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The Kano State Police Command has banned all Sallah Durbar celebrations across the state ahead of the 2025 Eid-el-Fitr festivities.
Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Adamu Bakori announced the ban while addressing journalists at the Bompai Police Headquarters, citing security concerns and the need to prevent potential unrest.
According to CP Bakori, intelligence reports indicated plans by certain groups to disrupt the Durbar festivities and create instability. After consulting with the Kano State Government and other key stakeholders, the police command deemed it necessary to prohibit the event.
“In pursuit of a safe and secure celebration, and to maintain peace and public order, the command, in collaboration with other security agencies, has assessed the rising tensions and uncertainties surrounding the Durbar activities,” Bakori said.
“Following credible intelligence reports about plans to use the Durbar as a proxy for unrest, a ban has been placed on all Durbar activities throughout the state during the 2025 Eid-El-Fitr Sallah celebrations.”
The police commissioner urged worshippers to conduct their Eid prayers only at designated praying grounds and adhere to security guidelines, including: Avoid carrying unnecessary objects that may cause suspicion. No horse riding (Kilisa), car racing, or reckless driving. Parents and guardians should caution their children against involvement in any disruptive activities.
The public is advised to avoid actions that could lead to a breach of peace or breakdown of law and order.
CP Bakori assured residents that adequate security personnel would be deployed to ensure a peaceful Sallah celebration.
“As we celebrate this joyous occasion, let us prioritize peace above all else, set aside our differences, and unite as law-abiding citizens for the progress of our state and nation,” Bakori urged.
He also encouraged residents to report suspicious activities to the police via emergency contact numbers: 08032419754, 08123821575, and 09029292926 or through the NPF Rescue Me application.
The police command reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining law and order, calling on all stakeholders to cooperate in ensuring a peaceful Sallah celebration.
[Vanguard]
Humphrey Nwosu, former chairman of the defunct National Electoral Commission (NEC), publicly said MKO Abiola won the June 12, 1993 presidential election.
Nwosu chaired the NEC from 1989 to 1993. He oversaw the contest between Abiola of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and Bashir Tofa of the National Republican Convention (NRC).
The election has remained controversial following its annulment by the military government headed by Ibrahim Babangida.
Nwosu died in October 2024 and is set to be buried on Saturday in his home state of Anambra.
On Thursday, the senate rejected a motion to honour the former election umpire.
Adams Oshiomole, senator representing Edo north, claimed that Nwosu does not deserve national honour because he died without confessing that Abiola won the June 12 election.
However, in an interview with Sahara TV in 2014, Nwosu said all the results of the June 12 election were tendered in court as “public documents”.
He added that his commission fought injunctions against the conduct of the election and the announcement of the outcome.
Nwosu added that the military dissolved his commission two days before a court ruling that would have allowed him to announce the results of the election.
“When the results started coming in on June 13 and 14, it [the collation process] was to be completed around June 17 and 18. The other party, NRC, had even congratulated SDP for winning. Suddenly, there was a letter on me by the commissioner of police that we should cease releasing the results,” he said.
“On June 16, I summoned an emergency meeting of the commission. All the results had come in except from Taraba. The resident commissioner was on his way from Taraba with the results. We would have released the results at around June 17. So they said stop.”
‘ABACHA SCREAMED AT ME, IBB TOLD ME I WAS ON MY OWN’
Nwosu added that Sani Abacha, the chief of defence staff who seized power less than three months after IBB “stepped aside”, also barked at him over the announcement of the results.
“The military then said a committee headed by Abacha should find a solution to the problem. Abacha was in that committee, Murtala Nyako, Aliyu Gusau and David Mark were also in that committee. Then, another sub-committee was created,” he said.
“I told them that there was nothing to meet about that; the law is clear because an election has been conducted and results have been collated, and the only one remaining was that of Taraba, and we have come along with it.
“I told them to allow us to complete the exercise. Abacha screamed at me when he heard this. He told me who do I think I was. He said I was not a member of the national security council and that I went ahead and held an election even after the court had declared it illegal.
