I now have three wives after adding another, says Kano mass wedding beneficiary

A beneficiary of the Kano State Government-sponsored mass wedding, Dantani Aruba, has expressed happiness after taking another wife under the initiative.

Aruba, who spoke during the mass wedding ceremony on Saturday, said the initiative had allowed him to expand his family without bearing the financial burden usually associated with marriage.

In a now-trending video recorded by NewsCentralTV on Monday, he said, “I just married another wife, and I am happy that I have married another one. My wives are now three.”

Aruba was among the beneficiaries who tied the knot at the mass wedding organised by the Kano State Government as part of its intervention to assist people who may be unable to afford the cost of marriage.

The PUNCH reports that the state government under the leadership of Governor Yusuf Abba sponsored the wedding of 1,500 couples at a cost of N1.5bn.

The programme, coordinated by the Kano State Hisbah Board, targets people from low-income backgrounds, including widows, widowers, divorcees, spinsters and bachelors.

The government had earlier said the funds would cover dowry, empowerment support and household items for the beneficiaries.

According to the state government, each couple is entitled to support including dowry, furniture, food items and other materials to help them establish their homes.

The programme, popularly known as Auren Gata, was introduced in Kano in 2012 by the then Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, when 100 couples, mainly widows and divorcees, were married at the palace.

The Initiative has continued under successive administrations, with the number of beneficiaries increasing over the years in response to growing demand.

The 2026 edition also accommodated beneficiaries in polygamous marriages, in line with Islamic practice.

Hon. Odidiomo Olajide Joins Dignitaries as Makinde Commissions Reconstructed Bodija Market Road, Car Park and Ultra-Modern Commercial Complex

Hon. Odidiomo Olajide was present at the commissioning of the newly reconstructed Bodija Market Road, car park, and ultra-modern commercial complex in the heart of Ibadan North Local Government Area, Oyo State.

The landmark project, commissioned by His Excellency, Engr. Seyi Makinde, also features newly constructed shops, a fire station, and the newly completed 2-kilometre Bodija Market–Iyana Express Road.

The development represents a significant investment in infrastructure, commerce, mobility, and public safety. It is expected to create a more conducive environment for traders, businesses, residents, and visitors while boosting economic activities within Ibadan North and beyond.

Hon. Odidiomo Olajide congratulated the leadership and good people of Ibadan North on this remarkable milestone, while commending the Oyo State Government for its continued commitment to projects that promote sustainable development and improve the quality of life of residents.

The newly completed facilities are more than physical structures; they represent opportunities for economic growth, improved livelihoods, better transportation, and a safer environment for the people.

May this laudable project continue to serve the people of Ibadan North and Oyo State, stimulate greater commercial activities, and contribute meaningfully to the growth and prosperity of our dear state.

A new chapter for Bodija. A stronger Ibadan North. A greater Oyo State.

Hon. Ramata Agberemi Dabo (RAD) Surprises BAM Media Team With Heartwarming Visit and Thoughtful Gifts

Hon. Ramata Agberemi Dabo (RAD), Director of the Women’s Wing, Oyo State APM Campaign Council, paid a surprise visit to the BAM Media team, turning an ordinary work session into a memorable and inspiring moment.

The respected political and community-focused leader visited the BAM Media team to appreciate their dedication, creativity and commitment to the important role of media in connecting people, sharing information and amplifying impactful activities across Oyo State.

During the visit, RAD presented thoughtful gifts to members of the BAM Media team as a gesture of appreciation and encouragement for their efforts.

The unexpected gesture was warmly received by the team, who expressed their gratitude for the visit and the kind-hearted gesture. The moment further strengthened the relationship between Hon. Ramata Agberemi Dabo and the BAM Media team.

Known popularly as RAD, Hon. Ramata Agberemi Dabo has continued to demonstrate her commitment to grassroots engagement and community development through her political and social activities across Oyo State.

Her surprise visit to BAM Media also reflects the importance of recognising the people working behind the scenes to tell stories, promote initiatives and keep the public informed.

