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Olubadan-in-Council Endorses Ladoja as 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland

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The kingmakers have made their position clear on the Olubadan throne, unanimously endorsing former Oyo State governor, Rashidi Ladoja, as the next Olubadan of Ibadanland.

 

The Olubadan-In-Council endorsed the Otun Olubadan, Ladoja, as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland.

The ratification, held at the new Olubadan Palace, Oke Aremo, Ibadan, followed the passing of Oba Owolabi Olakulehin on July 7, 2025, the 43rd Olubadan.

As the Otun Olubadan, the highest-ranking chief in the civil line, Ladoja is positioned first in line for the throne under the unique rotational system that governs the city’s traditional leadership.

While announcing the next Olubadan, the Balogun of Ibadanland, Tajudeen Ajibola, noted that the name will be officially forwarded to Governor Seyi Makinde for endorsement and subsequent enthronement in the days ahead.

 

FILE PHOTO: Governor Seyi Makinde

 

He said, “The council is confident that Ladoja will bring a wealth of experience and wisdom to the throne. His track record as a former governor and his deep connection with the community make him an ideal candidate to lead Ibadanland into a new era.”

Ajibola emphasised the importance of unity and progress, stating, “Under his leadership, we anticipate a period of reconciliation and development for our people. We believe that Rashidi Ladoja will uphold the values and traditions of our ancestors while embracing modernity.”

Ladoja was born on September 25, 1944, in Gambari village near Ibadan. His educational journey included studies at Ibadan Boys High School and Olivet Baptist High School, culminating in a degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Liège in Belgium. Upon returning to Nigeria, he began his career at Total before transitioning into business and politics.

Ladoja first took office as Governor of Oyo State in May 2003 under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), serving until his controversial impeachment in January 2006.

He was later reinstated by a Supreme Court ruling in December 2006 and completed his term in May 2007.

In August 2024, Ladoja embraced his role as Otun Olubadan by accepting the ceremonial beaded crown, a requirement for ascending to the Olubadan title under the revised chieftaincy declaration.

He stated on a private radio station in Ibadan, “By the grace of God, I will become Olubadan. My blood pressure has been stable; anyone God destined to become Olubadan will become Olubadan.”

A formal ceremony to present Ladoja to the public is expected to take place in the coming weeks, following the governor’s official confirmation.

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Transfer: Real Madrid , Cucurella Reach Verbal Agreement 

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Chelsea reliable defender, Marc Cucurella may join Spanish giant, Real Madrid before the end of the current transfer window.if information from transfer journalist, Fabrizio Romano are anything to go by.

 

Romano In a latest transfer update, said Real Madrid has reached verbal agreement to sign Marc Cucurella from Chelsea.

“Verbal agreement in place between all parties, player too — he’s the left back wanted by Mourinho” the update read.

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Hakimi, Vinicius Barred From Speaking Spanish At World Cup

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FIFA has come under scrutiny after several high-profile players, including Achraf Hakimi and Vinicius Junior, were discouraged from speaking Spanish during media engagements at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States.

 

The issue first surfaced ahead of Morocco’s Group C clash with Brazil when a Spanish-speaking journalist attempted to question Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi in Spanish.

Despite Hakimi, who grew up in Madrid and speaks the language fluently, indicating he was comfortable answering in Spanish, event officials reportedly insisted that questions be asked in English.

Hakimi attempted to reassure organizers that language would not be a barrier, but officials maintained that no Spanish translator was available for the session. A compromise was eventually reached, with the reporter asking the question in Spanish while Hakimi responded in English.

The controversy intensified during Brazil’s media session when Vinicius Junior was also interrupted while responding to a question in Spanish.

The Real Madrid forward, who is more comfortable speaking Portuguese or Spanish than English, was reportedly asked by organizers to switch languages.

Rather than continue in Spanish, Vinicius opted to answer in Portuguese before turning his attention back to Brazil’s World Cup preparations.

The incidents sparked widespread debate among journalists and fans, many of whom questioned why Spanish—a language spoken by millions across North America—was effectively restricted at a tournament being hosted largely in the United States.

According to Spanish media outlet El País, FIFA only provides Spanish-language translation services at World Cup press conferences involving Spanish-speaking nations such as Spain, Mexico, Argentina, Uruguay, Colombia, Ecuador, and Paraguay.

For all other teams, questions and answers are expected to be conducted either in English or the official language of the participating country.

The policy has generated criticism online, with many supporters arguing that multilingual communication should be encouraged at a global event like the World Cup.

The backlash was particularly strong in Vinicius’ case, as the Brazilian forward appeared visibly uncomfortable being asked to communicate in English.

The controversy overshadowed what was otherwise a highly anticipated encounter between Brazil and Morocco, which ended in a 1-1 draw.

With the issue now drawing international attention, FIFA may face increasing calls to review its media language guidelines as the tournament progresses.

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It’s Illegal’…Falana’s Bombshell Indicts Govs, FG.

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Human rights advocate, Femi Falana, has warned federal and state governments against negotiating with and rewarding terrorists.

 

According to Falana, the practice is illegal.

He stated this while delivering the keynote address at the Amnesty International Second Annual General Meeting in Abuja on June 13, 2026.

Falana claimed it is public knowledge officials of the Federal Government and some State Governments have been holding meetings and negotiating with terrorists and bandits, which has led to thousands of ‘repentant’ criminals being forgiven and given cash gifts of undisclosed sums of money.

Asserting that the “satanic Boko Haram sect and similar bodies have been proscribed” under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, Falana insisted that “their members and allies shall be prosecuted and not pampered and forgiven by the Nigerian State.”

Highlighting the legal consequences, he quoted Section 22 of the Act, stating: “A person who knowingly—(a) arranges, manages, assists in arranging or managing, participates in a meeting or an activity, which in his knowledge is concerned or connected with an act of terrorism or terrorist group, (b) collects, or provides logistics, equipment, information, articles or facilities for a meeting or an activity, which in his knowledge is concerned or connected with an act of terrorism or terrorist group, or (c) attends a meeting, which in his knowledge is to support a proscribed entity or to further the objectives of a proscribed entity, commits an offence, and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of at least 20 years.”

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