The unionists came to my office with cash stashed in two cartons of beer. After listening to them, I rejected their offer and drove them away with the bribe money. As they amassed their bait; the union leaders had boasted that Agbetuyi would smear himself once their damaging report was published by the high-flying Saturday PUNCH, which I edited together with the daily, The PUNCH. Saturday came, no dice! It was then Agbetuyi realised I had turned down the unionists’ offer. He anxiously wanted to meet me and sent Sola Oloidi, the Bank’s Public Relations guy at the time.

When I got to the Apapa head office of the bank at the time, Agbetuyi himself was downstairs waiting to receive me. That was how a relationship with the bank and its key managers developed and blossomed for many years. Its PR department became a second home to me after I left the PUNCH – what with the likes of Segun Ilori, Ademola Akinbola, and Ayo Arowojolu holding sway there at one time or the other! I printed the bank’s Omegabank newsletter for a spell of time until Soludo’s bank consolidation dabaru of the banking sector.

From Omegabank, Dr. Adelola went on to accomplish other milestones, one of which was as the longest-serving Secretary to the Ondo State Government under Gov. Olusegun Mimiko (aka Gba-sibe). What you are about to read are excerpts from the “Foreword” to Adelola’s “Working under the Sunshine: Reminiscences on how a State Government in Nigeria created values for the People”. Incidentally, Professor Femi Mimiko who wrote the “Foreward”, is not only the blood brother of Gov. Mimiko, he was also my classmate at the then University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), Ile-Ife. Femi read Political Science while I read History/Political Science. I invite you to enjoy the bit of the “Foreword” that space constraint will allow us here.

“A major lacuna in Political Science, Public Administration, and governance scholarship, which we have so often referenced, is the tendency to undertake analysis of social formations, and the workings of their political economy, only at the macro level, to the exclusion of the nuances presented by the sub-national realm. The immediate implication of this marginalization culture is that the particular is often lost in the treatment of the general. A preponderance of academic inquiry into, as well as the softer levels of discourses of Nigeria, fits within this disturbing mould.

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“To be certain, Nigeria’s system, by a combination of the state formation process, the character of the state, organisation of its politics, and the structuring of its economy suffers from the lingering challenge of throwing up responsive governments capable of answering to the yearnings and aspirations of the people – their own ‘revolution of rising expectations,’ as it were.

“The central government in Nigeria, without much regard to the theoretical precepts in federalism, under which the federating units and central government are supposed to be ‘coordinated and independent’, remains the very locus of power, authority, and influence; animating the other levels of government. The truth, which we have to deal with, is that this governance structure detracts from the possibility of throwing up leaders with the vision and technical capacity requisite for transformationalism. It instead has proven itself adept at producing leaders, many of whom are ‘short in capacity, limited in vision, and too compromised, to be the anchor for national unity and development.’

Badejo’s work reflects his strong conviction in celebrating African culture and consciousness. His intellectual contributions span key issues such as corruption, leadership deficits, and the evolving nature of democracy in developing nations.

“In specific terms, the nature of the compromises that many a political practitioner must make to access power, heavily concentrated in the central government – under the rubric of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) – are such that constrain the prospects of emergence of leaders ‘of such quality and commitment requisite for a fresh berth for the country.’ Small wonder, the outcomes in mediocre performance, often paraded in the Nigerian leadership landscape since independence in 1960.

“This, however, does not suggest that the ecosystem of governance in Nigeria is completely bereft of flashes of captivating performance at the sub-national levels – local and State. Yet, under the restrictive analytical framework referenced here, the failure of the Nigerian central government is often projected over the entire country, denying observers the opportunity to engage with significant and impressive efforts at transformational leadership at the other levels of governance. The point being made here is that in the wholescale focus on the macro level, and prioritization of the central government in analysis, the dysfunctionality often associated with that level of government in Nigeria is magnified and projected over the entire social formation, without regard to regional specificities.

