Author: Lawal AbdulSalam Olawale

• A massive cache of industrial chemicals believed to be capable of producing explosives has been discovered and sealed by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in Kano State.
• The facility, located in Kwakwachi within Fagge Local Government Area, reportedly housed 88,560 litres of hazardous substances—including highly concentrated sulphuric and nitric acids.
• Speaking to journalists during an inspection of the site on Wednesday, the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, described the discovery as deeply alarming.
• Prof. Adeyeye was represented at the scene by Dr. Martins Iluyomade, the agency’s Director of Investigation and Enforcement.
• According to Iluyomade, the warehouse was holding 60,000 litres of sulphuric acid (at 90.5% concentration) and 28,560 litres of nitric acid (at 68% concentration). Also discovered were 330 empty jerricans—evidence that some of the chemicals had already been distributed to unknown individuals.
• “What we have seen here is mind-boggling, I don’t think I have ever seen this quantity of concentrated nitric and sulphuric acid together in one place like this before,” Adeyeye said.
• She explained that it was NAFDAC officials who, acting on a tip-off, traced the warehouse and found it operational. However, only a single staff member—the warehouse manager—was present at the time of the raid. He was immediately taken into custody.
• NAFDAC said the person listed as the warehouse’s owner is not recognized as a licensed chemical marketer, which raises further red flags about the nature of the business being conducted.
• “The owner is not listed as a chemical marketer. We keep a database to monitor the importation, use, and disposal of such chemicals. These acids are controlled chemicals that are not to be handled by just anybody,” she said.
• Adeyeye stressed that importing this category of chemicals is a highly regulated process. It requires security clearance and permits, none of which were available in this case.
• “Importing such chemicals requires clearance from the National Security Adviser and permits, none of which the owner possessed.”
• “Permit and clearance is important because these chemicals are used to manufacture explosives.”

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has refuted his rumoured defection, saying he is going nowhere but remains in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Governor Adeleke made this known on Monday after the flag-off of the dualisation of the 3.5km Ila township road in Ila-Orangun, adding that his promised path is to serve the people and that he would not relent in doing so.

He expressed happiness over the inauguration of the dualisation of the Ila township road project despite what he described as the lingering uncertainties in the nation.

The governor said he had vowed to God and the good people of the state that he is committed to serving them and would never be distracted from the vow to serve the people of the state.

He boasted that his administration has so far completed the reconstruction, rehabilitation, and renovation of over 175 kilometres of roads, while several dualisation and flyover projects are at various stages of completion across the state.

According to him, the completion of the dualisation of the Osogbo–Ikirun–Inisha–Okuku–Ijabe and finally Ila Odo road, which is the boundary town with neighbouring Kwara State, a total length of 39km, is of paramount importance to his administration, expressing commitment to the completion of the project.

I was elected on the platform of the PDP and so shall I remain in the party. I’m not going anywhere.

“The second phase, which we are flagging off today, is almost the same length as what was completed in 12 years. By the grace of God, we intend to deliver this project within 12 months.

“Our gathering here to witness the materialisation of a new era is not an accident of history. We are all programmed by Almighty God to be what we have been, what we are, and what we will be in the future,” he said.

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Osun State has endorsed the re-election of President Bola Tinubu and Governor Ademola Adeleke in the 2027 presidential and 2026 governorship elections.

This is as the party also attributed the decision of Governor Adeleke to stay in the PDP to opposition by APC members to welcome the idea of the governor’s defection into the party.

This is contained in a communique issued at the end of a stakeholders meeting held at the Government House which was made available to newsmen on Tuesday by the governor’s spokesperson Olawale Rasheed.

The meeting objected to the manner some APC members castigated the governor over the political development in the state on national television and social media, despite the fact that many PDP members did not support the idea of defection into the APC.

The communique, which was signed by Governor Adeleke, ex-governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola, PDP Chairman, Sunday Bisi, Senator Lere Oyewumi and 24 others, thereby reaffirmed its adoption and endorsement of Governor Ademola Adeleke for re-election in the 2026 governorship election on the platform of the PDP.

It reads further, “The PDP in Osun State recognizes the fact that Osun State is the ancestral home of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which makes the President the son of Osun State. Therefore, the PDP in Osun State hereby, adopts, and endorses President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for re-election in the 2027 presidential election.

“Governor Ademola Adeleke and all members of the PDP in Osun State should remain in the PDP.

“The leadership of the PDP in Osun State is directed to disseminate the resolution to all structures of the party in the state; and

The state governor is enjoined to forge ahead with governance and implementation of the administration’s Five Point Agenda

Former Lagos State Governor and ex-Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, has been appointed to the Board of Directors of Resolve to Save Lives Nigeria (RTSL Nigeria), an international public health organization.

The appointment was announced on Friday by RTSL Nigeria, a health-focused body working to prevent cardiovascular diseases and epidemics.

