Politics, World News

Daughter of former federal works commissioner, Femi Okunnu’s daughter, Khadijah Declares Interest In Presidential Race.

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Khadijah Okunnu-Lamidi, daughter of former Federal Works commissioner, Femi Okunnu, SAN, has declared her interest in the 2023 presidential race.

Speaking on why she’s running, Okunnu-Lamidi said, “I am running for the office of President because I believe Nigeria can harness its potential to be the nation of our dreams. We can move from a third world country into a developed nation with innovation and technology.

“I believe in the possibilities Nigeria holds; that is why I have taken this first step, not because there are no fears, but the will to bring about the Nigeria we all wish, hope and believe we can make a reality together.”

Her father, Femi Okunnu, SAN served as a Federal Commissioner of Works & Housing from 1967-1974.

Lifestyle, Politics, World News

The Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, on Friday, pledged the loyalty of the military leadership to democratic rule in the country.

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The Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, on Friday, pledged the loyalty of the military leadership to democratic rule in the country.

Irabor made this known during an interview on Sunrise Daily, a Channels Television’s programme, ahead of the Armed Forces Remembrance Day.

“Today, I believe that Nigerians are no longer in doubt as to the subordination of the military to civil rule; I believe that no one is in doubt that democracy has come to stay,” he said amid the recent military takeover of government in some African countries.

“I believe that no one is in doubt any longer that the current military leadership, and of course, since the democratisation in 1999, that the military is well focused to perform its constitutional roles,” he added.

His statement came amid recent military coups in West African countries such as Mali and Guinea; as well as North-Eastern nation, Sudan.

Irabor admitted that some Nigerians might still be struggling with the experience of military involvement in politics in the past.

Speaking on the significance of the Armed Forces Remembrance Day, Irabor stressed the need to educate the coming generation about the nation’s history.

“Going forward, I believe that some of these misperceptions that some Nigerians have had with respect to military engagement will begin to change,” he said.

World News

Boko Haram invades police training school, kidnap officers

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Boko Haram insurgents have abducted an unspecified number of police officers at the police mobile training school in limankara Gwoza local government area of Borno State.

The training school was reportedly invaded by Boko Haram fighters on Thursday night with gun trucks.

The Punch reports that the assailants shot sporadically into the air before kidnapping the mobile police instructors.

The attack is coming seven days after terrorists were repelled by the Nigerian Army when its base in Gwoza was attacked.

Also, the Senate committee on Army led by Senator Ali Ndume paid a working visit to the theater command operation, Hadin Kai, in the area two days ago.

Lifestyle, Politics, World News

Former governor of Oyo state, Otunba Christopher Alao Akala dies at the age of 71.

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Former governor of Oyo state, Otunba Christopher Alao Akala dies at the age of 71.
The former governor reportedly died in the early hours of Wednesday in his hometown, Ogbomosho.
Akala served as governor of Oyo state between 2007 and 2011.
He was also a deputy governor under former governor, Rashidi Ladoja between 2003 and 2006, when Ladoja was impeached and consequently, Akala became the acting governor for eleven months.

World News

Rights activist, Maya Angelou, becomes first black woman to appear on US coin

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United States civil rights activist and poet, Maya Angelou, Monday officially became the first black woman to appear on a coin in the country.

The 25-cent coin showing Angelou with outstretched arms went into circulation the same day.

It was part of the American Women Quarters Program, celebrating prominent women in US history.

The bill was put forward by Democrat Congresswoman, Barbara Lee.

Angelou, who was born in Missouri in 1928, worked with Martin Luther King Jnr and Malcolm X during the Civil Rights Movement.

The poet, who died in 2014, was the author of I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.

In the book, she wrote about the racial discrimination she experienced growing up.

Angelou was the author of 36 books and the recipient of more than 20 honorary degrees.

She read her poem On the Pulse of the Morning at former President Bill Clinton’s inauguration in 1992 and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by Barack Obama in 2010.

Lifestyle, Politics, World News

Former Nigerian Interim leader, Ernest Shonekan, dies at 85.

