NEWS
Gov Akeredolu Inaugurates Olaiya Flyover In Osogbo
Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, on Thursday inaugurated the iconic Olaiya flyover in Osogbo, the Osun State capital.
Akeredolu described the performance of Oyetola in the State as incredible and worthy of emulation.
This is even as Governor Adegboyega Oyetola said the construction of the flyover was a child of necessity aimed at putting a permanent end to avoidable road accidents and other mishaps hitherto being experienced by road users and residents of the State.
The newly-inaugurated Olaiya flyover was completed within the one-year time frame allotted to it a few months ago with a target to substantially ease the growing traffic, eliminate unnecessary cases of accident, secure the lives of the valued citizens and further enhance the architectural beauty of the State capital.
Addressing the people at the venue of the inauguration, Governor Oyetola said the successful completion of the flyover was an attestation to the efficacy of the Alternative Project Funding System, a novel development model introduced by his administration to boost the State’s development and infrastructure needs.
He said his administration has taken care of the fears and evil of fiscal indiscipline and lack of implementation, which hamper projects and services in the nation’s public service as seen in the myriad people-centred and masses-focused projects being inaugurated and delivered for the use of the people of the State in the about four years of being at the helm of affairs.
The Governor who described the flyover as an architectural masterpiece, a paragon of aesthetics and a socioeconomic signature on the economic transformation captured by the Development Agenda of his administration, said, “This is another fulfilment of our electoral promise we exchanged for the mandate of our people”.
He said his government has so far proved that infrastructure and economic development are doable in a depressed economy and that stagnated development in a struggling economy is a product of intellectual laziness, dearth of creativity, shortage of innovation and lack of political will.
“It (Olaiya flyover) is a worthy complement to the over 500km roads we have rehabilitated and constructed in our four years in government so far.
“Fixing our State’s infrastructure deficit is a critical item on our Development Agenda. This is because no economy can truly succeed without adequate infrastructure to make life easy for residents and businesses.
“This realisation accounts for why we are engaging in mass spread of infrastructure development across the State to stimulate development in line with our Development Agenda.
“We have rehabilitated and constructed several roads across the State as a catalyst for equitable socio-economic development. Among these roads are: Ada-Igbajo road, Osogbo-Kelebe-Iragbiji road, and Akindeko-Awosuru link road via Adejumo Street with Oremeji spur, Akinlade Street, Adewale Street with loop to WAEC road all in Osogbo; Army Barack (Ede)-Ara-Ejigbo township road, Moro- Yakoyo-Ipetumodu-Asipa-Ife/Ibadan Expressway Junction Road and Ereja Roundabout-Ereguru-Isaare-Oke Oye-Sabo (Irojo)-Ilesa/Akure Expressway Junction.
“Others are: Lawyer Atanda Road, Iwo; Ila-Arandun-Kwara Boundary Road; Nike Gallery-Ido-Osun Township airport with palace spur; Ikirun-Eko-Ende Road; the access road to Fountain University, Osogbo; Osogbo (Lameco)-Okinni-Ilobu-Ifon Osun Market with Spur to Olobu’s Palace; Osogbo/Ilobu-Akari-Erin Osun Roundabout on Osun LCDA Junction; Post Office-Ayetoro-Jamodo-Ifon Palace-Janta Ifon Osun; Isale-Asa-Oke Aree road, Iree, as well as Ikire township roads, among other interventions.
“There are however a few other roads that are still on-going, while some are nearing completion. Among these roads are: Ife Township Roads; Inisa Road and Osogbo-Iwo Road.
“We have also focused attention on opening up our rural roads with the aim of connecting them to the urban areas. This is to stimulate rapid state-wide development and facilitate ease of movement for our people and goods from one part of the State to another.
“The strength of this Olaiya Flyover is in the faithful implementation of traffic regulations by our relevant officers and the resolve of our people to obey the rules. I, therefore, appeal to us all to faithfully play our parts so that we can be united in saying never again to loss of lives and economic wastage in our dear State.