“For a fuller, truer, and more nuanced sense, it behooves any serious analyst to look beyond the bigger picture and apprehend critical trends at the lower (sub-national) levels, some of which may be significant enough to shape the nature of the analytical narrative, and the conclusion reachable. It is also not impossible to have what constitutes best practices across governance landscapes within a country. Except the details of such possibilities are tracked and interrogated, it becomes difficult to exact the advantages thereto as we keep at the task of reinventing government, to the ends of good governance, conceived by Goran Hyden in his 1992 work on the same subject, as ‘the conscious management of regime structures to enhance the legitimacy of the public realm…’

“This is one of the primary reasons why Adelola’s (book) deserves the attention of scholars and practitioners of development alike. As the title suggests, the book is a dissection of the patterns of governance of a sub-national unit in Nigeria, over eight years, under a civil democratic dispensation. In the words of the author, it is an effort to elucidate ‘the workings of the people-oriented State Government under the transformational leadership of Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, CON, and the first Governor of Ondo State to serve an undisrupted two terms in office.’”

I agree with Professor Mimiko that Abuja is not Nigeria, just as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu or his government is not all there is about governance in the country. Focus must not only be on the government at the Centre but also on States and Local Governments just as Dr. Adelola has appropriately done in his reminiscences.

Professor Badejo I met during COVID-19 in company of other egg-heads at the University of Lagos Staff Club where we met to discuss the state of the nation and the way forward. Since then, we have become like family. Thus, his latest success did not come to me as a surprise. Let’s savour it with him as much as space would permit us!

“The Award Committee of the 2025 Africa Annual Events and the University of Texas at Austin have conferred the prestigious Nelson Mandela Distinguished Africanist Award on Professor Babafemi Badejo, a political scientist, lawyer, and diplomat, in recognition of his lifelong dedication to African studies and service to the African people. In a statement, the committee announced that the award “named in honour of the late Nelson Mandela, is a lifetime achievement recognition given to individuals who have demonstrated resilience, courage, and commitment to African liberation, the promotion of freedom and rights for Africans, and outstanding leadership in public service”. Past recipients include renowned scholars and leaders such as Bonny Ibhawoh of McMaster University, Canada (2018), and Abdul-Rasheed Na’Allah, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Abuja (2024).”

Advocate for African development and professor of Political Science and International Relations at Chrisland University, Abeokuta, Badejo’s career has been dedicated to shaping African governance, peacebuilding, development, and international relations. His extensive research, publications, and policy engagements have significantly influenced discussions on Africa’s role in global politics, security, and socio-economic advancement. He has also played a practical role in peacebuilding efforts across several African countries during his tenure at the United Nations.

Badejo’s work reflects his strong conviction in celebrating African culture and consciousness. His intellectual contributions span key issues such as corruption, leadership deficits, and the evolving nature of democracy in developing nations. The award coincides with Badejo’s 70th birthday, marking a significant milestone in his career. The recognition, according to the statement, serves as an inspiration for future generations of African scholars and leaders.

In his acceptance speech, Badejo described the award as both a privilege and solemn responsibility. “To be recognised in the name of Nelson Mandela—an enduring symbol of Ọmọluabi, Ubuntu, courage, resilience, justice, and African dignity—is truly remarkable,” he said. Addressing Africa’s challenges, Badejo emphasised the continent’s leadership deficit and the external forces that exploit its vast natural resources, pledging, however, “a renewed commitment to research, peace, and governance reform in Nigeria and the continent.”

We say congratulations to Dr. Adelola and Professor Badejo and wish them more power to their elbows!

*Bolawole (turnpot@gmail.com 0807 552 5533), former Editor of PUNCH newspapers, Chairman of its Editorial Board and Deputy Editor-in-chief, was also the Managing Director/ Editor-in-chief of the Westerner newsmagazine. He writes the “ON THE LORD’S DAY” column in the Sunday Tribune and “TREASURES” column in the New Telegraph newspapers. He is also a public affairs analyst on radio and television.

