By Omobolaji Adekunle, Abeokuta

Members of the Ogun State House of Assembly Committee on Works and Infrastructure have conducted an assessment visit to the State Agro-Cargo International Airport, Iperu, positing that the project upon completion and take-off would further improve the State’s socio-economic values.

Members of the Committee led by the Chairman, Hon. Adegoke Adeyanju, who were conducted round the facility by the Project Manager of Craneburg Construction Company, Nicholas Mfarrej, opined that the project possessed enormous economic potentials that would add value and attract investment opportunities to the State.

Adeyanju, in company of the Minority Leader, Lukman Adeleye, Olusegun Kaka, Lukmon Atobatele, Damilola Soneye and Wasiu Ayodele lauded the State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun’s ingenuity for initiating the project, stating that the level of work done by the contractor was commendable.

Taking the lawmakers round the facilities, the Project Manager, Nicholas Mfarrej said that the project was over 80 percent completed, assuring that it would be delivered within a record time.

Mfarrej also took the Assemblymen to other facilities within the airport including the warehouse, passenger lounge, control room, crew room, cargo warehouse, runway, control tower, apron, watch tower, fire station and administrative building amongst others.

He noted that adequate quality control measures with modern engineering techniques were being deployed at every phase of the construction of the project.

In another development, the lawmakers visited the damaged portion of the collector drainage on the Ojumele-Ajegunle Road in Makun-Sagamu, which was being rehabilitated, tasking the residents of the area to embrace maintenance culture of the project, thereby desisting from indiscriminate dumping of refuse that often silt up the drainage.

The Chairman called on the State Ministry of Environment, as well as Urban and Physical Planning to put in place measures towards checkmating the excesses of residents who often violated environmental and building regulations, causing impediment hindering the flow of water into the drainage, especially during the rainy season.

The Sokoto State House of Assembly, on Wednesday, approved a motion advocating for the establishment of an Educational and Skills Acquisition Centre to support widows displaced by banditry and other security challenges in the state.

 The motion, which was moved by Alhaji Abubakar Shehu (APC- Yabo) and seconded by Alhaji Atiku Liman (PDP-Silame), also urged the state government to repurpose the Sultan Maccido Waqf Centre for the initiative.

Shehu highlighted that the Sultan Maccido Waqf Centre, originally established by the State Zakkat and Endowment Commission in collaboration with Qatar Charity Organisations, could serve the purpose effectively.

He stated the importance of empowering widows and their children, emphasising the need to transition them from dependency to self-sufficiency.

“The conversion of the Centre into an Education and Skill Acquisition Centre for widows and children displaced by banditry is crucial to empower them economically and prevent them from becoming a liability to the society,” he stated.

The lawmaker expressed concern about the sight of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the metropolis, often seen begging without access to economic activities or education.

He said the proposed center would offer training in various skills such as catering, knitting, tailoring, cream making, welding, mechanics, carpentry and building, among others.

Shehu emphasised that funding for the centre should be a joint responsibility of the state government, Zakkat Commission, international donors and individual contributions.

Contributing to the discussion, Alhaji Bello Idris (APC-Gwadabawa North) stressed the importance of conducting a comprehensive census of IDPs in the state to ensure proper support and utilisation of the centre once established.

Following deliberations, Speaker Alhaji Tukur Bala conducted a voice vote, and the motion was unanimously adopted by the lawmakers.

By Sodiq Adelakun

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, received a courtesy visit from Tunde Onakoya, the renowned chess champion, at the State Government House in Ikeja on Wednesday.

The meeting came after Onakoya’s remarkable achievement of setting a new Guinness World Record (GWR) for the longest chess marathon.

Recall that on April 17, Onakoya embarked on a mission to break the world record, aiming to empower illiterate children across Africa through his feat.

He successfully achieved the record on April 20 at Times Square in New York City, playing for an impressive 58 hours and winning every match.

Governor Sanwo-Olu congratulated Onakoya on his outstanding achievement, acknowledging the inspiration he has brought to the youth and the state.

Sanwo-Olu, while sharing pictures of the visit on his X (formerly Twitter) page, described Onakoya as an embodiment of “the spirit of Lagos.”

“Powerful visions birth movements that change lives. Today, we welcomed back @Tunde_OD, our chess champion, to Lagos,” he wrote.

“His journey embodies the spirit of Lagos—resilient, ambitious, and driven to succeed. As we celebrate his achievements, we’re inspired by his vision for empowering our children and youth.

“Together with Tunde and the transformative power of chess, we’ll work towards a future where every child in Lagos has the opportunity to realise their full potential.

“The state proudly supports his mission, purposefully providing resources to fuel this noble cause now and in the future.”