“In fact, I was called into a meeting by the national defence and security council and asked if I would release the result without informing the military body. I replied: ‘That is the law. There was no provision for the highest ruling military body to vet the result. The law says the results should be announced at ward, local, state and, finally, headquarters level’.
“I and my national commissioners were summoned to Aso Rock, and Babangida asked what the NEC’s position was on the election. We answered that the NEC should be allowed to conclude the election and announce the result and that we would challenge the letter served by the commissioner of police halting the release of election results. Then Babangida told us, ‘You people are on your own’.
“Then we went to court. The attorney general of the federation should have championed our position, but he did not. It was Bukhari Bello, director of NEC’s Lagos services, who went to the Kaduna court of appeal and filed the papers.”
Nwosu added that the military dissolved NEC on June 23 to prevent the court from certifying results of the poll.
“We submitted all the results, including that of Taraba, showing that Abiola won the election. Abiola was represented by K Ajayi, and Tofa was also represented. The court held its first sitting, and Justice Okey Achike was the chairman,” he said.
“He was ready to conclude, and he ordered the Abuja high court to submit all matters relating to the election. All the results were submitted to his court for accelerated hearing and decision [slated] for June 25, 1993.
“When you submit something to the court, it becomes a public document, is it not? All the results were submitted to the court headed by Okey Achike, showing that Abiola won. Abiola knew. When this was to be done on June 25, the military quickly dissolved my commission on June 23.
“I am saying for public record that Abiola won the June 12 election. In all the documents that we submitted, as far back as June 20, 1993.”
[TheCable]
Oluremi Tinubu Video: Delta Government Directs Nursing College To Withdraw Query Against Student
AFOLABI
The Delta State government has issued an order to the provost of the Delta State College of Nursing Sciences.
The government ordered the provost to withdraw the query issued to Osato Edobor, a student of the institution, over a video she posted about Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu’s visit to the state.
Edobor’s video captured moments from the First Lady’s visit, highlighting how students allegedly humiliated her during the event.
Following the post, the college issued a query to Edobor, but the state government has now intervened, instructing the institution to rescind the disciplinary action.
The school management also accused the student of disrespecting Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.
In a 33-second video, the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Onojaeme, stated that the state government does not intend to victimise any student.
He assured the public that there was calm and that no student was being victimised.
He said, "On the trending letter that was query issued to the student of the school of nursing, Agbor, I have instructed the provost to withdraw the letter. We don't want to victimise any of the students.
“I've also reached out to the student in question and the student has confirmed to me that the letter was withdrawn yesterday, last night.”
“So I want the public to be aware of this and there's calm everywhere. We are not victimising any of the students," Joseph added.
Meanwhile, a statement posted on the Delta State Government's X handle on Friday stated that the rights of every student in health sciences and related health programs are upheld.
The statement read, "The Honourable Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Onojaeme, has directed the immediate withdrawal of the query issued to Nursing Student Osato Edobor by the Provost of the School of Nursing Sciences, Agbor.
"This decision by the Commissioner for Health stems from a commitment to ensuring that the rights of every student in health sciences and related health programmes are upheld, this way, fostering a conducive learning environment for their academic excellence."
Earlier, SaharaReporters reported that authorities in the state had asked Edobor to record a video thanking Governor Oborevwori for intervening in her case after the school issued a query letter to her.
In a letter earlier issued to Edobor and signed by the Provost of the College, Mrs. Evbodaghe Rita Ogonne, the institution highlighted that the act of recording, singing, and posting the video in question was deemed inappropriate and in violation of the institution’s standards.
According to Evbodaghe, the student’s actions contravened the rules outlined in the Student Handbook, particularly under "Standardised Disciplinary Action for Some Punishable Offences No. 8, Page 21."
She referred to the incident as a “malicious act” that contravenes the expected behaviour of students during official events.
The letter demanded an explanation from Edobor in triplicate within 24 hours of receipt, warning her that failure to comply might result in disciplinary action.
The query read, “It has come to the notice of the school authority that you, Student Nurse Osato Edobor on the 25th of March, 2025 during official visit of the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON at Dome Event Center, Asaba for the Renewed Hope Initiative Health Programme and distribution of 10,000 Professional Kits (Crocs and Scrubs) to Midwives in each Geopolitical Zone of Nigeria South South Zone, was found to be engage in malicious act of recording/singing and posting unofficial response to song during the arrival of the First Lady (found on your TikTok Page).
