NEWS
The Man Rotimi Makinde: A True Progressive by All Standards
By Kolapo Ogundare
It is impressive to note that many well-meaning Nigerians are now coming out, recounting several good deeds and socio-economic empowerment programmes which Hon. Rotimi Makinde embarked on when he held sway as the representative of Ife Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives in Abuja.
There are several accounts of how the veteran actor and politician touched many lives through scholarships to brilliant but indigent students, and financial support to small and medium scale business owners.
Provision of barbering kits to barbers, and hairdressing equipment to hair dressers in large numbers; provision of buses, tricycles, motorcycles and cars to several vulnerable segments of the society etc.Notable among his midas touch even as a Muslim was the building of a church to replace the old church of popular pastor, Akinola, who was assassinated on the eve of 2011 elections, which Makinde eventually won.
Records show that the church was built in the late pastor’s memory to compensate the church leaders, the surviving widow of the church founder and other innocent people who lost their lives to the cold hands of death by men of the underworld.
In addition to this church building was a two-bedroom flat for the widow, prophetess Akinola.
The church cost over N10 million (as it then) was officially inaugurated on October 27, 2014. Makinde’s act of giving back to his community is a testament to his commitment to serving and uplifting his constituents.
Reminiscing on this significant milestone, Prophet Elijah Makufota said:
“Only a liberal Muslim by faith can build a church. Today we celebrate a remarkable philanthropist Hon Rotimi Makinde whose generosity knows no borders—bridging mosques and chapels, uniting hearts across faiths. His vision reminds us that love, compassion, and service are the truest expressions of any religion. A rise La ri ka “.
Fairness, kindness, and justice are the true compasses of a good heart—not the label of a creed. When we measure a person by the content of their character rather than the doctrine they profess, we strip away the divisions that religion often erects and focus on the common thread that binds us: our shared humanity.
In a world where every individual is judged by how they treat others, by the equity they extend in everyday interactions, and by the integrity they show when no one is watching, we create a society that thrives on cooperation rather than conflict. Let us therefore place our emphasis on the principles that unite us—fairness, compassion, and justice—and allow those values, not religious affiliation, to be the true yardstick of a person’s worth.
“A kind act is a universal prayer; a fair decision, a lasting testament. Let us be judged by the deeds we do, not the faith we claim. Rotimi Makinde remains a shining light in our body politic and surely posterity will be kind to him.
A leader with quality and distinction is characterized by their ability to inspire, guide, and support a team. They are self-aware, communicate effectively, delegate work, and encourage strategic thinking. These qualities are essential for leading with confidence and fostering a productive, motivated team. That is who Rotimi Makinde is, this true blood of Ile-Ife undoubtedly has a date with destiny and will surely be marked out for positive trajectory in our political landscape.
All our political stakeholders and decision makers must take note of this political icon, a loyal party man, he is ever patriotic and with great uncompromising spirit, he is one individual who on several occasions sacrificed his convenience in the best interest of his party All Progressives Congress (APC) and Osun State particularly.
Makinde has consistently demonstrated resilience, a strong work ethic and an unwavering commitment to excellence in the execution of any assignment given to him with high moral rectitude. I wish him best of luck in his political journey. May God bless Osun State, bless our leader and mentor, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR and also bless our dear country, Nigeria.
Kolapo Ogundare writes from Ede, Osun State.
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The Chairman of Jema’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Mr Peter Tanko, has paid the 2026 West Africa Examination Council (WAEC) registration fees for 250 indigent students in public Secondary Schools.
Speaking at the inauguration of the WAEC fee payment exercise in Kafanchan, Tanko said that the gesture was borne out of his compassion to support less privileged students.
According to him, no child should be denied the opportunity to access education because of lack of funds.
He reiterated his commitment to initiating policies and programmes that would have direct bearing on the lives of the people.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, Mr Yunana Barde, lauded the council chairman for placing premium on educational development of his people.
Barde said that the importance of education to societal development could not be overemphasised.
Also speaking, Audu Dogara, the council’s Education Secretary, described the intervention as an investment in the children and the future of the local government.
He admonished the beneficiaries to see the gesture as an opportunity for them to give their best in the examination.
Mr Emmanuel Utung, Chairman of the WAEC Sponsorship Committee, said that the beneficiaries cut across the 12 wards of the local government.
According to him, the gesture would go a long way in easing the financial burden on the beneficiaries’ parents.
Miss Benedicta Boniface, who spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries, thanked the chairman for his magnanimity and promised that they would not disappoint him.