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The General Manager, Oyo State Fire Services Agency, Mr Yemi Akinyinka, made this known in a statement made available to newsmen on Monday in Ibadan.

Akinyinka said that the agency received a distress call about the fire incident from one Mr Adelola around 12:27 a.m., on Monday, and immediately deployed personnel to the scene.

He said that the personnel of the agency on getting to the scene discovered that the fire had affected rows of shops and container shops at the garage.

“The fire incident was reported to the agency at exactly 00:27hrs by one Mr Adelola, that there were shops on fire at Moniya Garage, Oja Agbe, Ibadan.

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“Immediately, the personnel of this agency, led by ACFS Oyedeji, was deployed to the scene of the incident.

“We swiftly swung into action and we were able to curtail the fire and restricted it from spreading to all nearby shops and other properties,” he said.

Akinyinka said that no life was lost to the fire incident, but properties worth millions of naira were destroyed.

The general manager said the remote cause of the fire incident was traced to plugging of electrical appliances unattended to.

He advised the people of Oyo State to handle fire with care in order to avoid fire occurrences.

Source: NAN

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The latest is Dr. Aderotimi Adelola, the longest-serving Secretary to the State Government in the history of Ondo State, who served in the landmark administration of Dr Rahman Olusegun Mimiko from 2009 to 2017.

In a statement released in Akure, the Ondo State capital, on Thursday, Adelola said that Governor Aiyedatiwa had been able to stabilize the state and sustain the legacy achievements of the Aketi administration and the preceding ones.

According to Adelola, Governor Aiyedatiwa has done enough to deserve the overwhelming support of the people of Ondo State.

Adelola said he was thrilled to announce his endorsement of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa for the forthcoming governorship election, adding that as a former Secretary to the State Government under Mimiko, he had the privilege of observing and participating actively in the development of Ondo State.

“As a keen observer of Governor Aiyedatiwa’s activities and performance since he was inaugurated as the substantive Governor of Ondo State, l have noticed that he possesses the required leadership passion to propel the state toward greater heights. His capacity to drive progress and innovation is impressive; his initiatives have positively impacted various sectors; and his commitment to preserve and promote Ondo State’s rich cultural heritage is commendable,” he added.

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Adelola noted that as someone who had served the state with a helicopter view of its development needs, he believed Aiyedatiwa was the right leader to take Ondo State to the next level of socio-economic and cultural development.

“I urge all well-meaning citizens to, therefore, unite and ensure his continued leadership for the benefit of our beloved state,” he stated.

Meanwhile, Adelola has hailed the appointment of Abiola Makinde as the Director General of the Aiyedatiwa Campaign Organisation, describing Makinde’s choice as a square peg in a square hole.

“One will always remember the creativity you deployed to your electioneering campaign for the House of Representative election and the positive results it yielded. Undoubtedly, the Aiyedatiwa campaign will benefit from a similar approach with you in the driver’s seat,” Adelola opined.

According to INEC, over two million voters can participate in the exercise.

Governor Aiyedatiwa, the incumbent, is challenged by Agboola Ajayi, the PDP flag bearer, and a former Deputy Governor of the state, and others.

Aiyedatiwa of the APC is being touted as the favourite given his performance since he became the substantive governor following the death of Arakunrin Olurotimi Akeredolu, on December 27, 2023.

Adelola, PhD, a renowned organisational psychologist recently authored a book, “Working under the Sunshine: Reminiscences on How a State Government in Nigeria Created Values for the People”.

The book reveals the inspiring and success secrets and principles of a state government in Nigeria, focusing on how a people-oriented and outcome-focused government can create value on a sustained basis for stakeholders.

The book offers a unique perspective on how the Mimiko administration was able to record phenomenal achievements that impacted positively the lives of citizens who were in the majority and on the fringes of society.

The post Ondo 2024: Rotimi Adelola, former SSG, endorses Aiyedatiwa appeared first on Frontpageng.

