Corporate Icon Stephen Olusegun Olusanya Celebrates 86th Birthday

Otunba Babatunde Babatomiwa Rowaiye, the Chief Executive Officer of Rowradio and Maiyegun of Ijebu-Igbo, has paid glowing tribute to renowned banker and corporate leader, Mr. Stephen Olusegun Olusanya, MSc, FCCA, on the occasion of his 86th birthday.

In a congratulatory message, Rowaiye described Olusanya as a man of integrity, humility and unwavering principles whose exemplary life of service, leadership and mentorship has inspired generations.

He commended the octogenarian for his outstanding contributions to Nigeria’s banking, manufacturing and corporate sectors, noting that his wealth of experience, commitment to excellence and passion for developing others have earned him widespread respect within and beyond the business community.

Over the years, Olusanya has built a reputation as a respected corporate executive and boardroom strategist. He served as Executive Director of Union Bank Plc from 1993 to 1999 before becoming a Non-Executive Director of the bank. He also served as Executive Director of Afribank Nigeria Plc and retired as a Director in the Federal Civil Service.

He currently serves as Vice Chairman of Meristem Securities Limited, Chairman of Health Partners Limited, Chairman of Bulwark Vault and Safe Deposits Limited, and Director of Summit Healthcare Hospital Group and Tripple Gee & Company Plc, among other corporate positions.

Describing his strategic contributions to the growth of the Dangote Group and as one of the influential minds behind the conglomerate’s success story, Rowaiye praised Olusanya’s enduring legacy of excellence, professionalism and selfless service.

Ijebu North LG Commences Emergency Repairs on Odobotu Bridge, Rain-Damaged Roads

The Ijebu North Local Government has commenced emergency repairs on the Odobotu Bridge in the Mercy Model area of Ijebu-Igbo, alongside other roads damaged by the heavy rainfall experienced in July 2026.

The Executive Chairman of the council, Hon. Dr. Bolaji Odusanya, said the intervention is part of the local government’s commitment to improving road infrastructure, ensuring public safety, and restoring smooth movement for residents and motorists across the area.

According to him, repair works have already begun on the Molusi College Road (Mercy Model section), with construction teams deployed to rehabilitate damaged portions of the road and address areas affected by erosion and flooding.

Hon. Odusanya appealed to motorists and other road users to exercise caution while the maintenance work is ongoing. He also urged residents to cooperate with traffic officials and construction workers to ensure the smooth flow of traffic throughout the repair period.

The chairman reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to providing quality infrastructure that enhances the well-being of residents and supports economic development. He noted that projects aimed at improving public welfare and boosting connectivity across the local government will continue to receive priority attention.

The council further assured residents that efforts are being intensified to restore all affected roads and critical infrastructure, making them safer and more accessible following the impact of the recent heavy rains.

Falana Urges FG to Sanction South African Firms Over Xenophobic Attacks

Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has called on the Federal Government to impose economic sanctions on South African companies operating in Nigeria in response to recurring xenophobic attacks on Nigerians and the destruction of their businesses in South Africa.

Speaking with journalists in Ekiti on Saturday, Falana argued that diplomatic protests alone have failed to produce meaningful action from the South African government. He urged Nigeria to apply the principle of reciprocity in its response.

The senior advocate also questioned the effectiveness of taking the matter before the African Union, saying such efforts may only result in resolutions without concrete enforcement.

According to Falana, if Nigerians continue to be attacked and their businesses destroyed in South Africa, Nigeria has a responsibility to respond by taking appropriate measures against South African businesses operating within its borders, particularly where viable alternatives exist.

Imported Petrol Now Costs More Than Dangote Fuel – Report

The landed cost of imported Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, has risen above the ex-depot price offered by the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, according to the latest Energy Bulletin released by the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria (MEMAN).

The report showed that as of July 29, the landed cost of imported petrol stood at ₦1,223.32 per litre, exceeding the Dangote Refinery’s gantry price of ₦1,215 per litre. This means petroleum marketers now pay more to import fuel than to source it locally from the 650,000-barrels-per-day Lekki refinery.