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Abayomi Mumuni, has warned against any attempt to replace Vice President Kashim Shettima on religious grounds ahead of the 2027 general elections
Mumuni said this on Wednesday in reaction to the controversies erupting from the omission of Vice President Shettima’s photograph from a banner displayed at the North-East Zonal Public Hearing on the amendment of the APC constitution.
According to him, the North presently lacks a Christian candidate with the political clout and followership needed to deliver substantial electoral support.
He said the idea of dropping Shettima could undermine the APC’s chances of retaining power.
There have been speculations about a possible plan to drop Shettima from the party’s 2027 presidential ticket.
Mumuni further said that discussions about replacing Shettima with a Christian vice-presidential candidate, ostensibly to address concerns about religious inclusivity, are not strategically sound in the current political climate.
According to him, the northern region currently lacks a Christian candidate with sufficient grassroots support and nationwide appeal to complement President Bola Tinubu’s electoral strength.
“Any miscalculation in this regard could jeopardise the winning ticket for the current administration,” he warned.
…Says it Has Committed Over US$45 Million in Expenditures in Senegal
By Mike Odiakose, Abuja
The management of Oranto Petroleum, the firm owned by Nigerian billionaire and philanthropist Prince Arthur Eze, has shed light on why it suspended any further investments in the St Louis & Cayar Licenses in Senegal.
The Senegalese government had in January 2026 officially revoked an offshore oil exploration license held by Atlas Oranto Petroleum.
The Senegalese government alleged that the holder had failed to provide the required bank guarantees and carried out only minimal exploration work since the block was awarded.
Responding to the revocation of the license, the management of Oranto Petroleum declared the government of Senegal insisted on US$ 25 Million Bank Guarantee as against agreed Corporate Guarantee as being provided by other Operators in Senegal.
According to the management, “till date, Oranto Petroleum has committed over US$45 Million in expenditures in Senegal covering activities such as seismic acquisition & interpretation, acreage rental, social projects and training of Senegalese locals as stipulated in the contract.
“Oranto Petroleum remains a foremost player in Hydrocarbon Exploration in Africa having committed over US$500 Million in exploration and development of hydrocarbon in Africa.”
The company expressed reservations on why the Senegalese government will single it out for false narratives which it classified as “unfair, unjustified and targeted.”
Part of the statement read: “Oranto Petroleum would like to use this opportunity to respond to the false narrative currently being perpetuated by the Government of Senegal on the St Louis & Cayar Offshore Licenses previously operated by Oranto Petroleum.
“As a matter of fact, Oranto Petroleum in 2025 decided to suspend any further investments in the St Louis & Cayar Licenses in Senegal after the Government of Senegal insisted on US$ 25 Million Bank Guarantee as against agreed Corporate Guarantee as being provided by other Operators in Senegal.
“For record purposes, till date, Oranto Petroleum has committed over US$45 Million in expenditures in Senegal covering activities such as seismic acquisition & interpretation, acreage rental, social projects and training of Senegalese locals as stipulated in the contract. These records exist and can be fact checked.
“It is worth mentioning that for reasons best known to the Government of Senegal, Oranto Petroleum has been singled out in this false narrative – this we classify as unfair, unjustified and targeted.
“We would like to use this opportunity to state that other foreign entities operating in Senegal are also facing challenges doing business in Senegal and this calls for concern.
Some of those include: Woodside currently in court of Arbitration with Government of Senegal on issues bothering
around back costs for the Sangomar Development –
https://www.africabusinessplus.com/en/829378/woodside-vs-dakar-arbitration-proceedings-can
2. Alleged plans by the Government of Senegal to nationalise Kosmos-run Yakaar-Teranga Gas
Project – https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/senegal-plans-nationalise-kosmos-run
yakaar-teranga-gas-project-2025-12-10/
and 3. British Petroleum’s exit from Senegal over disagreement with Government – https://www.offshore
technology.com/news/bp-exits-senegal-gas-field/
“It is worth noting that Oranto Petroleum remains a foremost player in Hydrocarbon Exploration in Africa having committed over US$500 Million in exploration and development of hydrocarbon in Africa.
“OrantoPetroleum as per business model remains an early explorationist focused on acreage derisking and later stage development in collaboration with third party Operators.
“Oranto Petroleum remains respectful for the rule of law in all jurisdictions where it operates and urges the public to disregard any narratives that continuously focuses on demarketing African investment opportunities geared towards the greater good of Africa and her citizens.
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