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The traditional Ugandan ruler named as the world’s youngest monarch has di£d aged 34, his prime minster announced.

Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV was just three years old when he became king of Tooro in western Uganda in 1995 after the de@th of his father.

The cause of King Oyo’s de@th was not disclosed, but a Ugandan government minister was quoted in local media saying that he had been critically ill and was seeking treatment in the US.

Oyo, who Guinness World Records listed as the world’s youngest reigning monarch, ruled over more than two million people.

He was the 13th monarch of his kingdom.

Announcing his de@th, Tooro’s Prime Minister Calvin Armstrong Rwomiire Akiiki called his passing on Thursday, August 27, an “immeasurable loss” to the royal family and the people of Tooro.

“I call upon all the people of Tooro to remain united, calm and prayerful during this profoundly difficult time,” Akiiki said on Friday. “May His Majesty the King rest in eternal peace.”

The Tooro Kingdom follows a hereditary system in selecting its monarch.

Oyo was not officially married, but Akiiki said “the continuity of the Crown is assured”.

“His Majesty leaves behind a Prince as his heir, whose identity will be formally revealed at the appropriate time, in accordance with the traditions and customs of Tooro Kingdom,” he explained.

When he became king in 1995 a regency, including the queen mother, was established until Oyo turned 18 when there was an official coronation.

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. We’ll continue to entrench best global practices in our drug demand reduction efforts, says Marwa

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has commenced a comprehensive training programme for its counselors nationwide, aimed at standardizing operational protocols and strengthening clinical competencies in line with global best practices for drug demand reduction.

The training, which commenced at the NDLEA Academy, Jos, Plateau State, is being coordinated by the Directorate of Counseling, Treatment and Rehabilitation (DCTR) and brings together over 100 counselors drawn from the Agency’s formations across the country.

The exercise marks the first Agency-driven capacity-building programme of its kind for NDLEA counselors in several years, a development that has been widely commended by participants as a demonstration of the Agency’s renewed commitment to the professional growth of its counseling workforce.

Speaking at the commencement of the phase 1 of the exercise, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Agency, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd) who was represented by the Director, Counseling, Treatment and Rehabilitation, ACGN Bashir Ibrahim, said the training is critical to revitalizing staff morale and equipping officers with modern therapeutic tools to tackle the evolving complexities of substance use disorders, describing it as a reaffirmation of the rehabilitation pillar of the Agency’s mandate and a guarantee that clients across NDLEA facilities receive evidence-based, quality interventions.

According to him, “key objectives of the training include harmonizing practice through uniform protocols across all State Command rehabilitation facilities; enhancing clinical proficiency to address emerging psychoactive substances and co-occurring mental health disorders; aligning the Agency’s rehabilitation practices with national and international standards; strengthening ethics, confidentiality and quality assurance; improving data management for evidence-based policymaking; promoting continuous professional development through peer review and clinical supervision; and optimizing rehabilitation outcomes by reducing inconsistencies in service delivery.”

He said the initiative underscores the Agency’s commitment to building a resilient, well-equipped counseling workforce capable of responding effectively to the nation’s drug demand reduction needs, adding that the training is expected to significantly improve the quality of care across NDLEA rehabilitation facilities and reinforce the integrity of Nigeria’s drug treatment and rehabilitation architecture.

Marwa assured that the Agency will continue to invest in the capacity of its personnel as part of its holistic approach to tackling drug supply and demand reduction in the country.

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The Governor of Plateau State, Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, has extended his heartfelt condolences to the Oladipo family and the Nigerian media industry following the passing of Dr. Samson Dotun Oladipo, a veteran journalist and distinguished media professional.

In a condolence message, Governor Mutfwang described the late Dr. Oladipo as an ace journalist and a towering figure in the media industry, whose immense contributions to journalism helped shape public discourse, promote democracy and good governance, and project a positive image of Nigeria before the international community.

The Governor commended his decades-long career in journalism, marked by professionalism, intellectual depth, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to ethical journalism.

He noted that Dr. Oladipo’s dedication to mentoring and nurturing younger professionals contributed significantly to building a new generation of journalists equipped with the knowledge, skills, and values required to serve the nation creditably.

Governor Mutfwang recalled with nostalgia his encounter with Dr. Samson Dotun Oladipo during one of the visits of the Nigerian Guild of Editors to Plateau State for its Annual General Meeting, describing the memory as a cherished one, and expressed deep sorrow over his passing.

Governor Mutfwang said the demise of Dr. Oladipo, a newspaper editor and later Publisher of the Eagles Online platform, was not only a monumental loss to his immediate family, the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), and the journalism profession, but also a profound loss to the entire media community and the nation, considering his remarkable contributions to journalism and national development.

On behalf of his family, the Government and the peace-loving people of Plateau State, Governor Mutfwang conveyed his deepest sympathies to the Oladipo family, the Nigerian Guild of Editors, the Nigerian Union of Journalists, and the entire media community over the painful loss. He prayed that Almighty God would grant the deceased eternal rest and comfort the family, colleagues, and all those mourning his passing.