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Chief Ernest Shonekan who headed the Interim National Government that succeeded the junta of General Ibrahim Babangida, has died.

Shonekan died in a hospital in Lagos today January 11. He was 85.
He was the interim head of the Nigerian Government between August 26 and November 17 1993 when he was ousted in a coup led by late General Sani Abacha.

Born on 9 May 1936 in Lagos, Shonekan, an Abeokuta-born civil servant, he was one of six children born into the family. He attended the CMS Grammar School and Igbobi college. He received a law degree from the University of London and was called to the bar. He later attended Harvard Business School.
May his soul rest in peace, Amen.

Politics, World News

Plateau Deputy Chief of Staff’s wife and health director kidnapped.

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Dorcas Vem, wife of Silas Vem, the Deputy Chief of Staff for Plateau Government House has been kidnapped by gunmen.

The gunmen in a seperate operation, also kidnapped Dr. Samuel Audu, a Director in the Plateau State Ministry of Health.

Punch reported that their abduction were confirmed by sources at the State Government House in Jos and the State Secretariat housing the Headquarters of the Ministry of Health.

A source told the publication;
“For almost three days now, the whereabouts of wife of the Deputy Chief of Staff, Government House, Dorcas Silas Vem has remained unknown. She is a staff of the University of Jos and her husband is the Deputy Chief of Staff in the office of the Deputy Governor of Plateau state, Professor Sonny Tyoden.

“Their house is at the Little Rayfield in Jos, very close to the Government House. The woman was just driving to their house when some gunmen accosted her in front of their gate. They forcefully dragged her out of her vehicle and took her away to an unknown destination. The incident happened on Sunday and since then, we have not seen her.”

Confirming the abduction of the Ministry of Health Director, a staff said;
“It was just last night (Monday). The Director has a hospital Barkin Ladi LGA. He was in his car driving back to his house in Barkin Ladi after attending to an emergency at his hospital when some people emerged from nowhere and blocked his vehicle at his gate at the Chairman’s quarters.

“He was still calling his wife to open the gate for him when the hoodlums immediately, ordered him into their waiting vehicle and drove away.

“We don’t know what is happening in Plateau state with regard to the security of the people because the kidnapping and abductions are just too much. Something needs to be done and quickly too before the situation gets out of hand.”

The State’s Police spokesperson, Ubah Ogaba confirmed the abduction of wife of the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Deputy Governor, but said efforts are being made to rescue her.

World News

New York apartment fire leaves 19 people, including 9 children, dead

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A massive fire that engulfed a residential apartment building in the Bronx in New York City on Sunday, left 19 people, including 9 children, dead, according to the city’s Mayor, Eric Adams.

He described the incident as “one of the worst fires the city had experienced in modern times.

“This is a horrific, horrific, painful moment for the city of New York, and the impact of this fire is going to really bring a level of just pain and despair in our city,” Adams said.

“This is going to be one of the worst fires that we have witnessed during modern times here in the city of New York,” Adams said.

“I am horrified by the devastating fire in the Bronx today,” New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said on Twitter. “My heart is with the loved ones of all those we’ve tragically lost, all of those impacted and with our heroic FDNY firefighters. The entire State of New York stands with New York City,” he added.

The blaze also injured 63 people, with 32 hospitalised with life-threatening conditions, according to Daniel Nigro, the New York City Fire Department Commissioner.

In a press conference shortly after the fire, Nigro attributed the inferno to a “malfunctioning electric space heater”.

He said the heater was in the bedroom of an apartment, and the fire consumed the room, before engulfing the entire apartment.

“The apartment door was left open and smoke spread throughout the building when the residents left their unit,” Nigro said.

“Victims were found in stairways on every floor of the building, many in cardiac arrest. This could be an unprecedented loss of life. The injuries were predominantly from smoke inhalation.

“Firefighters kept attempting to save people from the building despite running out of air tank. Some of the residents who were trying to leave the building could not escape because of the volume of smoke.”

The residential apartment where the fire occurred is 50 years old and has 120 units, and housed a largely Muslim population, with many immigrants from West African country, the Gambia.

