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Local Residents beg FG as Osun, Ondo federal roads crumble

Published

3 weeks ago

August 25, 2025

Commuters and residents of Osun and Ondo states have decried the deplorable state of federal roads in the two states, calling for urgent government intervention.

In Osun, users of the Ilesa–Akure Expressway particularly lamented the Osu/Iwaraja corridor, describing it as a nightmare for motorists.

Speaking at Iloko Junction—one of the worst-hit portions of the road—a resident, Tomisin Olatunde, said the Federal Road Maintenance Agency had at different times patched bad spots, but such interventions provided only temporary relief.

“With what we are experiencing now, only complete removal and replacement of the asphalt can solve the problem. The road stretches from Ile-Ife to Osu, Ilesa and Iwaraja, linking Osun and Ondo states. Between March and June this year, several serious accidents were recorded between Iloko Junction and the Road Safety office along the expressway,” Olatunde said.

A driver, Razaq Akinleye, who has plied the road for 15 years, said the last major reconstruction was done before the 2015 elections. He described the ongoing expansion works from Ilekki, Ilesa, as “too little compared to the magnitude of the challenge.”

“FRSC officers even filled some bad portions earlier this year to prevent accidents, but that can’t solve the problem. Beyond mere clearing, we need a total overhaul of the road. The patching by FERMA only lasts about three months before the spots go bad again.

The bad portions also give robbers and kidnappers an advantage since vehicles must slow down there,” Akinleye lamented.

Osun State Commissioner for Information, Kolapo Alimi, said the state was already assisting in repairing some federal roads but urged Abuja to take full responsibility.

“We are involved in the repair of some FG roads in Osun. On that particular road, I want to urge the Federal Government to live up to its responsibility and fix it,” Alimi said.

Similarly, residents of communities along the Akure–Ado Ekiti Expressway in Ondo State appealed to both federal and state governments to expedite the ongoing reconstruction of the road.

The project, which commenced towards the end of the Muhammadu Buhari administration, has dragged on for years, worsening traffic congestion and making life difficult for residents. Before the project started, the road had become a death trap, with criminals exploiting its poor state to kidnap travellers for ransom.

During a recent inspection, Minister of Works, David Umahi, announced that the Akure–Ita-Ogbolu–Iju–Ado road would be redesigned and rebuilt with concrete.

But residents say the delay is unbearable. A native of the Iju community, Olamide Babalayo, urged the government to hasten the project.

“The last time I drove home was terrible. We commend the FG for taking action, but they should expedite the work. People in the community are suffering, especially during this rainy season,” he said.

A commercial driver, Kunle, stressed the road’s economic importance, saying transporters were spending excessively on vehicle repairs.

“The road is vital for business between Ondo and Ekiti states. The government should complete it on time so economic activities can flow better,” he said.

When contacted, the Chief Press Secretary to Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Ebenezer Adeniyan, acknowledged that the road is a federal responsibility but expressed optimism that the situation would soon improve.

“I think the situation will improve now that the rains have ceased,” he said.

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Tinubu approves portfolios for five NCDC executive directors

Published

2 hours ago

September 15, 2025

Newsbreak365_Admin

President Bola Tinubu has approved portfolios for five executive directors on the board of the North Central Development Commission.

Director, Information and Public Relations, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Segun Imohiosen, made the announcement in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja.

The appointees and their portfolios are: Hajiya Biliquis Jumoke- Administration and Human Resources, Mrs Aisha Rufai Ibrahim-Commercial and Industrial Development.

Others are, Mr James Abel Uloko-Corporate Services, Prof. Muhammad Bashar-Finance and Atika Ajanah-Projects.

The president urged the executive directors to work closely with the governing board of the commission to promote and coordinate sustainable development of the North-Central geopolitical zone.”

Recall that the President also approved the commencement of the appointment of five Permanent Secretaries.

The positions include two vacancies created by the recent retirement of Permanent Secretaries from Imo State and the Federal Capital Territory, and three zonal vacancies for North-Central, North-East and South-East, arising from the creation of new ministries.

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Guinness World Record confirms Hilda Baci’s largest-serving of Jollof Rice

Published

2 hours ago

September 15, 2025

Newsbreak365_Admin

Chef Hilda Baci has set a new Guinness World Record for the largest serving of Nigerian-style jollof rice, weighing 8,780 kilogrammes (19,356 lb 9 oz).

