Popular Oyo Prince and a major contender for the Alaafin of Oyo throne, Prince Ayobami Ladigbolu, has recounted his experiences during the crown contest. In a statement published on his Facebook page on Tuesday, Ladigbolu congratulated the new Alaafin, Oba Abimbola Owoade, describing his emergence as divinely ordained. Reflecting on the competition, the prince expressed disappointment that some of his initial supporters abandoned him in favour of other candidates due to financial constraints. “I learned the value of money in one’s life from the race for the crown of Alaafinate.…

Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu has denied involvement in the impeachment of the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa. Obasa was impeached on Monday by the lawmakers. The Deputy Speaker, Hon Mojisola Lasbat Meranda was immediately unanimously elected as the new speaker, thus emerging as the first female speaker of the House. Sanwo-Olu’s Special Adviser on Media & Publicity, Gboyega Akosile, described Obasa’s impeachment as a strict legislative affair devoid of politics or the state government’s influence or interference. “It is purely a legislative matter and…

Princes from nine royal families in Oyo, collectively known as the Atiba 9say they have rejected the appointment of Prince Abimbola Owoade as the new Alaafin of Oyo. The Atiba 9 described his appointment as unacceptable and a blatant disregard for Oyo’s revered traditions. Recall that Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, presented the staff of office to the Alaafin-designate on Monday. The Atiba 9 criticised the decision, accusing Makinde of basing his action on a proclamation by US-based Awise Agbaye, Prof Wande Abimbola, who claimed that Ifa chose Owoade as…

Oyo State’s sobriquet was not acquired without historical evidence or background. The word – pacesetter – became a watchword as a result of the dint of unceasing work to distinguish itself among the states in Nigeria. Ajise bi Oyo ni anri, Oyo o nse bi baba eni kookan literally translates thus, Oyo is unique and it’s the cynosure of other eyes to behold in all its strife for the best. It’s not a copycat of any in whatever it does to justify its existence. This goes to confirms its originality…

Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa has been impeached by members of the House. According to a reliable source, the Deputy Speaker, Hon Lasbat Meranda has been elected to replace him. A video of her swearing has also gone viral on social media. The Deputy Chief Whip, Fatai Mojeed is elected as the Deputy Speaker. Obasa has been engulfed in a series of controversial circumstances in terms of financial dealings. The terse statement reads, “Obasa is impeached and the deputy speaker, Mojisola Meranda elected speaker. Mojeed…

On Friday, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde approved the appointment of Prince Abimbola Owoade as the new Alaafin of Oyo. Makinde communicated the approval to the general public via Dotun Oyelade, the state’s commissioner for information and orientation. Owoade succeeds the late Oba Lamidi Adeyemi who died on April 22, 2022, aged 83. Interestingly, the announcement came a day after five kingmakers in Oyo Town rejected a directive issued by the governor to initiate a fresh selection process for the Alaafin of Oyo throne. The kingmakers, consisting of Yusuf Akinade,…

Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde has maintained that he decided not to meddle in the appointment of the new Alaafin of Oyo because of his administration’s belief in openness and transparency. Makinde made the revelation on Monday, January 13, at the state government’s council chambers, in Ibadan during the presentation of staff of office to the 46th Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade. “I met Prince Owoade for the first time in my life yesterday. I never spoke to him in my entire life until yesterday. I did…

Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde has presented the staff of the office to new Alaafin of Oyo, His Imperial Majesty, Abimbola Akeem Owoade. The governor presented the official instrument legitimising the reign of a king to the new monarch on Monday morning at the Exco Chamber of the Governor’s Office in Ibadan, the state capital. The symbolic event was performed nearly three years after the death of the former Alaafin, Lamidi Adeyemi III. The presentation of the staff of office was done amid controversy concerning the choice of the…

By ‘Lanre Ogundipe _Nobody can be kinder than the narcissist while you react to life in his own terms_ – _Elizabeth Bowen_ We have reached a stage where Nigerians should be really interested in the character and predilection of their leadership. In matured climes, political suitors are dissected before elected. Time has come to render out of vogue, the unhealthy practice of pre-election endorsement before dissection of the character, mental status and psycho-composition of prospective leadership. A school of thought canvassing for the conduct of psychiatrist examination – you may…

Commissioner for Tourism and Culture in Cross River State, Mr Abubakar Ewa, is dead. The Commissioner for Information, Erasmus Ekpang confirmed the incident to newsmen. Ekoang said, “He was actually with us at the state council meeting with His Excellency where he even moved a motion. “But at about 4pm, he moved to the governor and whispered something to him. Perhaps he was requesting permission to leave the meeting. “We saw him moved out, telling a colleague he had a headache. When the meeting ended, we stepped out to collect…

Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, has expressed gratitude to Allah for the privilege to grow from an Almajiri school pupil into becoming the head of NNPCL. In a post via X on Wednesday to celebrate his 60th birthday, the NNPC Boss expressed appreciation for the “exceptional” privilege given to him by former President Muhammadu Buhari and President Bola Tinubu to serve as the last Group Managing Director of the NNPC and the pioneer CEO of the NNPC Ltd. In the post,…

Soldiers of the 5 Battalion of the Nigerian Army have neutralised two members of a gang reportedly responsible for the killing of four soldiers and abduction of two Korean expatriates who were staff of Daewoo company in Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State. A press statement issued in Port Harcourt on Monday by the acting Deputy Director of Public Relations of the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, Lt. Col. Danjuma Jonah, said the troops struck the hideout of the gang at Kalaogbokolo in Ahoada in a carefully…

Vice President Kashim Shettima has tendered an apology to the families of victims affected by the recent bombing in Silame Local Government Area, Sokoto State. The airstrikes, carried out on Wednesday, December 25, targeted a logistics base of the Lakurawa insurgent group in two communities within the area but tragically claimed the lives of ten civilians. Three days later, Shettima expressed his heartfelt condolences to the families of those inadvertently affected by the military operation against the terrorist group. Describing the incident as a rare and tragic occurrence, he noted…