Igbajo has remained a constant in the life of Mr Ezekiel Olayiwola Onipede, popularly known as Lai Onipede. It is the town where he grew up, received his early education and later devoted years to community service. Today, he serves as Registrar of Igbajo Polytechnic, continuing a journey that has kept education and his hometown close to his heart. Ìgbájọ, ilé wa. For Onipede, those words speak to more than a place of birth. His connection to the ancient Osun town runs through his childhood, his professional life and the

responsibilities he has accepted within the community. He attended Baptist Primary School in Igbajo before proceeding to Kiriji Memorial College, where he completed his secondary education in 1977. He later studied History and Yoruba at Adeyemi College of Education, graduating in 1984, and went on to build a career in teaching. His professional journey took him to schools in different communities, including Arola Community Primary School in Ede and Ilobu Grammar School. He also obtained a Bachelor of Education degree in Yoruba from Ekiti State University. In a 2019 interview

with community journalist Bayo Fajinmi, Onipede spoke about his years as a teacher and the importance of understanding the individual needs of students. To him, teaching was not merely a matter of standing before a class and delivering lessons. It required patience, commitment and an interest in the progress of those being taught. That belief in education has remained an important part of his story. But so has his attachment to Igbajo. Onipede recalled growing up under the care of his grandmother, Mrs Ola Adesuyi, and learning from his family

the importance of discipline, responsibility and protecting the family’s good name. He also spoke about the community festivals and traditions that formed part of his childhood. Those early experiences helped shape a lasting interest in the affairs of his hometown. In 2005, he accepted an invitation to serve as Secretary of the Igbajo Development Association. His account of that period shows that the work demanded time, personal commitment and, on some occasions, sacrifices at a difficult stage of his life. He went on to serve another term as secretary and

also held a secretarial position on the association’s Board of Trustees. Ìfẹ́ ilé kì í ṣe ti ẹnu nìkan. Love for one’s hometown is not expressed through words alone. It can also be found in the willingness to attend meetings, accept responsibilities and contribute to work that may bring little personal recognition. Onipede’s involvement in community affairs has extended to the cultural life of ancient Igbajo. In a March 2026 discussion published by Igbajo Polytechnic, he reflected on the town’s traditions, including the Egungun Festival, and the importance of maintaining

the ties that connect younger generations to their heritage. For a town with a history as rich as Igbajo’s, preserving that connection matters. Its story lives not only in historical accounts but also in the people who continue to take an interest in its schools, traditions and development. Education has been another expression of that collective effort. Igbajo Polytechnic was established through the contributions of sons and daughters of the town who wanted to expand opportunities for higher education. Onipede wrote about the institution and the value of community participation

in education in a 2024 article published in THISDAY. He now serves as the institution’s Registrar. There is a quiet significance in that part of his journey. The boy who once attended school in Igbajo went on to study and teach elsewhere, then took up an administrative role in a tertiary institution in his hometown. His career has not followed a single straight road. It has passed through classrooms, further studies, community responsibilities and educational administration. Through those different stages,

Igbajo has remained part of the story. For students entering Igbajo Polytechnic today, the Registrar may first be a name attached to an office or an official document. Behind that name, however, is the experience of someone who once sat in classrooms in the same town, wondering what the future might hold. Many of those students will eventually leave Igbajo to work, study further or build lives elsewhere. Some may return. Others may contribute to their communities from a distance. Onipede’s journey offers one example of how a person’s education

and professional experience can remain connected to the place where it all began. Bàbá Lai Onipede, ẹ kú iṣẹ́ takuntakun. From Kiriji Memorial College to Igbajo Polytechnic, his story is one of teaching, responsibility and a continuing relationship with ancient Igbajo. And as another generation begins its own journey through the institution, it is a story worth telling.

