A prominent Ibadanman, businessman and politician, Chief Yekinni Adeojo, is dead.

He died in the early hours of Friday.

Though details of his death are still sketchy as at press time, he is expected to be buried today according to Islamic rites.

Adeojo contested the 1999 governorship election of Oyo State under the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and lost to his fellow Ibadan kinsman, late Alhaji Lamidi Adesina of the Alliance of Democracy, AD.

Throughout his political career, Adeojo made multiple bids for the Oyo State governorship. However, each attempt was met with challenges, often stemming from his rivalry with the late political strongman, Chief Lamidi Adedibu.

Details regarding the burial arrangements for the late Yekini Adeojo have yet to be announced at the time of this report.

One of his sons, Sherif, is currently chairman of Ido local government.

APC Chieftain in Oyo State, Hon. Ibraheem Iyiola, has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Mrs. Bisola Kola-Daisi, the eldest daughter of the late former Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi.

Hon. Ibraheem also extended his condolences to Her Excellency, Chief (Mrs.) Florence Ajimobi, and the entire Ajimobi family, acknowledging the deep pain of losing a beloved daughter.

“This is a difficult time for the Ajimobi family, and my heart goes out to Her Excellency, Chief (Mrs.) Florence Ajimobi. I pray that God gives you the strength and fortitude to bear this loss. Bisola’s legacy of kindness, excellence, and service will never be forgotten,” he added.

In a heartfelt condolence message to her husband, Kolapo Kola-Daisi, Hon. Iyiola described the loss as a painful and unimaginable tragedy.

“My dear brother, Kolapo Kola-Daisi, words cannot fully express the depth of sorrow I feel for you in this difficult time. Losing a beloved wife and partner is a heartbreak that words cannot heal. Bisola was a woman of grace, wisdom, and kindness, and I know how much she meant to you and your family. I pray that the Almighty grants you the strength to bear this painful loss and fills your heart with the comfort of cherished memories,” he said.

He further sympathized with the entire Kola-Daisi family, praying that God grants them peace and solace as they navigate this moment of grief.

He also sympathized with the APC family in Oyo State, recognizing the strong bond the Ajimobi family shared with the party and its members.

Mrs. Bisola Kola-Daisi passed away in the early hours of Thursday in the United Kingdom after a brief illness.

Bisola Ajimobi Kola-Daisi, the first child of the immediate past governor of Oyo State, late Abiola Ajimobi is dead.

It was gathered that Bisola who is married to Mr Kolapo Kola-Daisi died in the early hours of Thursday.

She died at the age of 44.

Out reporter learnt that she died in the United Kingdom.

Until her death, she was the Special Adviser to the Minister of Budget and Planning, Atiku Bagudu.

The Special Adviser to the minister of power , Mr Bolaji Tunji confirmed the incident to journalists in Ibadan on Thursday.

Tunji said, “Yes. It has been confirmed”.

The Police Command in Oyo State has arrested 59 students of Government Technical College, Orita-Aperin, for attacking and destroying property at Ibadan Christ Apostolic Grammar School.

The state Commissioner of Police, Johnson Adenola, confirmed this on Monday in Ibadan during a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Command Headquarters.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the meeting was convened to prevent further occurrences of school-related gang violence in Oyo State.

Adenola said students of Government Technical College, Ibadan, went on a rampage on Thursday and invaded the premises of CAC Grammar School.

“Destroyed properties included vehicles, the school laboratory, and some teachers were injured during the attack,” the Commissioner of Police stated.

He added that 17 of the 59 arrested students were found culpable, while the remaining students have been released without charges.

“When I interviewed them on Saturday, I was shocked by the riot. The level of decadence in schools across Oyo State is alarming.

“The Command convened this stakeholders’ meeting to end gang violence in schools within Ibadan and across Oyo State.

“It has been observed that many students go on rampages, especially after term examinations or at the end of the school term.

“This behaviour is unacceptable. It must end immediately,” the Commissioner said.

He noted that the meeting’s discussions were resourceful and aimed at addressing school gang violence before it escalates further.

“It is unfortunate that many students in the state are cultists, with nicknames different from their real identities.

