Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has urged transport unions and operators across the state to desist from arbitrary increases in transport fares, warning that excessive charges are worsening the financial burden on residents.

Abiodun made the appeal on Thursday at Ake, Abeokuta, while addressing members of nine transport unions who endorsed the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Solomon Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

The governor urged transport operators to prioritise the welfare of commuters and ensure that fares remained affordable, noting that the state government had invested significantly in road infrastructure and other transportation projects to support the growth of the sector.

He said his administration had constructed or reconstructed more than 1,700 kilometres of roads across Ogun State, built an airport and implemented a multimodal transport master plan aimed at improving transportation and creating an enabling environment for operators.

According to Abiodun, the investments were intended to benefit transport operators, commuters and the wider economy, making it necessary for unions to consider the financial circumstances of residents when determining fares.

“Now, I am asking you as your governor, having done all this for you, we not only expect you to make money from it, but also to use your sector for the benefit of our citizens.

Do not allow them to suffer. Do not increase transport prices arbitrarily,” he said.

The governor added that the government’s infrastructure projects had created opportunities for transport operators to generate revenue while contributing to economic development.

“We have reconstructed or constructed over 1,700 kilometres of roads across the length and breadth of this state. By doing so, we have created an enabling environment for your sector to not only thrive but to succeed.

“We are giving you the opportunity to generate revenue on behalf of government and also make something for yourself. We have even gone further. We have built the best airport in the history of this country. We have executed what we call our multimodal transport master plan. All for your benefit,” Abiodun said.

Nine Transport Unions Endorse Adeola
The endorsement ceremony brought together nine transport unions operating in Ogun State under the aegis of the Transport Unions Alliance for Yayi.

The unions include the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Ogun State Park Management Services Limited and Amalgamated Commercial Motorcycle Owners and Riders Association of Nigeria (ACOMORAN).

Others are the Articulated Motorcycle Owners and Riders Association of Nigeria, Riders and Owners of Motorcycle Organisation, Tricycle Owners and Riders Association of Nigeria, Three Wheelers Operators and Riders Association, and Riders and Owners of Tricycle Organisation.

Abiodun described the collective endorsement as unprecedented and historic, arguing that the unity displayed by the unions reflected political stability and continuity in the state.

“Today, we are standing here hand in hand in unity. We are all here. All the transport unions collectively and individually are here,” he said.

The governor said the development demonstrated the confidence of stakeholders in the direction of his administration, adding that political stability was important for economic growth and investor confidence.

“This is something unprecedented in the 50-year history of this beloved state. Stability. This speaks to continuity. This speaks to socio-economic development. This speaks to investor confidence because investors are looking at Ogun State and they are saying nothing will change,” he said.

Unions Cite Adeola’s Experience
Chairman of the planning committee and State Secretary of RTEAN, Aare Tiwalade Akingbade, said the endorsement marked the first time the transport unions had collectively declared support for a governorship candidate in the state.

“This is historical because this is the first time we are coming out to endorse a governorship candidate,” Akingbade said.

He explained that the unions’ decision was based on what they described as Adeola’s track record, competence and capacity to lead the state, rather than ethnic or sectional considerations.

According to him, the unions believe the APC candidate has the experience required to sustain the state’s development and build on the achievements of the current administration.

Akingbade said the theme of the gathering, Consolidation of Proven Capacity and Competence, reflected their assessment of Adeola’s suitability for the governorship.

“We know you are competent. We know you are capable. We know you can do it,” he said.

He added that the chairmen of all nine transport unions had signed the endorsement card presented to the APC candidate.

“On behalf of all the transport unions in the state, we are endorsing you today. And all nine transport union chairmen in the state have appended their signatures,” Akingbade said.

Adeola Promises Greater Development
Responding to the endorsement, Adeola thanked the unions for their support and pledged to sustain the development initiatives of the Abiodun administration if elected governor in 2027.

He said Ogun residents should expect further development under his leadership, promising to build on existing projects and pursue policies that would improve the state’s economic prospects.

“I can tell you that the people of Ogun State are about to witness the biggest development in the history of this state,” Adeola said.

He expressed confidence that his administration would take the state to greater heights, while criticising unnamed political opponents whom he accused of pursuing personal interests rather than the welfare of residents.

“We will continue to grow higher and higher and higher and higher. We can never relinquish this state to mediocre, to power grabbers, to people who only want to satisfy their personal gain. Ogun State deserves better,” he said.

The senator reiterated his appreciation to the transport unions, describing their endorsement as a demonstration of their preference for continuity in the state’s leadership.

ACOMORAN President Urges Focus on Transportation
Also speaking at the event, the National President of ACOMORAN, Alhaji Shamsudeen Apelogun, said the endorsement reflected the political awareness and economic significance of transport unions in Ogun State.

He described transport operators as important stakeholders whose organisational structures and numerical strength could influence political choices.

Apelogun said the unions had a responsibility to support candidates whose records and policies aligned with their expectations for the state’s development.

He also called for sustained government attention to roads and transportation, noting that an efficient transport system was essential to commercial activities and economic growth.

The ACOMORAN president, however, cautioned against allowing transport unions to become instruments of political division.

He urged union members to carefully assess the records, experience and antecedents of candidates seeking public office before deciding whom to support.

His remarks underscored the importance of evaluating political candidates on their performance and proposed policies, even as the unions formally declared their support for Adeola ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

The endorsement comes as political activities gather momentum ahead of the next general elections, with parties and aspirants seeking the backing of influential groups across Ogun State.