“My dear good people of Osun, as we inaugurate this iconic Olaiya Flyover today, I welcome you, the good people of Osun, to an accident-free driving around this axis, a safe and secure life and an enduring architectural beauty of Osogbo, our State capital.
“Olaiya Flyover is your property and heritage. Own it. Make the best use of it and pass it to our unborn generations as you go about your businesses and daily lives”, he added.
Inaugurating the flyover, Governor Akeredolu, commended Oyetola for being committed to the welfare and general well-being of the people of the State.
Akeredolu who described the flyover as unprecedented in the history of the State, expressed confidence in the fact that the facility would go a long way at meeting the infrastructure needs of the axis, most importantly the road users.
“I am not new to Osun. I am not new to Osogbo. It is important to me for many reasons. I have followed the history of this State. I say it without mincing words that Oyetola has made his mark in the sand of time. If you don’t know what he has done, see this place, you will see part of what he did. I am overwhelmed with joy for giving me the opportunity to partake in this programme.
“This is historic in the history of Osogbo. Oyetola has made history. I congratulate you for your resilience in the face of daunting challenges even from those that are supposed to be your friends.
“We knew what you met in the State and we know what you have done and where you have taken the State. We can’t lie to ourselves, we are fearless — you have tried. We were here when salaries were owed for several months but you came and the story changed. I commend you for making the interest of your people primary consideration.
“For me, development is about people. All efforts conceived and geared towards the amelioration of the welfare of the people must be commended. You are indeed a talk and do governor. Any government that prioritizes the interest of the people is an organized one.
“The verdict of history will be written after your eight years. You have done excellently well. I know the crucial role infrastructure development plays in any society as it opens up everywhere. Some people may be saying road is not what they will eat, but I know it brings development.
“Living in an environment will be stress free if infrastructure is put in place for socio-economic development to thrive. We know what you have done. God will reward you. As we can see, direct beneficiaries of this initiative are numerous both within and outside the state.
“I thank you for insisting to discharge this for the people of Osun. We were here when the results of the election were declared. We were downcast but you were not. I commend you for the way you have managed the affairs of this State. You have done incredibly well. You shall be returned for another four years. How many Governors can boast of what you have done in four years? You have justified the confidence bestowed on you by your people.
“I congratulate the people of Osun on the tremendous boost they have witnessed in the State. It is not only mouthing Omoluabi ethos that matters but upholding it. I say to you, Oyetola, you are indeed an Omoluabi, true and true,” he added.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Commissioner for Works and Transport, Engr Remi Omowaye, said the successful completion of the flyover would in no measure add value to the socioeconomic activities in the State in general and Osogbo in particular.
Omowaye who highlighted many of the infrastructure developments, particularly road infrastructure initiated by the Oyetola led administration, said indeed the government has raised the bar of infrastructure in the State.
He commended the people of the State for their love and perseverance throughout the construction period saying, “It is a thing of joy that the State has successfully inaugurated it for the use of the generality of the people in the state and beyond.
The Contractor of the project and Chairman Peculiar Ultimate Concerns, Engr Olanrewaju Adeleke, reassured the people of the quality of work done on the flyover which according to him has the capacity to meet immediate and future needs of the road users.
He said: “Every engineering work is meant to meet immediate and future requirements. This project has met its billing. It has solved all the immediate problems and future road mishaps. I commend the Alternative Project Funding Approach of the State that has helped to actualise this iconic Olaiya flyover”
Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of being “held hostage by fraudsters” following the controversy surrounding the alleged Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC).
In a statement issued on Thursday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said the Presidency’s response to the scandal exposed what he described as a deep institutional crisis within the Federal Government.
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According to him, the government’s explanation that a private individual allegedly forged presidential documents, impersonated senior government officials, established an office inside the Federal Secretariat, opened bank accounts using government identities, and engaged foreign diplomats without insider support is difficult to believe.
He argued that rather than clearing the air, the Presidency’s defence had raised even more questions about the integrity of government institutions.
Atiku also questioned reports that about ₦1.3 billion was appropriated for the PFIPC in the 2026 Appropriation Act, despite claims by the Presidency that the agency never officially existed.
