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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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Indian factory manager slumps, dies in Edo community

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Indian factory manager slumps, dies in Edo community

By: Zagazola Makama

A 47-year-old Indian national, identified as Kalidass Arunachalam, has died after suddenly slumping while on duty at a factory in Ologbo, Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State.

Zagazola Makama gathered that the deceased was a production manager with Green Hills Agricultural Products Ltd. He was said to have collapsed at about 11:30 a.m. on Friday while working at the company premises.

Company representatives, including another Indian national, Tushar Tukaram Phadtare, along with the Managing Director, Suleman Dauda, and the Chief Security Officer, Lt. Col. Thompson Udom (rtd), rushed him to God’s Spring Best Care Hospital in the Obaretin Community for urgent medical attention.

A medical doctor at the facility, identified as Dr. Kingsley Dele, later confirmed Arunachalam dead while efforts were still being made to revive him.

Officials later visited the hospital where the body was found lying face up on a hospital bed with a drip attached. No visible marks of violence were observed on the corpse.

The remains of the deceased were deposited at the mortuary, and efforts are ongoing to contact the Indian Embassy to inform his next-of-kin and facilitate diplomatic procedures.

Indian factory manager slumps, dies in Edo community

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Three missing after boat carrying passengers, vehicles capsizes in Taraba

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Three missing after boat carrying passengers, vehicles capsizes in Taraba

By: Zagazola Makama

At least three persons, including a two-year-old child, are missing after a boat capsized on Friday night while ferrying passengers and vehicles across the Namnai River in Taraba State.

Zagazola Makama reports that the boat, which was transporting several passengers and three vehicles, capsized around 8:40 p.m. due to overloading and reckless navigation by the operator.

According to sources, the operator defied standing safety protocols by loading three vehicles onto the boat instead of the approved maximum of two. The mishap occurred while the boat was attempting to dock at the riverbank, when a strong wave destabilised it, causing it to overturn.

While many passengers were rescued by local divers and first responders, three victims identified as Aishatu Rilwanu, Baharatu Danasabe, and Yusuf Badaru, a two-year-old child all residents of Jantaro Ward in Mutum Biyu remain unaccounted for.

Rescue team were mobilised to scene as both community members and security personnel intensify the search and rescue efforts.

As of the time of filing this report, the rescue operation is still ongoing.

Three missing after boat carrying passengers, vehicles capsizes in Taraba

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Security operatives arrest 22 suspected Aiye cultists in Ogun, including two soldiers

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Security operatives arrest 22 suspected Aiye cultists in Ogun, including two soldiers

By: Zagazola Makama

Security operatives in Ogun have arrested 22 suspected members of the Aiye confraternity during a coordinated raid at Hilltop Hotel in Osiele, Odeda Local Government Area.

Sources told Zagazola Makama that the operation, which took place on Friday night, followed credible intelligence received by officers at the Odeda Division regarding the unlawful gathering of cultists at the hotel.

The sources confirmed that a joint tactical team comprising officers from Aregbe Division, Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT), and the Anti-Cultism Unit stormed the hotel and apprehended the suspects.

Among those arrested were 19 males, three females, and two serving military personnel, suspected to be linked to the cult group.

Items recovered from the suspects include one UTC axe, a cut-to-size barrel gun, and several blue beret caps, all identified with the Aiye cult group.

The sources said that the State Criminal Investigation Department’s Anti-Cultism Unit at Eleweran has been directed to conduct a discreet investigation into the incident, while further profiling of the suspects is underway.

The sources said individuals or groups found engaging in such criminal acts would face the full weight of the law.

Security operatives arrest 22 suspected Aiye cultists in Ogun, including two soldiers

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