NEWS
State of Ogun Schools: Your panic response political gimmick, Adebutu tells Abiodun
…Says more students still sit on the floor to write exams
By Paul Eso
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship candidate in Ogun State, Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu, has described the Dapo Abiodun’s led government’s response to supply new sets of benches and chairs to St. Kizito High School, Iwopin in Ogunwaterside Local Government Area as fake and mere political gimmick.
A statement by his campaign’s media director, Afolabi Orekoya, said that Abiodun’s panic response came as a result of the outcome of the Osun gubernatorial election in which the incumbent governor, Gboyega Oyetola, was defeated by the candidate of the PDP, Sen. Ademola Adeleke.
According to the statement, “Governor Dapo Abiodun has seen the handwriting on the wall that his second term bid is not certain in Ogun going by the outcome of the Osun gubernatorial election”.
Recall that Nigerians were on Monday, outraged by the viral videos and photos where students of St. Kizito Senior Secondary School in Iwopin, began their third term promotion examination on bare floor of their classrooms.
Apparently embarrassed by the reports, the state government on Tuesday, swiftly provided the students with new sets of furniture.
Orekoya said if not that the Abiodun-led government lacked human feeling and compassion, it wouldn’t have waited till the picture of students writing exams on the floor went viral before supplying them with benches under 24 hours.
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He noted that there were many other schools across the state facing same challenge and other numerous infrastructural problems, giving as an example, the Imotu Community Academy at Ifonyintedo in Ipokia Local Government, whose students also sit on bare floor for learning and writing of exams as at Tuesday, 19th July, 2022.
The statement read: “We are sure that tomorrow, under same pretense and fake response, they will deliver benches at Ifonyintedo. For how long will this government continue to be a push and work government?
“What is pathetic about this school in Ifonyintedo is that the community and the Old students’ Association approached the state government on this situation many times before now and in particular, the old students’ representatives met with the Ministry of Education about seven months ago on this issue, yet nothing was done.
“It is sad to see that the benches delivered at Iwopin imprinted with ‘2020/2021 intervention’, yet they were not distributed to schools for use until July 2022. Apparently, the government is planning to use them for political campaign, what should ordinarily be the responsibilities of the government as part of their service to the people which the governor sworn to.
“There are many schools without teachers not to talk of infrastructure. For example, Community High School, Moriwi has only one principal and just one teacher for a school of 500 students, same with Community High School, Iwoye/Ketu which has one principal and two teachers with about 800 students both in Imeko Afon LGA. The only thing we can see are the yellow painted roofs on buildings that were poorly constructed with no furniture.”
The statement added that quality education has always been of great concern to the PDP’s candidate, who has assured the people at every opportunity that he would give much attention to uplift the educational standard and situation of schools in the state if given the opportunity come 2023.
“Adebutu will encourage Private Public Partnership in providing major infrastructure and capital projects, while the state resources will be much adequate to cater for and enhance provision of quality education and healthcare delivery”, Orekoya said.
Former Delta State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, has reportedly died, according to sources said to be close to his family.
The sources confirmed the development on Monday, October 19, 2026, although details surrounding the circumstances of his death remained unclear as of the time of filing this report.
“Uduaghan is no more; he is dead,” one of the sources reportedly said.
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The reported death comes months after claims that the former governor had died circulated on social media before being dismissed by his media aide, Henry Unini.
In June, reports of Uduaghan’s alleged death spread across Facebook and WhatsApp, prompting Unini to publicly debunk the claims and assure the public that the former governor was alive.
“I can tell you for a fact that Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan is alive,” Unini said at the time.
“Frankly, I don’t know where the writer got his information from. The death of someone is not something you take and write about casually,” he added.
Unini acknowledged at the time that Uduaghan had been experiencing health challenges but maintained that he was receiving medical attention.
“It is now common knowledge that Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has been sick, but he is receiving proper medical care,” the media aide said.
He also stated that the former governor was recuperating, assuring the public that there was no immediate cause for concern.
“There is no cause for alarm whatsoever,” Unini said.
The media aide thanked friends, well-wishers and residents of Delta State who contacted the family to verify the former governor’s condition. He also urged the public to avoid spreading unverified information.
“The rumour was uncalled for,” he said while addressing the earlier reports.
As of the time of filing this report, further details about the circumstances surrounding Uduaghan’s reported death had yet to emerge.
The Delta State Government has commenced a ₦5 billion grassroots empowerment programme targeting 100,000 small-scale business owners and other beneficiaries across the state’s 500 wards.
The initiative, announced on Monday, will see each beneficiary receive ₦50,000 to support small businesses, strengthen household finances and stimulate economic activities across the state.
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The Executive Assistant to the Governor on Public Enlightenment (Projects and Policies), Mr Olisa Ifeajika, disclosed this while speaking with journalists in Asaba.
Ifeajika explained that the programme was designed to complement the state government’s investments in critical infrastructure with direct financial assistance to residents.
According to him, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori directed local government councillors to facilitate the distribution of the funds, with each of the 500 wards expected to reach at least 200 beneficiaries.
He added that the initiative reflects the administration’s commitment to improving livelihoods and expanding economic opportunities for Deltans, in line with the people-centred objectives of the MORE Agenda.
The Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, has commended Alhaji Aliko Dangote and the Aliko Dangote Foundation for plans to acquire Initial Public Offering (IPO) shares of Dangote Refinery on behalf of eligible Nigerian tertiary institution students.
Alausa described the initiative as an innovative approach to promoting financial literacy, youth empowerment and wealth creation among young Nigerians.
According to a press release issued by the Federal Ministry of Education on Monday, October 19, 2026, the initiative is expected to benefit up to four million students aged 18 and above, with each eligible student expected to receive 10 IPO shares without requiring prior investment or share purchase.
The minister said the programme would expose students to capital markets, responsible investing and long-term financial planning, preparing them for greater economic participation and financial independence.
He noted that the initiative aligns with the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI) and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda by connecting education with enterprise, human capital development and inclusive economic growth.
According to Alausa, the initiative reflects the importance of partnerships between the education sector and private organisations in equipping young Nigerians with the knowledge and skills needed to participate in the economy.
He said the Federal Ministry of Education remained committed to strengthening private-sector partnerships to improve educational quality, relevance, equity and efficiency while preparing learners for a changing economy.
While appreciating the foundation’s contribution to youth development, the minister clarified that the ministry’s commendation was based on the initiative’s educational and developmental value.
He stressed that the ministry’s position “does not constitute an endorsement of any particular investment decision.”
Alausa also encouraged other corporate organisations to support similar initiatives that promote financial awareness, economic productivity and entrepreneurship among young Nigerians.
He urged businesses to support NESRI and the Renewed Hope Agenda in building a financially informed and economically productive generation.
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