NEWS
We Succeeded Where Our Opponents Never Gave Us A Chance – Adeleke
. . . Adeleke Will Do Second Term – Olowu Of Iwoland
The Executive Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke has attributed the achievements recorded by his administration in 2023 to divine guidance, saying his government’s recorded successes trumped the expectations of his political opponents.
This was even as the paramount ruler of Iwoland, Oba (Dr) Adewale Akanbi (Telu 1) declared that Sen Adeleke would be reelected for a second term in office.
The traditional ruler made this statement at the Inter-religious service on Tuesday, at the state secretariat to usher in the government and the state into the new year.
At the same event, Gov Adeleke voiced his opinion, giving God glory for guiding his administration thus far.
The Governor said he “directly experienced divine guidance in making state decisions”, which count for the remarkable success attained so far.
“My dear people of faith, I have personal confessions to make. In the last one year, I directly experienced divine guidance in making state decisions.
“On several occasions, God almighty was my instructor in deciding on key issues. When I told you I govern with the fear of God, it is not a joke.
“Our leadership is a product of divine plan and manifestation,” he noted.
“The signs are everywhere even for our political opponents to see. I will share some of the examples for you all. When I assumed the governorship of our dear state, many serious problems existed. Such issues appeared to have defied all solutions. My predecessor deliberately added petrol to the fire by laying several bobby traps before he left office. Nobody expects solutions from us.
“But because we have a God who does not fail his beloved ones, doors open where none exist. The governance space witnessed policy innovations and implementation which provide answers to knotty state policy questions. Because we have a God who props up his favoured and chosen ones, our government successfully reset the button of the state public service, frontaly addressed workers’ welfare, put a smile on the faces of pensioners, restored local governance, implemented infra agenda and set the tone for sustainable governance.
“Through God and people of goodwill, we succeeded where opponents never gave us a chance. We break jinx in critical areas and prove that Osun people can experience good governance despite all odds. Our government has manifested what many denied- that a God led administration is a condition for successful leadership in state governance.”
Governor Adeleke appreciated workers and the people of Osun state for the support for his administration, urging them “to continue to maintain cohesion, love and support for your government under my leadership. Let us continue to seek the face of God across the faiths for the success of our collective project.
“To our royal fathers and religious leaders, God is answering your prayers over me and my team. Do not relent in your prayers and guidance for us.
“As I noted in my new year message, we have grand ambition to take Osun to greater heights. I trust that with God and people, we shall achieve our lofty goals and agenda for our dear state.”
Adeleke Will Do Second Term in Office” -Oluwo of Iwoland Declares
While giving his remark at the event, the Oluwo of Iwoland said, “We appreciate the Governor for the commendable job being done in the state. They’re all applaudable.
“Governor Adeleke is the driver of the Osun government, and by this, it is imperative for everyone regardless of political divides in the state to continue to support the administration to succeed.
“Governor Ademola Adeleke, I’m declaring on behalf of other traditional rulers in the state that we’re fully in support of your government and its continuation for a second term in office”, the Oluwo of Iwoland declared at the event.
The monarch thereafter pleaded for better welfare for the traditional institution in the state even while acknowledging that the Governor has been doing his best for the institution so far.
Prayers were offered for the progress of the state, economic advancement, peace, tranquility, political stability, security, and divine wisdom for the Governor in continuing to govern the state.
The Deputy Governor, Prince Kola Adewusi, SSG, Hon Teslim Igbalaye, Speaker of the State Assembly, Honourable Adewale Egbedun, the Deputy Minority leader of the Senate, Akogun Lere Oyewumi, the State PDP Chairman, Hon Sunday Bisi, Head of Service, Elder Ayanleye Aina, Timi of Ede, Orangun of Ila and Ataoja of Osogbo, are among other notable traditional rulers at the event including political functionaries.
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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