Headlines

Allegations of bribery, imposition trail LG elections in Ogun State.

Owolola Adebola

Nine chairmanship aspirants for Abeokuta South Local Government, Ogun state, have said that a chairmanship candidate, Hon. Omolaja Majekodunmi should be questioned for alleged huge amount of money he reportedly paid to the party leaders in order to get the chairmanship ticket.

Speaking on behalf of the nine aspirants was Hon. Enilolobo who disclosed this on Monday during a press conference held at Local Government Secretariat, Ake, Abeokuta South, Ogun state.

The statement reads ” We, the undersigned, wish to express our profound gratitude to His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun, MFR for his unflinching support towards the progress of Abeokuta South local government for appointing the man of the soil and a cerebral administrator to pilot the affairs of the Premier local government in Nigeria, Abeokuta South, Hon. Ayodeji Michael Shomide.

“We are unperturbed by the claim of some disgruntled elements within the fold of the party to resort to character assassination by declaring the Transition Committee Chairman of Abeokuta South local government, Hon. Ayodeji Shomide as a person whose source of income is questionable.

“While they failed to question the flamboyant, lavish life style of a staff of the Ogun State Local Government Service Commission who paid the party leaders huge sum of money to fraudulently and unlawfully attempt to buy the party chairmanship ticket, a level 13 officer whose salary is 142,330.90k per month should be questioned of his source of multi million naira wasteful bribe offer to the party leaders in other to buy the party chairmanship ticket.

” It is so obvious that his income doesn’t commensurate with the multi million naira bribe offered the party leaders, therefore, his income and lifestyle is highly questionable.

“To set the record straight, Hon. Ayodeji Michael Shomide, popularly known as AY SHO, was born into the family of Ezekiel and Elizabeth Shomide of Abeokuta South local govt, Ogun State, Nigeria.

“He attended Springfield Nursery and Primary School and had his secondary school education at Baptist Boys High School (BBHS), Abeokuta, where he got his Secondary school leaving certificate.

” He continued his higher education at Plateau State Polytechnic, where he studied Diploma in Accounting and later furthered his studies at West London College, London, United Kingdom, where he studied Business Management.

“He is extremely motivated to constantly developing in skills and grow professionally.

” He is passionately confident in ability to engage challenges and come up with interesting ideas for unforgettable project development in housing, real estate and infrastructural development.

“Hon. Ayo Shomide, was appointed by His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Ogun State as the transition committee chairman of Abeokuta South local govt, where he is presently running the affairs of the local government as the number one citizen of the only Premier local govt in Nigeria.

“He established Builders Concept and Home Making Ltd. Hon Ayo Shomide is a seasoned Entrepreneur, a Builder and Property director by practice.

“Hon Ayo Shomide has demonstrated himself as good team leader, by bringing people together from beginning to the end of different projects.

“He chooses to specialize in the construction and property industry as a result his confidence in collaborative efforts towards achieving same goal, in which he is demonstrating as the Chairman of Abeokuta South local government.

“He has since grown his company into a multi-million Naira organization.

“Hon. Ayo Shomide has much interest in service, representation and giving back to the society at large. He is happily married and blessed with children.

“However, it has become pertinent as stakeholders in the local government to lend our voice to the political imbroglio rocking the party, All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abeokuta South as some moneybag politicians have hijacked the peaceful co-existence of party members in the local government.

“Following series of attack and political assassination on the personality of Hon. Ayodeji Shomide by these moneybags, we have deemed it fit to declare our support for the Transition Committee Chairman to continue his good work as the Chairman of Abeokuta South local government, regardless of any dirty political tactics engineered by a member of the Ogun State Cabinet from Abeokuta South Local Government, whose main target is the 2023 National Assembly election.

“We can never had it this good in Abeokuta South with the performance of Hon. Shomide in the council area.

“Despite, the paucity of fund couple with the global Covid-19 pandemic which disrupted economy of the state, Hon. Shomide had in the last couple of years tremendously improved on the wellbeing of the citizens of the local government.

“With Hon. Shomide at the helms, every household in Abeokuta South can feel the impact of the state government through our dynamic and visionary Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun.

“Hon. Shomide has facilitated among other developmental projects to include;
1- New Health care center @ Oke Egunya, Ago-Oba.
2- Almost completed Shopping Complex @ Kemta side of Itoku market.

3- The New Itoku Market stalls(under construction)
4- Business support scheme for Adire textile producers within the LG, with an off taker arrangement.

5- Establishment of Traffic Mayor under the enabling law of Trace.

6- Proposed Skill aquisition center @ Blairs Memorial Panseke.

7- Proposed construction of a new computer village in Panseke.

8. Construction of Ijaiye Gbangba dilapidated bridge, among other numerous human development projects.

“We, however, call on His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun to discountenance the rabble rousers trying to pull down the people’s choice just to score cheap political goal and to misdirect our people for his own selfish political greed.

“It is imperative to inform the public that, the party is yet to adopt any consensus candidate, despite the multi million naira bribe offered the party leaders, as those imposing a particular candidate against the advice of the Governor are doing so to cause confusion among party members and simply to justify their shameful act of bribe taking.

“While we caution sponsors of the FAKE adoption of other candidate in the local government, we want to appeal to His Excellency to allow Hon. Shomide who has be adopted and endorsed by 9 out 14 lawful aspirants to continue his good work to maintain the already peaceful political atmosphere in the local government.

“We are committed with the decision of the party Apex leaders and the Governor as the leader of the party in the state.

“We don’t want another betrayer that will scuttle the continuation of Governor Abiodun beyond first term, by anyone for their selfish agenda of 2023.

“Shomide is loyal, committed party man, well accepted and very dedicated grassroots politician that will protect the interest of His Excellency in the local government.

