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OBA MOHOOD ISHOLA OLALEKAN BALOGUN ALLI OKUNMADE II. A HUGELY REMARKABLE REIGN AND GLORIOUS PASSAGE INTO ETERNITY.

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OBA MOHOOD ISHOLA OLALEKAN BALOGUN ALLI OKUNMADE II. A HUGELY REMARKABLE REIGN AND GLORIOUS PASSAGE INTO ETERNITY.

By Prof Soji Adejumo.

Oba Lekan Balogun came on to the throne at a time Ibadanland was in dire need of a cultural and developmental turn around. He came at a time Ibadanland needed a leader who could steer the affairs of this megapolis with academic precision, social and political wisdom. He came when Ibadanland needed to reinvent the imperial ethos of the Kingdom.

Oba Olalekan Balogun ticked all the boxes. Presiding over traditional institutions in a Kingdom comprising of 1 Metropolis, 42 Royal Kings, 67 Traditional Chiefs, over 600 Mogajis, 3000 Baales in 11 Local Governments, 63 Towns, and over 3000 villages, is no mean feat.

I became acquainted with our late Kabiyesi in the late eighties when he had just cut his political teeth during the Shehu Shagari era. He came across to me as a social philosopher and an aristocrat with a socialist flavour. He would talk to me for hours in his expansive Alarere House which later became his Palace. He was a social and political ideologue and would discuss any of such issues under the sun. He was always rhetorically explicit with his choice of words and I admired him greatly. He also loved to talk about the Nigeria of his dreams where there will be justice and equity for all. We talked about education and agriculture and his vast knowledge and experiences were amazing. Our political paths were also aligned and I looked up to him for leadership mentorship and direction. The relationship was that of a younger brother to an older brother and relating with him was always interesting because of his huge sense of humour.

He loved Ibadanland and was always proud of his ancestral antecedents. He was climbing the rungs of the traditional ladder and running his political affairs side by side. He became a Senator and topped that with his coronation as the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland. I remember telling him about ten years ago that if God should enable him to become an Olubadan, he must modernise the monarchy and he gave his word. He fulfilled the promise to the letter. Shortly before his coronation, his younger brother, Senator, Dr. Kola Balogun along with some Ibadan sons and daughters including my humble self setup the Ibadan Royalty Committee to assist Kabiyesi from the background in addressing issues pertaining to the development of Ibadanland and the enhancement of the dignity and prestige of the Ibadan Monarchy. Kabiyesi tremendously appreciated our humble efforts and gave maximum support and encouragement. He and the Olubadan Advisory Council suceeded in modernising the unique traditional culture of Ibadanland with good grace. Oba Lekan Balogun was a man without angst, who also did not suffer fools gladly, but was also very generous and large hearted. He could not hold a grudge beyond a few hours and many people exploited this attribute of his to their advantage. He was always very quick to forgive and forget and never turned down any request for help.

As a Monarch, he maintained an open door policy and was always ready to assist everyone who came to him for help or favours irrespective of their tribe and creed. I cannot recall the tens of letters he wrote daily for people who needed help from him to get jobs, engagements and other services. I very well recall someone who approached me on behalf of a friend of his whom I had never met before and who wanted to secure a job with a huge multinational company and felt that a letter of recommendation from Kabiyesi would help the process. The request came very late in the evening and Kabiyesi was already retiring for the night, but when he was informed of our mission, he waited for us and granted the person his request before retiring to bed. Such was his selfless nature. I am happy to have been associated with the giant strides of Oba Balogun all within a short span of two years. I am also humbled by the honour he bestowed on me as the Ajiroba of Ibadanland. He witnessed the completion of the new Olubadan Palace but fate has decreed he would not live there. Such is life. Now, the work is done and finished. Kabiyesi has finished his glorious race and our testimonies and remembrances will keep his memory alive. The architect of the modern era of the very unique Ibadan traditional institution Oba Lekan Balogun has joined his ancestors.