The raid followed credible intelligence that some persons were going to hold a night party tagged Unholy Alliance for Stoners and Drunkards where different types of illicit substances were going to be sold and consumed by patrons.

Soon after the organisers began to gather at Berrymist Lounge located at Ofatedo area of Osogbo to start the party, NDLEA operatives swooped on them, arrested them and recovered illicit substances of abuse and drug paraphernalia from them.

Those arrested include the main organiser of the drug party, 30-year-old Gbemileke Adelola (a.k.a. BIG LHYNZ), Ikotu Omolayo, 25; Fola Olabode, 30, and Akorede Adunni Ajibola, 22.

The management of the Lounge has also been invited for further investigation.

This comes on the heels of an earlier raid on Thursday  November 23 at Area 5 forest reserve, Ile-Ife where operatives recovered 156kgs of cannabis sativa.

Meanwhile, operatives in Ogun State on Friday, November 23, arrested two suspects: Adamu Ibrahim and Nura Sani at Ileke trailer garage, along Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, where 859 kilograms of cannabis sativa concealed among bags of sugar in a truck for onward transportation to Mokwa, Niger State.

The consignment was loaded in Ogbese, Ondo State and hidden among bags of cement in a truck before being transloaded into another trailer bearing sugar in Ogun State.

In Edo State, operatives on Monday, November 20 stormed a warehouse at Obi Camp in Owan West local government area, where they recovered 338kgs of cannabis concealed in sacks of charcoal, while in another operation in Ikhin forest, Owan East local government area, NDLEA officers seized 235kgs of the same psychoactive substance on Saturday, November 25.

A suspect, Onah Kenneth Ikechukwu, 32, was arrested at Jattu, Etsako West local government area, with 11,690 capsules of tramadol, 295 bottles of codeine syrup and various quantities of Molly, Cannabis and Methamphetamine on Wednesday, November 22.

A similar raid in Lagos on Wednesday, November 22 at Enu Owa Street, Lagos Island led to the recovery of 40,500 ampoules of pentazocine injection; 440,000 pills of tramadol in a store belonging to a suspect, Ebuka Amechi who is currently at large.

Not less than 135,600 capsules of tramadol and 950grams of cannabis were seized from two suspects: Afamefuna Ibekwe, 37, and Sunday Onweh, 41, at Nkpor, Akuzor and Ose-Ogbaijo, Onitsha, respectively.

While 37,360 pills of different opioids and 250 bottles of codeine syrup coming from Onitsha, Anambra enroute Abuja were recovered from Muhammed Abba Khamis, 22, on Thursday, November 23, along Okene- Lokoja-Abuja Expressway, operatives in Ekiti State seized a total of 288kgs of cannabis at Odo-Owa forest in Ijero local government area on Saturday, November 25.

At least, 116kgs of same psychoactive substance were seized from a suspect, Chinagoram Obaru, 24, who was arrested at Iju forest on Thursday, November 23.

In the same vein, commands across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, equally continued their War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, sensitisation lectures in schools, communities, work places and others.

Some of these include: WADA sensitisation lecture for students and staff of Comprehensive High School, Abia, Udi local government area, Enugu; teachers and students of Dr. Nuhu Sanusi Junior/Senior  Secondary School, Dutse, Jigawa; students of Haneef High School, Jos, Plateau; students of Akinorun Muslim Grammar School, Ikirun, Osun; students of Zaibadari Michika Primary, Junior and Senior Secondary School, Michika, Adamawa; and students of Madarasatul-Islamiya Baichin Kako, Marna Gusau, Zamfara state, among others.

Commending the arrests and seizures of the past week by officers and men of the Osun, Ogun, Ondo, Edo, Anambra, Ekiti, Kogi and Lagos Commands, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) charged them and their compatriots across all formations of the agency to continue to remain vigilant and double their efforts especially with the desperation of criminal networks to make money by all means as the yuletide season approaches.

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