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Ogun 2019: Prominent Ogun State Obas Endorse Bimbo Ashiru

Published

8 years ago

March 9, 2018

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

As the race for Ogun State seat of power gathers momentum, top contender and current Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Otunba Bimbo Ashiru, has begun sensitization tour to drum up support for his ambition.

Ashiru was on November 17, 2017 presented as the preferred candidate from the Ogun West Senatorial district, and endorsed by not a few stake holders.

During his consultation visits during the week, seasoned economist and great achiever visited palaces of prominent obas, who gave their blessings and pledged to stand by him before during and after the electioneering season, when the battle would have been won.

The visits began with homage to the Palaces of three eminent Obas in Ijebu Land, and the moments turned out to be that of praises, blessings and support for his aspiration to succeed his hard working boss Senator Ibikunle Amosun CON, FCA.

The high point of the occasion the decision of Oba (Engr.) Mufutau Kasali, the Moyegeso of Itele-Ijebu to make a turnaround at his palatial residence at Itele-Ijebu and declared his support for the aspiration of the governorship hopeful and prayed for him.

With Oba Amos Awobajo, Limeri of Awa-Ijebu

Oba Kasali had openly opposed the emergence of Ashiru when the Ijebu-Remo Agenda presented him to the Ijebu Obas at the palace of the Awujale of Ijebu land on the 17th of November, 2017. He declared that he had seen the reason Ashiru should continue in the strides of Senator Amosun.

The train moved to the palace of Oba Adesesan Oguntayo FCA, JP, and the story was not different as the monarch eulogised Ashiru’s contributions to the economic developments in the state as Commissioner for Commerce and Industry. He expressed confidence in his abilities, stressing that he believe the performing Commissioner will perform excellently when he succeeds Amosun, especially as it concerns continuity in the ongoing mission to rebuild the state.

At the palace of the Gbegande, Ashiru received a rousing welcome which stated the acceptability of the governorship hopeful. In his words, the Gbegande expressed confidence in Otunba Bimbo Ashiru, having followed him closely in his activities in addition to the long standing relationship he has with the Ashiru Family. He also expressed confidence in the ability of the banker-turned-politician to deliver on his words.

Oba Gbengande also pledged his support and prayed for Otunba Ashiru who was accompanied on the visit by Dr. Gbolade Osinowo former Chief of Staff to late President Musa Yaradua and Alhaji (Dr.) Olusaga Adenusi a Real Estate guru and Accountant.

With the Akarigbo of Remo

There was very clear boost of Ashiru’s aspirations when the train visited the palace of the Alakija of Ikija-Ijebu, His Royal Highness, Oba Kayode Alakija,. The presence of high chiefs and prominent personalities to receive the aspirant was highly commendable.

In his words, Oba Alakija stated that Otunba Ashiru has performed exceptionally well as a Commissioner in the cabinet of Gov. Ibikunle and therefore, is a credible personality who can take Ogun State to greater heights.

“You are credible, you have performed creditably well; you have made us proud as an Ijebu man. Otunba, you are the best man to continue the good job come 2019.”

“We can see your meaningful contributions in the present administration as the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry. Without mincing words, you are the most qualified person to succeed Governor Ibikunle Amosun CON, FCA come 2019,” the Alakija stated.

With Oba Kayode Alakija

The visit also gave Otunba Ashiru the opportunity to highlight some of his programmes which included employment generation, youth empowerment and skill acquisition programmes as priority projects if elected governor in 2019.

The campaign team moved to Odogbolu where the Alaye of Odogbolu, Oba Adedeji Onagoruwa also gave his blessing to the aspiration of the gubernatorial hopeful. Otunba Ashiru also took time to inspect one of the state Investors’ site – the Solis Agro Group, located in Odogbolu Local Government Area.

The Akarigbo of Remoland, His Royal Majesty, Oba Babatunde Adewale Ajayi, was also on hand to receive Otunba Ashiru and his team in his palace at Sagamu. He said that the emergence of Otunba Ashiru as the consensus candidate of the Ijebu-Remo Agenda is a ‘choice that cannot be faulted’.

In his response, Dr. Gbolade Oshinowo, Special Adviser to former President Olusegun Obasanjo and a chieftain of the party in the State thanked the monarch for the reception, stating that Ashiru has been presented to distinguished leaders in the state including former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who all testified to his sterling character as someone who is eminently qualified to govern the state and exploit the economic potentials of Ijebu-Remo.

Otunba Bimbo Ashiru congratulated the Akarigbo on his coronation and led others in observing a minute silence in honour of the late wife of Oba Akarigbo, Olori (Dr.) Linga Ajayi.

In his speech, he stressed that professionals are needed in politics so that they can deploy their wealth of experience in governance, adding that the same promoted him as a two-term Commissioner for Commerce and Industry in a state reputed to be the industrial hub of Nigeria to present himself for the plum job.

