Political parties and presidential candidates for the 2027 general elections have signed a National Peace Accord, pledging to conduct issue-based campaigns and shun violence, hate speech, misinformation, incitement and personal attacks.
The accord was signed on Tuesday in Abuja at a ceremony organised by the National Peace Committee in partnership with The Kukah Centre, ahead of the statutory commencement of campaigns for the presidential and National Assembly elections on Wednesday, August 19.
The event was attended by the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Joash Amupitan; Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu; political party leaders and candidates; members of the diplomatic community and other stakeholders.
The agreement commits political actors to prioritising national interest, peaceful competition and issue-based campaigns while discouraging conduct capable of undermining the credibility and peaceful conduct of the 2027 elections.
However, some prominent political figures were absent from the ceremony, meaning the accord should not be interpreted as having been signed by every presidential or National Assembly candidate.
The signing marks the first national peace accord of the 2027 election cycle and is intended to promote a peaceful campaign environment as political activities intensify ahead of the elections.
The Secretary of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ogun State Council, Comrade Bunmi Adigun, has charged media practitioners to take responsibility for shaping a credible and positive narrative about Ogun State through accurate, balanced and professional journalism.
Adigun gave the charge on Saturday while speaking as a guest speaker at the official launch of Ogun 360, a digital media platform established with the vision of becoming the leading destination for everything relating to Ogun State, with the tagline, “Everything Ogun, All in One Place.”
He said Ogun State had a rich story of industrial growth, agriculture, education, culture, innovation and human capital development, stressing that the media had a responsibility to document and project these stories to audiences within and outside the state.
According to him, journalism goes beyond reporting daily events, as the media also helps society understand issues, gives voice to the voiceless, documents history, interrogates policies and provides citizens with information needed to make informed decisions.
The NUJ Secretary, who is also a staff member of Ogun State Television (OGTV), said his 18 years in broadcasting and experience covering a former governor, including official assignments to 13 countries, had exposed him to the importance of effective storytelling in presenting the achievements and potentials of a place to the wider world.
He urged Ogun 360 to maintain accuracy, verification and credibility, noting that the desire to promote the state must never lead to the sacrifice of professional journalism.
Adigun also called for greater attention to stories beyond government and politics, saying the achievements of entrepreneurs, farmers, students, artisans, innovators, traditional institutions, artists, athletes and other residents deserved adequate media visibility.
He said the emergence of digital media had created an opportunity for Ogun 360 to become not only a news platform but also a digital archive of the state, where its history, culture, people, opportunities and achievements could be preserved for future generations.
He further urged government, the private sector, traditional institutions, civil society organisations, journalists and members of the public to collaborate with the platform in building a stronger information ecosystem for the state.
Adigun said Ogun needed a media ecosystem capable of telling its story beyond the state, noting that investors, tourists, researchers, students and Nigerians in the diaspora needed credible and accessible information about the state.
He congratulated the founders and management of Ogun 360, urging them to remain committed to professionalism, fairness, innovation and responsible journalism.
He said: “When we tell the Ogun story well, we are not merely reporting the present. We are documenting history, shaping perception and helping to define the future of our state.”
He expressed optimism that Ogun 360 would grow from a digital platform into a trusted institution of information and become a major destination for those seeking to understand Ogun State.
“Tell the stories that matter. Give voice to the voiceless. Celebrate excellence. Ask the difficult questions. Promote opportunities. Preserve our heritage. And above all, protect the credibility of the Ogun story,” he added.
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the Ogun State Police Command have stepped up collaboration to enforce regulations governing alcoholic beverages and safeguard public health across the state.
The partnership was disclosed by the command’s Police Relations Officer, Deputy Superintendent of Police Oluseyi Babaseyi, in a statement posted on the command’s X handle on Friday.
The latest move followed a meeting between the NAFDAC State Coordinator for Ogun Office 1, Akinwale Fagoroye, and the Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, at the command headquarters in Eleweran, Abeokuta.
Fagoroye said NAFDAC had already begun enforcement operations in Abeokuta and would take the exercise to other parts of Ogun State.
“The enforcement exercise, which commenced in Abeokuta, is being extended to other parts of Ogun State and will continue until full compliance is achieved,” Fagoroye said.
A major focus of the operation is the withdrawal from circulation of alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and PET bottles containing less than 200ml, or 20cl.
Fagoroye said the restriction was part of efforts to limit access to cheap and easily portable alcoholic drinks, particularly among children and young people.
He appealed to manufacturers, importers, distributors, wholesalers, retailers and consumers to obey the regulations and allow NAFDAC officials to carry out their duties without obstruction.
According to him, enforcement personnel are visiting markets, motor parks, bars, retail outlets, warehouses, factories and other locations where regulated products are manufactured, stored or sold.
The agency is also authorised to clamp down on counterfeit, unregistered, adulterated, substandard, expired or improperly labelled products, as well as facilities operating without the necessary approvals.
Ojajuni welcomed the collaboration and pledged the police command’s support for NAFDAC during lawful enforcement operations.
