NEWS
Osun Opens Up On Esa Oke/Ido Ayegunle Communal Crisis
The Osun State Government (OSG) has released gazette and official memos to justify the recent appointment of Olojudo of Ido Ayegunle, vowing to prosecute those behind arson and killings of Monday, February 3rd, 2025.
Among those documents released to the public are the official gazette of the state government dated 2005 which affirmed the Owa Obokun of Ijesha land, not Owaminran of Esa Oke as the prescribed authority over Ido Ayegunle.
Two other documents were the elevation of the Oba Olojudo of Ido Ayegunle to part two in 2014 which was conveyed to the late Olojudo by both the local government and the palace of Owa Obokun of Ijeshaland.
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The statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi posited that the Adeleke administration has only followed due process as evidenced by legal and administrative documents existing before the advent of the new administration.
According to the statement, the administration followed the law and due process at its State Executive Council meeting which approved the new Olojudo.
Further details provided by the Commissioner are as follows:
“On July 16 1995, a communal clash occurred between Esa-Oke and Ido Ayegunle which led to the loss of a life as well as destruction of property when one Samuel Adekanmi Ajayi was appointed as Baale of Ido Ayegunle by the then Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, Oba Adekunle Aromolaran.
“The State Government, later in July 1998 set up a One Man Enquiry into the Olojudo of Ido Ayegunle Chieftaincy to investigate areas/settlements traditionally associated with Esa-Oke and determine whether Ido Ayegunle is among and to determine who the Prescribed Authority is between the Owamiran of Esa-Oke and Owa Obokun of Ijesaland.
“The enquiry found that despite the fact that Esa-Oke and Ido Ayegunle are in the same Local Government and are contiguous, they have neither traditional or customary relationship and concluded that the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland should continue to be the Prescribed Authority to the Olojudo of Ido Ayegunle Chieftaincy.
“This was affirmed by the then State Executive Council on 31st March, 2005 which approved that the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland should continue to be the Prescribed Authority over Ido Ayegunle. The then Governor signed the legal order on 28th November, 2005.
“The Baale appointed by the Owa Obokun in 1995, Samuel Adekanmi Ajayi was in 2014 recommended for elevation by the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland and subsequently, this recommendation was approved by the then State Executive Council in July 2014 and the stool of Olojudo of Ido Ayegunle was elevated to Part II Recognized Status with the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland as the Consenting Authority.
“Oba Samuel Adekanmi Ajayi joined his ancestors in October 2021 and efforts to fill the stool commenced after the completion of his burial rites. Three candidates contested the vacant stool and Prince Ajayi Oluwatimileyin Oluyemi emerged as the Olojudo-elect having unanimously secured six (6) votes from the Kingmakers of Ido Ayegunle.
“This selection was affirmed by the meeting of the State Executive Council held on Wednesday 29th January, 2025 which approved the appointment of Oba Ajayi Oluwatimileyin Oluyemi as the Olojudo of Ido Ayegunle”, the statement concluded.
Vice President Kashim Shettima has arrived in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, for the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign rally ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The development was disclosed on Friday by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications in the Office of the Vice President.
Akwa Ibom occupies a strategic position in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, with major federal investments expected to strengthen infrastructure and economic activities across the state.
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One of the major projects is the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway, which has an approximately 82.8-kilometre stretch passing through Akwa Ibom.
The project, according to the statement, “promises improved connectivity, expanded trade, greater investment and new economic opportunities for communities across the region.”
Beyond infrastructure, the administration’s interventions in education, agriculture, healthcare, youth empowerment and social protection are also designed to improve livelihoods and broaden economic participation.
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFund) is among the initiatives highlighted, complementing Governor Umo Eno’s investments in roads, aviation, tourism and human capital development.
The statement noted that the Uyo rally provides “another opportunity to strengthen the APC’s growing political presence in the South-South and make the case for continuity in 2027.”
Executive Vice President and Country Chair, Shell Companies in Nigeria, Elohor Aiboni was among 100 people honoured with the DTN@100 Award.
She joined a list of distinguished recipients recognised by the Daily Times newspapers. The contributions of the awardees to national development will be documented in a special publication, titled Nigerian Grand Book.
Daily Times which started publication in 1926 gave the awards as part of its centenary celebrations in Lagos. The centenary theme is: “Honouring the Past, Shaping the Future.” Chairman, Folio Media Group and Publisher Daily Times of Nigeria Fidelis Anosike said: “We proudly celebrate Elohor Aiboni, Executive Vice President and Country Chair of Shell Companies in Nigeria, for her well-deserved recognition at the Daily Times Heroes Award. As a visionary female leader, Elohor has shown that true leadership is defined by action. Her forward-thinking policies continue to drive real, positive change across our nation.”
In her response, Elohor said: “Although this award is presented to me, I do not regard it as mine alone. I share it with my colleagues across the Shell Companies in Nigeria, our partners, and the many people I have had the privilege of working with and learning from over the years.”
Elohor was commended for her achievements in a career in the energy industry that started in Shell in 2002. In addition to serving in operational roles within and outside Nigeria, she has worked as asset manager for Bonga, leading up to her appointment as Managing Director of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited (SNEPCo) in 2021, the first female to hold the post. Early this year, she took up the role of Executive Vice President and Country Chair, Shell Companies in Nigeria, also the first female and Nigerian to hold both roles.
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In her acceptance speech, Elohor also called for concerted efforts towards educating the girl-child. She said: “If we are serious about shaping Nigeria’s future, we must be equally serious about educating and empowering the Nigerian girl child. Education provides not only knowledge, but also confidence, choice and the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to her community and country.”
Photo Caption – L-R: Energy and Investment Solicitor, Sam Aiboni; Executive Vice President and Country Chair, Shell Nigeria, Elohor Aiboni; actress Rita Dominic; and Daily Times Chairman, Fidelis Anosike, during the award presentation at Harbour Point, Lagos.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated Nigeria’s U-17 women’s national football team, the Flamingos, following their historic qualification for the final of the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.
The President commended the team for their impressive 3-1 victory over Brazil in Wednesday’s semi-final, describing their achievement as a remarkable milestone that has brought immense pride and joy to Nigerians at home and abroad.
In a statement issued on Thursday, November 5, by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu also praised the coaching crew and everyone whose hard work and support contributed to the team’s successful campaign.
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With the Flamingos set to face Japan in the final, the President urged the players to remain focused, confident and determined as they pursue the historic world title.
“I encourage you to approach the final with the same fighting spirit and belief that have brought you this far. I have confidence in your ability to make history by winning the coveted world title,” he said.
Tinubu also called on Nigerians to rally behind the young players, describing them as national ambassadors whose achievements continue to showcase the country’s sporting excellence.
He said the team’s performance would inspire a new generation of girls to pursue their dreams without limitations.
“Once again, Nigeria is proud of you. Go for the trophy, Flamingos!” the President added.
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