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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”
The Obiafu-Obrikom-Oben (OB3) gas pipeline is ready for first gas, while the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) gas pipeline has reached 95 percent completion.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) disclosed this in its July 2026 monthly report, adding that pre-commissioning activities at the OB3 River Niger Crossing had been completed in August in preparation for first gas.
In the NNPC Ltd report, OB3 was put at 100 percent, and AKK at 95 percent complete. “OB3 River Niger Crossing: Pipeline pre-commissioning activities completed in readiness for First Gas in August 2026,” the report stated.
On the AKK project, the national oil company said construction and installation works had reached an advanced stage, with the pipeline expected to deliver early gas to Abuja in 2026.
“AKK (Early Gas): Construction and installation works are at an advanced stage to deliver early gas to Abuja in 2026,” NNPC Ltd stated.
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The two projects form part of NNPC Ltd’s gas infrastructure development programme aimed at expanding gas transportation infrastructure.
The OB3 pipeline is designed to connect gas supplies across the eastern and western parts of the country, while the AKK pipeline is being developed to transport gas to Abuja and onwards to northern parts of Nigeria.
However, the July report did not provide further details on the expected capacity or commissioning date of the AKK pipeline beyond stating that early gas would be delivered to Abuja in 2026.
Earlier in April, the NNPC Ltd announced that it had completed the long-anticipated River Niger crossing of the OB3 gas pipeline, unlocking a critical segment of the country’s gas transmission network and paving the way for increased supply to power plants and industries.
The feat, delivered by the NNPC Gas Infrastructure Company, a subsidiary of NNPC Ltd, involved drilling approximately two kilometres beneath the River Niger using advanced horizontal directional drilling technology, a method deployed in complex engineering terrains.
Announcing the development in a statement by the Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPC, Andy Odeh, the company said the milestone effectively activates the full capacity of the 130-kilometre OB3 pipeline, designed to transport up to 2 billion standard cubic feet of gas per day.
The pipeline is to significantly strengthen energy availability, enhance supply reliability, and accelerate national economic development.
The company noted that the completion would, in the near term, unlock over 500 million standard cubic feet per day of additional gas supply for the domestic market, with positive implications for electricity generation, manufacturing, and exports.
The Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd, Bayo Ojulari, noted that the OB3 pipeline remains central to Nigeria’s ambition of building an integrated and resilient gas network.
“I commend everyone involved for their doggedness and for staying the course to deliver this strategic national asset,” he said.
Ojulari also linked the project to the Federal Government’s broader energy targets, including plans to increase crude oil production to 3 million barrels per day and gas output to 12 billion standard cubic feet per day by 2030.
Started in 2016, the $700m OB3 pipeline has missed several completion deadlines before this latest announcement.
The Federal Government has come under scrutiny for not doing enough to ensure that prices in the oil industry are kept within the reach of ordinary people, by ensuring that local refineries get adequate crude supplies from the domestic oil industry.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) lamented that Nigeria’s leading domestic refiner, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals (DPRP) gets inadequate supplies of crude from the local oil industry, while the government watches helplessly.
The acting General Secretary of the NLC, Benson Upah, was cited by The Punch as taking the stance in an interview on Tuesday, while reacting to the latest increase in petrol prices.
Upah was reacting to the latest increase in the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly known as petrol, and was emphatic that the upward review of price was both “avoidable and unacceptable” because the development would further compound the economic difficulties confronting ordinary Nigerians, particularly workers and low-income households already struggling with high transportation, food and other living costs.
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He said, “This adds to the increasing difficulties of the average Nigerian for whom life has been Hobbesian.”
The labour leader argued that the latest increase was difficult to justify, particularly against the backdrop of developments in the international oil market and Nigeria’s growing domestic refining capacity.
According to him, “The latest increase is avoidable and unacceptable in light of falling prices in the international market and our local capacity to sell more crude oil to Dangote. Why are we not doing so?”
The NLC’s reaction came against the backdrop of another increase in the price of petrol by the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, which has triggered fresh concerns among motorists, transport operators and businesses already grappling with high operating costs.
The refinery raised its petrol gantry price by N65 per litre on Saturday, moving it from N1,200 to N1,265 per litre. The latest adjustment came only three days after the company increased the price from N1,185 to N1,200 per litre.
It was the third price adjustment by the refinery in eight days. On August 21, the company had raised its gantry price from N1,165 to N1,185 per litre. In all, the three adjustments have added N100 to the price of petrol at the refinery’s gantry, representing an 8.6 per cent increase within just eight days.
The latest increase has since begun to reverberate across the downstream market, with petrol prices varying from one location to another as marketers factor in transportation, logistics and other distribution costs.
In some parts of Lagos and Ogun, petrol has been reported at about N1,310 per litre, while prices in some northern states and areas farther from the refinery have climbed to N1,350 and above. In some locations, the product is approaching N1,400 per litre.
The renewed price increase is coming at a particularly sensitive time for Nigerians, many of whom are still struggling with the impact of the removal of the petrol subsidy in 2023.
The subsidy removal fundamentally altered the petroleum pricing regime, exposing consumers to movements in crude oil prices, foreign exchange rates and other market costs. Petrol prices, which were previously heavily regulated by the government, have since undergone several increases, with each adjustment feeding into the cost of transportation and other essential goods and services.
The latest development has also revived an old but unresolved question in Nigeria’s petroleum sector: why does a crude-producing country with a major new refinery still face persistent pressure on petrol prices?
The question has become more prominent with the emergence of the DPRP, which has a capacity to process in excess of 650,000 barrels of crude oil daily and was expected to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported refined petroleum products.
But while the refinery has ramped up production, securing adequate quantities of Nigerian crude has remained a contentious issue.
OPay has called for an investigation by the Department of State Services and the Nigeria Police Force over a viral social media rumour claiming that the fintech company was shutting down its operations in Nigeria.
OPay’s Chief Legal Counsel, Akinfolabi Rokosu, disclosed this on Wednesday during a press conference organised by the company.
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Rokosu said the DSS and police were among the law enforcement agencies investigating the circulation of the false information, adding that OPay had provided evidence to help identify those responsible.
“While the DSS and the Nigeria police, among the relevant law enforcement agencies, are currently and intensively investigating this matter, we are fully cooperating with the ongoing investigations being conducted and have provided the necessary evidence to identify those responsible for it,” he said.
He added that OPay would take legal action against individuals responsible for creating and circulating the information.
“Opay is taking action against those responsible for creating and circulating this harmful information. We will pursue them and will ensure that the law is fully enforced,” Rokosu said.
Also speaking, OPay’s Chief Operating Officer and Chief Technical Officer, Dotun Adekunle, reassured customers that the company remained operational and had no plans to leave Nigeria.
“OPay is here, OPay is operating, and OPay is going nowhere,” he said.
Adekunle described the circulating message as false and noted that the alleged shutdown date mentioned in the message had already passed.
“The message that is circulating online is false. It did not come from OPay. There is no decision from OPay or by OPay to shut down its operations in Nigeria, and there is no indefinite leave,” he said.
He urged customers not to make financial decisions based on unverified messages shared on social media or messaging platforms.
The controversy followed a viral notice claiming that OPay would suspend its Nigerian operations from September 1, 2026, and advising customers to withdraw their funds to avoid losing access to their accounts.
OPay had earlier dismissed the notice as false and urged customers to rely on its official communication channels for accurate information.
The fintech also asked an X user who shared information about the alleged shutdown to retract the post and apologise. The user subsequently deleted the post and apologised.
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