The Harbingerngr News

Over Alaafin stool A faction of kingmakers, who opposed Governor Seyi Makinde’s approval of Oba Abimbola Owoade as the 46th Alaafin of Oyo, yesterday, threatened to sue the governor when his immunity expires. Claiming that the governor had defamed them for saying they collected money during the selection process, they said the governor should have sought redress in court if he had a grouse against them. Recall that Governor Makinde had presented the staff of office to Alaafin at the Executive Chamber of the governor’s office which five out of seven Oyomesi members took exception to because they had initially recommended Prince Luqman Gbadegesin for the Alaafin stool. The governor also said at the event that he would not allow a highly revered throne of Alaafin to be commercialized. Referring to the governor’s comments, the kingmakers, in a letter by their counsel, Kunle Sobaloju, SAN, described the claims as “unacceptable.” Instead of allegedly defaming them, they advised the governor ...

Former Access Bank Chairman, Dr. Ajoritsedere  Awosika, has  said his father,  Festus Okotie-Eboh’s strong-willed nature made him uncontrollable, possibly thwarting the 1966 coup’s success. She said her father’s death during the 1966 coup might have been due to his strong-willed nature, which made him difficult to control.  She speculated that the coup leaders understood that sparing him would have jeopardised their plans, adding that Okotie-Eboh would have undoubtedly rallied support to prevent the coup and ensure the continuation of democracy. Speaking in an ARISE NEWS interview, on commemoration of Armed Forces Day yesterday, Dr Awosika acknowledged that while Okotie-Eboh was not a prime minister, he had an important role in Nigerian politics. “He hasn’t been recognised, perhaps, because he’s not the prime minister, but he died as a friend of the government.  He was probably killed because he was a self-motivated person who was difficult to pull back. They (1...

THE poor financial capacities of Electricity Distribution Companies, DisCos, their huge indebtedness,  and takeover by financial institutions, are currently militating against the performance of Nigeria’s power sector. This is even as generation stands at 4, 609.14megawatts, MW, while transmission and distribution falls below 4000MW, according to data obtained from the Nigeria Electricity System Operator. However, the core investors in the DisCos took loans amounting to billions of naira to procure power assets during the 2013 privatization and could not pay pack. To protect their funds, the banks took some steps, with government approval, to takle over  management of the DisCos. For instance, the federal government, in conjunction with Fidelity Bank and the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria, AMCON, took over five DisCos. They include Kano Electricity Distribution Company, KEDCO; Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company, IBEDC; Benin Electricity Distribution Company, BEDC...

*Receives certificate of office from Gov Makinde *I'll work for progress of Oyo town, Nigeria— Alaafin *To commence 21-day traditional rites *Oyo town welcomes new Alaafin *Alaafin is pride of Yoruba race — Gani Adams  Governor Oluwaseyi Makinde of Oyo State, has presented the instruments of office to the new Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Abimbola Owoade, as he revealed that he did not influence the selection process of the new monarch.  Governor Makinde also reaffirmed his commitment to the integrity of the Alaafin stool, underscoring its vital role in Yoruba culture. This came as the people of Oyo Town welcomed the new Alaafin to the ancient city for the first time, following the presentation of instruments of office to him. Also, Alaafin Owoade pledged to work for the advancement of Oyo Town and Nigeria, expressing gratitude to the governor and all those involved in his selection. Meanwhile, the Aareonakakanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Adams has said the revered stool of the Alaafin ...

Obasa and Meranda •Meranda became first Lagos Speaker  •Clerk, Onafeko removed; c’ttees dissolved •Obasa's ‘sins' •How Sanwo-Olu received impeachment news    AMID wild jubilation, members of the Lagos State House of Assembly, impeached the embattled Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, over alleged financial misappropriation.  In his stead, the lawmakers chose his deputy, Mojisola Lasbat Meranda, representing Apapa Constituency I, making her the first female Speaker in the history of the House. The Assembly also removed the Clerk, Olalekan Onafeko, and dissolved all committees of the House. An elated Speaker Meranda, was sworn in at 12noon. Although the former speaker maintained that he was innocent of the accusations, the impeachment ended his 10 years reign as speaker, which makes him the longest speaker of the House since inception in the republic. Obasa brought Onafeko to the assembly; they became close confidants and were behind the ban on journalists covering the activiti...

A 35-year-old suspected thief, Ismaila, was almost lynched by a mob, yesterday in Okumagba area of Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State for allegedly stealing a keyboard belonging to a church (name withheld). The mob after beating the suspect,  put a car tyre round his neck and paraded him through Willie Street to Okumagba Avenue.  The suspect was severely beaten and while trying to set him on fire, mobile Policemen came to his rescue and took him to the Police “B” Division. The mob which became restive expressed disappointment over the presence of the policemen.