World News

ECOWAS imposes sanctions on Mali over transition programme delay

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The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on Sunday imposed economic sanctions on Mali over the delay in the country’s transition programme.

The sub-regional body took the decision at its extraordinary summit held in Accra, Ghana.

In a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, ECOWAS described as totally unacceptable the Malian government’s plan to hold elections in 2025.

The member countries insisted that the presidential and parliamentary elections slated for next month must go ahead.

They also agreed to impose sanctions including the closure of land and air borders and suspension of non-essential financial transactions, among others on the landlocked nation with immediate effect.

Mali was thrown into a constitutional crisis in August 2020 following the sack of the country’s President, Ibrahim Keita, in a military coup.

The military junta led by Col. Assimi Goita later detained the President and Prime Minister Boubacar Cisse in a military formation outside the country’s capital, Bamako.

The duo resigned from their positions shortly after their release by the junta.

Backed by ECOWAS, the country put in place an 18-month transition timetable slated to end on September 15 last year.

Lifestyle, World News

Long distance couple aged 72 and 69 separated by covid-19, marry after 20 months apart.

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A long-distance couple who spent 20 months apart due to Covid-19 travel restrictions recently got married.

Australian man, Chris Quealy, 72, was given dispensation to leave Australia, after he proposed to Penny Steven, 69, from Amersham, England, over Zoom video calling app in 2020.

The couple were reunited at Heathrow Airport, UK in October 2021 and their wedding took place in Buckinghamshire on Saturday, January 8.

Quealy said it was “brilliant” to finally be husband and wife. “We are now man and wife,” Quealy said.

“It’s taken a long time and a lot of challenges but we are here – we did it, we did it, we did it!”
The couple said their wedding day was “beautiful”

The wedding was live-streamed for Chris’s family in Australia who were unable to travel for the occasion die to Covid-19 rules.
“All the family got to see it so that’s the main thing,” Penny said.
Penny, a mum of four, met grandfather Chris, who is from the Gold Coast in Australia, in May 2015, during a solo trip in Spain.

The couple regularly travelled the 10,000 or so miles between their homes, with Penny returning to Amersham England, from her last visit to Australia on 3 February 2020.
Chris was supposed to payback with his own visit to the UK to see her but lockdown hit in March 2020.

Luckily for Chris, in August, the Australian government granted him a travel exemption so the couple could get married in England.
Penny said it had been a “very tough” time for the couple, who had been having twice-daily phone conversations.
“It has made us stronger,” she said.

Lifestyle, World News

OUR MCM FOR TODAY IS HAZEL OYEZE ONOU POPULARLY KNOWN AS WHITEMONEY.

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Hazel Oyeze Onou (born 6 July 1992), popularly known as Whitemoney is a Nigerian singer, song writer and reality TV star. He is the winner of Big Brother Naija season 6.

Whitemoney is an Igbo man from Enugu State, Nigeria, but he grew up in Kaduna State.[5] Growing up, Whitemoney didn’t go further than NECO level in his academic pursit.

Growing up in Kaduna State, Whitemoney left to Lagos in search for occupations. He ventured into different businesses such as commercial photography, barbering, repairing generators, and fixing telecommunication towers among others. He also invested in importing and selling shoes.

Whitemoney has produced a few songs including “Rosemary” (2018), “Your Life” (2018), and “My Heart” (2021). On 3rd of December 2021 he released a single ‘Selense’ which was produced by Masterkraft, the song was released alongside it’s video.

Whitemoney entered the 6th season of Big Brother Naija as the fifth contestant on 24 July 2021.

During the season finale of the show on 3 October 2021, he was declared the winner scoring 47% of the final votes ahead of Liquorose with 22.99% of the total votes cast and was entitled to the ₦90 million grand prize.

World News

UK surpasses 150,000 COVID-19 deaths

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More than 150,000 people have died from COVID-19 in the United Kingdom since the pandemic began more than two years ago, the government said on Saturday.

Six other countries – the United States, Brazil, India, Russia, Mexico, and Peru – have exceeded the 150,000 mark on COVID-19 fatalities since the pandemic first hit the world through Wuhan, China, in 2019.

