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Oyo Unveils Committee For Alaafin’s Coronation

Published

1 year ago

February 3, 2025

Editor

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

Xenophobic Attacks: Nigerian Students To Picket MTN, MultiChoice, Other Businesses

Published

9 minutes ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS South-West Zone D, has announced plans to picket South African companies in Nigeria following the ongoing xenophobic attacks in the country.

DAILY POST reports that some Nigerians were recently killed in South Africa over the violent attacks.

A statement issued to newsmen by Comrade Adeyemo Josiah Kayode, Coordinator, NANS South-West, Zone D, said that the association is mobilizing to take decisive and lawful action by organizing peaceful picketing and mass advocacy against South African business interests operating in Nigeria.

“We categorically state that the continued targeting of Nigerians under any guise is unacceptable and must come to an immediate end.

“This will include major corporations such as MTN Group and MultiChoice Group. It is morally indefensible for businesses to thrive in an environment where the lives of Nigerians are protected, while Nigerians are subjected to fear and violence elsewhere.

“This contradiction will no longer be tolerated,” the statement said.

News

N5m, N10m Zero-interest Loans: SheVentures Opens Applications For Women Entrepreneurs

Published

2 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

First City Monument Bank (FCMB) has opened a new round of applications for its SheVentures proposition, offering zero-interest loans of up to ₦10 million to women entrepreneurs to ease access to working capital and support business growth.

The facility provides loans ranging from ₦500,000 to ₦5 million under a general category, and ₦5 million to ₦10 million for sector-specific businesses, with funding capped at up to 50% of an applicant’s average monthly turnover.

At the centre of the offering is a 0% interest rate, with all charges embedded in a transparent structure.

Repayment is structured over four or six months, allowing businesses to match obligations with their cash flow cycles.

Yemisi Edun, Managing Director and Chief Executive of First City Monument Bank (FCMB), said the initiative reflects a deliberate approach to inclusive growth.

“Inclusive growth requires access to capital and the right conditions for businesses to deploy that capital effectively.

“Women-led enterprises are critical to economic activity, yet they face structural barriers.

This intervention aims to help close that gap by providing financing that supports job creation, business expansion, and long-term sustainability for women entrepreneurs.”

“Access to affordable finance remains a major constraint for women entrepreneurs,” said Nnenna Jacob-Ogogo, Group Head, SheVentures and Impact Segments at First City Monument Bank (FCMB).

“By removing the cost barrier and offering quick, flexible funding, this zero-interest loan is designed to safeguard existing jobs, enable businesses to invest in growth initiatives, and foster resilience in challenging economic conditions.”

Women-owned businesses account for a significant share of Nigeria’s small and medium-sized enterprises but continue to face high borrowing costs and limited access to credit.

Through these efforts, SheVentures tackles persistent financing gaps facing women-led businesses, combining targeted funding with broader support to empower women entrepreneurs, encourage business innovation, and enhance their ability to compete on a national scale.

Applications for the zero-interest loan are now open.Apply now.

News

Xenophobic Attacks: Oshiomhole Tells FG To Retaliate Against South African Companies In Nigeria

Published

20 hours ago

May 5, 2026

Editor

Senator Adams Oshiomhole has called on the Federal Government to retaliate against South African businesses operating in Nigeria following the recent attacks on Nigerians in South Africa.

Speaking during plenary on Tuesday, Oshiomhole said the Federal Government should consider revoking the working license of South African owned companies such as MTN and DSTV.

He argued that Nigeria must respond firmly to what he described as persistent hostility against its citizens.

“I am not going to shed tears. If you hit me, I hit you. I think it is appropriate in diplomacy. It is an economic struggle,” Oshiomhole said.

He argued that while some South Africans accuse Nigerians of taking their jobs, Nigerians should return home and take over employment opportunities created by major South African companies operating in the country, including MTN and DSTV.

“When we hit back, the President of South Africa will not only talk but will also go on his knees to recognise that Nigeria cannot be intimidated.

“We will not condone any life being lost. If a crime has been committed under the South African law they have the right to bring any such person to justice, but to kill our people as if we are helpless, we will not allow that,” Oshiomhole added.

DAILY POST reports that several Nigerians in South Africa have reportedly been attacked, and their businesses destroyed, in ongoing xenophobic attacks in the country.