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Southwest Zone D, has clarified its position on the growing concerns over the condition of the Ijagun–Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED) road, saying it has not issued any 72-hour ultimatum or directive for mass action over the matter. The clarification was contained in a statement from the Office of the Coordinator, following the circulation of a purported NANS Southwest ultimatum concerning the road. According to the zonal leadership, it is aware of concerns being raised by students and other road users regarding

the condition of the Ijagun–TASUED axis and its implications for movement, safety and student welfare. However, the zone said no official ultimatum has been authorised at this stage. “NANS Southwest Zone D has not, at this time, issued any 72-hour ultimatum or directive for mass action concerning the matter,” the statement said. The leadership consequently dissociated itself from any memo, statement or publication currently circulating as an official ultimatum issued by NANS Southwest Zone D. The zone said the concerns remain under the attention of its leadership, adding that further

consultations will be conducted before any official position or action is announced. The consultations are expected to involve the NANS Joint Campus Council (JCC) Ogun State leadership, Students’ Union representatives, relevant stakeholders and government authorities connected to the road and student welfare. The zonal leadership urged students, stakeholders, media organisations and members of the public to disregard purported directives that have not emanated through recognised NANS Southwest channels. It also appealed for patience while the situation is assessed and the appropriate course of action determined. According to the statement, any

eventual intervention will be coordinated responsibly and based on the collective interests of Nigerian students. NANS Southwest Zone D reaffirmed that the welfare and safety of students remain central to its engagement on the matter. The statement was signed by Comr. Adeyemo Josiah Kayode (BILLIONCODES), Coordinator, NANS Southwest Zone D.

Fuji musician Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as KWAM 1, has brought National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) President Musiliu Akinsanya, also known as MC Oluomo, and Lagos State union chairman Mustapha Adekunle, popularly called Tafa Sego, together for a reconciliation meeting after years of disagreement. The reconciliation took place on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, at Ojusagbola in Ijebu, Ogun State, with several transport union officials in attendance. The meeting came less than nine months after tensions between the two leaders' camps resurfaced publicly at KWAM 1's New Year

All White Party in Lagos. The musician's digital media team announced the latest development on Tuesday, sharing photographs of the gathering and confirming that both men had agreed to put their longstanding disagreement behind them. The reconciliation was also confirmed by KWAM 1's media aide, Kunle Rasheed, who explained that the public meeting followed a series of private discussions involving the musician and the two transport union leaders. According to Rasheed, KWAM 1 had spoken separately with MC Oluomo and Tafa Sego before arranging the meeting in Ogun State. The

musician reportedly believed that bringing the two men together without first addressing their grievances privately would not have been sufficient to resolve a disagreement that had lasted for years. At the meeting, both men discussed their differences before exchanging handshakes and embracing in the presence of other union figures. The gesture marked a public reconciliation between the former allies, who have occupied prominent positions within the Lagos transport union. But the development carries additional significance because of an incident at KWAM 1's own event earlier this year. On January 2,

2026, the Fuji musician hosted his New Year All White Party in Lagos, where he publicly acknowledged MC Oluomo as the national leader of the NURTW. The acknowledgement reportedly triggered objections from individuals associated with Tafa Sego's camp, leading to a commotion at the gathering. Videos from the event circulated online, drawing public attention to the disagreement between the two union leaders. KWAM 1 subsequently appealed for unity among the transport union figures. Months after that public disagreement, the musician has now brought MC Oluomo and Tafa Sego together at

a meeting intended to end their longstanding rift. The two men were previously allies within the Lagos chapter of the NURTW, but their relationship deteriorated amid disagreements over leadership, influence and competing loyalties within the organisation. Their differences became part of the wider leadership tensions affecting the transport union in Lagos. MC Oluomo stepped aside from the Lagos NURTW chairmanship in January 2024 following a period of disagreement over the union's leadership arrangements. He subsequently became the union's national president, while Tafa Sego assumed a prominent leadership position in the