The record was achieved in partnership with Gino in Victoria Island, Lagos, and has been officially confirmed.

Announcing the feat on Monday on X (Formely Twitter), the post read,”New record: Largest serving of Nigerian style jollof rice – 8,780 kg (19,356 lb 9 oz) achieved by Hilda Baci and Gino in Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria”

Baci, who rose to fame with her headline-making cook-a-thon, has once again brought global attention to Nigerian cuisine.

Guinness World Records had sent words of encouragement to the Nigerian celebrity when she was attempting the cooking on Friday.

The record body in a video, said, ”What’s cookin’?

“Best of luck to @hildabacicooks who’s attempting a new record for the largest serving of Nigerian-style jollof rice today.”

The recent attempt drew a large crowd of supporters, celebrities, and food lovers who gathered at the venue to witness the spectacle.

According to the chef before the event, the specially designed pot used for the challenge has a capacity of 22,619 litres, and her goal is to fill it up to 80 per cent.

She explained that this would require about 5,278 kilogrammes of raw basmati rice, equivalent to 264 bags, though she said she rounded it up to 250 bags as part of her strategy.

She later revealed to newsmen on Friday that she used 200 bags of rice, because the measuring crane and scale designed to weigh the final dish had a limit of 20,000 kilogrammes, including the weight of the custom-made pot.

“If you notice when we started we weighed the pot and we need to weigh every single thing that goes into the pot when we’re done.

“The goal was that by the time I was done making 5,000 kilogrammes I was hoping to achieve about 17,000 to 18,000 kilogrammes.

“Right now, if I include the weight of the pot, that’s about 20,000,” Hilda said.

According to her, the 200 bags cooked still amounted to 4,000 kilogrammes of rice, enough to feed 20,000 people.

The event turned into a carnival-like atmosphere, with music, dancing, and appearances from well-known personalities, including Nollywood actress Funke Akindele, who mounted the stage to hail Baci’s resilience before joining her at the cooking spot to stir the tomato base for the rice.

The First Lady of Ogun State, Bamidele Abiodun, was also present to lend her support.

Other celebrities spotted at the venue include dancer Kaffy, Tomike Adeoye, Enioluwa, Peller, Veekee James, Femi Atere, Tacha, Papaya, Samuel Banks, Alex Unusual, Folagbade Banks, and Spyro, among others.

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IG appoints Abimbola Adebisi as new Lagos police spokesperson

Published

3 hours ago

September 15, 2025

Newsbreak365_Admin

The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has approved the appointment of Superintendent of Police Abimbola Adebisi as the new Police Public Relations Officer for the Lagos State Command.

In a statement issued on Monday by the Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, Babasayi Oluseyi, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, the Command said Adebisi brings “a wealth of academic, professional, and operational experience” into her new role.

The new PPRO holds a BA (Ed) in English Language and Literature from Tai Solarin University of Education, a Postgraduate Diploma in Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution, and a Master of Arts (MA) in English Language from the National Open University of Nigeria.

Her appointment comes after the previous spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin was promoted to the position of the Force Public Relations Officer.

The statement further noted her professional training, “She has a Certificate in Child Protection from the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre, Accra, Ghana, alongside certifications in Human Rights, Human Psychology, and Conflict Management.

“She has equally attended the Advanced Detective Course at the Police Staff College, Jos.”

Adebisi is also an Associate of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations and a member of several international professional bodies, including the International Public Relations Association, the International Association of Women Police, and the International Association of Chiefs of Police.

Her career postings include serving as Staff Officer to the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Operations, and as Personal Assistant to the Commissioner of Police, Special Protection Unit.

Until her current appointment, she was the Police Public Relations Liaison Officer at the SPU, Force Headquarters, Abuja.

Welcoming her, the command assured residents and the media of her readiness to strengthen police-community relations.

“The Command warmly welcomes SP Abimbola Adebisi and assures the public and media stakeholders of her readiness to consolidate the existing synergy between the Police and the people of Lagos State, in line with the vision of the Inspector-General of Police,” the statement read.

For media inquiries and official correspondence, the PPRO can be reached on 09055390070 or via abimbola.adebisi001@gmail.com.

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