POLITICS
Why I Must Give Quality Representation – Sen. Balogun

From Dele Ogunyemi, Ibadan
The senator representing Oyo South Senatorial District, Kolawole Balogun, said he will give quality representation even if it requires sacrificing his personal comfort.
He told newsmen in Ibadan yesterday that it had become imperative for him to perform as a reward for his constituents’ support and to show appreciation to God who made his victory possible.
It would be recalled that Balogun was Commissioner for Commerce during the administration of former Gov.
Adebayo Alao-Akala.He defeated the immediate past governor, Sen. Abiola Ajimobi, in the last general elections to emerge senator.
“I don’t have any choice than to perform, even if it requires sacrificing my personal comfort. I just have to perform because my mandate was by the grace of God.
“When I heard people saying that someone has been bragging to take my mandate from me, I giggle. No one will take what does not belong to him or her when he or she is not an armed robber,” he said.
He assured the people of his senatorial district that he would give his best and ensure that he pushed into the budget projects that were needed by them.
He called for the restructuring of the nation’s security architecture, saying there was an urgent need for the establishment of state and community police.
Balogun said that the country was too big to operate only a central policing system, promising to encourage this through legislative backing.
The senator said that he had co-sponsored some motions since the inauguration of the Ninth National Assembly, adding he had commenced discussions with SMEDAN, Bank of Industry (BoI) and Bank of Agriculture for loans for artisans and farmers.
“I‘m working with SMEDAN and BoI to make loan facilities available for our traders as well as artisans. I’ve also held a meeting with the Bank of Agriculture to secure loans for our farmers too.
“We are also looking toward training them on various vocations and business management skills so that whatever loan they take will be judiciously used,” he said.
The lawmaker expressed discomfort with the usual distribution of motorcycles and other equipment to empower people, saying many beneficiaries of such items ended up selling them.
He assured the people of his senatorial district and the state in general that he would do all within his capacity to represent them well as well as complement the efforts of Gov. Seyi Makinde in transforming the state.
“I am happy with the turn of events at the state level in terms of good governance. I am happy that Gov. Makinde is turning things around for good.
“Civil servants now get their salaries on the 25th of every month for the first time in a long while.
” I’m told that pensioners are now being paid. I can also see the determination of the governor in improving on infrastructural development.
“I know the governor is willing to do all that is required to create an enabling environment for businesses to thrive. This is indeed a new dawn in Oyo State.
POLITICS
Buhari Felicitates Tinubu at Midterm, Calls for Nigerians’ continue support

Former President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated his successor, President Bola Tinubu, on his midterm, calling for Nigerians’ continue support for his administration’s efforts to address poverty and inflation.
This is contained in a statement issued by Buhari’s former Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, on Wednesday.
Buhari also called for steadfast support for the All Progressives Congress-led government as it marks its second year in office, saying reforms would achieve success gradually, not overnight.
He warned that necessary reforms and desired changes must not fall victim to mettlesome domestic politics.
According to him, as the party and the government celebrate, the country should be reminded that leadership is a continuous journey.
Buhari expressed support for the ongoing efforts by the Tinubu-led administration to curb poverty and inflation, which, he said, had hit the poorest families.
Seeking Nigerians’ support for Tinubu-led administration, he said that the task of reducing poverty and inflation mustn’t be left only for the government.
“The private sector and all of us, as citizens, must join in all ways we can,” he said.
The former president urged Nigerians to remain optimistic and stay confident about the country’s future, saying ‘our expectations from our governments should not get heavy’.
While expressing his heartfelt felicitation to Tinubu on his two years in office, Buhari prayed God to keep and grant him the wisdom and care to continue to lead the country. (NAN)

President Tinubu Appoints Ex- Speaker, Enugu Assembly, Odo, as UNN Governing Council Member
President Bola Tinubu has appointed the former speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Chief Eugene Odo, and Mr. Muhammad Tahir, as governing council members of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN).
The appointment comes as part of the President’s renewed efforts to reposition federal tertiary institutions for excellence and global competitiveness.
Odo served as a two time speaker of Enugu State House of Assembly between 2007 and 2015.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) Chieftain also served under the previous administration of Muhammad Buhari as a governing board member of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife.
Also appointed were the governing councils members of the University of Abuja (UNIABUJA) and Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU), Awka.
The appointments were contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, in Abuja.
Onanuga said President Tinubu charged the new council members to justify their appointments by ensuring that their respective universities move forward.(NAN)
POLITICS
PDP NEC Gets Under Way in Abuja

By Johnson Eyiangho, Abuja
All is set for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) 99th National Executive Council (NEC) meeting today at the party’s Presidential Campaign Office, Legacy House, located in the Maitama District, Abuja. After a marathon meeting of the various organs of the PDP at the Bauchi State Governor’s Lodge, officials of the party have converged on Legacy House for the long awaited NEC meeting, which had been postponed for several times.
Security in and around the house has been beefed up with the deployment operatives from the Police, DSS and NSCDC. Many prominent members of the party, including its 2023 Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar, former President of the Senate, Senator David Mark, and Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, were absent from the marathon meeting.The NEC, one of the highest decision-making organs of the PDP, comprises of Party National Chairman and other members of the National Working Committee (NWC), state governors, serving and former presidents, former vice-presidents, the chairman and secretary of the Board of Trustees (BoT), principal officers of the National Assembly, state chairpersons, former governors, and founding members, among others. The NEC meeting is expected to address critical issues affecting the party, including strategies for upcoming political engagements, leading to the 2027 general elections.On Monday, barely 24 hours to the much expected NEC meeting, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) keep to its threat and sealed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Secretariat, Wuse Zone 5 for failure to ground rent, a situation the party described as temporary set back.However, reprieve came to the PDP and others who had their properties sealed as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, intervened and gave them 14 days to pay their ground rent.