News
Ogun monarch cautions Alaafin over statement on rotation of Oyo obas council’s head
The Eselu of Iselu Kingdom in Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State, Oba Akintunde Akinyemi, has urged the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, to desist from taking issues with Governor Seyi Makinde over the newly reconstituted rotational Oyo Council of Obas, which saw the emergence of Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Adewolu Rashidi Ladoja, as chairman.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Oba Akinyemi noted that as a traditional ruler, Oba Owoade should understand that he should not be challenging the decisions of the Governor (Makinde) of his state on the pages of newspapers and social media.
The statement read in part: On Thursday, 15th January, 2026, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, inaugurated the maiden rotational Oyo State Council of Obas with the appointment of Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Adewolu Rashidi Ladoja as the Chairman of the council for a two-year term. According to the Governor, he consulted the three prominent monarchs in Oyo State- Alaafin of Oyo, Olubadan of Ibadan and Soun of Ogbomoso before the inauguration, and the trio supported the appointment of Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Adewolu Rashidi Ladoja as the pioneer chairman of the council for a two-year term. The Alaafin was conspicuously absent at the inauguration ceremony for a reason known to him.
”Some hours after the inauguration ceremony, there was a press release from the Palace of Alaafin of Oyo, stating that Governor Seyi Makinde did not consult the Alaafin. This statement simply means that Alaafin of Oyo is saying that Governor Seyi Makinde is lying.”
”As a Traditional Ruler with over two (2) decades of experience, I, Eselu of Iselu, view the reaction of the Alaafin as an affront to the Office of the Governor of Oyo State. My candid advice to His Imperial Majesty, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade I, is that he should withdraw the press release and stop further comments on the matter on the pages of newspapers so as not to incur the wrath of the Government of Oyo State. Rotation of Chairmanship of a Traditional Council (of monarchs) happens in many States in our country, Nigeria, so the action of Governor Seyi Makinde should not be seen as a strange decision. The truth is that the days of the Oyo Empir,e when the Alaafin of Oyo could lay claim to the Permanent Chairmanship of the State’s Council of Obas, are gone.”
Oba Akinyemi added: ”It is a fact that the Ooni of Ife and the Alaafin of Oyo are the overall heads of the Yoruba race, and all of us must do everything to prevent the desecration of their revered stools. However, we must remember that we are no longer in the era when monarchs were the heads of government. Specifically, the Alaafin should note that actions such as this can always come with consequences because the Governor and his Executive Council have the power to impose and depose any monarch who is guilty of disobedience and insubordination, and nothing will change such decisions of the government.
‘Finally, I want to admonish the Alaafin of Oyo, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade I, to sheath his sword and not allow any sentiments that can threaten the revered stool of Oyo Land. The Alaafin of Oyo should note that anyone advising him to confront the Governor and rock the boat with him (the Governor) does not like him (Kabiyesi). As someone who came back from Canada to be enthroned as the Alaafin, I personally want you to succeed and enjoy your reign on the throne, so Your Imperial Majesty should do away with bad advisers.”
News
FCTA to secure fulfilling, rewarding post-service life for retiring workers
The Federal Capital Territory Civil Service Commission (FCT-CSC), in partnership with the Office of the Head of Service, FCT Administration (FCTA) has taken steps to ensure public servants transition into a prosperous and purposeful post-service life.
Chairman of the Commission, Mr Emeka Ezeh, disclosed this in Abuja on Tuesday, at the opening of a pre-retirement workshop for retiring civil servants with the theme “How to Triumph In Retirement”.
Ezeh urged the retiring members of staff to develop concrete strategies that would turn their post-service years into a productive, financially secure and deeply rewarding chapter.
He described the seminar as the very first collaborative initiative between the commission and the Head of Service’s office, underscoring a joint resolve to protect the post-service welfare of senior citizens.
He noted that after dedicating 35 to 40 years of active service or reaching the mandatory age of 60 to 65 years, officers often face anxiety regarding the future, making proactive guidance essential for a rewarding transition.
The chairman said that the seminar directly aligns with Section 7c(ii) of the Commission’s Establishment Act, which mandates the body to advise the FCT Minister on employee conditions.
According to him, a well-motivated workforce remains the bedrock of public sector productivity.
Reflecting on recent structural transformations, Ezeh said that the FCT Civil Service has embraced disruptive innovations designed to enforce strict merit, transparency and administrative discipline across all cadre levels.
Among these landmark reforms, Ezeh highlighted the comprehensive staff verification exercise, which successfully harmonised personnel data across the entire FCTA into a single, secure and coherent central database under the commission’s oversight.
“Furthermore, the commission successfully cleared a long-standing backlog of promotion exercises spanning 2023, 2024, and 2025, restoring professional morale and resolving key career progression bottlenecks for thousands of workers.
“The integration of Computer-Based Testing for promotion examinations is also a major leap forward, ensuring the swift release of results, eliminating sharp practices, and instilling transparency in career advancements,” he said.
Ezeh also announced the rollout of official FCT-CSC Guidelines on appointment, promotion and discipline, alongside two published Annual Reports, with a Standard Operating Procedure for conversion, upgrading, advancement and skipping nearing completion.
Attributing these institutional successes to the “Renewed Hope Agenda” of President Bola Tinubu and the visionary leadership of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, Ezeh praised FCTA for opening unprecedented career pathways.
He explained that the pathways allow FCT workers to rise to the ranks of Permanent Secretary and Head of Service.