“This is a punishable offence as enshrined in the Student Handbook under standardised disciplinary action for some punishable offences No. 8. Page 21.
“You are therefore requested to explain in writing in triplicate copies within 24 hours of receipt of this letter why disciplinary action should not be taken against you for this act.”
A viral video circulating on social media since Wednesday shows a group of nursing students rejecting the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, as their “mother” during her visit to the state.
In the clip, the event’s Master of Ceremony introduced Tinubu as “everyone’s mother,” a common title for First Ladies. However, the students openly rejected the designation.
When the MC said, “Na our mama be this” (meaning “This is our mother”), the students responded in unison, “Na your mama be this” (“This is your mother”), making it clear they did not accept the title.
The incident reflects growing frustration among Nigerians over the economic hardship affecting them under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.v
Media
Former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili has lashed out at the National Assembly.
She accused them of dubiously placing their rules above the Nigerian Constitution, and the laws of the land.
Ezekwesili said that the United States’ Senate rules do not supersede the US Constitution.
Recall that Ezekwesili had berated Nigeria’s National Assembly for mishandling the allegation of sexual harassment against the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio by senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
She described Nigerian lawmakers as a bunch of nation-destroyers, claiming that they behave with impunity because have taken a choke hold on our democracy.
However, in a post on her X handle on Friday, the former Minister maintained that the Constitution is the supreme law of the land, and that all Senate rules must align with its provisions.
“#Democracy101: Stop Enabling and Endorsing Democratic Aberration, Citizens.
“Do US Senate Rules supersede the US Constitution?
“No, U.S. Senate rules do not supersede the U.S. Constitution. The Constitution is the supreme law of the land, and all Senate rules must align with its provisions. Article I, Section 5 of the Constitution grants each house of Congress the authority to determine its own rules of proceedings, but these rules cannot conflict with constitutional principles.
“For example, Senate rules govern procedures like debate, voting, and committee structures, but they cannot override constitutional rights or powers. If a Senate rule were found to be unconstitutional, it would be invalidated.”
“This is the United States- the country from which we borrowed our practice of Presidential System.
“@nassnigeria @NGRSenate @HouseNGR have dubiously placed their “Senate Rules”
above the Nigerian Constitution, the Laws of the Land and Judicial Precedents.
“The tail is now wagging the dog. A dangerous thing.
“How long do citizens want to lethargically permit this aberration to continue?
“The answer is in each of our hands.”
The Kaduna State Executive Committee of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has disowned the immediate-past governor of the State, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, saying it has no record of his membership.
Assistant National Secretary of SDP in North-West, Idris Inuwa, made the disclosure at a press conference on Friday in Kaduna where he advised the former governor to follow the proper procedures if he intends to officially become a member of the party.
“It has come to our notice that certain individuals, including Mal. Nasir El-Rufai are being rumored to have joined the SDP. However, neither the Chairman of the Kaduna North Local Government Chapter, nor the leadership of Unguwar Sarki ward, has any record of these memberships.
“El-Rufa and his co-travelers are not recognised members of the SDP in Kaduna State at this time. We advise him and any other interested individuals to follow the proper procedures if they wish to officially become members of the party.”
Inuwa added that, “The State Executive Committee of SDP categorically rejects the purported dissolution of the State Working Committee as contained in a letter from the National Secretariat dated 25 February, 2025”.
According to Inuwa, the letter has no reference number, no tracking identity and did not have the proper mailing/correspondence address of the Kaduna State SDP.
“We state unequivocally that the action contained in the letter is an exercise in futility, and of no consequential effect whatsoever.
“The Kaduna State Executive Committee is a product of a duly conducted State Congress and holds a four-year mandate that remains valid and binding.”
He maintained that any attempt to dissolve the legitimately constituted leadership of the party in the State is not only unconstitutional, but also a direct affront to the principles of due process and internal democracy.
“This therefore underscores the nullity of the purported setting up of a caretaker committee under one individual,” Inuwa said.
