OPINION Building Smarter: How Rail Can Secure Ogun’s Industrial Future By: Bayo Orebiyi The story of Ogun State is, in many ways, the story of Nigeria’s industrial backbone. From Sagamu to Ibeshe, Papalanto to Ewekoro, and now Itori, Ogun has quietly become the cement capital of West Africa. Dangote Cement, with its 12 million metric tons per annum facility in Ibeshe and another 6 million metric-ton plant rising in Itori, dominates the landscape. Lafarge, with plants in Ewekoro and Sagamu, contributes an additional 4.5 million tons each year. Together, these giants account for over 20 million tons of cement—enough to…
Author: Reporter
The Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, through one Segun Tomori, a Special Assistant on Media to the Minister, Dele Alake, has confirmed that 13 miners were recovered dead from the collapsed pit in Zamfara. This is however contrary to earlier figures quoted by residents and media outlets. “The collapse, triggered by heavy rainfall and aggravated by the unlawful activities of illegal miners, trapped at least 15 itinerant mine workers. Thirteen have been recovered, tragically with no survivors. Efforts are on to recover the remaining two still trapped,” the statement read. Alake described the incident as both avoidable and unfortunate,…
Nigerians may face tougher days ahead as the nationwide strike declared by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, beginning from today (Monday), threatens to unleash a twin blow of soaring petrol prices and widespread electricity blackouts. The union’s directive to halt crude oil and gas supplies to the Dangote Petroleum Refinery has sent shockwaves through the energy sector, with oil marketers warning of severe disruptions in fuel distribution. This move is expected to choke the domestic market, driving up demand and prices. Compounding the crisis, power generation companies have announced a complete shutdown of all thermal…
Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso has warned his side against overconfidence ahead of Saturday’s visit to face city rivals Atletico Madrid in La Liga derby match. Los Blancos have won every match they have played this season, leading the top flight by two points ahead of champions Barcelona and nine from Atletico, who are languishing in ninth. However the Spaniard, coaching the team for the first time in a derby clash against Atletico, said his players must keep their feet on the ground. “Every game is very difficult to win… we cannot be overconfident,” Alonso told a news conference Friday.…
The CBN has explained that its recent decision to reduce the MPR by 50 basis points would stimulate growth without undermining the stability of the naira. According to the Deputy Director in the Monetary Policy, Christian Oboh, “We expect the rate cut of 50 basis points to have a significant impact on the real economy. This cut should support economic recovery, particularly by lowering borrowing costs, with credit channeled towards growth-enhancing sectors. We expect small businesses and similar enterprises to benefit,” he added. He also pointed to fresh policy measures, including a new 75 per cent Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR)…
Nigeria’s Renewed Hope Ward Development Programme, which aims to translate Nigeria’s macroeconomic reforms into real, grassroots benefits across all 8,809 wards nationwide, has received the backing of the World Bank. The federal government initiative also aims at stimulating economic activity, boosting food security, generating jobs, and reducing poverty by directly supporting at least 1,000 economically active individuals per ward. The new Country Director, World Bank, Mr. Matthew Verghis, gave the commendation during a meeting with Nigeria’s Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Bagudu, in Abuja, yesterday. Bagudu in his remarks, intimated his guests that the groundbreaking ward initiative…
IBADAN Former Oyo State governor, Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja has been installed as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadan. The Oyo State governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, also declared that the Olubadan traditional system and succession process are sacrosanct and must continue to be upheld. The governor stated this on Friday, while presenting the staff and instruments of office to the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, Arusa I, at the Mapo Hall Arcade, Ibadan. He maintained that all challenges associated with the Olubadan Chieftaincy System in recent years are over, even as he prayed that the reign of Oba Ladoja would…
ABUJA The opposition coalition has directed former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, to fully join the African Democratic Congress (ADC), which it adopted as its platform to challenge President Bola Tinubu in 2027. The directive was announced in Abuja on Thursday by the ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, following a caucus meeting attended by senior party leaders and prominent political figures. He added that all issues concerning the African Democratic Association (ADA) had been settled. “The coalition has rested everything concerning the ADA. That means, they are not interested in the registration…
IBADAN President Bola Tinubu has commended Nigerians for their resilience and patience in the face of recent economic and social challenges, assuring the nation that their sacrifices are not in vain and are already yielding progress and growth. He spoke on Friday at the coronation ceremony of the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, held at the historic Mapo Hall in Ibadan, the President acknowledged the perseverance of citizens through difficult times, while promising better days ahead. “I know the times have been hard, but your suffering is not without purpose. The path we are on is already bearing…
OGUN The Ogun State Government has announced that the Gateway International Airport, Iperu, will receive its first commercial flight on October 7, 2025, as Nigerian carrier ValueJet commences scheduled operations from the newly commissioned aerodrome. In a statement on Friday, the government confirmed that ValueJet will operate twice-weekly flights on the Ogun–Abuja route. Departures from Gateway International Airport are scheduled for Tuesdays and Thursdays at 8:30 am, arriving in Abuja at 9:45 am. Return flights will leave Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, at 4:00 pm, landing in Iperu by 5:15 pm. The airport, commissioned on August 15, 2025, with an…