Before the campaign for the 2007 presidential election, Mrs. Atiku gave me aso ebi for her mother’s burial and asked me to deliver it to Baba Adedibu. When I got to his house, Baba looked at me and said, “Wole, Wole, Wole, how many times did I call you?” I replied respectfully, “Three times, sir.” He then said, “Go and tell Atiku that my heart is for Atiku, but my face is for Obasanjo.”
At that time, I did not fully understand the meaning of that statement until many years later, when I read Senator Babafemi Ojudu’s rejoinder to the book written by Mr. Omole on Muhammadu Buhari’s selfless service to the nation. If it is true that Buhari supported Osinbajo’s candidacy before the election, then what Baba Adedibu told me in 2006 is nothing but the law of politics. We must borrow a leaf from it and understand the game clearly.
In politics, you only see my face; you do not know what is truly in my mind. The late Alaafin of Oyo once had a special prayer for politicians: “Bá a ṣe ń fẹ́ bẹ́ẹ̀ lọ́lọ́run má jẹ́ kó rí.” (The way we want it shall come to pass.) Everyone would say “Amen” without knowing what Kabiyesi truly had in mind. That is politics for you—deep, strategic, and often deceptive. Politics is not your mate; if you joke with it, it will humble you.
Mogaji Wole Arisekola, Publisher of the Streetjournal Newspaper, writes from Ibadan.
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Gov. Abiodun Approves Career Advancement For Graduate Primary School Teachers
Gov. Abiodun Approves Career Advancement For Graduate Primary School Teachers
Ndubuisi Ugah December 18, 2025 1 minute read
Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has approved the career progression of Graduate Primary School Teachers (Tutor Cadre) from GL.16 to GL.17.
The decision was announced in a statement signed by the State Head of Service, Mr. Kehinde Onasanya.
The move aims to address career stagnation, boost motivation, and enhance service delivery within the primary education system. In addition, the governor approved a consolidated salary structure for Head-Teacher General, effectively upgrading their status.
Onasanya noted that the policy follows a review of existing career progression frameworks and is designed to improve learning outcomes.
The State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) has been directed to implement the policy immediately.
This initiative aligns with the ISEYA pillar of the administration, reinforcing Ogun State’s commitment to strengthening its education sector and supporting teachers’ professional growth.