Security operatives working on the trail of extremist elements and insurgents have foiled a plot by terrorists of Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) to establish a strategic base in Oyo State for the coordination of their activities in Oyo, Osun, and Kwara States.

Independent sources spoken to by the Nigerian Tribune confirmed that ISWAP members fleeing Maiduguri, Borno State had linked up with one of their members who operates around the Oke-Ogun axis in the Northern parts of Oyo State, to comb strategic locations where a coordinating base that would be responsible for operations in Oyo, Kwara, and Osun States could be set up.

It was learned that the said loyalist of ISWAP had been linked with kidnapping and other criminal activities around Oke-Ogun and had started making preparations for the establishment of a base in the Afijio local government area of Oyo State.

It was gathered that security agents got wind of his plan after he held a meeting with some members somewhere in Osun State, after which a number of the gang members were arrested.

Sources said that the link for the group is based in Oke Ogun, however, escaped the arrest and moved to the old Oyo national park, which links the Kamoko forest that stretches from Kaduna to Niger and Kwara States and also links the Old Oyo State in Oke Ogun axis.

The arrest of some of the insurgents by security men operating in Oyo and Osun States was, however, said to have resulted in the recovery of several AK 47 rifles, and a hot pursuit of the linkman said to have stayed in Ago Are town in Oyo State for sometime

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State said on Monday that some insurgents fleeing from the North had attempted to set up camps near Fashola Farms in Oyo State.

Sources told the Nigerian Tribune that the site mentioned by the governor, which was initially targeted as a suitable location is about five kilometers from Fashola Farms but that security agents have since blocked the secret plot.

“The Kamoko forest which stretches from Kaduna all through Niger and links Kwara and Oyo States through Old Oyo National Park is the route being relied upon by these terrorists to make their way into the South West.

“They intend to establish a base around the South-West and when security men got the hints, a hot pursuit was undertaken, leading to some arrests,” a source stated, adding that every effort was being made to neutralise the plot of the terrorists,” said the source.

Another independent source said that the terrorists’ linkman in Oke Ogun had planned to locate a suitable place ahead of a meeting of his collaborators and that the operatives had bursted the plot and scattered the bid for the secret base.

As a result of the development, it was learned that security agencies across the North West state of Kaduna, as well as North Central states of Niger and Kwara, and the South West States of Oyo, Osun, and Ogun States, are already placed on red alert to forestall any plot to establish a camp or base around the South West.

In another development, sources told Nigerian Tribune that security agents have arrested a traditional worshiper in Iseyin, Oyo State, for trying to incite religious disharmony.

It was gathered that the man was trying to dispute some claims in the Holy Quran and equally plans to extend the same treatment to the Holy Bible as a way of igniting confrontation among adherents of the different religions in parts of Oyo State.

Though the man was said to have escaped to Lekki, in Lagos State, Security agencies in Oyo and Ogun States were said to have worked assiduously to get him arrested.

Kingmakers in Oyo have rejected the appointment of Prince Abimbola Owoade as the new Alaafin by Governor Seyi Makinde, describing the decision as illegal and a violation of the traditional selection process.

In a statement issued on Friday, five kingmakers declared the appointment null and void, insisting that Prince Lukman Gbadegesin remains the legitimate candidate they recommended for the revered throne.

Kingmakers Cite Previous Appointment Process

“You will recall that on 30th September, 2022, at the meeting of the Kingmakers in accordance with the Alaafin of Oyo Chieftaincy Declaration, 1961, the Kingmakers appointed Prince Lukman Adelodun Gbadegesin as the Alaafin of Oyo by majority of the lawful votes of the Kingmakers,” the statement read.

They further explained that Prince Gbadegesin’s name was submitted to Governor Makinde for approval, but the governor failed to act on their recommendation without providing any reasons.

“The Kingmakers thereafter filed an action to stop Your Excellency from truncating the process, culminating in the present appeal at the Court of Appeal,” the kingmakers added.

Criticism Of Consultation And Divination Claims

The kingmakers expressed shock at the government’s claim that Owoade’s selection was made after wide consultation and divination.

“We must emphatically state that the Alaafin is not chosen by consultation or divination but in strict compliance with the Registered Alaafin of Oyo Chieftaincy Declaration of 1967, which codifies the native law and custom governing the selection process for the vacant stool of the Alaafin,” they stated.

The kingmakers criticized the alleged meeting convened by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, claiming it contravened the traditional process.

“Any meeting of a few kingmakers and emergency warrant chiefs held at the Governor’s office or elsewhere at the instance of the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, to select the preferred candidate of the Governor as the new Alaafin, is not only contrary to the native law and custom and Chieftaincy Declaration of Alaafin of Oyo Chieftaincy but unlawful, illegal, invalid, null and void,” the kingmakers said.

