President Bola Tinubu has directed the timely release of funds to the Regional Development Commissions, warning their boards and managements against corruption, waste and the execution of projects that do not directly benefit the people.

Tinubu gave the directive while declaring open the first North Central Stakeholders Development Summit organised by the North Central Development Commission in Abuja on Monday.

The President, who was represented at the event by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume, said the Federal Government would continue to provide political and financial backing to the commissions to enable them execute projects capable of unlocking the economic and industrial potential of the country.

He, however, urged the commissions not to depend solely on government funding, advising them to explore alternative sources of financing, including public-private partnerships, donor funding and development financing.

“Government will continue to give the NCDC and other Regional Development Commissions the political and financial backing to embark on key projects that will unlock the economic and industrial potentials of the nation.

“I therefore direct the Secretary to the Government of the Federation to ensure that all funds accruable to the Commissions are released as and when due,” he said.

Tinubu said the creation of the Regional Development Commissions was part of his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda to accelerate development across the country and address longstanding development gaps.

He stressed that the commissions were not established to replace, duplicate or usurp the functions of any tier of government.

“Rather, it is our way of looking at why development gaps still exist and trying to close them up for the benefit of our people,” he said.

According to him, the commissions are expected to focus on development priorities capable of unlocking the potential of their respective regions while providing interconnectivity for the country.

He listed roads, rail, air transportation, industrialisation, security, investment, human capital development, education and health among the sectors requiring attention.

The President urged the commissions to develop clear, concise, attainable and fundable programmes, warning against the execution of white elephant projects.

“The era of white elephant projects is over and there is no excuse for the Commissions to become another conduit for wasting public funds,” he said.

Tinubu also charged the Ministry of Regional Development to ensure that the commissions operated within the Regional Development Policy Document, while the legislature provides the necessary oversight.

He warned the boards and managements against corruption, marginalisation, politicisation and ethnicisation of government operations.

“Such actions will not be tolerated and government will not hesitate to sanction anyone found culpable,” the President said.

Speaking on the North Central region, Tinubu said the area had enormous potential in agriculture, food production and agro-processing, solid minerals development and processing, industrial development, peace and security.

He said the region had operated below its potential for too long, urging stakeholders to use the summit to chart a new development trajectory.

The President also acknowledged the security challenges confronting the North Central, saying the Federal Government had intensified surveillance and intelligence gathering, established more formations, deployed additional personnel, increased the prosecution of criminals and supported dialogue and reconciliation.

He urged the NCDC to complement the government’s efforts to stabilise the region, stressing that development could only take place in an atmosphere of peace and security.

Tinubu said the theme of the summit, “The Great Leap Forward: A 20-Year Economic, Infrastructural and Social Development Plan for the North Central Region,” was appropriate, noting that it provided an opportunity for stakeholders to develop a consensus-driven plan for the region.

He urged participants to scrutinise the proposed development plan and ensure that it reflected the aspirations of the people and aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda.

The President warned against allowing the summit to become another platform where ideas were discussed and reports produced without implementation.

“This Summit should not end up as one of those platforms where ideas are ventilated and reports generated only to be left dusting on the shelves. The NCDC should show a better example by following through to implementation,” he said.

Tinubu further urged the commissions to seek alternative funding sources, including public-private partnerships, donor funding and development financing, where permitted by their establishing laws and government guidelines.

Rilwan Akiolu, the Oba of Lagos, has declared his support for President Bola Tinubu’s bid for a second term, saying there will be no vacancy in Aso Rock for the next four or five years.

Akiolu spoke when the presidential campaign council (PCC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), led by its director-general, Abdulaziz Yari, paid him a courtesy visit at his palace in Lagos.

“For the next four or five years, there is no vacancy in Aso Rock,” the monarch said.

The Oba urged politicians to ensure that the 2027 general election is peaceful and conducted in a manner that benefits Nigerians.

He also advised members of the APC campaign council to be honest in their dealings and avoid actions capable of undermining peace and stability in the country.

Akiolu cautioned politicians against adopting the Machiavellian principle that “the end justifies the means” in pursuing electoral victory.

Speaking earlier, Yari said the delegation visited the monarch to seek his blessing, prayers and advice ahead of the council’s nationwide campaign activities.

He said the council had earlier visited the Sokoto caliphate before proceeding to Lagos.

Yari appealed for continued support for Tinubu, saying the council believes the president deserves another term to consolidate what he described as the gains of his administration.

