Oyo, Nigeria – April 6, 2025
The ancient town of Oyo came alive on Saturday, April 5, 2025, as Oba Akeem Abimbola Owoade was officially crowned the 46th Alaafin of Oyo, marking a significant moment in the storied history of the Yoruba kingdom. The vibrant coronation ceremony, held at Oliveth Baptist High School, drew dignitaries, traditional rulers, and well-wishers from across Nigeria, celebrating the ascension of the new monarch following the passing of his predecessor, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, in April 2022.

The event, steeped in tradition and grandeur, saw the presence of high-profile figures, including President Bola Tinubu, represented by the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, who played a pivotal role in the proceedings. Governor Makinde formally presented Oba Owoade to the enthusiastic crowd, emphasizing the state’s commitment to upholding due process in the selection of traditional rulers. “On January 10, 2025, I applied my signature to the recommendation of the Oyo Mesi for Oba Akeem Owoade to be the new Alaafin of Oyo,” Makinde declared, urging those contesting the decision to embrace the new king as a unifying figure.

Oba Owoade, born 47 years ago to the royal Owoade-Agunloye family, brings a blend of tradition and modernity to the throne. A mechanical engineering graduate with a professional background as a project coordinator at Manitoba Hydro in Canada, the new Alaafin completed the mandatory 21-day Oro Ipebi traditional rites on March 29, paving the way for his coronation. His journey to the throne was not without challenges, as the selection process faced legal disputes and political tensions, but his crowning has been widely celebrated as a new chapter for Oyo.

In his acceptance speech, Oba Owoade expressed gratitude to the people of Oyo and pledged to foster progress and unity. “I promise to always be for you, just as you have always been for me,” he said, calling for the support of the Oyomesi (traditional chiefs) and the broader community to advance the ancient town’s development.

The ceremony was a showcase of Yoruba culture, featuring colorful displays, traditional music, and a parade of a sculpture honoring the new Alaafin. Notable attendees included the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi; the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar; the Soun of Ogbomosoland, Oba Ghandi Olaoye; and the Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, among others. President Tinubu, through his representative, described the Alaafin stool as “a symbol of cultural pride, unity, and the enduring legacy of one of Africa’s most powerful empires,” urging Oba Owoade to mediate conflicts and promote resilience.

Governor Makinde also highlighted the state government’s efforts to ensure a peaceful event, with heightened security measures and the temporary closure of the Akesan market to allow full participation. He called on the new monarch to champion the growth of Oyo, including promoting the World Sango Festival as a UNESCO-recognized cultural heritage event.

The Supreme Court held that the issue of leadership within the Labour Party is an internal affair, over which courts lack jurisdiction. The panel further noted that Abure’s tenure as National Chairman had already expired, rendering the Court of Appeal’s earlier pronoun inppropriatecement invalid. Consequently, the court dismissed a cross-appeal filed by the Abure-led faction of the LP, deeming it unmeritorious.

The ruling has elicited varied reactions across the political landscape. Senator Nenadi Usman, Chairman of the Labour Party Caretaker Committee, hailed the verdict as “a triumph for democracy and the rule of law.” In a statement, she emphasized that the decision reinforces the party’s commitment to justice and unity, urging members to focus on the broader goal of building a better Nigeria. “This is not a time for triumphalism—there is no victor and no vanquished,” Usman said, calling for reconciliation within the party.

However, the Labour Party, in a surprising twist, issued a statement asserting that Julius Abure remains its National Chairman. The party argued that the Supreme Court’s ruling emphasized the autonomy of political parties to determine their leadership, suggesting that the verdict did not explicitly remove Abure from his position. “Dr. Julius Abure is still the National Chairman of the Labour Party,” the statement read, sparking speculation of further internal disputes.

The verdict comes amid ongoing tensions within the Labour Party, which has been grappling with factionalism and leadership disputes. Political analysts suggest that the ruling could either pave the way for reconciliation or deepen the party’s divisions as it prepares for future electoral contests.

Abuja, April 2, 2025 – In a dramatic turn of events, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a sweeping reconstitution of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) board, marking a significant shake-up in the leadership of Nigeria’s state-owned oil giant. The overhaul sees the removal of Group Chief Executive Officer Mallam Mele Kolo Kyari and Chairman Chief Pius Akinyelure, along with all board members appointed in November 2023, signaling a bold shift in the administration’s approach to the energy sector.

The announcement, made early Wednesday, April 2, 2025, has sent ripples through Nigeria’s oil industry. Replacing Kyari is Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, who steps in as the new Group Chief Executive Officer, while Ahmadu Musa Kida has been appointed as the non-executive chairman. The newly reconstituted 11-member board is tasked with steering NNPCL toward greater efficiency and transparency, amid ongoing debates over the company’s financial management and operational performance.

Kyari, who had led NNPCL since July 2019, oversaw its transition from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation to a limited liability company under the Petroleum Industry Act of 2021. His tenure was marked by efforts to boost domestic refining capacity, including the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries, and navigating complex crude-for-loan deals. However, his leadership faced criticism over allegations of financial irregularities—most notably from the Auditor-General of the Federation, who accused NNPCL of diverting ?2.68 trillion and $9.77 million between 2019 and 2023—and the controversial Naira-for-Crude policy, which some argued undermined local refineries.

The shake-up comes on the heels of recent developments that underscored tensions within the sector. Just last week, on March 27, NNPCL’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye, announced that the company was in the final stages of preparing for an Initial Public Offering (IPO), a move aimed at listing its shares on the capital market. The timing of the leadership change has sparked speculation about whether it is linked to the IPO preparations or broader strategic realignments ahead of anticipated economic reforms.

Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, the incoming GCEO, brings a wealth of experience in petroleum engineering and project management, having previously held senior roles in upstream operations. His appointment is seen as an effort to inject technical expertise into NNPCL’s leadership, with a focus on optimizing production and addressing the growing domestic demand for crude, particularly from operational refineries like Dangote, Port Harcourt, and Warri. Ahmadu Musa Kida, the new chairman, is a seasoned administrator with a background in sports governance, which some analysts suggest may reflect a push for a fresh, outsider perspective on the board.

Public reaction has been swift and varied. Posts on X reflect a mix of surprise and cautious optimism, with some users hailing the move as “the end of an era and the birth of a new one,” while others question the timing and motives behind the shake-up. The Concerned Citizens Forum, which previously called for a state of emergency on NNPCL’s leadership, may see this as a response to their demands, though no official statement from the group has been released as of 6:02 AM WAT.

The new board’s immediate challenges include stabilizing fuel supply, resolving outstanding debts tied to crude-for-loan agreements, and ensuring the IPO proceeds as planned. With Nigeria’s oil sector attracting $17 billion in foreign investment in 2024 alone, according to NNPCL’s earlier reports, the stakes are high for Ojulari and his team to deliver on President Tinubu’s vision for a revitalized energy industry.