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Oyo, UNICEF Advocate With South West Info Ministries

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Oyo, UNICEF Advocate With South West Info Ministries

IBADAN: In a landmark effort to advance children-centred advocacy and effective communication for children’s right actualization, Oyo State Government in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), convened an advocacy dialogue and capacity-building meeting with the Commissioners, Permanent Secretaries and top officials from the Ministries of Information across the Southwest states of Nigeria.

The event, themed “Scaling Results for Children Through Evidence-Based Social and Behavioural Change,” was held at Orchid Hotel, Ikota-Lekki, Lagos State. It brought together key stakeholders to explore strategic approaches to drive positive social change, promote children’s rights, and advance gender equity through effective communication practices and evidence-based policy alignment.

Representing the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Oyo State, Prince Dotun Oyelade, the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Rotimi Babalola, in his keynote address, emphasized that success would be measured not just by policies or meetings, but by real outcomes, well-nourished children, access to clean water and protection from vaccine-preventable diseases.

According to Oyelade, “The wellbeing of women and children through three fundamental pillars of public health Nutrition, Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), and Immunization—are interlinked and vital to the survival, growth, and development of our communities.”

He stressed the need for strategic communication, advocacy, and community engagement on social and behavioral change. “We must ensure our messages are clear, culturally relevant, and widely disseminated. We must amplify grassroots voices and empower programs that drive behavior change,” he said.

“As Commissioner for Information, I am reminded of the power and responsibility that communication holds in the success of any public health intervention. Our communities can only benefit from nutrition programs if they are aware of them. Clean water and sanitation will only be effective when people understand and adopt good hygiene practices. Immunization will only reach its full potential if families trust and accept it.”

Oyelade thanked UNICEF for its continued support through technical expertise and resources. He urged participants to be bold in ideas, open to collaboration, and relentless in their commitment to service. “Together, we can build a healthier, more resilient future for all,” he concluded.

In his remarks, UNICEF’s Chief of Social and Behaviour Change, Abuja, Kshitiy Joshi, emphasized the urgency of rethinking communication as a tool for transformation “The world is changing everyday,” he declared.

He highlighted the importance of data-driven, people-centered communication in shaping public attitudes and behaviors. “We must go beyond awareness to action—addressing deeply rooted norms, influencing behaviors, and ensuring that no child is left behind.”

Joshi further noted that sustainable development for children cannot be achieved without the active involvement of Ministries of Information, who play a critical role in shaping public discourse and influencing societal behavior at scale.

In his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Orientation, Oyo State, Mr. Rotimi Babalola, represented by Director of Press and Public Relations, Mrs. Bukola Bakare, reiterated the meeting’s goal to improve the wellbeing of women and children and ensure that every child survives, thrives, and grows up in a safe and nurturing environment.

“Essential family practices are simple yet powerful actions that families can take to improve children’s health, nutrition, and development,” he said. “From exclusive breastfeeding and handwashing with soap to proper home care for illnesses and timely immunizations, these practices, when consistently adopted, save lives and lay the foundation for a productive and healthy life.”

In their separate goodwill messages, the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Osun State, Barrister Kolapo Alimi; Special Adviser to the Ogun State Governor on Media and Communication, Hon. Kayode Akinmade; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information, Ekiti State, Prince Olusesan Alabi; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Strategy, Lagos State, Mr. Olunde Sogunle; and Administrative Secretary, Ministry of Information and Orientation, Ondo State, Mr. Olanrewaju Akarakiri, commended UNICEF’s strategic role in promoting inclusive communication and policy engagement that prioritizes the welfare of children and women.

They described UNICEF as a trusted partner in progress, whose interventions have significantly impacted communities across the region. The representatives reaffirmed their states’ readiness to partner with UNICEF on future initiatives aimed at improving the lives of children and vulnerable populations in the Southwest.

Independent.ng

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[JUST IN] Wike’s Assassination Plot: Police Take Action On Top Governor Fubara’s Ally; Nigerians React

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The Nigeria Police Force, through the Intelligence Response Team (IRT), has finally invited Tammy Wenike Danagogo, former Secretary to the Rivers State Government (SSG), over the allegation that he was speaking in a leaked telephone conversation, discussing how to assassinate the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.

Danagogo is a top ally of Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers. It was alleged that the governor’s ally was making the call with Tombari Joseph Gbeneol, a medical doctor and founder of Life Forte Chapel Church in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

In the leaked conversation, Danagogo and Gbeneol were said to have discussed how they could bring in an Israeli national to assassinate the minister of the FCT, and it ended with an alleged plan to urge Governor Fubara to fund the execution.

Last week, Benjamin Hundeyin, the public relations officer of the police, reportedly revealed the arrest of Gbeneol in a statement on Tuesday, January 6, where he disclosed that further information on the issue would be made available after the interrogation had been completed.

This is coming amid the heated political tension between Wike and his successor, Governor Siminalayi Fubara. Since the Christmas holiday, the two political leaders have been throwing banters at each other. The governor has been accused of ignoring the peace agreement he signed with President Bola Tinubu in 2025.

The news of the police invitation to Danagogo was shared by Lere Olayinka, a media aide to Wike. The development has started generating reactions from some Nigerians. Below are some of their reactions:

Olufemi Aluko described it as a joke:

“Once I saw Israel, I just started laughing. We’re not serious in this country. I just knew it had to be a joke.”