He called on the National Secretariat of the party to immediately withdraw the letter purporting to dissolve the Kaduna State Working Committee.
He threatened that failure to do so will leave them with no option but to seek redress through appropriate channels, including the courts of law.
Suleiman Nazif, a former deputy national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has resigned from the party.
Nazif, an ex-senator who represented Bauchi north, announced his defection from the PDP to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in a statement released on Friday.
“This decision comes after extensive consultation, and in response to the admonition of the people whose voices I have always valued and respected throughout my political journey,” the statement reads.
“However, my dedication to democracy, nation-building and a brighter future for Nigeria remains unwavering.
“Consequently, I hereby declare my decision to join the Social Democratic Party (SDP) to establish a strong robust political platform that upholds democratic principles and fosters a more effective leadership recruitment system in Nigeria.”
Nazif was a member of the PDP national working committee (NWC) and board of trustees (BoT).
The PDP has seen a wave of defection of members to other parties over the protracted crisis in the party.
A bill seeking to bar persons above the age of 60 from contesting for president, governor, vice president, and deputy governor has passed second reading in the House of Representatives.
Sponsored by Rep Ikeagwuonu Ugochinyere, the bill is part of the proposed amendment to the 1999 Constitution on the review of eligibility criteria for the positions.
If passed and assented to by the president, the law would affect the eligibility of President Bola Tinubu, 73, Atiku Abubakar, 78, Peter Obi, 63, and others in their age categories for the 2027 presidential election.
The bill proposes changes to Section 131 of the Constitution to introduce a 60-year age limit for presidential candidates.
The age restriction will be captured in Section 177 of the constitution for the governorship category.
Similarly, potential aspirants for the presidential and governorship elections must have at least a first degree to qualify for elections.
In a related development, the Senate on Thursday slated for consideration a bill seeking to make it mandatory for all categories of elections to be conducted in one day.
Sponsored by Senator Salihu Mustapha (Kwara Central), the bill, if it scales all legislative requirements, will mandate the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct all elections in a single day.
The categories of elections to be affected are the presidential, national assembly, governorship, and state assemblies.
A number of the senators, however, argued over the practicability of the bill, doubting the capacity of INEC to cope with the demand.
They pointed out the uneven terrain across many states, especially in the reverine areas where movement and distribution of electoral materials take many hours to accomplish.
Other senators also picked holes in the bill, pointing out that voters, especially those in rural areas, might not be able to cope with a high number of ballot papers at once.
Delta State College of Nursing, Agbor, has issued a query to one of its students, Osato Edobor, over her involvement in a viral video that showed student nurses allegedly ridiculing First Lady Oluremi Tinubu.
The query, dated March 27,2025 and signed by the provost, Evbodaghe Rita Ogonne, accused Edobor of singing, recording, and circulating the video, which the institution considered a “malicious act” and a punishable offence according to the Student Handbook.
The incident occurred during the First Lady’s official visit to the Dome Event Center in Asaba, where she launched the Renewed Hope Initiative Health Programme and distributed 10,000 professional kits to midwives.
In the video, the students rejected Mrs. Tinubu as their mother, singing “na your mama be this o eh” in response to the MC’s praise song.
The college has given Edobor 24 hours to respond to the query, which states: “It has come to the notice of the school authority that you, Student Nurse Osato Edobor… was found to be engage in malicious act of recording/singing and posting unofficial response to song during the arrival of the First Lady.”
A key suspect in the kidnapping and killing of a priest of the Catholic Diocese of Kafachan, Kaduna State, Rev. Fr. Sylvester Okechukwu, has given a shocking explanation as to why the priest was kidnapped and killed.
Speaking at the headquarters of Operation Safe Haven in Jos on Thursday, the suspect said he kidnapped Okechukwu because he needed ₦200,000 to solve a personal problem.
Okechukwu was abducted on March 4 at his home in Tachira, Kaura Local Government Area.
His body was found the next day, March 5, but the suspects were arrested on Tuesday following a raid by troops in a settlement at the Warsa-Piti community of Lere LGA of the state.