“The police have initiated measures, including school visits, to sensitise students about the dangers of cultism,” Adenola said.

He urged parents and guardians to monitor their wards, noting that providing money alone is not enough for proper child upbringing.

Oyo State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof Saliu Adelabu, praised the police for their effective intervention.

He also commended them for assuring the state government that juvenile courts are ready to try those found culpable.

NAN reports that attendees included principals of both schools, the Oyo State SUBEB Chairman, Dr Nurein Adeniran, and parents of affected students.

(NAN).

The University of Ibadan rejoices with one of its greatest benefactors, Chief Tunde Fanimokun, Agbaakin, as he celebrates his 81st birthday today.

The University has benefitted immensely from the goodwill and benefactions that you gave out to celebrate your 80th.

On behalf of the Council, Senate, Congregation, staff, and students of the University, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kayode O. Adebowale, mni, FAS, fspsp, rejoices with you and prays that the Almighty Lord will grant you the grace to celebrate many more years in sound health of body and mind.

We appreciate you immensely, sir.

Happy birthday.

Congratulations, Your Excellency.

Oyo State governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has made new appointments to the boards of three tertiary institutions in the state.
The Governor also approved the appointments of nine part-time members into the Oyo State Pilgrims’ Welfare Board (Christian Wing).

The appointments were announced in a letter signed by the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Otunba Segun Ogunwuyi.

Professor Ayodeji Omole was reappointed as the chairman of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Governing Council, while Mrs Titilayomi Ahmadu, Mr Idowu Olukunle Adeosun, Mr Jelili Bamidele Busari and Dr Teslim Adediran were appointed as Members of the Council.
Their appointment takes effect from April 1, 2025.

The Governor has also approved the appointment of Dr. Adesola Kazeem Adeduntan, the immediate past Chief Executive Officer of First Bank Nigeria, as the chairman of the Governing Council of the Abiola Ajimobi Technical University, Ibadan.
The newly appointed members of the Council include a former member of the House of Assembly, Hon Seyi Joseph Adisa; Prof. Samson Olakunle Ojoawo; Dr Aminat Adekemi Ahmed and Prof Mojeed Kolawole Akinsola.
The tenure of the Council takes effect immediately.

Similarly, Professor Kazeem Adekunle Adebiyi was appointed as the chairman of the Adeseun Ogundoyin Polytechnic, Eruwa, to serve out the term of the former Chairman, Professor Abiodun Adebowale Ojo, who died last year.
His appointment takes immediate effect.

In a related development, the governor also appointed nine Part-Time Members to work with the chairman of the Oyo State Pilgrims’ Welfare Board (Christian Wing), Bishop David Ademola Moradeyo.

The new part-time members are: Pastor Biodun Emmanuel Popoola, Pastor Iyiola Olusegun Israel , Rev. Mathew Bolaji Ojo, Rev Father Vincent Alabi, Mrs Sarah Olubunmi Amuda, Bishop Ezekiel Adeleke, Rev. Dr. Mathew Olusegun Oludare, Hon. Emmanuel Bayo Akanbi and Mrs. Femi Odekunle .
Their appointment takes immediate effect.

Governor Makinde charged the new appointees to discharge their duties with commitment, dedication and loyalty to the state.
Signed
Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju
Special Adviser (Media) to Oyo State Governor
March 24, 2025.

When Oladeji Ibrahim, popularly known as Dikko, took over the helm of affairs at Pacesetter Transport Services, a company owned by the Oyo State government, in July 2023, only five buses were functional in its fleet – this figure is evidently far too minute to cater to the mass transportation need of one of the country’s largest states.

Less than two years after his appointment as the Chairman and Sole Administrator of the company, Dikko has redefined what it means to run a state-owned transportation company. Today, the number of functional buses under the company’s control has increased by more than 22 fold to one hundred and eleven.

The driving force behind this growth is simple: Oyo State needs a mass transit system that provides a reliable means of transportation for its population at a subsidized rate, Dikko told newsmen at a recent media parley where he gave an account of his stewardship of the company since he was appointed by the Governor.

According to him, today, the company has more than half a million subscribers on its system and is responsible for commuting more than 70,000 residents of the state on a daily basis.