I commiserate with the Governor of Oyo State and an illustrious Ibadan son, ENGR. Seyi Makinde, The Olubadan-In-Counci, Baba Kekere Olubadan, Senator Dr. Kola Balogun, the Good people of Ibadanland and Oyo State and Nigeria as a whole on the passage of our Monarch and the end of a short but indelible era. I wish the suceeding Monarch a glorious and peaceful reign. The King is dead. Long live the king!

Prof Soji Adejumo. The Ajiroba of Ibadanland

OBA MOHOOD ISHOLA OLALEKAN BALOGUN ALLI OKUNMADE II. A HUGELY REMARKABLE REIGN AND GLORIOUS PASSAGE INTO ETERNITY.

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Festac DPO, CSP Matilda Ngbanoyen, dies during medical treatment in Lagos

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Festac DPO, CSP Matilda Ngbanoyen, dies during medical treatment in Lagos

By: Zagazola Makama

The Lagos State Police Command has announced the death of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Festac Division, CSP Matilda Ngbanoyen, who passed away while receiving medical treatment in Lagos.

The incident occurred on Oct. 24, 2025, at about 11:30 p.m., when the officer reportedly died at the Mayriamville Medical Centre, Bode Thomas, Surulere, during a medical session for fibroid treatment.

Following the report, a delegation from the Command visited the hospital to confirm the development and make necessary arrangements.

“The corpse was evacuated to a public morgue for preservation and autopsy,”sources said.

The Command said arrangements were underway, in collaboration with the late officer’s family, to accord her a befitting burial.

CSP Ngbanoyen was described as a dedicated and disciplined officer who served the Nigeria Police Force with commitment and professionalism.

The Command expressed condolences to her family, colleagues, and friends over the tragic loss.

Festac DPO, CSP Matilda Ngbanoyen, dies during medical treatment in Lagos

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Widower mourns slain nurse wife in Maiduguri

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Widower mourns slain nurse wife in Maiduguri

By: Zagazola Makama

Hamza Ibrahim Idris, a bereaved husband in Maiduguri, Borno, has paid a touching tribute to his late wife, Nurse Hadiza Musa, who was allegedly murdered by suspected phone snatchers.

In a heartfelt message titled “Ga Masoyiyata Nurse Hadiza Musa”, the widower expressed deep sorrow over the death of his wife, describing her as a virtuous woman, devoted mother, and compassionate health worker who dedicated her life to saving others.

“It’s been three days since my heart has burned with the pain of losing my wife, my life partner, Nurse Hadiza Musa, who was killed in cold blood by those who snatched her phone,” he wrote.

“She was not just a wife she was my confidant, the mother of my three children, and the other half of my soul. We lived in love, understanding and mutual support, building dreams and hoping to grow old together. But now, that dream has been shattered,” he said.

The grieving husband described Hadiza as a woman of faith, humility and kindness who always put others first.

“As a nurse, she devoted her life to saving others with a smile and compassion. Yet, the life she saved was taken unjustly she died in faith and martyrdom,” he added.

He recounted the pain of their children’s repeated questions: “Daddy, where is Mommy?” a reminder, he said, of the irreplaceable void left by her death.

“Each time I hear those words, tears flow. In their faces, I see hers a woman of truth, love, and belief,” he said.

Offering prayers, he said: “Oh Allah, the Most Merciful, forgive her shortcomings, elevate her rank, grant her Aljanna Firdaus, bless her children, and give me strength and patience.”

He added that though Hadiza was gone, her love remained in his heart and prayers, expressing hope of reuniting with her in the hereafter “where there will be no pain, no tears, and no separation.”

“May Allah forgive and have mercy on my beloved wife, Nurse Hadiza Musa. May her grave be a garden of paradise. May He grant me patience and protect our children,” he concluded tearfully.

The incident, which occurred recently in Maiduguri, has sparked outrage among residents who have called for stronger security measures to curb rising cases of phone snatching and violent attacks in the city.

Widower mourns slain nurse wife in Maiduguri

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Waidi Shuaibu: from Theartre Commander to Army Chief — chronicling a transformative leadership journey

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Waidi Shuaibu: from Theartre Commander to Army Chief — chronicling a transformative leadership journey

By: Zagazola Makama

Maj.-Gen. Waidi Shuaibu’s appointment as the new Chief of Army Staff marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to consolidate gains in the fight against insurgency and strengthen national security.