The development has strengthened calls by the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) for the Federal Government to end petrol importation and rely on local refining. IPMAN said Nigeria’s existing refining capacity, particularly that of the Dangote Refinery, is sufficient to meet domestic demand.

The association argued that continued fuel imports put unnecessary pressure on foreign exchange, weaken the naira and discourage investment in local refining. The MEMAN report also revealed that Dangote’s coastal PMS price stood at ₦1,195 per litre, while Brent crude averaged $90 per barrel and the naira traded at an average of ₦1,367.03 to the dollar during the review period.

The report further indicated that rising global crude prices pushed up the cost of other petroleum products, with diesel landing at ₦1,739.96 per litre and aviation fuel at ₦1,616.43 per litre. The pricing trend suggests that locally refined petrol remains the more cost-effective option for marketers compared to imported supplies.

JAMB Gets New Registrar as Oloyede Hands Over to Aina Today

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) will today witness a change in leadership as its outgoing Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, formally hands over to his successor, Prof. Segun Aina.

The official handover ceremony is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Friday, July 31, 2026, and will be streamed live on JAMB’s official social media platforms.

The transition marks the end of Prof. Oloyede’s tenure as Registrar, which expires on July 31, and the beginning of Prof. Aina’s administration at the nation’s examination body.

The appointment of Prof. Aina was earlier announced by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

Orimolusi Begins Palliative Repairs on Failed Roads in Ijebu Igbo

The Orimolusi of Ijebu Igbo, HRM Oba Lawrence Jaiyeoba Adebajo, has commenced palliative repairs on several failed sections of roads across the town as part of efforts to improve road conditions and ease movement for residents.

The intervention has already covered portions of the Oru Road, where damaged sections have been filled to restore easier access for motorists and other road users. The initiative is aimed at addressing the deteriorating state of some of the community’s major roads pending more extensive rehabilitation.

Work is also progressing steadily on sections of Omo Ilu Road, with the palliative repairs nearing completion. Residents have welcomed the development, expressing optimism that the intervention will improve transportation and reduce the challenges caused by the poor condition of the roads.

As part of the ongoing exercise, grading of the first failed portions of roads identified for repair has been successfully completed. The grading work, which was concluded on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, marks a significant milestone in the road maintenance project.

The road intervention underscores the commitment of the Orimolusi of Ijebu Igbo to promoting the welfare of the community through infrastructure improvements. Residents have expressed appreciation for the royal initiative and hope that more damaged roads within the town will receive similar attention in the coming weeks.

BREAKING: Reps Order IG to Produce Alleged Fake PFIPC DG Adeyemi Within 48 Hours

The House of Representatives Committee investigating the controversial Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC) has directed the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, to produce the organisation’s self-acclaimed Director-General, Adeyemi Adeniyi, within 48 hours.

The order was issued on Monday during the committee’s resumed investigative hearing at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja.

Representing the Inspector-General, Assistant Commissioner of Police Bashir Abdullahi appeared before the lawmakers and was instructed to ensure Adeyemi appears before the committee by noon on Wednesday to assist with its ongoing investigation.

The committee is probing how the PFIPC, despite reportedly lacking legal establishment, allegedly secured office space in Phase III of the Federal Secretariat Complex, Abuja, and received a budgetary allocation of ₦1.32 billion in the 2026 Appropriation Act.

During the hearing, the Nigeria Police Force confirmed key aspects of its criminal investigation, including petitions from the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President alleging that Adeyemi falsely presented himself as the Director-General of both the Presidential Economic Advisory Council and the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council.

Chairman of the committee, Yusuf Gagdi, said Adeyemi’s appearance was necessary in view of the weight of the allegations and the public institutions linked to the matter.

The committee also directed its clerk to formally notify the Inspector-General of Police of its resolution, insisting that Adeyemi must appear before lawmakers on Wednesday.

