Mudashir Hussain Joins Osun Guber RaceSenator Mudashir Hussein Remember him? Mudashir Hussain, who was at different times a member of the House of Representatives and the Senate has joined the 2026 Osun State gubernatorial race. The former federal lawmaker represented Oshodi/Isolo Federal Constituency, Lagos State between 1999 and 2007, and Osun Central senatorial district from June 2011 to May 2015. He launched his gubernatorial bid in Osogbo penultimate week. He met with members of the State Working Committee of APC and other stakeholders in the party at the state secretariat, Osogbo, during which he asserted that he has the needed experience to handle governorship duties and responsibilities. ‘In terms of experience, I swear to the Almighty God, I have what it takes to govern this state. As a member of the House of Representatives in Lagos State for eight years and a member of the Senate for four years, and having served as a Federal Commissioner and acting Secretary to the State Government in Osun State, what else do you want as governor? If it’s experience, I have it. APC is rooted in the country and in Osun, so, there’s nothing to fear. We are taking over the government of Osun State in 2026. I am confident that I am going to govern this state’, he said. Kwara Health Insurance Scheme Now Has Over 100,000 Enrollees Dr. Olubunmi Jetawo-Winter Executive Secretary, Kwara State Health Insurance Agency (KW-HIA), Dr Olubunmi Jetawo-Winter disclosed penultimate week that more than 100,000 residents of the state have enrolled in the health insurance scheme. The beneficiaries of the scheme cut across students, people in the informal sector, persons living with disabilities, and private organizations, among other categories. At an engagement the agency organized in collaboration with the European Union (EU-SARAH Initiative) in Ijomu Oro, in Irepodun Local Government, Dr Jetawo-Winter said Kwara continues to witness donor support in the health sector under Governor Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq because of the government’s investments in the sector. ‘Today, we have more than 100,000 beneficiaries enjoying health (insurance) in the state, starting from students in our tertiary institutions, the informal sector, private organizations, with all civil servants and their families joining it very soon. In the last few years, Kwara has continued to witness unprecedented donor support in our health sector to serve different population segments such as under-5 children, young women and pregnant mothers, the physically challenged, those living with different diseases like HIV, tuberculosis, and many more. One of such support is the EU-SARAH initiative, being powered by the European Union with technical assistance from UNICEF and UNFPA. The accomplishments of the Kwara State Health Insurance Agency and the scheme under this administration have made Kwara State more attractive to the support from international donor organizations’, she said. The team had a week earlier interacted with the people of Afon, Reke, and Aboto-oja communities in Asa Local Government on the need to enroll in the scheme. ‘This target population is the future of any society, but often times neglected or forgotten. So, it is a deliberate attempt to crush infant, neonatal and maternal deaths in our dear state’, she said. She explained that 15,000 out of the target population – supported through EU-SARAH Initiative – will get free access to quality healthcare services for the next few years at healthcare facilities close to where they live. Dr Jetawo-Winter commended AbdulRazaq’s commitment to the infrastructural development and manpower of medical facilities, adding: ‘From primary healthcare centres to tertiary hospitals, our Governor is intentional about the health and safety of the citizens’. The event was attended by dignitaries, including Hon Shola Odetundun; Oloriewe Raheem Adedoyin; Barrister Teju Oguntoye; Hon. Olabode Adekanye; Prince Samuel Alebiosu; APC Chairperson in Irepodun, Hajia Rasheedat Kareem; General Manager, The Herald Newspapers, Mr Yomi Adeboye; and President, Kwara South Youth Organisation, Abolarin Dan-Sarafa. Oloro of Oro Kingdom, Oba Joel Olaniyi Oyatoye Titiloye ll, was represented at the event by Eesa of Oro, High Chief Samuel Taiye, while Baale Ijomu Oro, High Chief Matthew Taiye Ademola and High Samuel Oguniyi were also present. Hon Odetundun and Barrister Oguntoye, in their separate remarks appreciated the impressive turnout of the people of the communities at the sensitisation, urging them to take advantage of the health insurance scheme. Oba Titiloye appealed to the people of the community to embrace the programme which offers health care services at an affordable cost. He commended the Governor’s passionate drive for development, particularly in health sector, asking all citizens to continue to support the government. Oloriewe Raheem lauded AbdulRazaq for various developmental initiatives across all key sectors. While imploring people to enroll in the programme, Oloriewe said the partnership of EU-SARAH with the state health insurance agency was in recognition of the government’s huge investment in the health sector. Gbenga Hashim Some politicians in the country are feeling agitated and uncomfortable because a prominent politician in the country, who is a PDP presidential aspirant, Dr Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim has had his popularity growing by the day. Southwest Coordinator of the Gbenga Hashim Solidarity Movement (GHSM), Alhaji Abass Olaniyi asserted that the former PDP Deputy National Publicity Secretary, who was the People’s Trust presidential candidate in the 2019 presidential election has continued to gain supporters and admirers which has made some politicians to resort to manipulation and mischief. ‘His name is on the lips of the people and the joke now making the rounds is that he could easily win a governorship race in Osun, with the mischief makers even inventing a fake hometown for him. Dr. Hashim is the face of ideological politics in Nigeria. The PDP family in Osun stands firmly with him, and together with Governor Ademola Adeleke, he will help to rescue Nigeria in 2027. The enemies of PDP, who polluted social media with fraudulent claims to sow confusion have only achieved the opposite. Their lies have strengthened our unity and projected Dr. Hashim across the Southwest, raising his profile ‘to high heaven’. Today, thousands of Nigerians carry out online search about Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim and they have been discovering the impressive record of a man of courage, principle and vision. This is a clear