Lagos chapter. The disagreement between their camps continued to attract public attention, including during the incident at KWAM 1's January event. The latest reconciliation, however, did not begin with Tuesday's public gathering. According to KWAM 1's media aide, the musician had already held separate discussions with both leaders before deciding that the time was appropriate for a joint meeting. Rasheed said the musician's longstanding relationship with both men helped facilitate the discussions. KWAM 1 was also said to have expressed concern that the disagreement had begun creating tensions beyond the

two individuals directly involved. His intervention was therefore intended to address their differences and encourage cooperation between the former allies. Senior members of Team Lagos, which the musician's media aide said had evolved into Team Nigeria, were among those present at the reconciliation meeting. Rasheed described the atmosphere as relaxed, saying both men were able to speak openly about their grievances before agreeing to move past the disagreement. The musician's media team subsequently presented the meeting as the conclusion of

the longstanding dispute. However, the public reconciliation does not, by itself, establish that every organisational disagreement or competing interest within the NURTW has been resolved. No separate announcement concerning changes to the union's leadership structure or administrative arrangements was established in the reports reviewed. For now, the confirmed development is that MC Oluomo and Tafa Sego have publicly reconciled following KWAM 1's intervention. The meeting also marks an unexpected turn in a dispute that had generated public controversy at the Fuji musician's own event earlier in the year. After a

January party that brought their disagreement back into public view, KWAM 1 has now hosted the reconciliation that both men say will put their differences behind them.

Nigeria's Super Eagles have begun preparations for their opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Madagascar, with 23 players participating in the team's first training session in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. The session took place at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, as head coach Eric Chelle stepped up preparations for Friday's Group L encounter. Udinese goalkeeper Maduka Okoye was the only invited player yet to report to camp when the session took place, leaving Chelle with almost his entire squad available three days

before Nigeria's first qualifying match. The Nigeria Football Federation had invited 24 players for the opening fixtures against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau. According to Super Eagles media officer Promise Efoghe, the technical crew arranged a three-day training programme ahead of the Madagascar match, with the sessions beginning on Tuesday. Efoghe explained that Okoye had been granted permission to attend to personal and family matters and was expected to join the squad on Thursday, September 24. His absence from Tuesday's session was therefore an authorised late arrival rather than a reported disciplinary

issue or withdrawal from the squad. The goalkeeper's expected arrival comes just one day before Nigeria face Madagascar in their opening qualifying fixture. The national team's camp officially opened on Monday, but most of the players arrived the following day before the first training session. Among the early arrivals were Alex Iwobi, Ademola Lookman, Moses Simon, Taiwo Awoniyi, Akor Adams and Tolu Arokodare. Defenders Calvin Bassey, Semi Ajayi, Ola Aina, Bright Osayi-Samuel and Bruno Onyemaechi were also among the players who reported for international duty. Newcomers George Ilenikhena, Isaac James

and Arthur Okonkwo joined the squad alongside other invited players as Chelle began work on his preparations. Captain Wilfred Ndidi, winger Samuel Chukwueze and goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali were the final three players to join the group before Tuesday's training session. Their arrival increased the number of players available to the coaching staff to 23, with Okoye remaining the only outstanding invitee. The training session marked an important stage in Nigeria's preparations for the new qualifying campaign, particularly as the team must adjust its attacking options following Victor Osimhen's withdrawal. The

Galatasaray striker was initially named in Chelle's squad despite suffering a muscle injury during a Turkish league match against Başakşehir. However, the Nigeria Football Federation confirmed on Sunday, September 20, that Osimhen would miss both September qualifiers as he continued his recovery. His absence led to the recall of Coventry City forward Taiwo Awoniyi, who is now among the attacking options available to Chelle. The coach can also select from Lookman, Chukwueze, Simon, Adams, Arokodare and Ilenikhena as he considers his attacking combination for Friday's match. Awoniyi's presence in training

confirms that he has joined the squad following his recall, although the coaching staff has not announced whether he will start against Madagascar. Chelle will also have decisions to make in goal, with Nwabali and Arthur Okonkwo available during the initial training sessions while the team awaits Okoye's arrival. The final starting lineup has not been announced. Nigeria will host Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Friday, September 25, before travelling to Bissau for their second Group L fixture against Guinea-Bissau on Tuesday, September 29. The