They accused Governor Makinde of overstepping his authority, asserting that it is not the governor’s duty to convene a meeting to select or appoint a new Alaafin.

The kingmakers reaffirmed their commitment to the traditional processes stipulated by the 1967 Chieftaincy Declaration.

“This hurried appointment disregards the established procedures and undermines the sacred institution of the Alaafin,” they said.

The feud between Grammy Award-winning singer, Damini Ogulu, aka Burna Boy and Pascal Okechukwu, popularly known as Cubana Chief Priest, has had many dimensions, and one of the more interesting ones is the dollar rain it has caused for some people, who were not even involved in the dispute.

Apparently in a bid to spite Chief Priest, Burna had stated that he would bestow $30,000 on Bethel Okechukwu, a phone repairer who claimed to be Chief Priest’s brother. In the thick of their online spat, Burna had reposted a video of Bethel alleging that Chief Priest was his brother, yet he was working as a phone repairer at the popular Alaba International Market in Lagos.

Fulfilling his promise, Burna shelled out $30,000 to the alleged brother. In a video that went viral online, Bethel could be heard thanking Burna Boy for helping him escape poverty. He also called on Nigerians to join him in celebrating the singer’s generosity, saying, “God is real, Odogwu #burnaboygram, God has used you to pull me out from poverty. I will be forever grateful. Please, people, help me thank him for me.”

Responding, Burna said he was only interested in his success, and that he would be happy if he made good use of the money given to him.

However, in a swift response, Chief Priest denied any relationship with Bethel. He wrote on social media, “Alleged brother! Skit makers f**kin oppressors. Dem don kneel am down, you go still bend am down because the pain must reach everybody, but my own be say no alert oh no cash, oh I wan just dey sure say my village boy collect for real. Na still my glorious glory. Make una show workings; na musician you fit even give am verse.”

In a similar vein, Burna promised to change the life of Chief Priest’s alleged Kenyan baby mother, simply identified as Hellen. In a post about her on social media, Burna commented that he would relocate her to Nigeria and give her a job, among other things. He wrote, “We will relocate you to Nigeria, shelter you, put your son in school, and give you a job. Also, by the grace of God, @burnaboyfootballacademy will build him into a football star.”

For some years, Hellen had maintained that she had a baby boy for Chief Priest following an intimate encounter in Lagos. However, Chief Priest refused to budge, insisting that the child was not his.

In her latest interview, she stated tht she was living in abject poverty and needed help.

Though the meeting between Hellen and Burna Boy has not held, to keep his promise, he would also dole some dollars her way.

Bandits who kidnapped and killed the Katsina State Acting Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, Alhaji Amadu Surajo, have demanded a sum of N80m to release the abducted wife and daughter.

Surajo was kidnapped alongside his two wives, an undergraduate daughter, and other people at Mai Rana village, Kusada Local Government Area of Katsina State, during an attack on the village late January 4 and earlier January 5.

The Miyetti Allah’s leader was killed by the bandits who later freed his first wife.

However, a family member, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that the bandits had demanded N80m to free the other wife and the daughter.

According to the source, the bandits called the family at early hour on Saturday. “The bandits have reached out to the family, they asked for N80m ransom to release the other wife of the deceased and his daughter.

“At first, they insisted we must pay N80m but later slashed it to N60m. But as we speak, there is no money for us to pay for the ransom,” the source said.

Dancer and author, Kafayat Shafau, aka Kaffy, has said that any man who is interested in having a relationship with her should approach her without feeling intimidated or scared.

Kaffy, who got separated from her ex-husband, Joseph Ameh, in January 2022, told Saturday Beats, “I don’t think any man that is meant for me will be scared to approach me. I believe there are amazing and cool men out there, and those who are mine, will come. I don’t want to have that cliched thinking that men are usually intimidated (by successful women). A man who knows what he wants goes for it.

“As women, God has blessed us so much that with or without men, we can survive and even be successful. But, we also desire companionship and that is good. But, it is not a do-or-die affair. I know my value as a woman more now than ever before. Any man who has me is blessed.”

Kaffy also maintained that she was not bitter over the separation from her ex-husband. She said, “It’s just that two people are no longer in agreement. I have grown out of it. Yes, I know what was wrongly done to me; but, I don’t want to look at things from the perspective of him being bad and me being good. If something is not working, one should let it go, especially because there are children involved. If my mind does not work well, how would I raise better children?