While the suspect admitted to planning the abduction, he denied ordering the priest’s murder.
“Fr. Okechukwu was living in our house in Tachira. I planned his kidnapping because I needed ₦200,000 to solve a problem.
“I invited some guys from other places to help, but I never told them to kill him. I don’t know why they did it because I had already left before it happened,” he said.
Another suspect, also in custody, confirmed that the chief suspect pressured him into joining the crime.
“At first, I refused, but he insisted. We grew up in the same community, so I later agreed. On that day, I left my place in Warsa-Piti, Lere Local Government, to join in the kidnapping.
“He also brought in others from Bokkos in Plateau State, and they came with guns. After we took the priest and walked some distance, we left him with them. We don’t know why they killed him,” he said.
The International Monetary Fund, IMF, has appointed Nigerian billionaire and group chairman of Heirs Holdings, owners of United Bank of Africa, Tony Elumelu to its advisory council on entrepreneurship and growth, convened by Kristalina Georgieva, the fund managing director.
The announcement was disclosed in a statement on Friday.
According to the statement, the IMF advisory council comprises global business leaders, policymakers, and academics dedicated to identifying and addressing regulatory barriers to entrepreneurship.
The IMF said Elumelu will be instrumental in ensuring that Africa’s entrepreneurship is central in policy making.
“Elumelu, Africa’s leading advocate of entrepreneurship and whose Foundation has funded, mentored, and trained over 25,000 African entrepreneurs since 2015, champions entrepreneurship as the engine for the economic transformation of Africa,” the statement reads.
“A self-made entrepreneur, Elumelu’s embracing of entrepreneurship is fundamental to his concept of Africapitalism, his belief that Africa’s private sector can and must play a leading role in the continent’s development, making long-term investments that deliver social and economic value.
“Elumelu will be instrumental in ensuring that Africa’s entrepreneurial potential is central to global economic policy making.”
Speaking at the inaugural meeting of the advisory council on March 26, Georgieva said the appointees would share their experiences on how macroeconomic and financial policies “can provide a supportive environment for innovation, entrepreneurship, and productivity — key ingredients for a thriving private sector and strong economic growth”.
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Annie Idibia, popular Nigerian actress and the estranged wife of singer, Innocent Idibia, professionally known as 2Face, has reverted to her maiden name.
DAILY POST recalls that the duo got married in 2012, and separated in January 2025.
Annie, who has been silent since 2Face announced their separation on his Instagram page, made a return to online on Thursday March 27 2025, and deleted all posts on her page.
However, breaking her silence after the deleted posts, she dropped 2Face’s surname and addressed herself with her maiden name “Annie Uwana Macaulay”.
While appreciating her followers and the public for standing by her during her trying times, she wrote, “To My family and friends who came through for me, the support system i have now, all my amazing family here and all over the world, God bless you for the outpouring of love.
“I appreciate every single one of you and I don’t take any of it for granted, may the universe continue to be in your favor. Lots of LOVE. Annie Uwana Macaulay”.
However, she is yet to remove Idibia from her profile.
Her profile still reads ‘Annie Idibia1’
Rivers State: Tinubu Breaching The Constitution Because He Knows The National Assembly Is Compromised – Sara-Igbe
AFOLABI
A prominent Ijaw leader and elder statesman, Anabs Sara-Igbe, has again criticized the decision of President Bola Tinubu to impose a state of emergency in Rivers State and suspend Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy and members of the State House of Assembly.
Sara-Igbe, in an interview with Vanguard, said that the action of President Tinubu is a violation of the country’s constitution.
The former spokesperson of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), argued that Tinubu could carry out the action because the National Assembly has failed in its responsibility of checking the excesses of the executive and is no longer an independent arm of government.
He added that with what has been done in Rivers State, Nigeria is tilting towards civilian dictatorship and inviting military intervention.
Speaking against the backdrop of recent submissions by former President Oluesegun Obasanjo and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, that democracy is dead in Nigeria, Sara-Igbe agreed that when leaders refuse to abide by the provisions of the constitution, it is clear that democracy is indeed threatened.
In his words, “Nigeria is tilting towards dictatorship. Civilian dictatorship is inviting the military brothers to come. It is like the inside rat in the house inviting the outside rat.
