Author: Fashina Olugbenga

Opinion: BY KAYODE ODUNARO Over the weekend, precisely on Saturday, February 7, the race towards the governorship seat of Ogun State in 2027 got a push with a radio declaration to contest for the position of governor by no less a figure than Senator Iyabo Obasanjo, the first daughter/child of former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo. Not a few were surprised by the announcement coming shortly after her expression of the opposite sentiment to a news channel in Remo, Ogun State. The denial then, followed some bill board advertising suggestive she is back from a seeming self-imposed political sabbatical. In the…

History often turns quietly—behind palace doors, away from microphones, and in moments when custodians of tradition choose to speak frankly about the future. Such was the weight and symbolism of the meeting held on Sunday, 8th February 2026, when Oba Kehinde Gbadewole Olugbenle, the Olu of Ilaro, Paramount Ruler of Yewaland and Chairman of the Ogun State Council of Obas, received Oba Prof Abdulkadir Adeyemi Obalanlege, the Olota of Ota, in a private and deeply strategic engagement. This was not a courtesy visit. It was a deliberate convergence of history, grievance, hope, and political calculation—anchored on what has now become…

Fifty years is not just a milestone; it is a mirror. As Ogun State marks her golden jubilee, the Gateway State must reflect not only on achievements recorded, but on justice dispensed—and justice delayed.Ogun State, the land of firsts, has contributed immensely to Nigeria’s intellectual, industrial, and political evolution. Yet, even in celebration, truth must be spoken with courage. In fifty years of statehood, Ogun West Senatorial District has never produced a governor. Not once. For half a century, an entire district—rich in people, culture, and productivity—has watched leadership rotate everywhere else while its own aspiration stood outside the gate…

Fifty years is not just a milestone; it is a mirror. As Ogun State marks her golden jubilee, the Gateway State must reflect not only on achievements recorded, but on justice dispensed—and justice delayed.Ogun State, the land of firsts, has contributed immensely to Nigeria’s intellectual, industrial, and political evolution. Yet, even in celebration, truth must be spoken with courage. In fifty years of statehood, Ogun West Senatorial District has never produced a governor. Not once. For half a century, an entire district—rich in people, culture, and productivity—has watched leadership rotate everywhere else while its own aspiration stood outside the gate…

As Ogun State celebrates its 50th anniversary, the ancient town of Ota played host to a thought-provoking Ogun @50 Interactive Dialogue, organised by the Larrybash Movement under the leadership of High Chief Olanrewaju Bashorun. Held on Monday, February 2, the event—aptly themed “Ogun at 50: Setting a New Agenda for Ado-Odo/Ota Federal Constituency”—attracted political leaders, academics, professionals, youth groups, and community stakeholders determined to use the Golden Jubilee as a moment of reflection, redirection, and renewal. In his welcome address, High Chief Bashorun charged participants to look beyond festivities and interrogate the deeper questions of governance and inclusion. He stressed…

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The Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has declared Tuesday, February 3, 2026, a public holiday across the state in commemoration of its 50th anniversary of creation.The declaration was made in a statement issued on Monday by the Secretary to the State Government, Tokunbo Talabi, who explained that the holiday is intended to allow residents to fully participate in activities lined up for the Golden Jubilee celebration.According to the statement, the anniversary marks five decades of Ogun State’s political existence, steady growth, and remarkable contributions to national development.The government urged citizens to celebrate the historic milestone in an atmosphere…

First HoldCo Plc has announced its unaudited financial results for the year ended 31 December 2025, reflecting a year of deliberate strategic actions aimed at strengthening its balance sheet, improving asset quality, and positioning the business for more resilient and sustainable growth amidst successful capital raise activities. As stated in the unaudited Group financial statement, FirstHoldCo recorded a 4.8% year-on-year (y-o-y) increase in its Gross earnings to N3.4 trillion, supported by a 36.3% y-o-y growth in net interest income of N1.9 trillion on the back of enhanced earnings yield and margins of 17.11% and 11.0%, respectively. Similarly, net fees and…

History was deliberately made as Ogun West’s finest minds gathered under the banner Ogun West Professionals for YAYI to send a clear, confident, and thunderous message across Ogun State: the time for Ogun West is now. At the colourful and well-attended YAYI Media Chat 2026, professionals drawn from governance, academia, medicine, law, media, and the private sector unanimously adopted Olamilekan Adeola Solomon (YAYI) as their preferred and consensus candidate for the 2027 Ogun State governorship election. The event was not just another political gathering; it was a declaration of readiness, unity, and purpose by a zone long known for its…

As Ogun State marks its golden jubilee, the celebration transcends ceremonies to become a moment of reflection, stock-taking, and forward thinking. Fifty years on, Ogun State stands proudly as Nigeria’s Gateway State—distinguished by industry, education, commerce, and cultural strength. Yet, this milestone also presents an opportunity to confront long-standing imbalances and to chart a more inclusive path of development across all constituencies. It is within this historic context that the Larrybash Movement is set to host a Special Golden Jubilee Symposium tomorrow, Monday, 2nd February, focused on the future of the Ado-Odo/Ota Federal Constituency. The symposium, themed “Setting a New…