The former vice president challenged the government to explain how an allegedly non-existent agency found its way into the national budget, asking which ministries, officials, National Assembly committees, and lawmakers processed and approved the allocation before it was signed into law.
He further criticised the National Assembly for failing to detect the alleged anomaly during the budget process and questioned the role of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), accusing anti-graft agencies of selective enforcement.
Atiku maintained that regardless of whether the incident was the work of a sophisticated fraud syndicate or the result of institutional failure, the government must accept responsibility for allowing such a situation to occur.
While acknowledging that the individual at the centre of the controversy may face prosecution, he insisted that the Presidency must also account for the institutional lapses that allegedly enabled the activities.
Calling for an independent investigation, Atiku urged authorities to follow the evidence without political interference, insisting that no individual or institution should be shielded from scrutiny.
He added that the alleged fake agency saga has become another test of accountability and transparency in the Tinubu administration, urging Nigerians to demand answers from those entrusted with managing public institutions.
The Federal Government has announced that the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) will replace its iconic khaki uniform with locally produced Adire fabric as part of a sweeping reform aimed at repositioning the scheme and promoting indigenous industries.
Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, disclosed the development during an appearance on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Thursday.
According to the minister, the adoption of Adire is intended to strengthen Nigeria’s textile industry by ensuring government spending supports local manufacturers.
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“It’s Adire. Adire is being produced in Nigeria. We have them in Ogun, we have them in Kwara, we have the textile industry. Let’s put our money back into the country,” Olawande said.
The minister also revealed that the ongoing restructuring of the NYSC would see corps members posted based on their academic qualifications and professional backgrounds.
Under the new arrangement, graduates with education-related qualifications will be deployed to schools, while others will be assigned to sectors that align with their areas of study to improve productivity and national development.
Addressing security concerns, Olawande said the Federal Government is considering posting prospective corps members to regions where they studied or are familiar with, particularly in areas facing security challenges.
He noted that the move would reduce concerns among parents and corps members while making deployments more practical.
He further dismissed reports suggesting the military would be removed from the NYSC, describing such claims as a misconception.
According to him, while the scheme’s operational leadership will become civilian-led, the military will continue to play a key role in providing security and supporting the orientation programme.
The reforms follow the Federal Executive Council’s approval of a comprehensive overhaul of the 53-year-old NYSC scheme.
As part of the process, the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Ministry of Youth Development have been directed to amend the NYSC Act and relevant regulations to facilitate the implementation of the reforms.
The Federal Government said the changes are designed to transform the NYSC into a skills-oriented, productivity-driven and youth empowerment institution that supports its vision of building a $1 trillion economy.
Nigeria has secured a fresh $1.25 billion financing package from the World Bank to support ongoing economic reforms, boost private sector investment and create more jobs across the country.
The funding was approved under the Nigeria Actions for Investment and Jobs Acceleration (NAIJA) programme and forms part of the World Bank’s Country Partnership Framework (CPF) for Nigeria, which will run from 2026 to 2032.
According to the World Bank, the financing is designed to help Nigeria remove barriers to private investment, improve the business environment and lay the foundation for faster, more inclusive economic growth.
The programme will support reforms across critical sectors, including the capital market, digital economy, power sector, agriculture, trade liberalisation under the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), as well as domestic revenue mobilisation.
The global financial institution said the initiative is expected to expand electricity access to about 32 million Nigerians, provide broadband connectivity for 58 million people, improve health and nutrition services for 40 million citizens, and support approximately 9.5 million farmers.
The World Bank added that its six-year Country Partnership Framework is focused on mobilising private capital, strengthening economic resilience and creating productive jobs while supporting investments in infrastructure, digital connectivity, human capital and agricultural productivity.
Speaking on the approval, World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, Mathew Verghis, said the framework builds on Nigeria’s recent macroeconomic reforms, which have contributed to stronger economic growth, improved public revenues and renewed investor confidence.
He stressed that sustaining the reform agenda would be crucial to unlocking the country’s full economic potential and creating more opportunities for millions of Nigerians.
The latest financing package is expected to complement the Federal Government’s efforts to accelerate economic reforms, attract investment and promote long-term, private sector-led growth.
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