Young, Bold & Leading: Olatide Dieter Interviews Oyo's Youngest LG Chairman

Youngest-Ever Chairman Ibadan North Local Government LGA, Hon. Olufade Oluwaseun, has made a remarkable impact, transforming Ibadan North Local Government communities with bold strides in infrastructure. In this interview with Olatide Dieter

At the ongoing Ibadan North Local Government Thank You Tour, our young interviewer, Olatide Dieter, had another remarkable opportunity to sit down with one of Oyo State’s emerging young leaders, Hon. Olufade Oluwaseun, the Chairman of Ibadan North Local Government and widely recognized as one of the youngest local government chairmen in Oyo State.

What began as a chance encounter quickly became an inspiring conversation.

With confidence, respect, and genuine curiosity, 9-year-old Olatide asked thoughtful questions that went beyond politics, focusing instead on leadership, values, childhood dreams, and the importance of inspiring the next generation.

Hon. Olufade responded with warmth, humility, and sincerity, making the interaction both engaging and memorable. His willingness to pause during a busy public event to encourage a young interviewer reflects the kind of leadership that values the voices of children and believes in investing in the future.

This interview is another reminder that meaningful conversations know no age. When children are encouraged to ask questions, they gain confidence, develop critical thinking, and learn that their voices matter.

As Olatide continues his journey of interviewing leaders from different walks of life, each conversation becomes more than an interview—it becomes a bridge between today’s leaders and tomorrow’s generation.

One interview at a time, a young voice is inspiring meaningful conversations.

Stay tuned for the full interview with Hon. Olufade Oluwaseun.

Moroccan doctor, Arab trainer discovered among Boko Haram fighters in Borno

 Troops of 19 Brigade, Sector 3, Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), have foiled an attempted infiltration by ISWAP terrorists into Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State.

Acting Media Information Officer of the Operation, Captain Mohammed Goni in a press statement on Sunday, said the attack was coordinated by four senior ISWAP commanders (Qai’ds), alongside three foreign terrorist facilitators.

He said alert troops detected the movement early and responded with coordinated firepower, inflicting heavy casualties on the attackers and forcing them to abandon the operation.

During a follow-up exploitation of the area, troops recovered a Sony camcorder from a slain ISWAP cameraman alongside ammunition, terrorist uniforms and other combat equipment.

According to him, preliminary analysis of the video recordings found on the device revealed that the failed operation involved four senior ISWAP commanders and three foreign facilitators.

The foreign nationals were identified as a Palestinian, Abu Ishaq, believed to be the group’s chief trainer, a Moroccan identified as Abu Thaiba, who reportedly serves as a medical doctor within the terrorist network, and another Arab operative whose identity has yet to be established.

The military said the discovery further supports intelligence that ISWAP continues to receive foreign expertise and external support.

It also noted that the terrorists’ attempt to seize medical supplies appeared to corroborate recent intelligence reports of a cholera outbreak in insurgent camps.

“The attackers include a Palestinian Arab identified as Abu Ishaq, assessed to be ISWAP’s overall trainer; a Moroccan Arab identified as Abu Thaiba, a medical doctor serving within the terrorist network; and another Arab operative whose identity is yet to be established.

“The presence and active involvement of these foreign nationals further reinforces intelligence assessments that ISWAP continues to benefit from external support, specialist expertise and transnational terrorist linkages,” Goni stated.

“Following the successful engagement, troops immediately dominated the area and conducted exploitation operations to ascertain the full extent of the terrorists’ losses.

“During the operation, troops recovered the Sony camcorder, several rounds of PKT and 7.62 mm Special ammunition, terrorist uniforms and other combat enablers. Initial analysis of post-engagement satellite imagery revealed terrorists evacuating the bodies of some of their neutralised fighters during their withdrawal.

“This has since been corroborated by credible human intelligence sources, which confirmed that the terrorists suffered heavy casualties, with many others sustaining gunshot wounds during the engagement.

“Two soldiers sustained gunshot wounds during the firefight and were promptly evacuated by air for advanced medical care. Both personnel remain in stable condition.

