News

Oyo Unveils Committee For Alaafin’s Coronation

Published

11 months ago

February 3, 2025

The Oyo State Government, on Monday, unveiled the committee set up for the coronation of the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade.

A statement issued on Monday from the office of the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade, said that the inaugural meeting of the committee was presided over by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Ademola Ojo.

The committee members comprises four members of the Oyo State cabinet, including the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Prof Musibau Babatunde; the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr Wasiu Olatunbosun; Ojo and Oyelade.

Other members are three House of Assembly members from Oyo Constituency, including Gbenga Oyekola from Atiba State Constituency; Rahman Olorunpoto from Oyo East/Oyo West Constituency and Oladeji Oparinde from Afijio Constituency.

According to the commissioner, Akeem Olukitibi the Chairman of Oyo West Local Government; Wahab Adetunji the Chairman Atiba Local Government; Sola Oluokun the Chairman of Oyo East Local Government and Olufemi Aikomo the Chairman of Afijio Local Government are also members.

Also, seven family members of the new Alaafin of Oyo, religious leaders and other stakeholders are part of the committee.

According to the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, arrangements have started in earnest to ensure a successful coronation in strict compliance with the tradition of Oyo people.

The commissioner for information recalled that in the past five years, the ‘Seyi Makinde-led administration had crowned 10 kings and 40 baales.

“Governor Seyi Makinde expects everyone involved in the coronation to be diligent and show maximum support for the success of the event,” Oyelade said.

On January 13, 2025, Oba Owoade officially received his appointment letter as the Alaafin-designate from the Oyo State governor following the approval of the governor.

The paper also reported that once officially recognised, the Alaafin-designate, Owoade would begin traditional rites that would lead to his coronation at a date to be announced by the state government.

“The coronation proper will take place in four weeks, but today I will hand over the certificate and staff of office,” Makinde had said during the presentation of certificate to the Alaafin-designate, Oba Owoade.

However, the PUNCH reported that traditional rites leading to the coronation of the new Alaafin of Oyo, had been put on hold.

According to a family source, Oba Owode 1 had to return to Canada shortly after receiving the appointment letter and Staff of Office, to disengage officially from his professional commitments and then wrap up necessary paperwork before taking on his monarchical duties as the Alaafin of Oyo.

The source said: “He (Owoade) is still in Canada. He has to resign from the places he works in Canada and perfect all those papers before returning to Oyo.”

Owoade’s emergence as the 46th Alaafin of Oyo follows the transition of the late Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III in April 2022. The late Oba Adeyemi ruled the Oyo Kingdom for 50 years.

The PUNCH had reported on Wednesday, January 29 that the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade I, had ordered the immediate dissolution of an unauthorised coronation committee allegedly set up by a group of individuals without his approval.

The dissolution order was conveyed In a statement titled, “Coronation Committee Setup in Oyo Town—Notice of Cease & Desist”, made available to the PUNCH. Oba Owode 1, had in the statement, cautioned that any committee or event related to his coronation must receive prior approval from his office, and that doing otherwise would be considered illegal.

Meanwhile, according to reports on Monday, February 3, the Oyo State Government has fixed Saturday, April 5 for the coronation of Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade 1.

News

NAF Launches Attack On Terrorists In Borno

Published

1 day ago

January 10, 2026

Editor

The Nigerian Air Force, NAF, operating as part of the joint task force of Operation Hadin Kai, has carried out a coordinated air interdiction at AbbagaJiri in the Timbuktu Triangle, Borno State.

According to Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, Director of Public Relations and Information of NAF, the air strikes successfully paved the way for ground troops.

He explained that the operation was based on actionable intelligence from multiple sources, which confirmed the presence of terrorists, their structures, and concealed logistics facilities in the area.

Ejodame stated that NAF air assets were deployed in integrated surveillance and precision strike roles to target identified threats.

The operation aimed to degrade terrorist capabilities, deny them sanctuary, and shape the battlefield for ground forces, all while strictly adhering to rules of engagement and protecting civilians.

He added, “The Identified terrorist structures were decisively engaged and destroyed, denying the terrorists freedom of action, while a follow-up engagement neutralised armed elements observed converging on the location.”

“Subsequent advances by ground troops into the area confirmed the effectiveness of the air strikes and validated the success of the joint air–land operation.”

