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IDPs: Amosun, Odebiyi Call For Relocation Of Ogun Residents In Benin Republic

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Former Governor of Ogun State and Senator Representing Ogun Central, Ibikunle Amosun, on Wednesday, joined Senator Tolu Odebiyi of Ogun West in calling for the relocation of Yewa indigenes who fled to Benin Republic as a result of the recent herdsmen attacks.

The two Senators made the plea at the floor of the Senate through a motion moved by Odebiyi and seconded by Amosun.

This is coming at a time the Ogun State Government is still insisting there was no Ogun indigene in any refugee camp in Benin Republic.

It had earlier been reported that scores of Ogun indigenes have turned refugees in the French-speaking country to avoid being killed by fiendish herdsmen; but the state government stressed that there was nothing like that.

Governor Dapo Abiodun held that it would have attracted diplomatic moves between Nigeria and the country hosting the refugees if the report was true.

The Chairman of Ogun State Peace Keeping Committee on Farmers/Herders Conflict, Hon. Kayode Oladele, said those relocating to Benin Republic were Egun and Ohori people, who he said are not actually original Yewa indigenes.

However, on Tuesday, a video went viral that confirmed the relocation of Ogun indigenes to the neighbouring country.

Moving a motion under Order 42 and 52, Sen. Odebiyi confirmed that many of his constituents had become refugees in Benin Republic.

He said the motion was in regards to the urgent need to intervene in the plight of communities displaced and forced to seek refuge in Benin Republic as a result of incessant attacks by bandits and suspected herdsmen in Ogun State.

According to him, “many of the attacks by suspected herdsmen in the area remain perennial owing to the near absence of police and other security personnel in the affected communities.

“Many Communities like Asa, Oho, Igbooro, Moro, Imeko, Agbon Ojodu were affected by the criminal activities of suspected herdsmen.

“Countless attacks by the criminal elements have caused many residents of the areas to desert and relocate to a refugee camp in Benin Republic in search of safety, with many of them in unfavourable conditions in the refugee camps. It may interest you to know that I visited some of these communities; all the women have left for the neighbouring country, Benin Republic and all living in unfavourable conditions.

“The state Government alone cannot be left with the onerous task of relocating these displaced citizens, hence the need for the Federal Government to effectively return the affected citizens back to their various communities.

“Further disturbed that, if the Benin Republic that is a neighbour to Nigeria could accommodate Nigerians in time of crisis, give them food and set up a refugee camp for them, Nigeria needs to positively step up on how we treat our citizens who are victims of an internally induced crisis.”

In his prayers, Odebiyi called on the Nigeria Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Border Communities Development Agency to undertake an on-the-spot assessment of the affected communities with a view to determining the extent of the problem and provide relief to the affected persons.

He also called on the concerned authorities to pursue and put in place the necessary mechanism for the relocation of the affected people and their communities, asking the police to provide police posts and ensure police presence in the communities to ensure security of lives and properties.

Seconding the motion, former Governor Amosun said the government should not be tired in making concerted efforts to ensure “we solve these security challenges we are presently having.”

Amosun stated that, “I want to just implore, according to the motion moved by Sen. Tolu Odebiyi, that we should do everything humanly possible to make sure those our citizens that have relocated (so I heard and I saw the video) to the Republic of Benin are brought back home; and we should get all necessary security apparatus in place for them to be comfortable to stay within.”

Meanwhile, the Senate has passed a resolution directing the concerned Federal Government agencies to take necessary actions towards relocating the displaced persons in Ogun.

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Oyo 2027: Adelabu Quits As Power Minister To Focus On Guber Race

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The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu has formally resigned from his position in the Federal Government to pursue his governorship ambition in Oyo State.

In a resignation letter dated April 22, 2026, and addressed to the President, Adelabu stated that his resignation will take effect on April 30, 2026, to enable him to focus on his governorship ambition in Oyo State.

The letter, routed through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, stated that he was stepping down with “a deep sense of honour and profound gratitude.”

He wrote, “I write with a deep sense of honour and profound gratitude to formally tender my resignation as the Honourable Minister of Power of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This resignation is to take effect on 30th April 2026, in order to allow sufficient time for a smooth and orderly handover of responsibilities.”

Adelabu thanked the President for the opportunity to serve, describing his appointment as a privilege.

He said, “Your Excellency, I remain sincerely grateful for the privilege and confidence you reposed in me by appointing me to serve our great nation in this capacity.

“It has been a rare honour to contribute to national development under your leadership and to play a role in advancing reforms in the power sector—one of the most critical foundations of Nigeria’s industrial growth and economic transformation.”

The former minister said his resignation was to enable him focus fully on his governorship ambition in Oyo State, citing provisions of the amended electoral law.

