Author: Olugbenga Fashina

PRESS RELEASE The attention of the Department of Media and Publicity in the Alaafin’s Palace has been drawn to a malicious and unfounded report orchestrated by some devilish bloggers that His Imperial Majesty, the Alaafin of Oyo and the Superior Head of Yorubaland was ridiculed and disgraced by the Esama of Benin during a Church thanksgiving service to mark his 91st birthday. To put the record straight, the father of Chief Gabriel Igbinedion knew the late Alaafin Adeniran Adeyemi , father of the last Alaafin Lamidi Olayiwola in the 50s and had robust relationship . This cordial relationship was inherited…

Nigeria took a significant step towards hosting the 2030 Commonwealth Games, as it welcomed the Commonwealth Sport Bid Evaluation Committee to Abuja on Thursday. President Bola Tinubu, represented by his Chief of Staff, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, formally received the delegation at the Presidential Villa.He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to hosting an inclusive, diverse, and world-class 2030 Commonwealth Games on African soil. Gbajabiamila, along with a strong federal government team of Ministers and very senior government officials, held strategic talks with the delegation led by Darren Hall, Director of Games and Assurance at Commonwealth Sport, and a member of the 2030 Evaluation…

The Rivers State Government House remained deserted on Thursday as Governor Siminialayi Fubara failed to return to the state following the expiration of the emergency rule imposed by President Bola Tinubu on March 18. Hundreds of supporters, including loyalists, kinsmen from the Ijaw ethnic nationality, and other residents, gathered at the Government House gates in anticipation of Fubara’s return. Many had expected the governor—who has been out of the country—to make a dramatic comeback and resume office, but they left disappointed when he did not appear. Earlier in the day, the outgone Sole Administrator of the state formally ended his…

He was the first indigenous Nigerian lawyer, called to the English bar on 17 November 1879. In addition to his legal practice, he came to play an influential role in the politic of Nigeria during the colonial era. He held the chieftaincy title of the Lodifi of Ilesha. POLITICAL ACTIVITY Chief Sapara Williams was the elder brother of Ogunto̩la Sapara, who became a prominent physician. He was of Ije̩sha origin, but was born in Sierra Leone. He studied Law in London at the Inner Temple, and was called to the English bar on 17 November 1879. Returning from the United…

…Pledges Enhanced Trade Facilitation, Community Engagement The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Eastern Marine Command has witnessed a smooth transition of leadership, as Comptroller Anderson Jaja officially assumed duty as Area Controller on Friday, 12 September 2025. In his inaugural address, Comptroller Jaja expressed gratitude to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, for entrusting him with the strategic role. He also commended his predecessor, Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs Chika Dim, for his notable achievements during his tenure. “I wish to commend the outgoing ACG Chika Dim for the massive work done in the Eastern Marine Command. I pledge to build on…

The Lagos State Government has launched a probe into Tuesday’s fire at Afriland Towers and Central Plaza on Lagos Island. There were fatalities, which occurred due to inhalation of smoke and not from fire injuries, the government said, debunking insinuations that the Fire Service did not do enough to stop the blaze. The government condoled with those who lost their loved ones in the incident. The government spoke on Thursday at a joint press conference at Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa, Ikeja, by Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy Gbenga Omotoso; Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and…

…As ACG Babandede Charges Them on Ethical Leadership The Nigeria Customs Service, Zone ‘A’, has decorated 239 senior officers who were recently promoted, in a ceremony held on Tuesday, 16 September 2025, at the Customs Training College in Lagos. The Zonal Coordinator, Assistant Comptroller-General (ACG) Mohammed Babandede, described the promotions as a testament to hard work, integrity, and the visionary leadership of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi. “Today’s ceremony represents more than just a change in rank. It symbolizes the Service’s confidence in your ability to lead, your proven track record of integrity, and your readiness to shoulder greater…

The Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources (MOE&WR) has observed with grave concern the proliferation of reclamation activities on Wetlands, Floodplains and the Lagoons across the State, particularly around Parkview, Banana Island, Osborne and other parts of Ikoyi, Victoria Island Extension, Lekki, Ajah, Oworonshoki, Lagos Mainland, Ikorodu, Ojo and Badagry axis, without consideration of the adverse Impacts on the Environment and the Wellbeing and Safety of the good people of the State. These indiscriminate Reclamation projects are being executed without requisite Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Approvals and Drainage Clearance from this Ministry. While reclamation may provide space…

Shared Heritage Grace Eniola Soyinka (1908–1983) and her cousin Professor Olikoye Ransome-Kuti (1927–2003) belonged to one of Nigeria’s most influential Yoruba families. Their mothers were sisters from the celebrated Ransome-Kuti lineage of Abeokuta, Ogun State—a family renowned for its pioneering roles in education, Christian ministry, and social reform.Grace was the daughter of Anne Lape Iyabode Ransome-Kuti, making her a niece—not a daughter—of the celebrated clergyman-musician Rev. J. J. Ransome-Kuti. She grew up in the same household network that nurtured political activist Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, who later married Grace’s uncle Rev. Israel Oludotun Ransome-Kuti. Olikoye, born almost two decades after Grace, was…

The Ogun State Office of the Public Complaints Commission, led by the Honorable Federal Commissioner, Hon. Morakinyo OgoOluwa Akinleye, alongside members of the Commission’s management team, paid an official visit to the Dangote Cement Factory, Ibese Plant, Yewa North, Ogun State today Wednesday 17th September, 2025. The delegation was warmly received by the Plant Director, Mr. Ayyagari Subbaraidu, and other Top management of the Plant.The visit was carried out to foster mutual understanding, explore areas of collaboration, and strengthen engagement between the Commission and Dangote Cement Company, Ibese. The Honourable Commissioner, Hon. Morakinyo OgoOluwa Akinleye used the visit to elaborate…