The Harbingerngr News

Oba Akeem Abimbola Owoade AS Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State presented  the staff of office to the 46th Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Abimbola Owoade, on Monday, tongues are still wagging why the selection process was so controversial and unnecessarily prolonged. Though the same scenario played out in 1970 when Prince Lamidi Adeyemi, the successor to Alaafin Gbadegesin Ladigbolu 11 was announced by the defunct Western Region, no one in his wildest imagination thought the road to the one of the foremost traditional stools, could be so chaotic, rough and bumpy.  The Alaafin stool was vacant for almost three years after Oba Lamidi Adeyemi joined his ancestors. The new Alaafin will understand, more than anyone else, that indeed, uneasy lies the head that wears the crown. Presentation of Instruments of office Immediately after the approval of the new Alaafin last Friday, the Oyo State Government moved swiftly to present the instrument of office to the new monarch. The presentation, ...

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.

An accident at the popular Eleyele bus stop in Ibadan, Oyo State, yesterday, left three people dead, and others injured when a truck loaded with granite lost control and crashed into a nearby motor park.  Eyewitness has it that the truck, coming from the opposite direction, initially struck a group of roadside traders before barreling into the motor park, where it hit waiting passengers, leaving many injured.  An anonymous eyewitness said the scene was chaotic, emphasising the devastation and panic that ensued.  The driver of the truck fled the scene in an attempt to avoid being mobbed by onlookers. Efforts by Vanguard to get the casuality figure proved abortive at press time. Rescue operations were ongoing at press time, and authorities have confirmed three casualties as they work to clear the wreckage.  Emergency responders were focused on removing the truck to prevent additional accident and to restore normal traffic flow in the area. In a telephone interview, Ros...

A Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja, yesterday struck out four counts of alleged abuse of office charge brought against  the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Godwin Emefiele, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.  Justice Rahman Oshodi struck out the charge while ruling on Emefiele’s preliminary objection challenging the jurisdiction of the court to hear the  26-count $2.1 billion fraud allegation against him.  In his ruling, Justice Oshodi held that allocation of foreign exchange without bid, which was the subject of counts 1-4 of the 26 count charges against Emefiele was not punishable under any law. He said: “Allocation of foreign exchange without reason is not defined as an offense in any written law. The objection to counts one to four succeeds and is hereby struck out.” The judge, however, held that the court has jurisdiction to try Emefiele on the other charges, citing relevant statutory and constitutional provisions. He di...

  A Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Isabo area of Abeokuta, Ogun State, yesterday, sentenced five Egba Chiefs to six months imprisonment for maliciously damaging the sealed letter and removing the caution tape placed on Ogboni Igbore house, which was pasted by the Abeokuta South local government area. The five Igbore Chiefs are Anthony Ogunseye, 55, (Apena of Igbore), Ajasa Enisemo, 67, Saheed Sanusi, 50, Oludotun Oliyide, 60, and Fatai Mutairu, 63.  They were sentenced to six months imprisonment each. They were convicted on a four-count-charge of conspiracy, malicious damage, conduct likely to cause breach of peace and stealing. Delivering the judgment, the presiding Magistrate, Mrs E. O. Ogunyemi, said that the prosecutor had proved beyond reasonable doubt that the convict were guilty as charged. Ogunyemi also held that the evidence, presented by the prosecutor, was tenable and therefore sentenced each of the chiefs to six months imprisonment, with an option of N50,000 fin...

  •1,200 personnel deployed — Ondo Amotekun commander •We’re collaborating with military, DSS, vigilantes—Oyo Amotekun •Security agencies on high alert — Ekiti govt •OPC partnering with security architectures to flush out criminals  FOLLOWING the alarm raised by Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State over the influx of bandits from North-Central into the state, the Nigeria Police Force, Western Nigeria Security Network code name Amotekun and the Oodua Peoples Congress, OPC, yesterday, vowed to checkmate the activities of the bandits adding that security agencies have been placed on high alert. Recall that Governor Makinde had on Monday raised the alarm that bandits fleeing military onslaught in the North-West were coming down to Oyo State to take refuge. The governor, who spoke during the 2025 inter-faith service held on Monday, gave the assurance that the state government was determined to smoke out and eliminate the bandits.  1,200 personnel deployed — Ondo Amotekun co...

 THE Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos, UNILAG, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, has disclosed that a total of 16,409 students will graduate during the 55th convocation ceremony of the institution. Ogunsola stated this while briefing newsmen on the activities lined up for the ceremony. Among the graduating students, 561 are in the first-class category, 3,910 are in the second-class upper class, 3,763 are in the second-class lower category, and 1,143 are in the third-class category. This is just as two students, Damilare Adebakin and Samuel Badekale, emerged as the overall best-graduating students with a perfect score of 5.0 CGPA.  The VC said: “We are also commissioning the new 120-bed space Moremi Hall extension and finally the new ultra-modern Learning Commons, an extension of our library services which speaks to our student-centred services and provides an environment for teamwork, creative engagement, research-collaboration, and knowledge co-creation. “The Convocation Lec...

*Aiyedatiwa imposes curfew in Owo No fewer than five persons, including a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Owo, in Ondo State, Fisayo Oladipupo; his mother and her child have been shot dead during a violent clash between suspected cult groups in the ancient town. Tension has enveloped the ancient town following the casualties recorded within 10 hours. Oladipupo, 56 years, was a youth leader of the ruling party and a prominent member of the party in the Owo Local Government Area of the state. This came as Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of the state, has imposed a dawn-to-dusk curfew in Owo area of the state following violent cult clashes and security disturbances which have led to loss of lives. Vanguard gathered that cult war took place in the town about 2a.m., yesterday. It was gathered that two cult groups in a supremacy battle engaged themselves leaving five casualties. Four of the victims were shot within Eyinogbe, Ekusi and Uselu axis of the community. The APC chieft...

*Dismantle child trafficking syndicate, rescue 5 abducted children in Jos The Police Force Headquarters said, that its operatives of Intelligence Response Team, IRT, have arrested one Ogaga Dickson, 35 years, a member of a notorious armed robbery syndicate responsible for the death of CSP Hassan Jega, the DPO Agbarho Division, Delta State. It will be recalled that the DPO was killed October 14, 2024, during a gun battle between police officers led by the deceased DPO and the assailants, after the team of policemen had foiled one of their robbery operations.  Force Public Relations Officer, Mr. Muyiwa Adejobi, said the operatives had earlier stormed the gang’s den and engaged them in a fierce gun duel leading to the neutralisation of four of the gang members.  He said: “Upon Ogaga’s arrest, the police recovered one AK-47 rifle, one English pistol, one locally made pistol, ammunition of various calibres and six exotic vehicles. “Similarly, police operatives apprehended a child-t...

THE General Overseer of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries Worldwide, Dr. Daniel Kolawole Olukoya, has described 2025 as a year of strange battles. In his prophetic window into the new year, Olukoya said those without glory would fight to upstage those with glory. He said: ‘’ The dark stars will fight the eliminate the shinning stars; the tail will want to fight the head; the thief will be fighting the owner; those uncircumcised will like to kill the circumcised; a year of strange battles, in which prayerlessness will be extremely dangerous. “You need to pray off new infirmities, in the New Year, which is a year of restoration for many people and the Lord will disgrace fake people.’’ He warned against tragedy for married men, who hop about, sleeping with ‘strange women’; urging that the people of God should learn to forgive those who wrong them. The respected man of God described the year as one of restoration and deliverance. Olukoya, who handed down the prophecies during th...