Super Eagles are drawn alongside Madagascar, Guinea-Bissau and Tanzania in their qualifying group. Tanzania have already secured qualification for the 2027 tournament as one of the three host nations, alongside Kenya and Uganda. Under the qualifying arrangements, only the highest-placed team among the remaining three countries in Group L will secure the group's available qualification place. The arrangement places additional importance on Nigeria's opening matches as the team begins its campaign for a place at the continental finals. Madagascar, meanwhile,

have named a 25-man squad for their opening qualifiers under coach Corentin Martins. The visitors will arrive in Nigeria seeking to build on their recent performances, including their appearance in the final of the African Nations Championship. For the Super Eagles, the immediate focus is completing preparations for Friday's match, integrating the available players and settling on an attacking combination in Osimhen's absence. With 23 players already involved in training and Okoye expected to join the squad on Thursday, Chelle has nearly his entire invited group available as Nigeria prepare

to begin their AFCON qualifying campaign.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has reduced the country's benchmark interest rate from 26.5 per cent to 23 per cent, marking a 3.5 percentage-point adjustment that has renewed attention on borrowing costs for businesses and households. The decision was announced by CBN Governor Olayemi Cardoso on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, following the conclusion of the Monetary Policy Committee's 307th meeting in Abuja. The new Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) is 23 per cent, down from 26.5 per cent, but the CBN has described the adjustment as an operational reset rather

than a conventional change in its monetary policy stance. The committee explained that the previous benchmark had become increasingly disconnected from interest rates operating in the financial market, weakening its effectiveness as a monetary policy signal. According to the CBN, the adjustment is intended to align the benchmark more closely with market conditions and improve the transmission of monetary policy decisions through the banking system. The committee also recalibrated the standing facilities corridor around the MPR to 50 basis points above and 300 basis points below the new benchmark. Before

the latest decision, the corridor stood at 50 basis points above and 450 basis points below the previous rate. The CBN retained the Cash Reserve Requirement for deposit money banks at 45 per cent and that of merchant banks at 16 per cent. The 75 per cent requirement applicable to public-sector deposits held outside the Treasury Single Account was also retained. Cardoso said the committee's decision was intended to strengthen the effectiveness of monetary policy and restore the benchmark rate as the principal signal for financial market operations. The adjustment

follows a period in which the central bank maintained its benchmark rate at 26.5 per cent during its May and July monetary policy meetings. The September decision brings the rate to its lowest level since February 2024. However, a lower benchmark rate does not automatically mean that existing bank loans will immediately become cheaper. The interest charged on individual loans depends on several factors, including the bank's funding costs, the borrower's credit profile, loan conditions and whether the agreement provides for a fixed or variable interest rate. For borrowers with

fixed-rate loans, the CBN's decision does not automatically change the rate agreed upon with their banks. Customers with variable-rate facilities may see changes depending on the terms of their loan agreements and how their banks adjust lending rates. The Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE) has said the lower benchmark could help reduce financing pressures on businesses and improve investment conditions. In a policy brief issued after the announcement, the organisation argued that high borrowing costs had placed pressure on businesses, particularly those dependent on bank financing. However,

any improvement in actual lending conditions will depend on how banks respond to the revised monetary policy framework. The CBN's decision also comes amid a moderation in Nigeria's headline inflation rate. According to figures referenced in the monetary policy announcement, headline inflation eased to 15.39 per cent in August 2026 from 15.43 per cent in July. The committee said it would continue monitoring economic developments and the effectiveness of the revised policy framework in guiding future decisions. For Nigerian borrowers, the immediate development is a reduction in the official benchmark

rate. Whether that translates into lower interest charges on business loans, mortgages and other credit facilities will depend on subsequent lending decisions by financial institutions and the terms of individual loan agreements.

The Osun State House of Assembly has become the first state legislature to approve Nigeria's proposed constitutional amendment for the establishment of state police, marking a new stage in the effort to allow states to operate their own police services. The lawmakers unanimously approved the State Police Services Bill during plenary in Osogbo on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, following its transmission by the National Assembly to the 36 state Houses of Assembly. However, the approval does not mean Osun State can immediately establish or begin operating its own police force.