“The more important thing is for parents to be involved in the lives of their children, whether or not they are married. But, that is one thing the world is struggling to understand. People are more worried about the union than the quality of the relationship people are forming within it.”

Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, has authorized the 2023 and 2024 promotion exercises for 26,764 eligible civil and public servants across the state.

The announcement was made on Friday by the Head of Service, Kehinde Onasanya, who detailed that the promotions would include upgrades and transfers for staff in various sectors.

Beneficiaries include workers in core civil service, teaching and non-teaching staff of secondary and primary schools, as well as personnel from state-owned boards, corporations, and parastatals, including the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH).

Onasanya said, “The approved promotion exercises, including upgrades and transfers, cover eligible civil/public servants within the core civil service, teaching and non-teaching staff of government secondary schools, government primary school teachers, and personnel of state-owned boards, corporations, and parastatals, including the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH).

“A total of 26,764 civil/public servants across junior, senior, and management cadres in Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) of the state government are expected to benefit from these exercises, which will involve only oral interviews as the assessment method.”

Governor Abiodun also approved the December 2024 Combined Confirmation/Promotion Tests and Compulsory Public Service Examinations, which are designed to facilitate career progression for officers in both senior and junior cadres.

These examinations will be organized by the Bureau of Establishments and Training under the Office of the Head of Service.

Onasanya emphasized that the Governor’s approval reflects his commitment to enhancing the welfare, morale, and professional development of the state’s workforce.

Expressing gratitude on behalf of the state workers, the Head of Service lauded Governor Abiodun’s consistent implementation of worker-friendly policies that have significantly boosted employee well-being and career advancement.

He urged the workforce to demonstrate their appreciation by recommitting themselves to diligent service delivery.

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmood Yakubu, has shared his concern over the high cost of conducting elections in Nigeria.

Speaking via a statement on Friday while defending the 2024 budget implementation before the National Assembly, Yakubu lamented that the cost was exorbitant and burdensome.

The electoral body boss pointed out that despite INEC being one of the largest employers in the country, it operated on a reduced budget of ₦40 billion, significantly lower than the ₦80 billion initially requested

He emphasized the financial strain this has placed on the commission’s ability to carry out its responsibilities effectively.

In a bid to address these challenges, he appealed to the lawmakers to organize a retreat where both the legislature and INEC can collaborate, exchange ideas, and find solutions to the pressing issues affecting the electoral process in Nigeria.

“We need a major conversation, the commission cannot continue conducting election all year round,” he said.

Yakubu further lamented the deteriorating state of INEC’s facilities, particularly the 860 buildings across the country, which are in urgent need of repair.

He urged the National Assembly to ensure that the electoral body, which has now submitted a 126 billion naira budget proposal, receives adequate funding.

Prince Akeem Owoade, a Nigerian-Canadian entrepreneur and philanthropist, has been approved as the new Alaafin of Oyo.

The Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, announced the appointment on Friday through the state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Dotun Oyelade.

Owoade is a Nigerian and Canadian entrepreneur, philanthropist, and president of 100279 Manitoba Limited, a real estate investment and financial services business in Manitoba, Canada.

Born 49 years ago to a prominent and royal family of Owoade-Agunloye in Oyo town, Owoade is one of the surviving children of Pa Rasaki Ibiyosi Owoade, the descendant of Aremo Aderounmu Iyanda Owoade, Agure Compound, Oyo town.

Owoade completed his secondary school education at Baptist High School, Saki, Oyo State, Nigeria, in 1992.

His father worked for the Oyo North Agricultural Development Programme, helping the Oke-Ogun community in boosting agricultural productivity.

Taking an early interest in engineering, Owoade began his engineering studies by completing his National Diploma and Higher National Diploma in Mechanical Engineering from The Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, Ogun State (1994 to 1997) and The Polytechnic, Ibadan (1999 to 2001), Oyo State.

He did his national youth service with Nigeria Gas Company as a Mechanical Intern/Planner in 2002.

After the completion of his NYSC, he worked with Oceanic Bank International Plc. in Warri, Delta State as a teller from 2003 to 2004.

Owoade decided to further his education in the United Kingdom, where he attended the University of Sunderland (2008) and Northumbria University (2012) from where he earned Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Mechanical Engineering, respectively.

He became certified in Project Management in June 2015 (PMP holder).

He was chosen by the Owoade-Agunloye family as the preferred candidate to represent the Owoade family in the Alaafin of Oyo race.

He held a Planning Engineer position at Oil Reach Company, Glasgow, United Kingdom for some years before moving to Canada for greater opportunities.

He is the Project Coordinator at one of the largest electric power and natural gas utility providers in Canada, Manitoba Hydro.