Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has disclosed that efforts are in top gear to affiliate the Oba Sikiru Adetona College of Governance with the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, Jos, for the training of high ranking government officials.

The governor made this known at the 90th birthday and 64th coronation anniversary thanksgiving of the Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, held at the Cathedral Church of Our Saviour, Ita-Olowajoda-Ijasi, Ijebu-Ode on Sunday.

He said Permanent Secretaries from the state would be the first to enrol to enable them benefit from the college, which is the brain child of the Awujale.

Prince Abiodun also said that he sought and got the approval of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to grant the College the full status of the campus of the NIPSS.

“I told Kabiyesi this morning that our Permanent Secretaries will be the first set of students at that Oba Sikiru Adetona College of Governance, and they will be the first set to benefit from the Awujale’s initiative

“I have further made a case to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to allow Baba’s school of Governance to become a campus of the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies Kuru, a request that Mr President has graciously approved,” he stated.

Abiodun described Oba Adetona as a living legend and a phenomenon whose reign has been a monumental success and a pride to the entire Ijebuland and the state at large.

According to the governor, the monarch represents the beauty and the candour of the ancestral heritage of the Ijebu people, emphasizing that his passion for governance and accessible commitment to education led him to institute the Oba Sikiru Adetona Professorial Chair in Governance in the Department of Political Science of Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye.

“This initiative has led and given birth to the establishment of the world class Oba Sikiru Adetona School of Governance, the first of its kind in Sub-Saharan Africa.

“He championed the Ijebu Development Board on poverty eradication that has become a model in the entire country,” Abiodun submitted.

In his sermon titled; “Serve the Lord with Gladness,” Dean Emeritus, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), the Most Reverend Dr. Ephraim Adebola Ademowo said God’s purpose for man was to serve Him unconditionally, noting that no man serves God faithfully without rewards.

Taking his text from Psalms 100 verse 2, the Most Reverend Ademowo regretted however that though God put people in places of authority to serve, most Nigerians do not see themselves as servants once they assume leadership positions, calling for a change of heart to move the nation forward.

He called for national rebirth beginning from the family, saying this would reposition the country and bring back its lost glory.

The cleric described Oba Adetona as a unifier, a monarchical colossus and “a Solomon of our time,” who used the palace to unite all Ijebu sons and daughters irrespective of their political or religious linage.

The Awujale, the Most Reverend Ademowo noted, is a mentor, enabler, whose life is full of monumental achievements in his 64 years on the throne, saying he has touched many lives through endowment programmes.

The Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, Olufemi Abaniwonda has led an investigating team to the site of Friday’s fuel-laden tanker explosion which led to the death of no fewer than seven people at the Ometan community junction, along the Warri-Sapele road in Okpe Local Government Area of the state.

The tanker fire incident ruined property worth millions of naira.

The team, led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), DCP Aina Adesola, the investigating team stormed the accident scene on Saturday.

It took some eyewitness accounts of the tragic occurrence, especially from traders and artisans who operated along the highway.

The team also engaged some community leaders in discussions to have first-hand information on the extent of damage caused by the fire.

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria has said it has concluded plans with the Office of the National Security Adviser to reduce the number of security checkpoints where personnel physically come in contact with both passengers and their baggage at the nation’s airports.

Travelers have continued to complain of delays in their movement while traveling through Nigerian airports over multiple physical security checks.

Speaking with newsmen the on Saturday in Lagos, the Managing Director of FAAN, Mrs Olubunmi Kuku, stated that the agency and the office of the NSA have agreed to carry out short and long-term measures to address the issue including the creation of a joint coordination room where all the agencies can view CCTV cameras to ascertain what they are looking for.

Kuku described the development as disturbing but affirmed that the issue was the first thing she inquired about upon assumption of office, adding that she sat down with the National Security Adviser, Mr. Nuhu Ribadu, to discuss how to streamline the facilitation processes.

The FAAN MD said, “On the issues of the checking of baggage, it borders me so much, and that was the first inquiry that I made when I assumed office. As far back as 2011 and 2012, when I was in the industry, I have worked on this with the former minister.