The BAM Media team appreciates Hon. Ramata Agberemi Dabo for the thoughtful visit, generous gifts and words of encouragement. The team looks forward to more meaningful engagements and collaborations in the future.

A surprise visit. A thoughtful gesture. A stronger bond. BAM Media appreciates RAD!

RAD Engages BAM Media Team at Strategic Workshop, Highlights Power of Media in Grassroots Mobilisation

Hon. Ramata Agberemi Dabo (RAD), Director of the Women’s Wing, Oyo State APM Campaign Council, has engaged with members of the BAM Media team at a strategic media workshop focused on strengthening communication, digital engagement and effective grassroots mobilisation.

The workshop provided an opportunity for Hon. Ramata Agberemi Dabo and the BAM Media team to share ideas on the growing importance of media in modern political communication, particularly in reaching young people, women and grassroots communities across Oyo State.

Known popularly as RAD, Hon. Ramata Agberemi Dabo is recognised for her political involvement and community-engagement activities in Oyo State. Her grassroots-oriented approach and commitment to community interventions have continued to attract attention within the political space.

During the engagement with the BAM Media team, discussions centred on the importance of strategic storytelling, responsible digital communication, social media visibility and the need for effective media structures capable of communicating activities and messages to a wider audience.

The workshop also highlighted how media practitioners and political stakeholders can work together to promote constructive engagement, amplify community-focused initiatives and ensure that information reaches the people in a clear, timely and impactful manner.

For BAM Media, the engagement with RAD represents another step towards building stronger professional relationships and improving the capacity of its media team to deliver quality digital content, public communication and grassroots-focused media campaigns.

The session ended on a positive note, with renewed emphasis on teamwork, professionalism, creativity and the strategic use of media to connect leadership with the people.

BAM Media remains committed to developing a strong and effective media team capable of telling impactful stories, promoting positive engagement and using digital platforms to connect with audiences across Oyo State and beyond.

Oyo Govt To Roll Out 50 Electric Buses As H1 2026 Revenue Hits ₦406.9bn

Oyo State generated ₦406.9 billion in recurrent revenue in the first half of 2026, representing 91.2 per cent of its target for the period, just as it expended ₦345.7 billion, which is 77.5 per cent of its expenditure target for the first six months of the year.

The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Musibau Babatunde, disclosed this in Ibadan while presenting the 2026 Half-Year Budget Implementation Report on Revenue and Expenditure to stakeholders at the Local Government Staff Training School, Secretariat, Agodi.

Prof. Babatunde also announced that the government will soon take delivery of 50 electric buses to improve public transportation and reduce commuting costs for residents.

He explained that the budget performance review across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies was aimed at assessing revenue generation and expenditure, while identifying areas requiring greater government attention.

He added that the review also covered projects nominated by residents during town hall meetings, noting that while some projects have commenced, others will begin before year-end.

Responding to a question on the higher budget allocation to infrastructure and education, Prof. Babatunde emphasized that projects in other sectors often overlap with these major sectors, making the allocation necessary.

He said, “The review is to track the 2026 budget, to measure achievements in revenue and expenditure, and to explore ways of improving Oyo State’s fiscal sustainability. This will enable the government to channel more resources into sectors that need greater support, ensuring better budget performance.”

He further noted: “As part of Governor Seyi Makinde’s promises during the state’s 50th anniversary celebration, Oyo will soon take delivery of 50 electric buses. These will be distributed across local government areas, while others will serve inter-city and intra-city routes, helping to reduce transportation costs.”

In his opening remarks, Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Barr. Ayobami Ojo, attributed the strong budget performance to prudent financial management, improved revenue mobilization, and the dedication of public servants. He highlighted that the 2026 budget was developed through a participatory process guided by global best practices.

Ojo commended Governor Makinde for supporting institutional reforms that have positioned Oyo as one of Nigeria’s leading sub-national governments in transparency and accountable financial management. He stressed that the budget performance presentation reflects the Governor’s commitment to keeping citizens informed on how public resources are mobilized and spent.