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Former Ondo First Lady, Betty Akeredolu, Not Married To Late Husband’s Younger Brother Says Family
The family of Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, a former first lady of Ondo State has debunked reports that the former first lady remarried her late husband’s younger brother, Prof Prof. Wole Akeredolu
Recall that the former governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu, died in December 2023 and has since been buried.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the family of Akeredolu denied reports claiming Betty remarried her brother-in-law.
Last week, there were reports that Wole Akeredolu had asked for Betty’s hand in marriage. These reports surfaced after a traditional Mgbafu Mkpe ceremony was performed for Betty.
The ceremony was held on Sunday, March 31, 2024, in Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State.
However, the Akeredolu family has dismissed the reports as false and groundless. They clarified that the event was held to express the desire to have Betty continue living with them.
Gathered that Mgbafu Mkpe is a traditional Igbo ceremony performed shortly after the demise and burial of a woman’s husband in Igbo land. The family of the woman’s husband would indicate interest in still having the widow live with them or not.
Upon saying yes, the in-laws would hand over the widow back to the husband’s family after performing some rituals. Should the husband’s family say no, certain rituals are also conducted to free the woman from her husband’s family.
The statement reads: “Our attention has been drawn to the twist being given to our story entitled: ‘Aketi Eternal: Emeabiam Community Performs Mgbafu Mgbe Rite For Widow.
“For the benefit of those who are not familiar with the story, Aketi is the nickname of Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, SAN, CON, the former Governor of Ondo State who passed away in December 2023.
“He was married to the former First Lady of Ondo State, Chief Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, Ada Owere 1.
“According to the tradition of the Igbo especially the people of Imo State, the Mgbafu Mkpe ceremony must be held after the death and burial of the husband of their daughter.
“The Mgbafu Mkpe ceremony of Chief Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu was held on Sunday, March 31, 2024, at the serene Emeabiam Community in Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State.
“The ceremony was held at her ancestral compound in Umuikea Emeabiam Community. During the ceremony, Mr. Herbert Igbo representing the Umuegeolu Kindred handed over the former first lady to the immediate younger brother of her late husband, Prof Wole Akeredolu as tradition stipulates.
“This was after the Akeredolus had indicated interest to have Chief Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu still live with them. Some rituals were carried out to seal the handover.
“It is therefore to our utter surprise to read posts made by bloggers, many of whom depended on our story, claiming that Chief Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu is now married to Prof Akeredolu as his wife.
“This is totally false and a clear misrepresentation of what actually transpired during the ceremony. We don’t want to believe this sensational plank given to the story is deliberate.
It stems solely from ignorance of the full import of the tradition of the people since most of the bloggers do not hail from the area. However, it is usually good to seek clarification whenever one is in doubt.
“Note that our story did not suggest or assert that Prof Wole Akeredolu is the husband of Chief Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu. He did not remarry her either at the ceremony or afterward.”
News
Shettima becomes 1st VP to lead Nigeria’s delegation to UN Assembly in 25 yrs
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has decided not to attend the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session in New York this year.
The president has thus directed Vice President Kashim Shettima to lead Nigeria’s delegation.
President Tinubu, who returned to the country last Sunday after his trip to China and the United Kingdom, according to a statement yesterday by his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, wants to focus on domestic issues and address some of the country’s challenges, especially after the recent devastating flooding.
“At UNGA 79, Vice President Shettima will deliver Nigeria’s national statement to the General Assembly, attend important sideline events, and hold bilateral meetings.”
“The high-level General Debate, with the theme ‘Leaving no one behind: Acting together for the advancement of peace, sustainable development and human dignity for present and future generations,’ will run from Tuesday, September 24, through Saturday, September 28, 2024,” the statement added.
Since return to democratic governance in 199, Shettima will be the first Vice President to Nigeria’s delegation to UNGA.
Only Goodluck Jonathan represented Nigeria as Acting president in September 2010 at the 65th UNGA, while late President Umaru Musa Yar’adua was away in Saudi Arabia due to his ill health.
News
Plateau Assembly approves N5.8bn for LG election
The Plateau State House of Assembly, on Thursday, approved N5.8bn for the conduct of the local government election in the state slated for October 9, 2024.
The approval by the House followed a communication from Governor Caleb Mutfwang, which was read at plenary by the Assembly Speaker, Gabriel Dewan.
The Speaker stated that the request was necessary as there was no budgetary allocation for the LG elections in the 2024 budget.
A member of the State Assembly, who declined to be named because he was not authorised to speak for the Assembly, confirmed the development to The PUNCH in Jos on Thursday.
The lawmaker said, “Governor Mutfwang, at Tuesday’s plenary, sought the House’s approval for N5.7bn as the 2024 supplementary, which was increased after upward review by the legislators.”
He continued, “The House leader, Joseph Bukar, presented the bill during our plenary. While soliciting the support of members for speedy passage, he said PLASIEC was running out of time in preparation for the election.”
“In their individual contributions, Hon. Kalamu Dal suggested a downward review of the budget size, while Hon. Daniel Nanbol urged for a critical review and deliberations. Afterwards, members approved a revised sum of N5.8bn, as opposed to the N5.7bn requested.”
The increase, as explained by Bukar, was due to an increase in security allocation for the election, from N2.7m to N4.2m. “So, that is what happened, and that is where we are at the moment regarding the forthcoming LG election,” the lawmaker concluded.
News
Enugu, Kwara tighten security ahead of LG polls
Security measures have been intensified in Enugu and Kwara states ahead of their Local Government elections scheduled for Saturday, September 21, 2024.
In Enugu State, the Police Command has pledged to ensure the safety of lives and properties during the elections.
However, the peace accord signing for the elections was marred by the absence of major parties like the Peoples Democratic Party, All Progressives Congress, and Labour Party.
Only representatives from the All Progressives Grand Alliance and Accord attended but chose not to sign the accord, citing the lack of participation from the leading parties.
Enugu State Commissioner of Police, Kanayo Uzuegbu, said all wards and flashpoints had been identified, and security personnel would be on high alert to prevent any disruptions.
The Chairman of the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission, Prof. Chris Ngwu, said the commission was fully prepared for the elections with the support of the state government in procuring necessary materials.
In Kwara State, security agencies have been actively coordinating to ensure a smooth electoral process.
Over 3,000 personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps have been deployed across the state.
The Kwara State Independent Electoral Commission has completed arrangements for a trouble-free election.
Kwara State Police Public Relations Officer, Toun Ejire-Adeyemi, reported that a strategic meeting with heads of various security agencies, including the Nigerian Army, Navy, Air Force, and others, had been held to ensure coordinated efforts for maintaining law and order.
The Commissioner of Police, Victor Olaiya, guaranteed maximum security for the election period.
The NSCDC Commandant, Dr. Umar Mohammed, announced the deployment of 3,000 personnel to various polling units and emphasised their role in preventing violence, ballot snatching, and other disruptions.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Benue State Independent Electoral Commission, Telumun Tombowua, announced on Thursday that eight political parties will participate in the upcoming LG elections in the state, scheduled for October 5, 2024.
Addressing journalists in Makurdi, Tombowua said the election would be conducted fairly and transparently.
He emphasised that the law establishing the BSIEC does not permit the use of Bimodal Voter Accreditation Machines for this election.
Regarding the APC, Tombowua confirmed that the National Working Committee of the party had requested the commission to work with the seven-man caretaker committee appointed to oversee party affairs in the state.
He noted that while 14 parties had initially shown interest, only eight completed the necessary processes and submitted their candidates.
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