“The Police and NAFDAC will continue to work together, within their respective mandates, to ensure compliance with the law and protect residents from activities and products that may pose risks to their health and safety,” Ojajuni said.
The commissioner said the police were equally enforcing the Liquor Act and other relevant laws regulating the sale and distribution of alcoholic beverages in Ogun.
He explained that the measures were intended to curb illegal alcohol trade and prevent practices that could threaten public safety, especially those that could expose young people to harmful behaviour.
Ojajuni consequently urged producers, distributors, retailers and consumers to comply with existing regulations and cooperate with authorised enforcement personnel.
He also called on residents to provide information to the authorities about suspected counterfeit or unsafe products and illegal activities linked to the sale of alcoholic drinks.
The command said it would continue to provide security support for legitimate regulatory operations and other initiatives designed to protect lives and promote public safety in Ogun State.
IJEBU-ODE, OGUN STATE — A remarkable display of youth participation and community-driven economic advocacy took place today in Ijebu-Ode as hundreds of young people took to the streets under the Ijebu Rewa Ijebu Business Awareness Walk, calling for stronger patronage, visibility and growth of indigenous businesses.
The awareness campaign, which brought together vendors, entrepreneurs, supporters and community stakeholders, was designed to promote local businesses and encourage residents to support products and services provided by businesses within the Ijebu community.
One striking observation from the event was the strong presence of youths among the participating vendors and business promoters. The gathering presented a refreshing picture of young people actively engaging in entrepreneurship, street commerce, marketing and community economic development.
Rather than remaining on the sidelines, these young entrepreneurs were visibly involved in promoting their businesses and contributing to an initiative aimed at strengthening the local economy.
The campaign featured messages such as “Support Ijebu Businesses” and “Buy Ijebu,” reinforcing the importance of local patronage in sustaining businesses and creating economic opportunities within the community.
The organisers also highlighted the potential benefits of greater collaboration among local entrepreneurs, including increased business exposure, networking opportunities, customer patronage and the development of a stronger Ijebu economy.
With 500 vendors reportedly participating, the scale of the initiative underscores the significant number of young people actively engaged in commercial activities across Ijebu-Ode.
Beyond the publicity generated by the walk, the event also offers an important conversation about youth entrepreneurship and the future of local commerce.y The visible participation of young vendors demonstrates that many youths are already taking steps towards economic independence through small businesses and entrepreneurial ventures.However, the enthusiasm displayed on the streets also raises the need for sustained support for these emerging entrepreneurs through access to affordable finance, business training, digital marketing opportunities, improved infrastructure and favourable policies that can enable small businesses to survive and expand.
For Ijebu-Ode and the wider Ijebu community, the sight of hundreds of young people actively promoting their businesses presents a positive message: youth entrepreneurship is not only a means of personal livelihood but also a potential engine for community development. As the campaign’s message suggests, “One People, One Purpose, One Progress,” the success of local businesses ultimately depends on a collective commitment from entrepreneurs, consumers, community leaders, government and other stakeholders.
The Ijebu Business Awareness Walk has consequently provided a platform for young entrepreneurs to be seen, heard and recognised — while sending a strong message that supporting indigenous businesses can contribute significantly to building a more vibrant and sustainable local economy. OgunSpeaks Media Observation: The impressive youthful participation was one of the most noticeable features of the event. The presence of young vendors in large numbers suggests that Ijebu-Ode’s informal and emerging business sector has a significant youth component. This presents both an opportunity and a responsibility for stakeholders to create an environment where these young entrepreneurs can move from survival businesses to sustainable and scalable enterprises.
The Jadiara Royal House, a member of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House in Ijebu-Ode, has challenged a report by Ikokore Reporters which purportedly presented Bode Onanuga, Bimbo Onabanjo and Folu Aderibigbe as the three candidates for consultation for the vacant Awujale stool.
In a press statement dated August 10, 2026, and signed by Otunba Prince Akinola Odedina DBA, FCA, Oloriebi, Jadiara Royal House, the royal house described the publication as misleading and baseless.
The royal house maintained that Ikokore Reporters has no traditional, statutory or customary authority to determine candidates for the Awujale stool, stressing that the selection process must be conducted by the appropriate traditional and statutory institutions.
It also categorically rejected the reported three-candidate consensus, declaring that no such consensus exists.
According to the statement, only the ruling house, kingmakers and other relevant institutions can determine qualified aspirants in accordance with the customs and laws governing the Awujale succession.
The Jadiara Royal House further insisted that due process must be followed, saying all qualified aspirants should be assessed on the basis of tradition and law rather than through media campaigns.
It also rejected what it described as conspiracy allegations aimed at weakening the Awujale institution, urging those making such claims to provide evidence rather than rely on speculation.
The royal house called for fairness in media coverage of the succession process, particularly in the treatment of other aspirants. It cited the mention of Ademorin Kuye in what it described as a dismissive and denigrating manner, urging Ikokore Reporters to maintain a level playing field and avoid biased reporting.
It further appealed to journalists, bloggers and members of the public to depend on official communications and avoid circulating unverified reports that could cause unnecessary tension and division.
On the role of the Ogun State Government, the royal house urged the govern
