By Popoola Jamiu, Abeokuta
The Ogun State Government has expressed confidence in the performance of candidates participating in the ongoing 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), warned residents against indiscriminate waste disposal, and intensified efforts to enforce tax compliance among companies operating in the Ogun Guangdong Free Trade Zone.
Commissioner Confident of Excellent WASSCE Performance
The Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu, has expressed optimism that candidates from public schools in Ogun State will record outstanding results in the 2026 WASSCE.
Prof. Arigbabu stated this while monitoring the Civic Education examination in schools across the Egba axis of the state. He attributed his confidence to the government’s sustained investment in educational infrastructure and learning resources aimed at improving academic outcomes.
The commissioner urged candidates to approach the examinations diligently, shun malpractice and strive to achieve results that would secure admission into higher institutions.
According to him, strong performances by the students would further enhance Ogun State’s reputation as one of the leading states in educational development.
Accompanied by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Dr. Lukmon Kiadese, and the Special Assistant to the Governor on Education, Hon. Idowu Daniel, Arigbabu commended the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) for the timely distribution of examination materials and the smooth conduct of the exercise.
“We have gone round the schools and I am impressed with what I have seen. The candidates were orderly in the examination halls, while examination materials were adequately and promptly supplied. I am truly delighted with the level of organisation,” he said.
The commissioner also praised school principals for adequately preparing students for the examinations and encouraged them to sustain their efforts in producing academically excellent students.
Principals of some of the schools visited, including Mrs. Olubisi Oyegunle of Gateway Secondary School, Ita-Iyalode, and Mrs. Florence Adeogun of St. Peter’s College, Olomore, expressed confidence that candidates would perform exceptionally well.
Schools visited included African Church Grammar School, Ita-Eko; Gateway Secondary School, Ita-Iyalode; St. Peter’s College, Olomore; Lafenwa High School; Premier Grammar School, Lafenwa; Unity High School, Ago-Ika; Ikija High School; and Ebenezer Grammar School, Iberekodo.
Govt Blames Road Wash-Off on Blocked Drainage
The Ogun State Government has attributed the recent wash-off of a section of the Car Wash-Moore Junction Road in Abeokuta to the indiscriminate dumping of refuse into drainage channels by residents.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Information and Strategy, Hon. Kayode Akinmade, disclosed this while addressing journalists in his office at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.
He explained that preliminary investigations revealed that waste materials dumped in drainage systems obstructed the free flow of rainwater during a recent downpour, leading to increased water pressure that eventually undermined part of the road.
Akinmade said the clarification became necessary following claims that the damage was caused by poor construction or the use of substandard materials.
He maintained that the drainage infrastructure attached to the road was properly designed to handle stormwater runoff and that all construction materials used met, and in some instances exceeded, required engineering standards.
“The incident was not caused by any defect in the construction process. Investigations point to blocked drainage channels resulting from indiscriminate refuse disposal, which prevented the free flow of water and led to the damage recorded after the heavy rainfall,” he stated.
The special adviser disclosed that the contractor handling the project, alongside engineers from the Ministry of Works, had commenced a comprehensive assessment of the affected section, with remedial work expected to begin immediately after evaluation.
He urged residents to support government efforts by protecting public infrastructure and refraining from practices that contribute to flooding, environmental degradation and avoidable damage to public assets.
Akinmade also called on communities, market associations, transport unions, religious organisations and residents’ groups to intensify public awareness on proper waste disposal and environmental sanitation.
OGIRS Seals Premises Over Tax Non-Compliance
The Ogun State Internal Revenue Service (OGIRS) has intensified its enforcement drive against tax defaulters within the Ogun Guangdong Free Trade Zone, Igbesa, over alleged failure by some companies to fulfil their tax obligations.
Speaking during an enforcement exercise at the zone, the Executive Chairman of OGIRS, Mr. Olugbenga Olaleye, said the action followed several unsuccessful attempts over the past four years to secure compliance from affected companies.
Represented by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Revenue Matters, Rev. Jide Sanwo, Olaleye stated that despite repeated engagements and undertakings by the companies to settle outstanding liabilities, the commitments were not honoured.
He also condemned what he described as the hostile conduct of security personnel within the free trade zone during the exercise.
“For a very long time, we have been making efforts to ensure compliance with tax obligations. Last year, an undertaking was signed to settle the liabilities within 21 days, but that commitment was not fulfilled.
“When our team arrived for the enforcement exercise, we encountered barricades before gaining access. Two police officers were injured, a journalist was assaulted and a camera was damaged. Despite these challenges, we successfully carried out the enforcement and sealed the premises pending compliance,” he said.
Sanwo warned that any attempt to tamper with or remove the official seals placed on the affected premises would attract legal sanctions.
He described the incidents recorded during the exercise as unfortunate and unnecessary, stressing that compliance with tax laws remains a civic and corporate responsibility essential for the development of the state.