The proposed amendment must still receive the constitutionally required approval from other state legislatures before the necessary legal processes can be completed. The development followed a letter from the National Assembly, which was presented to Osun lawmakers by the Speaker, Adewale Egbedun, requesting their consideration and approval of the proposed amendment to the 1999 Constitution. During the debate, Lawrence Adeoti, representing Ife South State Constituency, and Taofeek Olayiwola, representing Ede South, expressed support for the proposal. Adewumi Adeyemi, representing Obokun, and Jeremiah Awoyeye, representing Ife Central, also backed the proposed

establishment of state police. The lawmakers argued that creating state police services would strengthen Nigeria's security arrangements and enable states to respond more effectively to threats within their territories. They maintained that a decentralised policing structure could improve security at the grassroots by allowing states to deploy personnel according to their local security needs. Following the deliberations, the Majority Leader of the Assembly, Babajide Kofoworola, representing Ede North, moved the motion for the House to approve the proposed constitutional amendment. The motion was seconded by Tajudeen Adeyemi, representing Ifelodun State

Constituency. The lawmakers subsequently adopted the proposal, with Egbedun directing that the Assembly's resolution be communicated to the National Assembly. Osun's approval is only one of the state-level endorsements required for the amendment to proceed. Under Section 9(2) of the 1999 Constitution, a constitutional amendment of this nature requires the support of at least two-thirds of the members of each chamber of the National Assembly and approval by the Houses of Assembly of at least two-thirds of Nigeria's 36 states. This means that a minimum of 24 state legislatures must

endorse the proposed amendment. With Osun reported as the first state to approve the proposal, the remaining state legislatures will determine whether the bill secures the required level of support. The National Assembly had earlier transmitted the State Police Services Bill to the 36 state Houses of Assembly on September 16 for consideration and approval. In a clarification issued on September 22, the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, explained that the state police proposal was the only constitutional alteration bill transmitted to state legislatures so far. He said

other proposed constitutional amendments would be forwarded to the states after their passage in identical form by both chambers of the National Assembly. The State Police Services Bill seeks to establish a constitutional framework allowing state police services to operate alongside a federal police service. Under Nigeria's existing constitutional arrangement, policing is primarily organised through the federally controlled Nigeria Police Force, with state governments having limited operational control over its personnel. The proposed amendment would create a legal basis for states to establish their own police services, subject to the

applicable constitutional and statutory requirements. The development comes amid continuing discussions about how Nigeria should address security challenges across different states and communities. In Osun, the government recently convened an emergency security meeting involving the police, Department of State Services, Nigerian Army and other agencies following killings reported in Ikire, Ile-Ife and Osogbo. The meeting focused on the response to the incidents and measures intended to prevent further violence. Although Osun lawmakers have expressed support for state police, the latest

approval does not transfer the powers of the Nigeria Police Force to the state government or authorise the immediate recruitment of a separate state police service. The proposed amendment must complete the remaining constitutional process, while any operational arrangements would depend on the eventual legal framework. For Osun residents, the immediate development is that their state legislature has endorsed the proposed constitutional change. Whether Osun will eventually establish its own police service will depend on the completion of the nationwide constitutional amendment process and the legal steps required to create

such a service.

The Lagos State Government has launched a five-day child protection campaign targeting more than 1,500 children across the state's six education districts, with a renewed call for schools, parents and communities to respond appropriately when children report abuse. The initiative, organised by the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA), began on Monday, September 21, 2026, at the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board Hall in Maryland. The campaign, themed "My Silence Ends Here," will run until Friday, September 25, with activities focused on helping children recognise unsafe situations

and speak up when they experience or witness abuse. Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Executive Secretary of the DSVA, Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, said creating safe environments for children requires more than encouraging them to report abuse. She explained that adults and institutions must also be prepared to listen, take complaints seriously and respond appropriately when children disclose concerns about their safety. According to Vivour-Adeniyi, the campaign is designed to strengthen awareness of child protection and encourage children to report situations in which they feel unsafe. The programme includes interactive sessions