The victims, according to the UK Office of National Statistics, died within 28 days of a positive COVID-19 test since the pandemic began.

A further 313 deaths were reported by the government on Saturday, taking the toll to 150,057.

In his address to the journalists, Prime Minister Boris Johnson described every death recorded during the pandemic as a profound loss to friends and affected communities.

He said: “The COVID-19 had taken a terrible toll on our country and our way out of this pandemic is for everyone to get their booster or their first or second dose if they haven’t yet.

The UK has also recorded 146,390 new cases, with the more transmissible variant, Omicron, driving the surge in infections.

World News

Kazakhstan President orders security forces to ‘kill protesters without warning’

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Kazakhstan President, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, has come under fire after he reportedly ordered security forces to “kill without warning” to crush the violent protests that have paralyzed the former Soviet Republic, leaving dozens dead.

In a public address on Friday, Tokayev condemned the unrest that began earlier in the week, as citizens took to the streets to protest against rising fuel prices, stressing that the uprising had been “masterminded by well-trained terrorist bandits from both inside and outside the country.”

Kazakh state media reported that 18 security personnel and 26 “armed criminals had been killed in the violent protests,” with more than 3,000 people arrested and currently in detention.

In the defiant speech, Tokayev said the situation had “stabilized” in Kazakhstan’s largest city, Almaty, and that the “introduction of a state of emergency is yielding results.”

But terrorists continue to damage state and private property and use weapons against citizens.

“I gave the order to law enforcement agencies and the army to open fire to kill without warning,” he said.

Tokayev lamented that the violence was the product of a well-organized enemy, armed with sleeper cells carrying out “terrorist attacks” and “specialists trained in ideological sabotage, skillfully using disinformation or ‘fakes’ and capable of manipulating people’s moods.”

The speech which had drawn wide condemnation from world leaders and human rights groups, is seen as attempts to “undermine the narrative that the demonstrations were a product of popular unrest that turned increasingly destructive and deadly,” one of the leaders of the protests said while speaking with journalists.

World News

Two Haitian journalists burned alive by gang

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Two Haitian journalists have been killed by a gang who set them on fire and burned them alive in the country’s capital, Port-au-Prince, on Thursday, according to the Haitian Security Forces (HSF), in a statement.

The HSF statement on Friday, stated that the murder of the journalists, who were covering the security situation in the country which saw a recent failed assassination attempt on the President, was carried out by the ‘Ti Makak Gang’ in the Petion-Ville neighborhood of Port-au-Prince.

The statement did not give any motive and details of the attack, but named one of the journalists as John Wesley Amady, a reporter with Haitian media outlet, Radio Écoute FM, while a third journalist managed to escape the attack.

Radio Écoute FM also confirmed that one of its journalists, Amady, was killed in the attack while he was on assignment documenting the lack of security in the area.

“Amady was savagely shot and burned alive by armed bandits.

We condemn with the utmost rigor this criminal and barbaric act,” Radio Écoute FM said in a statement, calling it a “serious attack on the right to life.”

The radio station has also suspended operations until further notice “as a sign of solidarity with the family of the victim,” the statement said.

The attacks came against the backdrop of extreme violence and deteriorating security conditions in Port-au-Prince, with rival gang groups battling one another or the police for control of the streets, displacing tens of thousands of people in one of the poorest nations in the Americas.

World News

Colombian arraigned in US for alleged involvement in Haitian President’s murder

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A Colombian has been arraigned in a court in the United States for alleged involvement in the assassination of Haitian President, Jovenel Moise, last year.

Moise was killed in his bedroom in July 2021.

The suspect, Mario Palacios, was extradited to the US from Panama on Tuesday, was arraigned in a court at Southern District of Florida on Wednesday.

Palacios was one of the few suspects that managed to escape from the country after Moise’s assassination, eventually ending up in Jamaica, where he was captured by authorities for entering the country illegally.

The US Department of Justice confirmed the development in a statement.

