Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has inaugurated a residential care home for older adults established by veteran Nollywood actress, Sola Sobowale, in Ibadan, the state capital.

The facility, known as Joseph & Esther Homes, is located in the Akobo area of Ibadan and is designed to provide older adults with a safe, comfortable and supportive environment.

The inauguration ceremony, held on Tuesday, also featured the launch of Sobowale’s book, Built From the Break.

The event attracted several dignitaries and prominent Nollywood personalities, including veteran actors Adebayo Salami, Ibrahim Chatta, Femi Adebayo and filmmaker Kunle Afolayan.

The ceremony was also streamed live on Sobowale’s Instagram page, allowing her followers and admirers to participate virtually.

Joseph & Esther Homes is designed to enable older adults to maintain their independence while benefiting from professional care, assistance and a supportive living environment.

Operating under the tagline, “Live Well, Age Well, Thrive Together,” the facility describes itself as “A Place to Call Home”.

One of the notable moments at the event was an emotional tribute celebrating Sobowale’s vision, resilience and caring nature.

A video from the ceremony showed the actress becoming emotional during the tribute, with her daughter seen consoling her.

The establishment of Joseph & Esther Homes adds to Sobowale’s activities beyond the entertainment industry, as the veteran actress ventures into providing residential care and support for older adults.

The Oyo State Road Traffic Management Authority (OYRTMA) has launched its 2026 ember months road safety campaign, targeting zero road fatalities through intensified enforcement, public enlightenment and improved emergency response during the festive season.

The campaign, themed “Safe Road, Safe Life: Drive Responsibly,” was unveiled by the OYRTMA Chairman, Maj. Adekoya Adesagba (retd.), during a media briefing at the state Secretariat in Ibadan on Thursday.

Adesagba said the initiative would focus on five strategic areas: advocacy, enforcement, emergency response, inter-agency collaboration, and monitoring and evaluation.

He explained that the agency would intensify enforcement activities and strengthen emergency response mechanisms through improved collaboration with relevant agencies, alongside a more effective referral and monitoring system.

The chairman identified over-speeding, driving against traffic, drunk driving, overloading and the use of mobile phones while driving as major causes of road crashes during the ember months.

According to him, these dangerous driving practices often contribute to the seasonal increase in road traffic accidents, making stricter compliance with traffic regulations essential to protecting lives.

Adesagba also disclosed that OYRTMA would engage religious leaders across the state to promote road safety, with awareness messages incorporated into sermons and other activities in places of worship.

He announced that the statewide campaign would commence on Monday, November 2, 2026, with a road walk and continue until January 2027 through sustained sensitisation and public enlightenment programmes.

The chairman said extending the campaign beyond the festive season was necessary because of the volume of return traffic passing through Oyo State, particularly from northern parts of the country.

He added that the agency would collaborate with the Park Management System, the Nigeria Police Force, Vehicle Inspection Officers and other law enforcement agencies to coordinate traffic management and improve road safety during the period.

As part of efforts to strengthen emergency response, Adesagba announced the activation of the state’s emergency traffic lines, 615 and 0912 888 8878.

He urged residents and other road users to use the numbers to report traffic emergencies, road obstructions and related incidents requiring urgent attention.

The OYRTMA chairman called on commercial drivers, private motorists and other road users to take responsibility for their safety and that of other road users by obeying traffic regulations and avoiding risky driving practices.

He also urged relevant stakeholders to work together to ensure that the ember months were characterised by safe journeys and peaceful festive celebrations rather than preventable road crashes and fatalities.

Speaking on behalf of the state chairman of the Park Management System, the deputy chairman, Jimoh Tajudeen, urged motorists, transport operators and passengers to support the initiative by complying with traffic regulations and adopting safe road practices.

Tajudeen stressed that collective commitment to traffic rules and safety measures was essential to reducing road crashes and ensuring safer journeys during the festive period.

The ember months, traditionally associated with increased travel towards the end of the year, often witness heavier traffic as Nigerians travel to reunite with family members and participate in festive activities.