Before his elevation to the apex position in the Nigerian Army, Gen. Shuaibu served as Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) in the North-East, where his 14-month tenure was defined by tactical innovation, operational success, and deep civil-military engagement. His leadership transformed the counter-insurgency landscape, restoring relative stability to vast areas once dominated by Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists.

Upon assuming command of OPHK, Maj.-Gen. Shuaibu prioritized operational readiness, launching an extensive refurbishment of key military assets to boost troop morale and combat capability. He spearheaded the repair of vital armoured platforms, including ten VP1 Type 89 APCs, five BMPs, three Steyr APCs, and six Camel MRAPs, ensuring optimal deployment for the 2024 dry-season operations.

These efforts culminated in the historic deep-clearance operations into Sambisa Forest and the Tumbuktu Triangle in early 2024, which dealt devastating blows to terrorist hideouts, supply chains, and command structures. His coordinated offensive operations neutralized more than 567 terrorists and dismantled several high-value enemy enclaves between February 2024 and March 2025.

Under his leadership, the integration of air and ground components reached new heights. The Nigerian Air Force component executed over 230 sorties and 232 interdiction missions, clocking more than 567 flight hours, while the UAV Command carried out 760 ISR operations totaling 6,674 hours. These precision missions enhanced battlefield awareness, enabling ground troops to conduct over 9,800 patrols, 2,700 ambushes, and 990 clearance operations with high success rates.

Intelligence-led operations resulted in the arrest of 161 terrorist logisticians and the surrender of over 121,000 insurgents and their families — a remarkable milestone that shifted the dynamics of the North-East conflict toward peacebuilding and reintegration.

Maj.-Gen. Shuaibu’s counter-insurgency philosophy went beyond the battlefield. He introduced the Local Community Policing and Peace Enforcement (LCPPE) model in February 2024 — an initiative that deepened trust between the military and local communities. This approach paved the way for stabilization operations, including the resettlement of more than 4,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Kukawa and other restored communities.

He also promoted civil-military cooperation through humanitarian and religious initiatives, including a Qur’anic Recitation Competition aimed at fostering moral resilience and unity among troops and civilians. Three participants were later sponsored for the Hajj pilgrimage — a gesture that reinforced goodwill and trust.

A hallmark of his tenure was the focus on infrastructure and troop welfare. He initiated the renovation and modernization of the Joint Task Force (North-East) Headquarters complex, constructed new escort and drivers’ lounges, refurbished soldiers’ accommodation, and built 30 two-bedroom community-based quarters for military families.

Additionally, the installation of long-range surveillance cameras in Monguno, Gajiram, and Kekeno enhanced operational intelligence and perimeter monitoring, further strengthening theatre-wide security.

Maj.-Gen. Shuaibu’s command period witnessed the elimination of several notorious terrorist leaders, including Tahir Baga and Abu Rijal, whose deaths crippled jihadist coordination and recruitment. His effective decapitation strategy was complemented by humanitarian outreach, leading to a steady return of normalcy in major population centres across Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa states.

In recognition of these achievements, the North-East Theatre under his command received the Security Watch Africa Award in December 2024 as the Most Outstanding Defence Command in Africa, underscoring the effectiveness of his leadership and innovation in asymmetric warfare.

Now as Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Waidi Shuaibu is expected to replicate his transformative approach on a national scale. Security analysts and defence watchers believe his deep operational experience and emphasis on community-driven stability will guide the Nigerian Army toward renewed efficiency and professionalism.

His appointment signals continuity, discipline, and modernization — values he consistently championed throughout his command. Stakeholders within defence and civil sectors alike express optimism that his era will usher in strategic reforms to fortify Nigeria’s military capabilities and accelerate victory against insecurity.

Maj.-Gen. Shuaibu’s rise from Theatre Commander to Army Chief embodies the success of merit, dedication, and results-oriented leadership, a journey rooted in courage, intellect, and an unyielding commitment to peace and stability in Nigeria.

Waidi Shuaibu: from Theartre Commander to Army Chief — chronicling a transformative leadership journey

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