Beyond the political contest, Abiodun’s appeal against arbitrary transport fare increases highlights the continuing concern over the cost of transportation and its impact on residents’ daily expenses.

The governor’s challenge to transport unions is to ensure that the benefits of infrastructure investments translate into more affordable and accessible transportation for the people of Ogun State.

Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Yayale Ahmed, has urged the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to sustain efforts to improve service delivery and prioritise the welfare of Nigerian pilgrims ahead of the 2027 Hajj.

Ahmed made the call during a courtesy visit to the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NAHCON, Ismail Yusuf, at the Hajj House in Abuja.

The commission disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday by its Head of Information and Publications, Shafii Mohammed.

The former SGF commended the progress recorded by the commission under Yusuf’s leadership, particularly its commitment to improving the welfare of pilgrims and enhancing their overall experience during the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia.

According to the statement, Ahmed expressed satisfaction with the chairman’s agenda, noting that sustained attention to pilgrims’ needs was essential to improving the quality of Hajj operations.

He also acknowledged the importance of maintaining a strong focus on the welfare of Nigerian pilgrims as the commission continues efforts to strengthen Hajj administration and service delivery.

In response, Yusuf described Ahmed as an important stakeholder whose administrative experience, expertise and insights remained valuable to the development of the Hajj sector.

The NAHCON chairman expressed appreciation for the visit and thanked the former SGF for his continued guidance and interest in the well-being of Nigerian pilgrims.

Yusuf also assured Ahmed that the commission would continue to draw on the experience and advice of key stakeholders as it implements measures aimed at reforming Hajj administration and improving the quality of services provided to pilgrims.

He said NAHCON remained committed to practical reforms that would strengthen its operations and ensure that Nigerian pilgrims received better services throughout the pilgrimage process.

The call for improved services comes as preparations for the 2027 Hajj gather momentum, following an increase in Nigeria’s allocation by Saudi Arabia.

On October 1, 2026, Nigeria’s Hajj quota was increased from 50,000 to 60,000 pilgrims after the Saudi authorities approved an additional 10,000 slots for the country.

The development provides an opportunity for more Nigerian Muslims to participate in the annual pilgrimage, which is one of the fundamental religious obligations of Islam for Muslims who are physically and financially capable of undertaking it.

Reacting to the additional allocation, Yusuf said it reflected the longstanding cordial relationship between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia.

He assured that the additional slots would be managed transparently and in line with applicable regulations and operational requirements.

The increased quota also places renewed importance on effective planning, coordination and service delivery by the commission and other stakeholders involved in organising the pilgrimage.

As preparations continue, Ahmed’s appeal underscores the need for NAHCON to maintain its focus on pilgrims’ welfare while strengthening administrative processes to ensure a smooth and satisfactory Hajj experience for Nigerians in 2027.

VFD Group Plc has appointed Ijeoma Emezie-Ezigbo as its new Deputy Managing Director, effective October 5, 2026, as the investment company moves to strengthen its executive leadership and deepen its institutional governance structure.

The company announced the appointment in a statement on Wednesday, describing Emezie-Ezigbo as an experienced corporate finance and transaction advisory professional with more than two decades of experience across Nigeria, Canada and other African markets.

Prior to joining VFD Group, Emezie-Ezigbo served as Partner and Head of Transaction Services, West Africa, at KPMG Nigeria, where she was involved in transaction advisory and other strategic financial services.

Her professional career also includes senior positions at Stanbic IBTC Group, IBM Canada and Canadian Tire Corporation.

According to VFD Group, her extensive experience in corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, business valuation and strategic financial management will strengthen the organisation’s executive leadership as it continues to pursue long-term growth.

Commenting on the appointment, Group Managing Director of VFD Group, Nonso Okpala, said the creation of the Deputy Managing Director position was part of efforts to build a stronger institution with deeper governance and leadership capacity.

“The creation of the Deputy Managing Director role reflects our commitment to building VFD Group as an institution with the governance depth, leadership capacity and succession structures required for long-term sustainability,” Okpala said.

He added that the company’s objective was to develop an organisation whose strength would extend beyond individual executives through strong systems, capable leadership and a clearly defined institutional direction.

“ Ijeoma’s experience in transaction advisory, corporate finance and strategic management will bring valuable depth to our executive leadership as we continue to build for the future,” he said.

Emezie-Ezigbo holds a First-Class Honours degree in Business Administration, specialising in Marketing, from the University of Nigeria.

She also obtained a Master of Finance degree from Cass Business School in London and completed the Advanced Management Programme at Lagos Business School.

Her professional qualifications include Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, Associate Chartered Certified Accountant, Chartered Professional Accountant in Ontario, Canada, and Certified Valuation Analyst.

Speaking on her appointment, Emezie-Ezigbo said she was pleased to join VFD Group at a significant point in the company’s institutional development.

“I look forward to contributing my experience in corporate finance, transactions and strategic management to strengthening governance, supporting sound decision-making and creating sustainable long-term value across the Group,” she said.

Emezie-Ezigbo will work alongside Okpala and Executive Directors Folajimi Adeleye and Morenike Ominike as part of the Group’s executive leadership team.

The Board of Directors is chaired by Olatunde Busari, SAN.

The company said the appointment is consistent with its broader institutionalisation strategy, which focuses on strengthening governance, developing leadership capacity and creating a resilient organisation capable of achieving sustainable growth beyond any individual executive.

The move comes as VFD Group continues to position its leadership structure for long-term institutional growth, with succession planning and governance depth becoming central to the company’s strategic direction.