Former Ogun Health Commissioner, Babatunde Ipaye, Loses Mother at 86

Madam Ajoke Ipaye, the mother of former Ogun State Commissioner for Health and Balogun of Ijebu-Igbo, Dr. Babatunde Ipaye, has died at the age of 86.

Mama Ajoke Ipaye, who celebrated her 85th birthday in a grand ceremony in Ijebu-Igbo last year, was honoured with the establishment of the Mama Ajoke Ipaye Foundation as part of the celebration. The foundation was created to preserve her legacy and support charitable causes that reflected her values.

She was widely admired for her warmth, kindness, and contributions to her family and community. Mama Ipaye is survived by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

A family source confirmed that she will be laid to rest tomorrow.

May her gentle soul rest in perfect peace.

Court Jails Three to Life Imprisonment Over Oyo School Abduction

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has sentenced three men linked to the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State to life imprisonment.

Justice Salim Ibrahim ruled that the life sentence would take effect from the date of the convicts’ arrest.

The convicts, Abdulrazak Umar, also known as Abu Khalifa or Abu Khalid, Yunusa Musa, also known as Yunusa bin Musa, and Shamsu Adamu Sani, also known as Abu Itisar, were found guilty of offences related to terrorism and the school abduction.

The trio had been arraigned on a 10-count charge bordering on terrorism, kidnapping, concealment of information, incitement and illegal mining. While they pleaded guilty to some of the charges, they denied others.

According to the Federal Government, the defendants are members of Darul Salam, an affiliate of the proscribed terrorist group Jamaatu Asarul Muslima Fi Bilandis Sudan (Ansaru). Prosecutors alleged that between January and May 2026, they conspired with other suspects to facilitate the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State.

The defendants also admitted concealing information about those responsible for the attack despite being aware of the plot. All three pleaded guilty to charges relating to withholding information and membership of the group, while Umar additionally admitted to providing ideological training to members through a WhatsApp platform titled The Oneness of Allah is the Foundation of Peace.

During sentencing, Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), urged the court to convict the defendants based on their guilty pleas. Defence counsel, however, appealed for leniency, describing them as first-time offenders who had shown remorse and asking the court to consider their family responsibilities.

The prosecution maintained that the convicts knowingly withheld vital information about the planned attack instead of alerting security agencies, thereby aiding terrorist activities.

After considering the arguments of both parties, Justice Ibrahim convicted the three men and sentenced them to life imprisonment, ordering that the sentence begin from the date they were arrested.

NSCDC Uncovers Fake Lagos University, Rescues 107 Students

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has dismantled an illegal university operating in the Imeke area of Olorunda Local Council Development Area, Lagos State, rescuing 107 students and arresting six suspects allegedly running the institution.

According to the Lagos State Command of the NSCDC, the operators admitted unsuspecting students into unapproved academic programmes while allegedly compelling them to participate in a Ponzi scheme. The illegal institution was uncovered during a coordinated operation carried out by NSCDC operatives on Monday.

The Command’s Public Relations Officer, Oluwaseun Abolurin, said the Lagos State Commandant, Adedotun Keshinro, ordered that the suspects, alongside exhibits recovered during the operation, be transferred to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for further investigation and possible prosecution. Keshinro urged prospective students and parents to verify the accreditation status of institutions before accepting admission offers, warning that fraudsters often exploit the desperation of admission seekers.

In related operations, the NSCDC arrested 12 additional suspects over offences including illegal migration, human trafficking, cross-border crimes, Ponzi schemes and vandalism. Those arrested include Nigerian, Cameroonian and Nigerien nationals, while 10 Cameroonian victims believed to have been trafficked into Nigeria were rescued. The command said the victims had endured months of exploitation at the hands of their traffickers.

The corps added that suspects linked to illegal migration and related offences would be handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service for further action. It also disclosed that seven individuals have been arrested and prosecuted for vandalising public school facilities in Ibereko, Badagry. Five of the suspects are minors, aged between 12 and 16, and are accused of destroying school property, including desks, electrical cables and office equipment.