“The three countries (Panama, Colombia, and United States) were in constant contact coordinating this deportation and the last extradition to the United States yesterday,” said the director general of the National Police of Colombia, Gen. Jorge Luis Vargas Valencia.”

World News

France discovers new covid variant with 46 mutations

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French scientists have discovered a new Covid-19 variant named B.1.640.2, believed to contain 46 mutations of the original strain of the virus.

The new variant was reportedly discovered by experts in the south of France, with scientists expressing concerns over another global Coronavirus pandemic.

“It is believed that the first case originated from travel into the country from Cameroon,” a report on Wednesday said.

A pre-print paper on the new variant said 12 people have tested positive for the strain in the same region of France, the report added.

“The B.1.640 variant has already been defined by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as a variant under monitoring.

This strain of the virus was first discovered by scientists in the Republic of Congo in September 2021, before the Omicron variant.

Virologist Tom Peacock, of Imperial College London, tweeted:

“There haven’t been any new variant sequences uploaded since before Christmas.

“This virus has had a decent chance to cause trouble but never really materialised as far as we can tell at least.

“Not one worth worrying about too much at the moment.”

World News

Suspect in South Africa’s Parliament fire appears in court

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South African police on Tuesday arraigned a man arrested in connection with the fire incident at the country’s parliament building, Zandile Christmas Mafe.

He was arraigned on a four- count charge of arson, theft, house breaking and contravention of the National Key Points Acts at a Magistrates Court in Cape Town.

The suspect was arrested on the premises of the Parliament complex by police after they noticed the fire on Sunday.

The fire destroyed South Africa’s main Parliament chamber, offices and other buildings nearby from Sunday morning and flared up again on Monday when winds picked up and burnt through other offices before firefighters managed to put it out by midnight.

The South African National Prosecuting Authority spokesman, Eric Ntabazalila, told journalists outside the court that Mafe was also found with an explosive device but didn’t give further details.

The Spokesman for the police Hawks Special Investigative Unit, Nomthandazo Mbambo, said the force would not rule out more arrests on the incident.

He said: “We are going to be conducting a full investigation and we think there may be other people involved but at this stage, the focus is on this one until the investigation can dictate otherwise.”

World News

Police arrests three teenagers for alleged attempted ritual killing in Bayelsa

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Police operatives in Bayelsa have arrested three teenage boys for alleged attempted ritual killing in the state.

The spokesman for the state police command, Asinim Butswat, who confirmed the development to journalists on Tuesday listed the suspects as Emomotimi Magbisa, (16), Perebi Aweke (15), and Eke Prince (15).

He said the three boys were arrested on Monday after they allegedly lured one Endeley Comfort to Emomotimi’s apartment at Sagbama community in the state.

He added that the suspects cut the victim’s finger and sprinkled the blood on a mirror for heinous purposes.

Butswat said: “The vigilant girl noticed the suspects’ suspicious movements and raised an alarm.

“The suspects were subsequently arrested and some substances suspected to be charms were recovered from them. The suspects have confessed to the crime while the victim was rushed to the hospital for treatment.”

Lifestyle, Politics, World News

Following the passing on of former Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji Ajeoguguniso 1, crisis looms.

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Following the passing on of the 41st Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji Ajeoguguniso 1, crisis is about to be unravelled concerning who will become the next king.

Recall that during the previous administration in Oyo state , the former governor, Late Senator Ajimobi crowned 20 kings excluding Senator Rashidi Ladoja.
In accordance to the customary law of any Yoruba town, an oba (King) cannot be crowned twice.
This puzzle is yet to be unravelled, as legal practitioners advice the current governor of Oyo state , Governor Seyi Makinde, about the way out , as there is need to crown another king.

Below is the letter addressed to the recent governor of Oyo state, Governor Seyi Makinde.

World News

‘Why former lawmaker, Lekan Balogun can’t become next Olubadan,’ Oyo ex-commissioner tells Makinde

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A former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Oyo State, Michael Lana, has explained why a former federal lawmaker, Chief Lekan Balogun, should not succeed the late Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji.

Oba Adetunji died at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, in the early hours of Sunday.

