year terms.
While the Portuguese presidency is largely ceremonial, Seguro’s leadership signals a commitment to political stability and international engagement.
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