The chairman, Senate Committee on Navy, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, has received a Special Service Award from the Nigerian military.
Daniel, who represents Ogun East Senatorial District at the Senate, was presented the award by Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. C. G. Musa at a special event to commemorate the 2025 Armed Forces Remembrance Day in Abuja.
Gen. Musa noted that it was common but worrying practice for people to be honoured after their demise but the Nigerian Armed Forces thought it wise to honour the former Ogun State governor for his past and present support to the Nigerian military.
Daniel, who was the Special Guest of Honour at the event, extolled the commitment of the Armed Forces to national development. In a speech he read on behalf of the President of the Senate, Godswil Akpabio, Sen. Daniel described the sacrifices of the Armed Forces as “that which can never be fully compensated for”.
Highpoints of the occasion were an art exhibition and display high-calibre locally manufactured military vehicles.
In attendance at the event were the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, Representatives of the incumbent service chiefs, past service chiefs such as Admiral Dele Ezeoba rtd, Air Marshall Sadique Abubakar rtd, Gen. Lucky Irabor rtd, Air Marshall Isiaka Amao, serving senior military officers and many other dignitaries.

Stakeholders and community leaders around the Port Harcourt Refinery have doused the groundswell of rumours and speculations that the recently revived and restreamed refinery was not working.
Last Tuesday, the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, announced the “safe and successful restart of the 60,000 barrels-per-day Old Port Harcourt Refinery,” which it stated marks a significant step forward after years of operational challenges and underperformance and also “signifies a new era of energy independence and economic growth for our nation.”
However, naysayers went to town disclaiming the news, saying the corporation was lying about its revival of the refinery. Interestingly, Dibia Isaiah, Chief Security Officer, Alesa Kingdom, Rivers State, and NNPC Pipelines & Storage Company Loader, said in a viral video, “I am one of the loaders from the host community and NPSC. As you can see, the refinery is operational and running smoothly. This morning, I have already loaded four trucks. We are delighted that business has finally commenced after many years. The refinery has given us products, so now we are loading, and tomorrow we are loading. This time is a very busy period for us.”
Also, former Labour Party presidential candidate, Dr Peter Obi, has commended the Malam Mele Kyari-led NNPCL for “fulfilling the long-standing promise of revamping the old Port Harcourt refinery.” He added, “The refinery boasts an installed production capacity of 60,000 barrels of crude oil per day. Approximately 200 trucks are expected to load products daily from the refinery. Nigerians now await the corresponding impact and benefits on pump prices and the overall economy.”
Obi further said that the news of the Port Harcourt Refinery’s revival is promising, “as it is expected to boost productivity, improve transportation, and alleviate economic burdens across the country.” He signed off the statement with his signature ‘A new Nigeria is POssible.”

In a major breakthrough, Senator Otunba Engr. Gbenga Daniel’s bill for the creation of Ijebu State has passed its first reading at the National Assembly.

This development signals progress in the long-standing demand for a new state in Nigeria’s South-West region.

The proposed Ijebu State would comprise nine local government areas carved out from Ogun State, with Ijebu Ode designated as the state capital.

The local governments involved include Ijebu East, Ijebu North, Ijebu North East, Ijebu Ode, Ikenne, Odogbolu, Ogun Waterside, Remo North and Sagamu.

This initiative is part of broader efforts to realign Nigeria’s administrative divisions for enhanced governance.

Earlier in the year, Honourable Oluwole Oke introduced a related bill in the House of Representatives, proposing the creation of three new South-West states: Oke-Ogun, Ijebu, and Ife-Ijesa.

The proposal aims to amend the First Schedule, Part I of Nigeria’s Constitution to accommodate these states.

The push for Ijebu State has gained widespread support from traditional rulers, political figures, and community leaders.

Advocates argue that the new state would foster equitable development, improve administrative efficiency, and address decades of demands for better representation and resource allocation.

They also pointed out that of all the old provinces in Nigeria under the colonial administration, it is only Ijebu Province that has not yet become a state.

For Ijebu State to become a reality, the bill must successfully navigate further readings and debates in the National Assembly.

Senator Gbenga Daniel, a former Ogun State governor and seasoned politician, expressed optimism about the initiative’s potential to promote balanced regional development.

The creation of Ijebu State is expected to address disparities in resource distribution and governance within Ogun State