Speaking on the mission, Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, said, “The success of the mission reflects the NAF’s resolve to dominate the air domain in support of joint operations.”

Aneke further emphasized that the operation highlighted the service’s commitment to providing precise and decisive air power in support of ground forces.

In his words, “We will continue to deny terrorists freedom of movement, sanctuary, and logistics wherever they seek to hide. Air operations will remain relentless and intelligence-driven.”

“Our operations are carefully planned and intelligence-led, ensuring maximum effect on hostile elements while safeguarding innocent civilians.”

“The Nigerian Air Force will sustain pressure until terrorist networks are completely dismantled.”

He further noted that the operation showcased NAF’s aggressive stance, precision employment of airpower, and dedication to sustained joint operations.

Aneke added that such missions play a crucial role in enabling ground troops to maintain momentum and deliver decisive outcomes against terrorist networks threatening lives, property, and Nigeria’s national security.

News

Lagos Parks To Close For Maintenance – State Govt

Published

1 day ago

January 10, 2026

Editor

The Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency, LASPARK, has announced that all public parks under its management across the state will be temporarily closed for routine maintenance and upgrades.

In a statement released on January 9 and shared via its official platforms early Saturday, LASPARK said, “All parks under our management will be closed to the public from January 12 to January 31, 2026.

“This follows increased visitor activity during the recent festive season.”

The agency listed several popular recreational spots that will be affected, including “Ndubisi Kanu Park, Alausa JJT Park, Dr. Finnih Abayomi Park in Oregun, and all other LASPARK-managed parks across Lagos State.”

News

PAP Sends Additional 34 Foreign Post-graduate Scholarship Beneficiaries To UK Varsities

Published

2 days ago

January 9, 2026

Editor

The Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) has deployed an additional 34 foreign post-graduate scholarship beneficiaries to various universities in the United Kingdom for the 2025-2026 academic year.

This was contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Warri by Mr Igoniko Oduma, Special Assistant on Media to Dr. Dennis Otuaro, the Administrator, PAP.

According to the statement, the scholars’ programmes include data science, fintech analytics, cyber security, international energy law and policy, construction project management, public health, agri-food technology, electrical and petroleum engineering, among others.

The statement added that more foreign post-graduate scholars will be sent to UK universities in the current academic session.

“In December 2025, nine students, who were the first set of offshore post-graduate scholarship developments by the PAP Administrator, Dr Dennis Otuaro, for the 2024-2025 academic year, graduated from their various programmes in UK universities.

“Otuaro has deployed over 9000 students to universities within and outside Nigeria for different industry-relevant programmes since he assumed office in March 2024,” the statement partly reads.

Speaking at the pre-departure orientation programme for the scholars at the PAP headquarters in Abuja, on Thursday, Otuaro said that the large-scale deployment was aimed at making the Niger Delta a knowledge-driven region.

He said that his leadership reinvigorated the programme to give it a new momentum in service delivery to the people of the region based on the mandate of President Bola Tinubu.

Otuaro said, “We are sending all of you for post-graduate studies in various universities in the United Kingdom.

“The PAP now has a new momentum and direction because of the repositioning and broad reforms that we carried out in line with the mandate of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR.

“The objective behind the huge scholarships deployment is to ensure that we develop the needed human capital to transform the Niger Delta and generate knowledge-wealth.

“We want to develop relevant manpower in critical disciplines for our region and by extension, the country, because you are expected to contribute your quota to national development after successful graduation.”

The PAP boss, who was represented at the event by his Technical Assistant, Mr Edgar Biu, advised the scholars to study hard to achieve academic excellence in their various fields of research.

According to him, the scholars have an obligation to justify the Federal Government’s investment in their education and future.

He reiterated his warning that beneficiaries should not take for granted the opportunity to further their academic pursuits in the interest of the Niger Delta and indeed the country.

Otuaro expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for his “enormous interest and support for the Programme”, particularly the approval of an upward review of the programme’s budget from N65billion to N150billion.

He also expressed gratitude to the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, for his impeccable guidance and supervision of the programme’s initiatives.

Otuaro, therefore, cautioned the scholars to obey their host country’s laws and the rules and regulations of their various institutions, stressing that they are ambassadors of Nigeria, the Niger Delta and their communities and families.

Highpoint of the orientation programme was the presentation of laptops to the scholars to help them in their studies.