Seyi questioned: “Leaked conversation. Yeah. How many phone taps do the DSS actually have running?”

Dare called for a deeper investigation: “Has it got to this? This is barbaric. If found culpable, he should be made to face the law.”

Meenah condemned the development:
“Another shocking development. When close allies of a governor are linked to alleged assassination plots, it raises serious questions about leadership and accountability. Rivers State deserves leaders who unify, not ones whose associates spark fear and chaos.”

Read more reactions to the news from X here: /

 

 

 

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BREAKING: Grief, Lamentation As 3 APC Chieftains Die

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The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has lost three of its chieftains in Kogi to the cold hand of death. The APC chieftains are Alih Atabo, Onojah James Ignatius, and Jatto Onimisi Suleiman.

Kingsley Fanwo, the state’s commissioner for information and communication, announced their deaths in a statement in Lokoja, the state capital, on Monday, January 12.

According to Fanwo, the government and people of Kogi received the death of the APC chieftains with profound sorrow, describing them as distinguished sons of the state.

The statement reads in part: From breaking news to viral moments. “Hon. Onojah James Ignatius, Special Adviser to the Governor of Kogi State and former Chairman of Igalamela Local Government Area; Hon. Jatto Onimisi Suleiman, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor; and Alhaji Alih Atabo, APC Chairman of Anyigba Ward in Dekina Local Government Area.”

The Punch reported that Fanwo maintained that the deceased served the state and the APC with uncommon loyalty, dedication and commitment.

However, the state government did not disclose the causes of their deaths but conveyed Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo’s condolences to the family, friends, associates and the APC family in the state.

Nigerians have therefore reacted to the news of their deaths differently:

Adeyemi condemned Nigerians mocking the dead: “It is truly heartbreaking how many Nigerians have lost their humanity. When a fellow human being passes away, the only thing some people can do is mock them over petty political differences. It’s a disgrace. Death is inevitable for us all; those who are mocking the dead today should remember that they could be the victims tomorrow.”

Chiedozie Onyeke prayed for them: “God should have allowed them to enjoy Tinubu’s reforms small. May their souls rest in peace.”

Uzochukwu Agu O.G. made an unverified claim: “They were clogs in the wheel of Yahaya Bello’s Ambition. It is what it is. The next set of chieftains to replace them will unilaterally call for Yahaya Bello to run for Senate.”

Adams Azeez prayed for the deceased: “Whatever your politics, death is a reminder that power is temporary. May their souls rest in peace, and may their families find strength.”

Ajayi Ogidiolu demanded more clarity about their death: “When did they die? Died or killed? The information is not really clear.”

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BREAKING: KWAM 1 Writes Ogun Govt, Accuses Fusengbuwa Ruling House of Plot to Exclude Him From Awujale Selection

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Popular Fuji musician and Olori Omooba of Ijebu land, Alhaji Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, widely known as KWAM1, has written to Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, alleging that he is being deliberately sidelined from the ongoing process to select the next Awujale of Ijebu land.

Ayinde, in a petition dated January 8, 2026, accused the Fusengbuwa ruling house next in line to produce the monarch of taking actions that allegedly violate the Chieftaincy Declaration and the Obas and Chiefs Law of Ogun State. He claimed the moves were designed to disenfranchise him from contesting for the revered throne.

The letter, written on his behalf by his lawyer, Dr. Wahab Shittu, SAN, was addressed to Governor Abiodun and outlined what the Fuji star described as procedural irregularities in the selection process.

According to the petition, the contest for the Awujale stool has attracted over 60 aspirants, with Ayinde formally declaring his interest. However, the Fusengbuwa family has maintained that KWAM1 is not a member of the ruling house and is therefore ineligible to participate in the exercise.

Before writing to the governor, Ayinde had approached the Ogun State High Court sitting in Ijebu Ode, seeking an interim injunction to restrain Governor Abiodun and six others from continuing with the selection process. The court, however, dismissed the application, ruling that it lacked merit. The musician later withdrew the suit without publicly stating his reasons.

In his latest letter, Ayinde disclosed that the Ijebu Ode Local Government, via a letter dated January 6, 2026, signed by its Secretary, Oke Adebanjo, had approved the commencement of the selection process by the ruling house.

He expressed surprise that while members of the Fusengbuwa family were preparing for a general meeting, the family’s Public Relations Officer, Prince Adeleye Lateef Ademuyiwa, allegedly issued a notice directing aspirants to collect nomination forms and appear before a screening committee.

The screening committee, according to Ayinde, is chaired by Prince Alhaji Mitiu Adenuga. He further alleged that the directive fixed the nomination exercise for Monday, January 12, 2026, while also stating that the process would be conducted by delegates to be selected at a meeting scheduled for January 10, 2026.

Ayinde argued that the sequence of events was confusing, contradictory, and contrary to established laws guiding traditional chieftaincy matters in Ogun State.

As of the time of filing this report, neither the Ogun State Government nor the Fusengbuwa ruling house had officially responded to the allegations.

Lagos Reporters will continue to monitor developments surrounding the Awujale succession process and provide updates as the story unfolds.

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