“The failed infiltration attempt represents yet another significant operational setback for ISWAP and caps a costly weekend for the terrorist group following sustained offensive operations and intensified military pressure across the North East Theatre.

“The outcome underscores the increasing difficulty the terrorists face in executing coordinated attacks against highly alert and combat-ready troops, while further degrading their combat capability, morale and freedom of action” he said.

He said the successful defence of the location further demonstrates the vigilance, combat readiness and operational effectiveness of troops who continue to deny terrorist elements freedom of action across the North East Theatre.

He noted that Operation HADIN KAI remains resolute in sustaining offensive operations, protecting vulnerable communities and dismantling terrorist networks until lasting peace and security are fully restored across the North East.

NUT Raises Alarm Over Abduction of Headmaster in Oyo, Calls for his Swift Rescue

The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Oyo State Wing, has raised concern over the abduction of a primary school headmaster in Itesiwaju Local Government Area of the state.

The union disclosed that Mr. M.K. Owoade, the Headmaster of Nomadic Basic School, Ogodu, Igbojaye, was reportedly kidnapped on his farmland on Saturday 11th July, 2026 at around 5pm.

This was contained in a statement jointly signed by the State Chairman of the NUT, Comrade Hassan Ajibola Fatai, and the State Secretary, Comrade Salami Olukayode.

According to the statement, the incident was brought to the attention of the state leadership by the NUT Itesiwaju Local Government branch through an urgent notice issued to its members.

The union described the development as disturbing and another reminder of the growing security challenges facing teachers and education workers across the country.

The NUT leadership called on government, security agencies, and relevant authorities to intensify efforts towards securing the immediate rescue of the abducted headmaster and ensuring the safety of teachers and all citizens within the communities and their workplaces.

While expressing solidarity with the family, colleagues, and pupils of the victim, the union prayed for his safe return and urged members to remain vigilant.

The union prayed that God would protect citizens from insecurity and grant the abducted headmaster a quick and safe return.

Oyo school abduction happened hours after my presidential declaration — Makinde

 Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has said the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area occurred just hours after he declared his intention to contest the 2027 presidential election, describing the timing as unprecedented during his administration.

Makinde made the remark on Friday while addressing a meeting with Bala Mohammed and leaders of the Allied Peoples Movement in Bauchi. He recalled that Oyo State had not experienced a similar incident in the seven years he had been in office before the May 15 attack.

“For seven years, we didn’t witness anything like this in Oyo State. I declared to run for the presidency of Nigeria at four o’clock, and by 9 a.m. the following morning, the children were abducted,” Makinde said.

Hours after the governor’s remarks, the Presidency announced the rescue of all the abducted pupils and teachers after 56 days in captivity.

According to the Presidency, the victims were freed during a joint operation involving the military, the Department of State Services (DSS) and the police. Eight suspected kidnappers were arrested and are currently in DSS custody, while several others were neutralised during the operation.

The Presidency also disclosed that the victims were rescued without any negotiation or prisoner exchange, despite the kidnappers’ demand for the release of one of their detained leaders who is currently facing prosecution.

Reacting to the development, Makinde expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the military, the police, the DSS and other security agencies for securing the release of the victims.

He described the successful operation as a major relief for the affected families and the people of Oyo State, saying it ended weeks of anxiety following the abduction of pupils and teachers from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area.

President Tinubu also commended the security agencies for rescuing the victims without collateral damage and directed relevant emergency agencies to work with the Oyo State Government to provide medical care and other support for the rescued pupils and teachers.

Makinde formally declared his presidential ambition on May 14 at a joint rally of the Peoples Democratic Party and the Allied Peoples Movement in Ibadan, where he pledged to “reset Nigeria.” He later emerged as the Allied Peoples Movement’s presidential candidate after being adopted as the party’s consensus candidate.

JUST IN: Kidnapped Pupils, Teachers in Orire Regain Freedom

The abducted pupils and teachers in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State have regained their freedom.

The was disclosed in a video shared by by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga on Friday.

According to the Onanuga, the victims were released by their abductors.

“Finally, the kidnapped pupils and teachers in Orire, Oyo have been freed by their abductors,” he wrote.

Details later.