OBA receiving royal blessings

He stated further that he wants to continue with the good works of Gov. Ibikunke Amosun who he referred to as his boss, friend, brother and mentor, promising to leave a lasting legacy for generations to come.

Oba Ajayi, who expressed his shock on the huge turnout of followers at the occasion advised the team to further reach out to well-meaning people in other divisions of the state in order to gain their support.

“This is a cause I agree with. The candidate you are putting forward cannot be faulted. He is a man of peace who would not hold anything against you and I will only advise that the team intensify more efforts by working hard to ensure victory. “If you have a good candidate, you still need to work hard to reach your goal”, he said.

In continuation of the consultation, Ashiru moved to Ijebu North Local Government with visits to the palaces of the Ebumawe of Ago Iwoye, Oba Adewale Adenugba and the Limeri of Awa, Oba Amos Awobajo.

At Ago Iwoye, where Ashiru was received by the monarch, palace chiefs and eminent personalities, he reiterated his motive to contest the governorship election which is a genuine desire to consolidate on the achievements of the present administration through the employment of the experience he has garnered over the years in both private and public sectors.

This, he stated could only be achieved with the support of all, especially community leaders whose positions are very significant in the running of the society.

Hon Ashiru paying homage

He said further that in achieving his set goals for the State, a blueprint tailored to guide his government has been formulated indicating his readiness to hit the ground running once elected.

OBA, as he is known based on his initials, also assured that no area will be left out of the development process as he is aware of the peculiar potentials of each community in the state and Ago Iwoye is not an exception.

In response, the Ebumawe of Ago Iwoye, Oba Adewale Adenugba welcomed Otunba Ashiru to his domain and urged him to continue to consult widely with the people as democracy is people’s government.

Acknowledging Otunba Bimbo Ashiru as ‘the only best” and “the most qualified” person to succeed incumbent Gov. Amosun, the Ebumare also advised elders on his entourage to guide him on the right path to ensure his emergence.

Oba Amos Awobajo, the Limeri of Awa, in his own response stated that the aspiration of Otunba Bimbo Ashiru could be likened to that of the biblical Moses who took his people out of the wilderness.

According to the traditional, ruler, Otunba Ashiru’s audacity and resoluteness to lead the Ijebu cause and vie for the position of governor is laudable and deserves every support being a beacon of hope for the Ijebu people both home and in the Diaspora. He also charged Otunba Bimbo Ashiru to mobilise notable sons and daughters of Ijebu to strengthen his chances and ensure victory at the general election in 2019.

Among prominent citizens present at the consultations were Pa O. Okuboyejo, Aare Are T.O. Dawodu, Bashorun Adebisi Adesanya, Senator Dipo Odujinrin, Chief Bisi Rodipe, Prof. Toyin Ashiru, Asiwaju Tobi Lawal, Alh.O. Adenusi, Prince Segun Aderibigbe, Hon. Tokunbo Oshin, Chief Jare Dada, and other distinguished personalities.

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Innovation Meets Vision As Glo Partners Samsung to Unveil New Galaxy S26

Published

12 minutes ago

February 27, 2026

Eric

In a convergence of technology and vision, digital solutions leader Globacom has entered a partnership with global electronics giant Samsung to introduce the much-anticipated Galaxy S26 Series to the Nigerian market. It is a device conceived for a generation that lives, works and dreams in real time.

The unveiling, held at Globacom’s corporate headquarters in Victoria Island, Lagos, gathered an august assembly of high-net-worth customers, industry figures and members of the media. The atmosphere was not merely ceremonial; it was symbolic — a quiet affirmation that when global engineering meets indigenous connectivity, innovation finds its true signal.

As part of the partnership, Globacom has commenced an exclusive pre-order window for its subscribers. Each Galaxy S26 purchased at any Gloworld outlet nationwide is bundled with 18GB of complimentary data under the Glo Smartphone Festival Data Plans delivered as 3GB monthly for six months.

In addition, customers receive a distinguished Platinum Number eSIM, accompanied by up to 10GB of extra data monthly. It is a proposition crafted not as an afterthought, but as a deliberate statement of value.

The Galaxy S26 Series itself is a study in assured sophistication. It fuses next-generation processing power with a sleek, immersive display, enhanced camera intelligence, durable battery performance and privacy screen technology. Its Agentic AI capabilities introduce a more intuitive user experience, one that anticipates need, protects data and enhances productivity.

In essence, it is a device built not merely to function, but to empower.

Speaking at the event, Samsung’s Product Manager, Sellout Platinum, Mr. Solomon Osibeluwo, described Globacom as the first partner to host the S26 masterclass session — a testament, he noted, to the enduring strength of the relationship between both organisations. He reaffirmed Samsung’s commitment to deepening this alliance, adding that the S26 Series has been meticulously engineered to enrich the calling, browsing and overall digital experience of Nigerians.