The group, which opened an office in Abuja in 2022, partners with governments and communities to tackle some of the world’s deadliest health threats

Reacting to the appointment, Dr. Tom Frieden, President and CEO of Resolve to Save Lives, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Mr. Fashola to the RTSL Nigeria Board of Directors. He has demonstrated a commitment to improving lives and livelihoods in Nigeria through more than two decades of public service.”

Fashola, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), previously served as Minister of Power, Works and Housing under President Muhammadu Buhari. He was also the Chief of Staff in Lagos State before becoming governor from 2007 to 2015.

During his tenure, Fashola was instrumental in managing Nigeria’s response to the 2014 Ebola outbreak, earning him international recognition, including the Stephen J. Solarz Award from the International Crisis Group

In his acceptance remarks, Fashola said he was honoured to join the board and pledged to support the organization’s mission.

“I look forward to helping continue the progress in stopping preventable deaths from cardiovascular diseases and infectious disease outbreaks,” he said.

Ibrahim Abubakar, a fellow board member and Dean at the University College London Faculty of Population Health Sciences, described Fashola’s inclusion as a valuable asset, citing his governance experience and leadership during health crises.

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Officials of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) on Tuesday carried out an inspection of various TETFund-sponsored projects at the Federal Polytechnic, Ede, Osun State.

The inspection team was led by Hon. Sunday Adepoju, a member of TETFund’s Board of Trustees representing the South-West region. The team visited several project sites located within the polytechnic’s South Campus.

Speaking to journalists after the inspection, Adepoju emphasized the importance of a strong maintenance culture in Nigerian tertiary institutions. He expressed satisfaction with the standard of the completed and ongoing projects, commending the polytechnic’s management for their commitment to quality execution.

“We have gone round the TETFund projects in the school, including completed and ongoing ones, and I am impressed with the quality of the works. The focus is to ensure quality projects that reflect the government’s investment,” he stated.

Adepoju revealed that a significant portion of the institution’s infrastructure was funded by TETFund and assured that the agency would continue to support the polytechnic and other institutions across the country.

“President Bola Tinubu believes that an educated nation is a liberated one and is committed to investing more in tertiary education through TETFund—especially in technical education, which is the backbone of any rapidly developing nation. This aligns with the Renewed Hope agenda, and we are determined to make it a reality,” he added.

In his response, the Rector of the Polytechnic, Dr. Sanni Manyahaya, described the unscheduled visit as a welcome development, noting that it would help ensure transparency and quality service delivery.

He also used the opportunity to highlight the institution’s challenges, particularly the need for perimeter fencing of the South Campus to address recurring issues of land encroachment by herdsmen and land grabbers.

“Our major challenge has been natural disasters that have affected some of our buildings. We will need TETFund’s support to rehabilitate them,” the rector said. “The South Campus hosts multi-billion naira infrastructure, but without proper fencing, security issues persist. Herdsmen and land intruders continue to pose serious threats to the school.”

The visit is part of TETFund’s ongoing effort to monitor and evaluate the impact of its interventions in tertiary institutions nationwide.

The Federal Government has declared Tuesday, July 15, a public holiday in honour of the late former president, Muhammadu Buhari.

The declaration is in furtherance of the seven days of national mourning earlier declared by President Bola Tinubu in honour of Buhari.

Minister of Interior Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, in a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government.

The minister stated that the holiday is a mark of respect for the late president’s service to the nation, his contributions to Nigeria’s democratic journey, and his enduring legacy in governance and national development.

“President Muhammadu Buhari served Nigeria with dedication, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to the unity and progress of our great nation. This public holiday provides an opportunity for all Nigerians to reflect on his life, leadership, and the values he upheld,” the minister said.

He urged citizens to use the day to honour the late president’s memory by promoting peace, patriotism, and national cohesion, in line with his vision for a prosperous and united Nigeria.

“As earlier announced, the national flags are to fly at half-mast for the seven-daymourning period from Sunday, 13th July, 2025.

“The Federal Government extends its deepest condolences to the family of the late president, the people of Katsina State, and all Nigerians, while praying for the peaceful repose of his soul,” the statement added.¹

Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, the Awujale of Ijebuland, has joined his ancestors at the age of 91.

The monarch passed away on Sunday, just hours after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu announced the demise of former Muhammadu Buhari, who is also a longtime friend to the deceased monarch.

Oba Adetona, who was one of the longest-reigning traditional rulers in the country, ascended the throne in 1960, and a highly respected voice among Yoruba monarchs and across the country.

Confirming the monarch’s demise, Governor Dapo Abiodun, said the monarch joined his ancestors the same day that the former President, Muhammadu died in a London, the United Kingdom hospital.

The statement reads partly, “It is with profound sadness that I announce the passing of His Royal Majesty, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, the revered Awujale of Ijebuland. Oba Adetona joined his ancestors today, July 13, 2025 at the age of 91 leaving behind a remarkable legacy that has significantly shaped Ijebuland, Ogun State and Nigeria in general.

It is indeed double sadness that Oba Adetona joined his ancestors the same day that the former President, Muhammadu died in a London, the United Kingdom hospital

President Muhammdu Buhari is dead.

His former aide, Bashir Ahmad announced the passing of the former president on X.