Balogun, who is the Otun Olubadan, is the most senior chief in the ancient city and next in line to the throne.

In a letter titled: “INSTALLATION OF A NEW OLUBADAN OF IBADANLAND,” dated January 3, 2020, and addressed to Governor Seyi Makinde, the ex-commissioner stressed that Balogun was unfit to be crowned as the next head of the ancient city.

He reminded the governor that his predecessor the late Abiola Ajimobi, had in 2017 conferred on the ex-lawmaker and some high chiefs and Baales the title of Obaship and gave them the right to wear beaded crowns and coronets.

Lana urged Governor Makinde to tread softly on the matter, saying the installation of Balogun as Olubadan of Ibadan would amount to an illegality.

The development is expected to trigger a prolonged legal tussle in the efforts to appoint a successor for the departed monarch.

The letter read: “May I humbly draw your attention to a traditional aberration and illegality that may occur in an attempt to install another Olubadan of Ibadanland, in view of the existence of Suit No.!/22/2020-HRM OBA (SENATOR) LEKAN BALOGUN & ORS V GOVERNOR OF OYO STATE & ORS.

“Kindly note, Your Excellency, that your predecessor in office, without thinking of the legal effects of his actions on the future of Ibadan traditional institution, conferred the title of Obaship on some High Chiefs and Baales and gave them the right to wear beaded Crowns and coronets, in 2017.”

“This action was challenged in Suit No. M317/2017-HIGH CHIEF RASHIDI LADOJA V THE GOVERNOR OF OYO STATE. The High Court per Aiki 1, nullified the said conferment, which was actually a total contravention of both the Chiefs Law and the Ibadan chieftaincy customary law.

“However, the Court of Appeal, in Appeal No.CA/IB/99/2018 set aside the said judgment of Aiki J on technical grounds without touching on the merit of the case and sent the case back for retrial.

“Upon your Excellency’s assumption of office, it was resolved that the matter be settled amicably and same was settled through the instrumentality of a Terms of Settlement which became the judgment of the Court. The said Terms of Settlement recognised the illegality of the said actions and therefore set aside the Gazettes by which the said Chiefs became Obas with a right to wear beaded Crowns and coronets.

“These High Chiefs and Baales, were dissatisfied with this Consent Judgment and therefore instituted two separate suits to set aside the Consent Judgment while at the same time clinging to the title of Obas(which actually is in contempt of court). On of these cases is Suit No: Suit No.1/22/2020-HRM OBA (SENATOR) LEKAN BALOGUN & ORS V GOVERNOR OF OYO STATE & ORS.

“Now, may I draw your Excellency’s attention to the fact that in committing this aberration which changed the Ibadan Chieftaincy customary law, the Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration of 1957 was not amended and therefore remains extant. Under that Declaration and all relevant laws, no Oba can ascend to the throne of Olubadan. In other words, as long as the High Chiefs still cling to the title of Oba, they cannot ascend to that throne and any installation of any of them during the pendency of that suit, is illegal, null, and void.

“In the entire history of Ibadanland, we have never had such a situation where the legality or otherwise of the installation of the Olubadan would be an issue and this was what your predecessor did not take into consideration before venturing into an illegal journey. Ibadan Chieftaincy elevation had always been smooth and without any rancour to the envy of all other towns.

“It is in line with this legal situation that I advice, most humbly, that you should withhold any approval of any High Chief to become the Olubadan so that you will not also join in the desecration of Ibadan Chieftaincy Customary law.

“There are only two ways to deal with this situation: one is for the High Chiefs to withdraw the aforementioned cases and the other is to wait for the Court to pronounce on it before any step is taken to install an Olubadan. If the court holds that they have the right to be Obas and entitled to wear beaded crowns, then they are perpetually barred from becoming another Oba. Nowhere in the customary law of any Yoruba town is an Oba elevated to become another Oba.

“If, on the other hand, the Court holds that the Terms of Settlement stands, and their obaship title is illegal, then they are free to be elevated to the post of Olubadan. The ball, your Excellency, is in their court.

“I wish you well as you consider, as an Ibadan man and as Governor, your place in history.”

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