Last week’s ascension to the Alaafin of Oyo throne by then Prince Abimbola Akeem Owoade courted tremendous ruckus in Yorubaland. Why would an unseen Ifa deity and its cloudy, ancient system of divination choose an Alaafin? Implicated in the back-and-forth that followed was 92-year old Ògúnwán̄dé Abím̄bọ́lá, professor of Yoruba language and literature and one-time vice chancellor of the University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University. In 1981, a conclave of Ifa priests in Yorubaland anointed Abimbola as the Àwísẹ Awo Àgbàyé (World Ifa Priest). He was then investured by…
Day: January 19, 2025
Niger Tanker Explosion:IGP orders enhanced Traffic monitoring , commiserates with Govt, Victims
Following the tragic tanker explosion at Dikko Junction on the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway in Niger State, which claimed the lives of over 73 people, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Dr. Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has ordered the strengthening of Motor Traffic Divisions (MTDs) across all State Police Commands. The explosion, which occurred on January 18, 2025, after a truck carrying Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) lost control and caught fire, also resulted in numerous injuries and widespread property destruction. In his response to the tragedy, the IGP conveyed his deepest condolences to the…
Senate Committee Grills Minister Over Ajaokuta Steel Concessioning Process
By James Isaac The Joint Senate Committee on Steel Development has raised serious concerns over the concessioning process of Ajaokuta Steel Company, questioned the Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu, during a budget defense session on Friday. Co-chaired by Senator Patrick Ndubueze, the Committee demanded detailed explanations regarding the contractual agreements with NOVASTAL, a private firm, and the rationale for opting for a tripartite agreement instead of a government-to-government arrangement. The Committee expressed skepticism about the 4 billion naira allocated in the 2024 budget for the…