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OLUBADAN: Olakulehin’s Absence Fuels Fears • Law Empowers Governor To Pick From Ekerin Upward — Ajibade

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The Ekerin Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Hamidu Ajibade, on Tuesday, raised concern about the absence of the Olubadan-designate, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, at a Monday meeting of the Council of Obas to deliberate on the enthronement process of Oba Olakulehin as the new Olubadan.

 

 

The ancient and revered Olubadan stool became vacant on March 14, 2023, following the death of Oba Lekan Balogun.

 

Balogun died aged 81 about two years after ascending the throne.

The Council of Obas would meet on Tuesday to formally nominate Oba Olakulehin to Governor Seyi Makinde as the Olubadan.

 

 

But speaking with newmen Ekerin Olubadan said a meeting was held on Monday but the Olubadan-designate was absent, adding that Oba Olakulehin had not been seen in public since the demise of the late Olubadan, raising concern about the state of Olubadan-designate’s health.

 

 

It was also gathered that there was a rancour between the Council of Chiefs and the Otun Olubadan, High Chief Rashidi Ladoja.

 

 

Speaking on the development on Tuesday, the Ekerin Olubadan said, “We all the crowned kings of Ibadanland held a meeting yesterday (Monday) at Olubadan Palace, Oja’ba in the Ibadan South East Local Government Area of the state except Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Olakulehin.

 

 

“Oba Eddy Oyewole, followed by the Otun Balogun, Oba Tajudeen Ajibola; Osi Balogun, Oba Lateef Adebimpe; Ashipa Olubadan, Oba Biodun Kola-Daisi; Ashipa Balogun, Oba Kola Adegbola; Ekerin Olubadan, Oba Hamidu Ajibade; Ekerin Balogun, Oba John Dada, Ekarun Olubadan, Oba Muritala Akande and Ekarun Balogun, Oba Abiodun Azeez.

 

 

“Baba Eddy is the one leading us now. All of us are royal majesties. That’s about nine of us. By the power of the state Governor, Seyi Makinde, we are the kings that the late Olubadan gave beaded crowns. The only person who was not at the meeting was Oba Olakulehin and the High Chief Rashidi Ladoja, the former Governor of the state. He is Otun Olubadan, a Chief and not an Oba.”

 

 

The Ekerin Olubadan said not much could be achieved at the Monday meeting with the absence of Oba Olakulehin, who is the Olubadan-designate.

 

 

“When we meet, we should know what to do and the next step of action. We visited his (Olakulehin’s) house a day after the late Oba Balogun joined his ancestors and Baba (Olakulehin) was not at home. We met with his son, former Commissioner, Sunday Owolabi, and he told us Baba was not around.

 

 

So, we told him that anytime Baba was around, he should let us know, so as to come back and pay homage to him as our next Olubadan of Ibadanland.

 

 

“Nobody can decide for us. We will decide for ourselves. One person cannot speak for us. We have already convened our meeting yesterday (Monday). We Obas have already concluded everything yesterday (Monday). What are we waiting for? We can only be waiting for our new Oba. We are the ones to decide. Our Governor, Makinde, will give us the final decision. He will be the one to decide. He can do and undo.”

 

 

The Ekerin Olubadan, however, insinuated that the Olubadan-designate might not be well.

 

 

“The governor will do everything; but if anybody is not well, even if you are not well, we will make sure that anybody that becomes Oba is well. A tree cannot make a forest. We didn’t become kings without the knowledge of the governor. There is the law on lineage for us in Ibadan. We have never seen our incoming Olubadan. So, right from Baba, the governor can pick from anywhere; the governor can pick from Ekerin Balogun, Ekerin Olubadan.

 

 

“If someone is not well or capable of staying on that throne, do you just want us to put that person there like a vegetable? Is it possible? What we want is whoever wants to become our Oba must be able to walk and speak, so that you will be able to communicate with him.

 

 

“So, there is a law in our lineage that says if number one is not fit; the number two is not; the number three is not, the governor has the power to pick right from Ekerin. So, how should it be one, two, three and four? God forbid! So, he will see and check very well that that person can perform.”

 

 

When asked if he was aware of any other meeting on Tuesday at the same Olubadan Palace, Oja’ba, the Ekerin Olubadan said, “I am not aware of any scheduled meeting. We the Obas met yesterday (Monday) and it was concluded that we would continue to wait till we see the new Oba.”

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NDLEA warns public against fake auction offers using officials’ names

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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has warned Nigerians to be wary of fraudsters impersonating its officials to defraud unsuspecting members of the public through fake auction offers for forfeited vehicles.

 

In a statement issued on Friday, the agency’s spokesman, Femi Babafemi, said the scammers have been using the names of senior NDLEA officials, particularly the Secretary to the Agency, Barrister Shadrach Haruna, to circulate fraudulent letters and messages offering cheap forfeited vehicles for sale.

 

Babafemi described the offers as a deliberate scam aimed at swindling people of their money.