The increase in vehicular movement during the period makes responsible driving, regular vehicle maintenance and strict compliance with traffic regulations critica

l to preventing road crashes and loss of life.
Through the campaign, OYRTMA is seeking to strengthen public awareness, improve traffic enforcement and encourage safer driving habits across Oyo State as residents prepare for the festive season.

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting entrepreneurs and private sector investment, declaring that natural resources alone cannot guarantee economic prosperity without innovation, skills, knowledge and increased production.

Makinde stated this on Wednesday at the 10th anniversary celebration and commissioning of the global headquarters of CapitalSage Holdings in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

The governor’s position was contained in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media, Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, and made available to journalists in Ibadan.

He congratulated the management of CapitalSage Holdings on its growth into a diversified business conglomerate, describing the establishment of its global headquarters in Ibadan as a significant milestone for the state’s investment and economic development drive.

According to Makinde, Nigeria’s abundant natural resources must be complemented by entrepreneurial initiatives, risk-taking, innovation and investment to translate the country’s economic potential into sustainable prosperity.

“Nigeria is a wealthy country in terms of natural resources, but natural resources alone cannot lead to economic prosperity.

Prosperity must be driven by entrepreneurship, skills, knowledge and intensive production,” he said.

The governor stressed that the government had a responsibility to create an enabling environment for businesses to operate, expand and contribute to economic growth.

He assured investors that his administration would continue to support private enterprises through improved security, investment facilitation, infrastructure development and other legitimate interventions aimed at promoting business expansion.

Makinde also said his administration had worked to ensure that economic activities could continue beyond traditional working hours by providing the infrastructure, stability and security required for businesses to thrive.

He described the commissioning of CapitalSage Holdings’ headquarters as evidence that Ibadan could accommodate major business organisations and compete with Lagos in attracting investments.

“For many years, people viewed Oyo State as playing second fiddle to Lagos in terms of business and investment. Today, we are proving that Oyo State can stand shoulder to shoulder with any state in the federation in attracting investment and supporting enterprise,” he said.

Makinde reiterated his administration’s readiness to partner with CapitalSage Holdings and other investors, particularly businesses that create employment opportunities, strengthen local industries and contribute to the state’s economy.

He cited the brown sugar and sorbitol factories among industrial projects that had received government support because of their contributions to employment generation and economic development.

The governor said CapitalSage Holdings would receive similar support, adding that his administration remained committed to policies that encourage businesses to establish, grow and expand within the state.

“This occasion is particularly significant because CapitalSage is demonstrating that Ibadan can host the headquarters of major business organisations,” he said.

Makinde congratulated the company on its 10th anniversary, expressing optimism that it would record greater achievements in the coming years.

CapitalSage Commends Oyo Government
In his welcome address, the Founder and Group Managing Director of CapitalSage Holdings, John Alamu, commended the Makinde.

administration for providing an environment that enabled the company to grow from a small enterprise in Oyo State into a diversified business conglomerate headquartered in Ibadan.

Alamu reaffirmed the group’s commitment to building stronger businesses, developing its workforce, deepening strategic partnerships and delivering greater value to its customers.

CapitalSage Holdings has grown into a conglomerate comprising about 20 companies, according to the governor, with its global headquarters expected to further strengthen Ibadan’s profile as a business and investment destination.

The anniversary celebration and commissioning attracted traditional rulers, financial partners, local and international investors, and other prominent figures in the business community.

Among those present were the Olubadan of Ibadanland and former Oyo State governor, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja; the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi; the Soun of Ogbomosoland, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye; and the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi.

Members of the Oyo State Government delegation included the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Musibau Babatunde; Deputy Chief of Staff, Kazeem Adeniyi; Commissioner for Investment, Trade, Cooperatives and Industry, Prof. Salihu Adelabu; and Director-General of the Oyo State Investment and Public-Private Partnership Agency, Tilewa Folami.

Other officials at the event included commissioners, local government representatives, the Babaloja-General of Oyo State, Yekini Abass, and other government functionaries.

The state government said its continued engagement with private investors formed part of its broader strategy to expand economic opportunities, attract businesses and promote employment generation across Oyo State.