intended to help participating children understand safeguarding and the importance of seeking assistance from trusted adults. The government said activities would take place across the six education districts in Lagos, extending the campaign beyond the opening ceremony in Maryland. The initiative is expected to engage more than 1,500 children, although the government has not announced a final participation figure. The Executive Chairman of the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board, Hakeem Shittu, also emphasised the responsibility of schools to protect pupils and respond to warning signs of abuse. Shittu called

for closer cooperation between educational institutions, families, communities and relevant government agencies. He stressed the importance of ensuring that children have access to safe learning environments and that reports concerning their welfare receive appropriate attention. The Secretary to the Lagos State Government, Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, described child protection as a collective responsibility involving government institutions, schools, parents and communities. She urged children to speak up whenever they felt unsafe and encouraged adults to take responsibility for protecting them. The opening ceremony also featured interactive activities, artistic presentations, music, dance and a

pledge ceremony. According to the organisers, the programme forms part of the state's wider efforts to prevent domestic and sexual violence and strengthen safeguarding arrangements for vulnerable people. The latest campaign follows other child protection activities undertaken by the DSVA, including school engagement programmes and awareness initiatives directed at parents, caregivers and educational institutions. For schools participating in the programme, the government is emphasising the need to ensure that children can report abuse without fear and that disclosures are handled responsibly. The campaign is an awareness and safeguarding initiative, not

an announcement that 1,500 cases of child abuse have occurred. The number refers to children the government expects to engage during the five-day programme. Activities are scheduled to continue across Lagos' education districts until Friday, September 25.

Eleven commanders of the Nigeria Police Mobile Force have completed a month-long specialised training programme in weapon handling, combat operations and professional leadership at the Police Mobile Force Training College in Ila-Orangun, Osun State. The officers, drawn from different police formations across the country, completed the exercise on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, following intensive training designed to strengthen their operational capabilities and professional conduct. The programme covered combat manoeuvres, forest operations, emergency response, human rights and the management of security operations. Speaking at the passing-out ceremony, the Commandant of the

training college, Anietie Eyoh, urged the officers to apply the knowledge acquired during the programme in their respective formations. Eyoh explained that the participants received training in weapon handling, tactical operations, patrol procedures and approaches to responding to security threats in forest environments. He said the programme also covered leadership, operational communication, reporting procedures, conflict management and de-escalation. Other areas included emergency first aid, casualty management, physical conditioning, endurance exercises and forest survival techniques. According to the commandant, the exercise was intended to produce officers capable of combining tactical competence

with discipline, sound judgment and respect for the law. He emphasised that the responsibility of police officers extends beyond physical strength and the ability to handle weapons. Eyoh said the training was part of reforms initiated by Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu to improve the professionalism and operational readiness of the Force. The programme also exposed participants to the principles of human rights and the appropriate exercise of police powers during security operations. Speaking on behalf of the 11 commanders, Kayode Ajayi said the training had improved their understanding of

leadership, teamwork, discipline and the responsibilities associated with service in the Police Mobile Force. He explained that the exercise brought together officers from different formations and exposed them to physical, mental and professional challenges. Ajayi said the participants would return to their respective formations with a deeper understanding of the standards expected of police commanders. The Oragun of Oke-Ila, Oba Adedokun Abolarin, who attended the ceremony, also acknowledged the role of professional training in improving policing and security. The completion of the programme comes amid efforts by the Nigeria Police

Force to strengthen the operational capacity of its Mobile Force personnel in responding to security threats across the country. The Police Mobile Force is a specialised formation of the Nigeria Police Force deployed for public-order operations and other security assignments. The officers who completed the Ila-Orangun programme are expected to apply their training in their respective areas of assignment. However, the police have not announced any specific deployment arising from the completion of the course. The training represents an additional professional development exercise for the participating commanders, with its operational

impact depending on how the acquired skills are applied in subsequent policing assignments.