He added, “My decision to step down is informed by my intention to focus fully on my gubernatorial ambition in Oyo State. This aspiration, which dates back to 2016 during my service as Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, ultimately led to my voluntary resignation from the Central Bank in 2018 in order to pursue the same goal.”

“In line with the provisions of the Amended Electoral Act 2026, which preclude political office holders from contesting elections, I consider it both appropriate and necessary to resign at this time.”

Adelabu’s exit marks a major political development ahead of the next electoral cycle, particularly in Oyo State, where he is expected to contest the governorship election.

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Wale Edun, Musa Dangiwa Resigned Voluntarily, Not Sacked – Presidency

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The Presidency has clarified that Wale Edun (former Finance Minister) and Ahmed Musa Dangiwa (former Housing Minister) voluntarily resigned from their positions and were not sacked by President Tinubu.

In a statement released this evening April 22, presidential media aide, Bayo Onanuga, said that contrary to public opinions, Wale Edun resigned on health grounds while Dangiwa also tendered his resignation and thanked the President for the opportunity given him to serve in the Federal Executive Council.

Onanuga stated that Edun, who clocked 70 on Monday and has battled recent ill health, fittingly submitted his resignation letter on his birthday, thanking the President for the opportunity to serve Nigeria.

“It has been a pleasure and privilege to serve your administration and the Renewed Hope Agenda, Under your leadership, Nigeria has emerged stronger, more resilient and more internationally respected. I wish you and the administration every success in the future” he wrote

Onanuga stated that on Tuesday, before the Office of the Secretary of the Government of the Federation announced his departure from the Cabinet, Edun paid a valedictory visit to the President at the Villa and held an hour-long discussion with the president and then left to focus on his private businesses.

The presidential aide stated that President Tinubu has expressed deep appreciation to Edun and Dangiwa for their dedicated service and significant contributions to the administration’s economic reform programme and wished them continued success in their future endeavours.

‘’In the same vein, the President has urged the new Minister of Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, to consolidate ongoing reforms and advance the administration’s fiscal and economic objectives with renewed focus, discipline, and innovation.

President Tinubu will shortly send the ministerial nominee for housing, Muttaqha Rabe Darma, also from Katsina, like Dangiwa, to the Senate for confirmation” the statement concluded

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Unity Bank, Experts Advocate Green Investment, Climate Innovation To Drive Economic Resilience

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Nigeria’s retail lender, Unity Bank Plc, alongside leading climate innovation experts, has called for increased investment in the green economy and the adoption of frontier technologies as critical pathways to driving economic resilience and reducing the impact of climate change on vulnerable populations across Africa.

The call was made during a thought-provoking webinar hosted by the Bank to commemorate this year’s Earth Day, themed “The True Cost of Climate Change and Who Pays?”. Climate experts and stakeholders convened to examine the human, economic, and institutional costs of climate change, while spotlighting practical solutions to address its growing impact.

In his opening remarks, Unity Bank’s Head of Strategy and Innovation, Ibukun Coker, emphasised the urgency of addressing climate risks from both a societal and business perspective.

He said: “Climate change is no longer a distant or abstract challenge. It is an existential threat with direct consequences for individuals, businesses, and economies. At Unity Bank, we recognise the role institutions must play in incorporating sustainability in project financing, supporting businesses and promoting solutions that build resilience in communities where we operate.”

The webinar featured Chinwe Udo-Davis, Founder and CEO of Instollar, and Oluwatosin Ajide, Programme Manager at the Nigeria Climate Innovation Centre, both of whom provided insights into the drivers of climate change and the pathways to mitigation and adaptation.

Speaking during the session, Udo-Davis highlighted the disproportionate burden which climate change places on underserved communities and the need for inclusive solutions.

“The true cost of climate change is not evenly distributed. Communities with the least resources are often the most affected, whether through energy poverty, environmental degradation, or limited access to sustainable alternatives. Addressing this imbalance requires intentional investment in clean energy solutions that are both accessible and scalable.”

Ajide underscored the importance of coordinated, system-wide approaches in tackling climate challenges, particularly through innovation and policy alignment.

“Climate change is fundamentally a structural problem, and its solution requires a paradigm shift: from innovation and policy to financing and implementation. Stakeholders must work collaboratively to drive solutions that are sustainable and inclusive.”

The session also explored emerging opportunities in climate technology, renewable energy, and ecosystem financing, reinforcing the role of innovation and cross-sector collaboration in building long-term resilience.

By hosting the webinar, Unity Bank continues to demonstrate its commitment to advancing sustainability-focused dialogue and supporting initiatives that promote responsible growth and environmental stewardship.

The initiative underscores the Bank’s broader strategic focus on environmental sustainability as well as its commitment to financial inclusion.

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