“The public is hereby notified that these offers are a complete scam. The Agency wishes to categorically state that these fraudulent offers are a malicious gimmick designed solely to defraud targeted individuals of their hard-earned money,” he said.

 

The agency stressed that no NDLEA official is authorised to privately allocate, sell or offer forfeited vehicles or any other seized assets to individuals.

According to the statement, all forfeited vehicles and assets are disposed of only through public auction processes conducted by government-approved auctioneers in line with legal and public procurement guidelines.

Babafemi added that legitimate auction exercises are always widely advertised in national newspapers and through the agency’s official communication channels.

He urged members of the public to disregard and report any letters, text messages or social media posts claiming to offer forfeited vehicles through Barrister Haruna or any other NDLEA official.

“The NDLEA remains committed to maintaining transparency and integrity in all its operations. Do not fall victim to these criminal elements. If you are approached with such fraudulent offers, please report immediately to the nearest NDLEA command or through our official communication channels,” the statement added.

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Initiators Promise Big As NIGMA Gets August 2026 Date

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The organisers of this year’s Nigeria International Gospel Music Awards ( NIGMA) have announced that the upcoming edition will celebrate the very best of the gospel music industry in an atmosphere of excellence, creativity, and inspiration.

 

The event is scheduled to take place on Sunday, August 9, 2026, at the prestigious Agip Recital Hall, MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos.

Speaking at a media briefing in Lagos, Kingsley Omoefe, Founder and Team Lead of NIGMA and Chief Responsibility Officer of Golden Heritage Limited, said the August event is designed to bring together gospel music ministers, industry stakeholders, fans, and supporters for a memorable celebration of talent, faith, and excellence.

He stated that attendees should expect an unforgettable experience featuring outstanding performances from leading gospel artists, alongside special recognitions for individuals and organisations that have made significant contributions to the industry.

The organisers also revealed that the event will feature meaningful conversations designed to inspire participants, promote collaboration, and foster the continued growth of gospel music.

The organisers said the August gathering would create memorable moments that would leave guests inspired, enriched, and motivated long after the curtains close.

They further called on corporate organisations, media outfits, and well-meaning individuals to take advantage of the opportunities available to support the event through sponsorships and strategic partnerships.

The organisers encouraged interested organisations and individuals seeking sponsorship, partnership, media accreditation, or participation to contact the event management for further information and registration ahead of the highly anticipated August programme.

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Nottingham Forest Sacks 5th Manager In 10 Months, To Wrap Up Oliver Glasner’s Deal

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Oliver Glasner is in advanced talks to replace Vitor Pereira as Nottingham Forest head coach, a move which would see the Austrian become the club’s fifth manager in less than a year.

 

Pereira announced his departure from the club in a statement on Wednesday, saying that it came as a “complete surprise to me and without any warning”.

Glasner is a free agent after leaving Crystal Palace — where he won the FA Cup in 2024-25 and then the Community Shield and Conference League the following campaign — and is set to stay in the Premier League.

The 51-year-old confirmed in January that he would leave Palace at the end of the season after two years in charge.

On Thursday, Forest confirmed Pereira’s coaching staff Filipe Almeida, Luis Miguel, Bruno Moura, Marco Knoop and Pedro Lopes had all left the club alongside the head coach.

Pereira, 57, was appointed Forest head coach in February on an 18-month contract which runs until 2027.

The Athletic reported in May Forest had been planning to show their faith in Pereira by handing the head coach a new long-term contract, but those talks were subsequently put on hold.

“Today marks the end of my journey as head coach of Nottingham Forest,” he said in his statement.

“I want to say a sincere thank you to everyone connected with this incredible football club. Although this decision came as a complete surprise to me and without any warning, I fully respect the club’s right to make the decisions it believes are best for its future.

“Naturally, I am disappointed and saddened. I truly believed in what we were building together, and I leave with a sense of pride in everything we achieved over the past months.

“Together, we enjoyed a memorable end to the season. We secured the club’s Premier League status, reached the semi-finals of the Europa League, and created moments that will stay with me forever. Most importantly, I saw a group of players grow in confidence, belief and togetherness.

“I leave Nottingham Forest with no bitterness or resentment—only respect, gratitude and wonderful memories. Football is full of unexpected moments, and while this chapter has ended sooner than I expected, I will always look back on my time here with pride and affection.”

The Portuguese succeeded Sean Dyche and was Forest’s fourth permanent boss of the season following the departures of Nuno Espirito Santo and Ange Postecoglou.

Nuno had led Forest to Europa League qualification the previous season but he departed in September, less than three months after signing a new deal. Postecoglou was appointed his replacement but was dismissed just 39 days later. Dyche took charge of the team in October before his dismissal in February.

Forest were three points above the relegation zone when Pereira was appointed and he subsequently steered his side to Premier League safety with two games of the campaign remaining.

His appointment marked his second managerial spell in the Premier League after guiding Wolverhampton Wanderers to safety during the 2024-25 campaign.

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