He thanked Wike and the acting Head of Service, Mrs Nancy Nathan, for their collaborative support, stressing that the pre-retirement training initiative would become a sustained annual event.
In her remarks, Nathan commended the retiring officers for their unwavering dedication, loyalty, and invaluable contributions to the growth and governance of the FCT.
She reassured the retirees that while their names may eventually leave the active government payroll, their developmental blueprints, institutional wisdom, and years of hard work would remain permanently embedded in the territory’s progress.
She emphasised that retirement should never be viewed as an end to personal relevance, but rather as a strategic repositioning to deploy decades of accrued wisdom toward mentorship, community development, and entrepreneurial ventures.
“To ensure holistic readiness, the training programme was structured around critical pillars, including strategic financial management of terminal benefits, sound investment choices, physical and mental health maintenance, and impactful community engagement,” she said.
Nathan urged the retiring public servants to embrace purposeful living, noting that true triumph in post-service life occurs when contribution replaces compensation and personal fulfillment replaces daily routine.
Addressing administrative concerns, the acting head of service gave firm assurances that the FCTA is actively collaborating with relevant agencies to streamline processes and guarantee the prompt payment of retirement entitlements.
“The seminar is designed to offer participants actionable frameworks to manage lifestyle changes, mitigate financial risks, and maintain strong social connection networks,” she added.
Some of the participants expressed immense gratitude for the timely workshop, noting that the actionable strategies provided would significantly alleviate post-service anxiety and build firm confidence for a fulfilling future.
News
Watch moment FCT minister Wike campaigns for Tinubu, Aduda
…Vote Tinubu for President
Vote Aduda for Senate
Federal Capital Territory FCT minister Nyesom Wike has started campaigning for President Bola TInubu and Phillip Aduda in Abuja.
Watch the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, telling the people of Tungan Shanu village during the inspection of the ongoing construction of the road linking Tungan Madaki with Zuba Road today to vote President TInubu and Aduda for Senate.
News
Court Directs INEC to Recognise NDC’s Two-Finger Logo
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) says its Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) will soon be inaugurated as the party intensifies preparations for the 2027 general elections.
The party disclosed this in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director Esq., on September 21, 2026.
According to the statement, the NDC is currently consulting with relevant stakeholders to develop and inaugurate what it described as a robust Presidential Campaign Council.
The party said its Presidential Candidate, Mr Peter Obi, and Vice-Presidential Candidate, Dr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, had held several meetings with the National Leader and leadership of the party as part of the process.
The NDC said Obi and Kwankwaso had been given the opportunity to nominate key officials of the campaign council in consultation with the party.
Those positions include the Director-General of the Campaign, Deputy Director-General (North), Campaign Spokesman, Deputy Spokesman, Head of New Media, Finance Director, Deputy Finance Director and other positions.
The party said the arrangement was designed to promote inclusiveness and cohesion within the campaign structure.
It added that a full organogram of the campaign structure had been developed since August and made available to Obi and Kwankwaso for their input, while nominations had also been received from other stakeholders across the country.
The NDC said it would announce and inaugurate the PCC after receiving the inputs of the presidential and vice-presidential candidates.
It also disclosed that a campaign timetable had been proposed since August, with arrangements for campaign funding and fundraising still being concluded.
According to the party, funds raised for the presidential campaign would be paid into the presidential campaign account and managed by officers nominated by the presidential candidate and his running mate alongside the party’s National Treasurer.
The party said the PCC inauguration, initially scheduled for the first week of September, was postponed because of the travel schedule of the presidential candidate.
Meanwhile, the NDC has directed its state and Local Government Area (LGA) chairmen to commence the compilation and harmonisation of party agents ahead of the 2027 elections.
The directive, according to the party, is in line with the Electoral Act, 2026, and requires state and LGA chairmen to meet with candidates and relevant stakeholders to produce comprehensive lists of agents.
The agents will be divided into two categories: those for National Assembly elections and those for governorship and State Assembly elections.
The party said the lists would be scrutinised and ratified by its leadership, including the presidential candidate and his running mate, before training commences.
The exercise is expected to be completed and the final lists submitted within two weeks of the directive.
The committee responsible for the appointment of party agents is chaired by the NDC Deputy National Chairman (South), Comrade Babatunde Alli. Vin Martin Ilo serves as secretary, while Dr Yunusa Tanko, Nafiu Dankura and the National Vice Chairmen of the six geopolitical zones are members.
The party also appealed to its candidates at all levels to discourage supporters and support groups from engaging in internal battles, urging them instead to concentrate on winning the elections.
“There are no battles to fight within the NDC,” the party stated, identifying the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as its common opponent.
The NDC said it remained committed to supporting its candidates and urged them to focus on winning elections, stressing that its candidates were contesting under the party and not as independent candidates.
The party expressed its desire for all its candidates to win their respective elections and called on members and supporters to remain focused on the 2027 electoral contest.
-
News24 hours agoKalu hails Oluremi Tinubu at 66, Praises Support for Women, Vulnerable Nigerians
-
News21 hours agoFCT minister Wike’s words on marble
-
News21 hours ago2027: Wike Reveals Why APC Governors Are Opposing Rainbow Coalition
-
News12 hours agoChristian candidates will punish Nigerian Muslims if elected in 2027 elections: APC Lawmaker Ibrahim Shittu
-
News24 hours agoEnikanolaiye Mourns ex-Kogi Governor Ibrahim Idris
-
News12 hours agoNigeria signs acquisition agreement for 12 Viper Attack helicopters from U.S