“So, democracy is threatened, the leaders no longer obey the constitution, and there is a breakdown of law and order.”
Sara-Igbe argued that all arms of government – the executive, the legislative, and the judiciary violated the constitution and failed to play their expected role in events around the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State.
“They have violated the constitution. The president has violated the Constitution. If you look at Sections 188 and 189, you will see that Mr President has violated the constitution as regards Rivers State.
“Even if you go to sections 183, 188, 189, the sections that deal with the removal or illegibility of the governor, there is no provision that empowers the president to suspend or sack a governor.
“And now, they are even thinking of suspending him forever; it means democracy is dead. I agree with them. We are fast sliding into a dictatorship.
“We see that all the arms of the government—the executive, the legislative, and the judiciary—have all violated the law.
“The legislature did not apply the constitutional provision in Section 305 that says a 2/3 majority of the members must vote on issues of state of emergency. They did a voice vote, so we did not know how many people voted, how many were absent, or even present.
“All these happened without following the due process of law. The rule of law is no longer in place. Mr President should be careful; that is my advice.
“He should turn back; he cannot destroy the country because of one man. He should not damage his reputation and the entire democratic system.”
It’s Not Too Late
The Ijaw leader, however, appealed to President Tinubu to beat a retreat before the country is plunged further into constitutional errors.
“What is happening today is against the law and a slap on the Nigerian constitution. So, Mr. President, the head of the government can make amends.
“Again, Mr President violated the law by overriding the Supreme Court judgment. The Supreme Court said don’t release money to the government in Rivers State until the budget is presented.
“Without a budget, Mr. President overrode the Supreme Court and released money. These are all breaches of the Constitution. The president is doing all these things because he knows that the National Assembly has also breached the constitution and is compromised. The judiciary, on its own, has lost shape to the executive,” he submitted.
Veteran gospel singer Dr. Panam Percy Paul has revealed that he once turned down a lucrative international record deal because it required him to compromise his faith.
Speaking with Pastor Emmanuel Iren, the renowned musician recounted how, in 1995, he was offered a three-year contract worth £24 million, which was approximately ₦7 billion at the time.
However, the offer came with a condition—he was asked to reduce the number of times he mentioned “Jesus” in his songs.
“The catch was ‘can you reduce the number of times you call the name Jesus in your songs?’ And there is more where this came from. One of them said to me, ‘You actually don’t need to mention the name Jesus. You can call Him other names like Righteous One, Greatest Lover,’” he recalled.
Shocked by the proposal, Paul immediately rejected the deal, stating that no amount of money could make him alter his message.
“I was at the peak of ministry and success in the industry. I was offered £24 million for a three-year contract. 1995, £24 million was equivalent to ₦7 billion. I told them, you can keep the money, while I keep the name.”
The gospel icon also lamented how the music industry has shifted away from ministry, with marketers and record labels now dictating how artists create their music.
“Today, the extreme is that music ministry has now become music industry, where the industry now dictates to the ministers what to do, how to sing, and when to sing. For example, it was the marketers in Alaba that encouraged the musicians to add tongues to their songs,” he noted.
The last lap of traditional rites (Oro Ipebi) for the Alaafin-elect, Oba Akeem Owoade 1, holds tonight at the Sango shrine at Koso in Oyo town.
According to a release by the Director of Media and Publicity to the Alaafin of Oyo, Bode Durojaiye in Ibadan, the state capital, on Friday.
The statement said Oba Owoade would be accompanied by members of the traditional council, the Oyo mesi, Princes and Princesses from all the royal families, traditional religion priests, the Baales (village heads), and a section of residents.
Durojaiye said, “The royal father would sleep over at the shrine where he will be worn with the Sango crown by Baba Mogba in the early morning of Saturday, as the 46th Alaafin of Oyo.
“Immediately after the wearing of Sango crown, everybody present at the historical event, including the Oyo mesi members,, will prostrate and say Kabiyesi to the Alaafin.”
The activity is a prelude to the official coronation ceremony that will take place on April 5, 2025, at the open field of Oliveth Heights, Oyo.