“He remains the candidate to beat at the coming local government election. He is the only Candidate that can challenge the oppositions in the local government with his track record and achievements in office in the last year and a half years.”the statement concluded

Headlines

NIWA partners ICPC to strengthen internal transparency in its operations

Gloria Odion, Maritime Reporter

The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has announced new strategies aimed at improving its operational system and enhancing collaboration with key stakeholders as part of efforts to boost efficiency and accountability.

Speaking at a post event Press Conference at NIWA Headquarters Lokoja, the Acting Managing Director, Umar Yusuf Girei, while answering questions from journalists stated that, the organization convened a two -day Executive and Anti-Corruption training with the theme “Strengthening Integrity and Revenue System in Inland Waterways Management” organized for Board Members, Management and Area Managers and also 2026 NIWA Management Retreat in Abuja.

The Acting MD noted as part of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,with the support Adegboyega Oyetola, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, the Authority is focused on aligning institutional goals in ensuring better service delivery to Nigerians.

He further said, as part of its anti-corruption drive, the Management held discussions with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to explore measures for strengthening transparency within its operations.

Girei therefore, assured staff that the ongoing reforms under his watch would translate into improved service and better working conditions.

“NIWA remains committed to continuous improvement and stakeholder engagement and the reforms are expected to enhance both internal performance and public confidence”. he stated.

Headlines

Navy appoints new Maritime Guard Commander for NIMASA

Gloria Odion, Maritime Reporter

The Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, has approved the appointment of Commodore Reginald Odeodi Adoki as the Commander of the Maritime Guard Command at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).

Commodore Adoki takes over from Commodore H.C Oriekeze who has been redeployed.

Commodore Adoki, a principal Warfare Officer specializing in communication and intelligence, brings onboard 25 years experience in the Nigerian Navy covering training, staff and operations.

As a seaman, he has commanded NNS Andoni, NNS Kyanwa and NNS Kada.

It was under his command that NNS Kada under took her maiden voyage, sailing from the country of build (the United Arab Emirates) into Nigeria.

He was commissioned into the Nigerian Navy in 2000 with a BSc in Mathematics.

He has since earned a Masters in International Law and Diplomacy from the University of Lagos and an M.Sc in Terrorism, Security and Policing at University of Leicester, England.

He is currently pursuing a Ph.D in Defence and Security Studies at the National Defence Academy (NDA).

He is a highly decorated officer with several medals for distinguished service.

Welcoming the new MGC Commander to the Agency, the Director General, Dr Dayo Mobereola, expressed confidence in Adoki’s addition to the team, emphasising that it will further strengthen the nation’s maritime security architecture given his vast experience in the industry.

The Maritime Guard Command domiciled in NIMASA was established as part of the resolutions of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Nigerian Navy to assist NIMASA strengthen operational efficiency in Nigeria’s territorial waters, especially through enforcement of security, safety and other maritime regulations.

Customs

Customs collects N1.585 trillion from 51 compliant traders under AEO programme

Funso OLOJO, Editor

The Authorized Economic Operator (AEO), one of the trade facilitation tools introduced by the Nigeria Customs Service in 2025, has begun to yield bountiful harvests with the revenue growth of ₦362.79 billion recorded in 2025.

According to the AEO scorecard released by the Service, the facilitation tool grossed the sum of N1.585 trillion after certification, an increase revenue from N1.222 trillion before certification.

This represents the growth of N362.79 billion(29.68 per cent) for 51 AEO – certified entities as at October, 2025.

The Programme, according to the NCS, also contributed 21.77% to its total revenue collection of ₦7.281 trillion in 2025, while customs duties paid rose by 85.66% due to enhanced compliance and increased volumes of legitimate trade.

According to AEO Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Report, the Programme achieved an average compliance rate of 85.45 per cent with the highest at 100 per cent and the lowest at 60 per cent.

“The evaluation applied rigorous methodologies to ensure objectivity, transparency, and alignment with the World Customs Organisation (WCO) SAFE Framework of Standards and the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.

“In the area of trade facilitation, AEO participation reduced average cargo clearance time from 168 hours to 41 hours, representing a 75.60% time saving.

“Company operating costs declined by 57.2 per cent while demurrage payments dropped by 90 per cent, limiting capital flight to foreign-owned port service providers and strengthening foreign exchange retention.

” Overall trade efficiency improved by 77.11 per through digitalisation, simplified procedures, and targeted risk management” the Customs declared in the AEO scorecard.

However, the Service singled out with Eight companies for commendation due to their integrity and compliance under the programme.

The companies include Coleman Technical Industries Limited, WACOT Rice Limited, ROMSON Oil Field Services Ltd, WACOT Limited, Chi Farms Ltd, CORMART Nigeria Ltd, PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc, Nigerian Bottling Company Limited and MTN Nigeria Communications Plc.

The Service lauded them for a cumulative voluntary remittance of over a billion naira into the Federation Account following their self-initiated transaction review and disclosure.

“These actions reflect the strengthening of post-clearance audit mechanisms and a growing culture of voluntary compliance within the trading community.

Nevertheless, the Service suspended a firm under the programme for its non- compliance and display of lack of integrity.

The suspended firm engaged in false declaration of consignments contrary to programme obligations.

“Consequently, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, directed the immediate suspension of the company’s AEO status in accordance with the AEO Guidelines, the WCO SAFE Framework of Standards, and Section 112 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.

The NCS reiterated that the AEO Programme is founded on trust, transparency, and continuous compliance.

“While compliant operators will continue to benefit from expedited clearance and reduced inspection, appropriate sanctions will be applied where violations are established.

“The Service remains resolute in safeguarding national revenue, facilitating legitimate trade, and preserving the integrity and global credibility of Nigeria’s AEO framework” the NCS concluded in the report.