Author: Admin

Many people would not remember that Aare Arisekola-Alao, CON, would have been 81 years old today. I celebrate the posthumous 81st birthday of Aare AbdulAzeez Arisekola-Àlao, a dignified son of Ibadanland, Yorubaland and a beacon of excellence. His indelible mark on Nigeria’s socio-political landscape continues to inspire. As a prominent businessman and Islamic leader, Arisekola-Àlao championed economic empowerment, uplifting countless lives through his generosity and kindness. He proudly promoted Yoruba heritage, fostering unity and pride. His legacy continues to inspire: a dedication to community development, a benchmark for leaders in community service and an unparalleled impact on Yoruba culture and…

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said it is consulting stakeholders and may seek legislative intervention over growing concerns that the scheduled dates for the 2027 general elections coincide with the holy month of Ramadan. In a statement issued on Friday by the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, the commission acknowledged public reactions to the February 20, 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections, which fall within the Ramadan period. INEC explained that the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2027 general elections were prepared in strict compliance with the…

Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has criticised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over its decision to fix February 20, 2027, for the next general elections, urging the commission to immediately review the date. INEC had announced February 20, 2027, as the date for the nationwide polls — a period that coincides with the Ramadan fast, scheduled to run from February 7 to March 8, 2027. Reacting in a statement shared on his verified X handle, Atiku described the decision as insensitive and poorly judged, warning that conducting elections during Ramadan could limit participation and weaken inclusivity in the electoral…

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has elevated 14 high chiefs and Baales in Oyo town to the status of crown-wearing Obas, formally presenting them with instruments of office at a colourful coronation ceremony held on Friday, February 13, at Oliveth Baptist High School, Oyo. The event attracted traditional rulers, political leaders, senior government officials, as well as cultural stakeholders from across the state. Speaking on behalf of the governor, the Deputy Governor, Barrister Adebayo Lawal, said the elevation underscored the administration’s commitment to strengthening traditional institutions and promoting peace and development at the grassroots. He congratulated the newly crowned…

The Oyo State Local Government Service Commission has been thrown into mourning following the sudden death of Alhaji Jimoh Fatai Taiwo, popularly known as JFT, who passed away on Thursday night in a ghastly motorcycle accident. Alhaji Taiwo, aged 43, was a dedicated Land Officer with the Commission and served at Wẹ́wẹ́ LCDA in Saki West Local Government Area of Oyo State. His untimely death has left colleagues, friends and the entire Saki community in deep shock and sorrow. Widely described as a philanthropist who touched many lives, JFT was known for his generosity and uncommon kindness. Many who spoke…

Oyo State Governor, Engr. Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde, has approved an upward review of the monthly allocation to the Oyo State Local Government Staff Pension Board from One Billion Naira (₦1bn) to Three Billion Naira (₦3bn) to accelerate the payment of gratuities and other entitlements. The Chairman of the Board, Hon. Akeem Ademola Ige, disclosed this in a press statement issued and made available to newsmen on Thursday afternoon. Hon. Ige described the governor’s approval as a clear demonstration of the administration’s sustained commitment to the welfare of pensioners in the state. According to him, the increase from ₦1bn to ₦3bn…

Counsel to former Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, has strongly condemned what they described as an attempted illegal arrest of their client upon his arrival in Abuja from Cairo, Egypt, threatening to institute legal action against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The legal team, led by Ubong Esop Akpan of Ubong Akpan Chambers, accused security operatives of attempting to arrest El-Rufai on Wednesday afternoon when he arrived at the Abuja airport aboard Egypt Air flight MS 877 from Cairo. In a statement, the lawyers described the move as a “flagrant violation of constitutional rights, executive overreach, and…

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) on Thursday, February 12, 2026, commenced its nationwide Membership Revalidation, Mobilisation and Registration (MRMR) exercise, alongside the inauguration of State MRMR Committees. The event, held at the Barcelona Hotel in Wuse II, Abuja, drew members of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC), party leaders, key stakeholders, and supporters from across the country. Party leaders described the MRMR initiative as a strategic and transformative move designed to strengthen the ADC’s internal structures, enhance grassroots engagement, and reposition the party for greater national relevance. They urged members nationwide to participate actively in order to build a credible,…

The Oyo State Government on Thursday conferred the title of Justice of the Peace (JP) on 345 distinguished citizens, charging them to see the honour not merely as a title, but as a solemn call to duty and service to humanity. The conferment ceremony, held at the House of Chiefs, Parliament Building, State Secretariat, Ibadan, drew top government officials, members of the judiciary, religious leaders, and dignitaries from across the State. The Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Barr. Adebayo Lawal, congratulated the 345 appointees and urged them to take the title seriously. He warned against infringing on the scope of…

I was initially surprised, shocked even, that of all northern Nigerian Muslim politicians, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso was the one Republican congressmen singled out for a possible visa ban and asset freeze in their “Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026” bill. Daily Trust’s explainer, which I will return to shortly, clarified the logic for me. Anyone with even the faintest familiarity with Kwankwaso’s trajectory and disposition knows that he is not, by any stretch of the imagination, a religious fanatic. As Kano’s governor, he was famously (and for Sharia advocates, infamously) unenthusiastic about the introduction of Sharia in 2000.…