sign that the hand of God is upon him. Nothing can stop destiny. What the detractors meant for evil has only amplified his message and positioned him as the credible alternative Nigeria has been waiting for. With the PDP united, and the people’s will behind him, Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim is divinely backed to become the President of Nigeria in 2027’ he said. Gov Ademola Adeleke The Governor Ademola Adeleke administration has done it again! The governor penultimate week expanded his administration’s business empowerment scheme by making start-up grants available to 2,000 new beneficiaries including women and the young people. ‘We are gathered here for the presentation of Business Registration Certificates, Point-of-Sale Terminals (POS), and Start-Up Grants to 2,000 women and young people who are beneficiaries of the Imole Business Empowerment Scheme 1.0, organized by the Ministry of Cooperatives and Empowerment in partnership with First Bank Plc and Fidelity Bank Plc’. In January 2024, Osun State held its First Cooperative Summit and Awards, the first of its kind in the history of our state. It was at that maiden Summit that I announced a ₦1 Billion Cooperative Revolving Loan, which, in response to the growing needs of our people was later reviewed upward to ₦3.450 Billion. Out of this, ₦1.6 Billion Naira has already been released to beneficiaries across the state. Through the Cooperative Revolving Disbursement Programme, we have implemented two phases. Ward-Based Cooperatives Initiatives, expanded from 332 to 401 wards, with 389 wards fully benefitting. So far, ₦736,050,000 interest-free loans have been disbursed at the grassroots level, directly impacting over 20,000 households. Conventional Cooperative Unions and Societies under the umbrella of FOSCOOP received ₦800,000,000, reaching over 250 cooperative unions and societies, with 10,233 individual cooperators benefitting. We also extended our reach to Osun indigenes outside the state, disbursing ₦50,000,000 to beneficiaries in Abuja and Northern Nigeria. Together, these interventions bring our total Cooperative Revolving Loan Disbursement to ₦1,586,000,000.00. In September 2024, we flagged off the New Working Capital of the MSMEDF Programme, laying the foundation for the Ultra-Modern Office Complex of Osun Micro Credit Agency, and disbursed ₦250 million MSMEDF cheques to prospective loan applicants. In May 2025, the Ministry, in collaboration with Fidelity Bank, organized a Food Bank Initiative where over 3,000 residents received free foodstuffs to cushion hardship. We are also upgrading the Sen. Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke College of Cooperative Studies, Ode-Omu to become a Uniosun campus for cooperative and management studies, starting academic activities in September 2025 with approved programmes in Taxation, Transport Management, Development Studies and others. Our administration has empowered people living with disabilities, in partnership with Project Enable Africa, while also rehabilitating and upgrading structures at the Cooperative College in Ode-Omu’, the governor submitted while giving his speech during the presentation ceremony. Governor Adeleke also said that the Imole Business Empowerment Scheme 1.0 marks a turning point and 2,000 women and youths across the 30 Local Governments and the Area Office in the state will be the beneficiaries. ‘Each beneficiary will walk away today with: CAC Business Registration Certificate; POS Terminal, and a Start-Up Grant, to immediately begin their journey into entrepreneurship and financial independence. Beyond the handover of tools and funds, this scheme is built on capacity building and training, so that our beneficiaries can grow and expand their businesses sustainably. This initiative is not just about today; it is about building the future of Osun State. It is about equipping our people with the skills, opportunities and support to thrive. By focusing on women and youth, we are investing in the most productive segment of our society’, he added. Prof. Raheem Adaramaja Professor Shehu Raheem Adaramaja, who is the Executive Chairman of the Kwara State Universal Basic Education Board (KWSUBEB) is giving back to society and the annual summer lessons organized by his Foundation came to an end penultimate week. The Professor Adaramaja Education Foundation organized the summers lesson for pupils and students in Asa local government. It was the 2025 edition and, the 5th edition, it was held at L.G.E.A. Primary School, Otte Oja, Asa Local Government, Kwara State. Pupils across different levels of basic education who attended the summer lessons had ‘academic engagement’ during the long vacation while scholarships were awarded to the best-performing pupils in each class category during the closing ceremony. The Foundation has also paid the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) fees for outstanding students in this year’s edition. ‘It is part of the ongoing efforts by Professor Adaramaja to promote access to quality education and to support parents in meeting the educational needs of their children. Prof. Adaramaja whose contribution to the development of basic education in Kwara State has been acknowledged by everyone, has also over the years championed several interventions, including school rehabilitation, teacher training and scholarship support for indigent pupils. Community leaders, parents and beneficiaries who attended the event commended the Foundation for sustaining the annual summer lessons and for providing direct incentives to encourage academic excellence. The occasion also offered an opportunity for commendation of the broader leadership in the state. Speakers at the event did not fail to appreciate the enabling environment provided by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, who they hailed as a leader who has given his lieutenants the needed support to deliver. Professor Adaramaja, they noted, ‘is a reflection of the governor’s vision for a knowledge-driven, inclusive Kwara’. ‘In a society where many children risk being left behind due to economic challenges, the Prof. Adaramaja Education Foundation has come up with community-driven interventions that can change destinies. Year after year, it demonstrates that education is not merely a classroom experience, but a shared responsibility — one that requires the combined will of government, leaders, and communities. As the sun set on the 2025 edition of the Summer Lessons, one message rang clear from Otte-Oja: education remains the surest path to empowerment and when leaders rise to the occasion, communities flourish’, the Foundation submitted.