In his address, Globacom’s Head of Gloworld, Mr Mohamed Rabie, underscored that the collaboration is anchored on delivering real and measurable value. Premium technology, he remarked, must travel with meaningful benefit. He expressed pride that Globacom stands as the first partner to offer both the masterclass engagement and immediate pre-order advantages following the device’s launch in Nigeria.

Encouraging Nigerians to experience the device firsthand at Gloworld outlets nationwide, Rabie concluded with quiet conviction: “this moment transcends the unveiling of a smartphone. It signals the unfolding of new possibilities powered by intelligence, sustained by partnership, and carried on the dependable wings of connectivity”.

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FCCPC Uncovers Patterns of Price Manipulation by Local Airlines

Published

17 hours ago

February 26, 2026

Eric

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has uncovered patterns of price manipulation perpetrated by some local airlines during the last festive season.

The findings are contained in the interim report released on Thursday by the Commission’s department of Surveillance and Investigations, according to a statement signed by the Director, Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu, and made available to The Boss.

Recall that the Commission announced an industry-wide investigation earlier in January.

The forensic exercise benefitted from data collated by the Commission from airlines operating local routes in the country.

The report compares domestic airline pricing from the December 2025 festive period with post-peak January 2026 fare levels.

Preliminary analysis indicates that fares recorded during the December peak were materially higher than those observed in the post-peak period across several routes despite relative stability in critical operating variables like fuel price, government taxes and foreign exchange.

The differences observed in fares therefore appear to reflect airlines’ arbitrary pricing decisions, including yield management and capacity allocation, rather than any variation in regulatory fees.

Route-level analysis shows that higher fares coincided with periods of reduced seat availability during predictable seasonal demand peaks. On some high density routes, peak fares were clustered within relatively narrow ranges across several operators.

For instance, on certain corridors like Abuja-Port Harcourt, peak fares were several times higher than corresponding post-peak levels. On selected routes, the difference in the price of a single ticket reached approximately ₦405,000. Median fares across the sampled routes also rose markedly during the festive window when compared with post-peak benchmarks.

However, the interim report recognises that seasonal demand pressures, scheduling constraints and fleet utilisation may also affect pricing during peak travel periods.

These factors remain under consideration as part of the Commission’s ongoing review.

Commenting on the release of the interim report, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the FCCPC, Mr. Tunji Bello, said the review is part of the Commission’s statutory responsibility to promote competitive markets and safeguard consumers.

“This assessment is intended to provide clarity on pricing behaviour during predictable peak travel periods. The Commission’s role is not to disrupt legitimate commercial activity, but to ensure that market outcomes remain consistent with competition and consumer protection principles under the law,” Mr. Bello said.

He noted that the Commission is conducting further structural and route-level analysis before reaching any conclusions.

“It is important to emphasise that this is an interim report. Our next action will be dictated by full facts established at the end of the review exercise. Then, the Commission will decide whether any regulatory guidance, engagement or enforcement steps are necessary, strictly in accordance with the law,” he said.

The report identifies the possible relevance of Sections 59, 72, 107, 108, 124 and 127 of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2018, which respectively address the prohibition of agreements in restraint of competition, the prohibition of abuse of a dominant position, the offence of price-fixing, conspiracy to commit offences under the Act, the right to fair dealings, and the prohibition of unfair, unreasonable or unjust contract terms.

Meanwhile, Mr. Bello announced that foreign airlines will come under FCCPC radar after the ongoing review of local airlines in view of widespread complaints of exploitative fares they allegedly charge Nigerians on certain routes compared to fares in neighbouring countries that are of equal distance.

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Many Killled, Houses Torched As Terrorists Unleash Deadly Attacks on Adamawa Communities

Published

23 hours ago

February 26, 2026

Eric

At least 25 ⁠people were killed and several houses torched after gunmen attacked two villages late on Tuesday in Adamawa State, northeast ‌Nigeria, residents and the ‌state governor said on Wednesday.

The attackers struck Kirchinga in Madagali ⁠district ⁠and Garaha in neighbouring Hong, two villages on the edge of the Sambisa Forest where Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) operate.

The twin raids highlight the enduring insecurity in Nigeria’s northeast, the epicentre of a 17-year Islamist insurgency, despite years of ⁠military ⁠campaigns.

Abubakar Lawan Kanuri, the ⁠village head of Kirchinga, told Reuters the attackers arrived on Tuesday evening dressed in military uniforms ⁠that initially led residents to mistake them for soldiers on patrol. He said 18 bodies were recovered after the gunmen swept through the community.

In Garaha, seven people were killed when ⁠gunmen on more than 50 motorcycles stormed the village and attacked ⁠a nearby military base, said resident Musa Isa, who added he “narrowly escaped.”

They advanced from several directions and hit the military base, killing three soldiers. Four fleeing residents were shot, and a school was also burned. Many villagers have since fled to Mubi, the nearest big town, Isa said.

Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri condemned the attacks ⁠as “cowardly acts of terrorism” and vowed not to “let terrorists undermine our efforts to restore peace and stability,” according to a statement from his spokesman.

Source: usnews.com