He cited the administration’s efforts to address economic challenges, insecurity and infrastructure development as reasons for the council’s support.

Yari acknowledged the economic difficulties facing Nigerians but said some indicators showed improvement, particularly in the availability of funds and efforts to stabilise the economy.

On insecurity, the former governor of Zamfara said Tinubu had continued to provide support and equipment for the military and police.

He also recalled that Tinubu had supported the emergence of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari because of the security challenges facing the country at the time.

Yari said the council’s support for Tinubu is not merely political reciprocity but is based on its belief that the president should be allowed to continue implementing his plans for the country.

He added that members of the council from the north would work to secure the region’s support for Tinubu’s re-election.

Receiving the delegation, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos, described the visit as significant, noting that the council had chosen to seek the Oba’s royal blessing immediately after its engagement in Sokoto.

Sanwo-Olu said the delegation comprised eminent Nigerians who had served in various capacities, including former governors, a former senate president, former speakers and serving governors.

He described Lagos as a key political centre and the country’s commercial and economic nerve centre, saying the visit demonstrated the importance the APC attached to the traditional institution.

The event was attended by APC leaders and stakeholders in Lagos, including local government chairmen, members of the National Assembly and state lawmakers.

AKURE — Fifty years after its establishment, Omoluorogbo Grammar School (OGSA) is set to celebrate its Golden Jubilee with a three-day programme that will bring together generations of old students, serving and former teachers, parents, friends and other stakeholders from Nigeria and the diaspora.

The anniversary, scheduled for October 29 to 31, 2026, is expected to combine celebration, reunion, thanksgiving and reflection with a renewed commitment to the development of the institution.

Chairman of the 50th Anniversary Implementation Committee, Hon. Kayode Akinmade, said the Golden Jubilee was an opportunity not only to celebrate OGSA’s achievements but also to draw attention to the need to preserve its legacy and invest in its future.

Akinmade said the school had remained resilient and continued to produce graduates who had distinguished themselves in various professions despite infrastructural challenges and limited investment in its physical development over the years.

He described the OGSA story as one of “people, values, resilience and enduring excellence,” noting that the achievements of its alumni across different fields demonstrated the strength of the foundation laid by the institution.

“Fifty years is a remarkable milestone. It is a time to celebrate where we are coming from, honour those who laid the foundation and, most importantly, recommit ourselves to building an even greater future for the generations coming behind us,” he said.

According to him, many of the structures currently serving the school date back to its formative years following its emergence from the former Messiah Modern School in 1976, making the Golden Jubilee an appropriate moment for stakeholders to envision a new phase of development.

He said the anniversary would provide an avenue for alumni and other stakeholders to give back to the institution and identify practical ways of strengthening its infrastructure, academic environment and overall capacity.

Three Days of Celebration and Renewal

The three-day programme has been structured around thanksgiving, history, reunion, professional engagement, mentorship, sports and a major legacy initiative.

The celebration will open on October 29 with an Interdenominational Thanksgiving Service, followed by activities celebrating the history, heritage and personalities that have shaped the OGSA story over the past five decades.

The second day will focus on reunion and engagement, with old students reconnecting and sharing experiences. Career development and mentorship sessions will provide opportunities for accomplished alumni to interact with current and younger students, offering guidance and inspiration drawn from their professional journeys.

Sporting activities will also feature as part of the reunion programme, providing an opportunity for former students to relive memories of their school days.

The Golden Jubilee will climax on October 31 with a grand finale and the official presentation and launch of the OGSA Legacy Project, conceived as a major contribution by the alumni community towards the continued development of the school.

Akinmade said the legacy initiative was intended to ensure that the anniversary translated into a lasting benefit for present and future students rather than ending as a purely ceremonial celebration.

He said the objective was to move beyond nostalgia and use the Golden Jubilee to build a stronger institutional foundation for the next generation.

For five decades, OGSA has produced graduates who have made their mark in diverse fields of human endeavour, while its alumni network has remained an important part of the institution’s enduring identity.

The October celebration is expected to bring many of these alumni together once again to celebrate shared memories, enduring friendships and a common heritage.

As the institution enters its sixth decade, the anniversary committee said the central message of the Golden Jubilee was that OGSA’s legacy must not only be celebrated but also preserved, strengthened and passed on to future generations.

“OGSA at 50 is not simply about looking back at five decades. It is about asking what we can collectively do to ensure that the next 50 years are even more impactful,” the committee said.

Comprehensive details of the programmes and activities lined up for the Golden Jubilee will be unveiled in subsequent statement.