A breakdown of the company’s fleet and operation shows that it has 81 buses plying scores of critical routes in Ibadan, the state capital. Another set of buses transport people within and between other areas of the state.

In December last year, driven by the need to expand the company’s capacity and take the pace-setting brand of the pacesetter State outside, the company launched its interstate service. It started by introducing 16 new buses, transporting travellers between Ibadan and Lagos daily.

“We deployed 14 buses to Lagos on December 15 last year. Between then and now, we have commuted over 16,000 people between Ibadan and Lagos,” Dikko explained to journalists at the company’s office in Ibadan on Thursday.

In March this year, driven by the same expansionist blueprint and fuelled by the positive feedback from the Lagos-Ibadan service, the company launched on a new route, transporting passengers between Ibadan and Abuja and vice-versa everyday.

“We launched the Ibadan- Abuja and Abuja-Ibadan routes this month with six buses,” Dikko noted.

Across the two inter-state services, the company transports travellers at a heavily subsidized rate. Despite this, it still provides excellent service that includes refreshment, fully air-conditioned buses, and CCTV security system.

The reason for this, from the company’s point of view, is simple. The company wants to live up to its name by being the pacesetter, not in the state, but in the country. “It’s the assignment my principal, Governor Makinde, tasked me with,” Dikko added

The Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has fiercely opposed Governor Seyi Makinde’s move to secure a fresh loan of N200 billion, describing it as reckless and detrimental to the state’s financial future. The party called on concerned Nigerians to intervene and prevail upon the governor to abandon the borrowing plan.

According to the party, it said sources had revealed that Governor Makinde sought and secured approval for the loan on Tuesday, allegedly through the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Debo Ogundoyin, and a few select lawmakers. It added that the governor’s request, contained in a letter dated 13th March 2025, cited the need to refinance an existing loan from a commercial bank.

In a statement issued on Tuesday and made available to journalists in Ibadan, Oyo APC’s Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, condemned the move, insisting that the governor’s borrowing spree was driving the state into a financial mess.

“Another distressing development has emerged from the Oyo State House of Assembly today. The Speaker and a handful of his loyalists have secretly approved a fraudulent loan request from the governor without the knowledge of most of their colleagues. This decision was only made public through a post-plenary document released by the Clerk of the House,” the statement read.

Sadare decried the mounting debt profile of Oyo State under Makinde, alleging that the governor had already incurred over N300 billion in loans over the last six years. He questioned why, despite such heavy borrowing, the state had little to show in terms of infrastructural development, economic growth, and agricultural advancement.

“If the previous loans had been judiciously used to improve infrastructure, build the economy, and ensure food security through a sustainable agricultural revolution, there would be no need for concern. Unfortunately, the present PDP administration has demonstrated a lack of accountability and is determined to mortgage the future of Oyo State,” he said.

The APC spokesman further questioned the rationale behind the fresh loan request, citing the substantial revenue inflows into the state’s coffers.

“For the record, Governor Makinde receives an average of N11 billion in federal allocation and another N11 billion on behalf of the 33 local government councils. In addition, the state generates no less than N3 billion in Internally Generated Revenue, bringing the total monthly revenue to at least N25 billion. The critical question now is: what exactly is he doing with this massive income, and why does Oyo still need another huge loan?”

Sadare accused the governor of failing to prioritise essential needs despite the available funds, lamenting that workers in state-owned tertiary institutions were not being paid a living wage, while key sectors such as emergency response, agriculture, and education remained neglected.

“Oyo State cannot even afford five fully functional fire trucks to tackle emergencies. Farmers lack access to modern equipment, while the state’s public schools are deteriorating rapidly. Yet, Governor Makinde, who has failed to complete an ordinary bus terminal after allegedly spending N20 billion, has now set his sights on an airport upgrade project as another means to siphon public funds,” he added.

The APC spokesman also took a swipe at Speaker Ogundoyin, accusing him of acting as a rubber stamp for the governor’s financial dealings.

“The manner in which this N200 billion loan was hurriedly approved exposes the Speaker as a willing accomplice in Makinde’s financial recklessness. However, justice will eventually prevail, and no one involved in this dubious scheme will escape accountability,” Sadare warned.