In spite of vehicular and human restrictions on Mapo Hall, venue of the installation of Senator Rasidi Ladoja as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadan, hundreds of vendors beat security to display their wares around the vicinity of the event.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that petty traders, as early as 6.30a.m., arrived at the venue to beat security agents to display their goods.
Some petty traders invested in printing pictures of the new Olubadan, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, on T-shirts, key holders, calendars, wrist bands, and large frames to make quick profits from the teeming crowd that wished to be identified with the celebration.
Also, food vendors, snacks, and soft drinks sellers who secured spots close to the venue were seen making brisk sales in the carnival-like atmosphere of Mapo Hall.
A food vendor, Mrs Idiat Adeyemo, said that she had been cooking continuously since early hours of the day due to demand for different kinds of food by people.
A soft drink vendor, Miss Grace Emmanuel, said that she increased the price of her drinks a little above the normal price because she sourced ice blocks to make the drinks cold for customers.
“I need to add the extra cost of an ice block to make a little profit, “she said
Another group of people who made quick money at the event were traditional drummers, who stood guard outside, singing praises of dignitaries entering the venue for some token.
NAN reports that Ladoja, who turned 81 on Thursday, emerged as Olubadan from the civil line of the Chieftaincy line.
Before his nomination to the throne, he was the Otun Olubadan and ascended to the Olubadan position after the demise of his predecessor, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, on July 7.
The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Friday, dismissed the no-case submission filed by the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra.
Justice James Omotosho, in a ruling on Friday, held that the Department of State Services has made out a prima facie case against Kanu.
He accordingly ordered Kanu to enter his defence, as the prosecution has being able to convince the court without reasonable doubt that he has case to answer in the alleged terrorism charge brought against him by the Federal Government.
Justice Omotosho held that the evidence presented by the Department of State Services through its five witnesses were such that there was the need for Kanu to provide some explanations in the charge brought against him.
Kanu had filed a no-case submission after the prosecution closed its case in June, insisting that he has no case to answer in the charge brought against him.
Meanwhile, the Court has given the Nigerian Medical Association eight days to constitute a team of medical experts to determine the health status of Kanu.
In a ruling, Justice Omotosho ordered the NMA President to submit the committee’s report within eight days for consideration on whether Kanu should be transferred to the National Hospital for treatment.
Justice Omotosho directed that the committee, among other tasks, should assess the Department of State Services hospital to confirm whether it has the capacity to meet Kanu’s health needs.
Justice Omotosho further ruled that the NMA committee would be at liberty to make use of any hospital in the country for its investigations. He specified that the panel should comprise between eight and ten NMA members, including a cardiologist and a neurologist. The Chief Medical Director of the National Hospital must also be part of the committee.
The decision followed conflicting medical reports presented by the DSS medical team and Kanu’s private consultants.
The DSS lead counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), disclosed the NMA’s intervention while opposing an application by Kanu’s legal team for his transfer to the National Hospital for urgent treatment.
Awomolo explained that a team of medical experts had already visited Kanu in DSS custody to assess his health, adding that the DSS medical team, led by Dr Mohammed Nasir, maintained that his condition could be adequately managed within DSS facilities.
In contrast, Kanu’s private consultants, led by Professor Martin Aghaji, a retired professor of medicine from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, argued that his deteriorating health required urgent transfer to the National Hospital, and even suggested possible treatment abroad.
The DSS dismissed Aghaji’s report as exaggerated and suspicious, particularly for recommending foreign hospitals, and alleged that he had unilaterally altered Kanu’s medication without consulting DSS doctors who had been treating him for four years.
Awomolo further argued that transferring Kanu to the National Hospital would disrupt services and pose security risks, insisting that the federal government was committed to his safety and willing to allow him access to medical experts of his choice within DSS facilities.
Kanu’s lead counsel, Dr Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), however, maintained that the transfer request was based on Aghaji’s findings. He stressed that the DSS lacked the facilities to manage Kanu’s ailments and argued that it was in the interest of justice that Kanu remain alive to face the terrorism charges against him.
Ikpeazu added that his team would not oppose the NMA’s intervention, provided it was ordered by the court.
President Bola Tinubu on Friday congratulated the leader of the All Progressives Congress in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State, Adebisi Yusuf, on his birthday.
The President conveyed his congratulations through a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
“I join your family, friends, and the people of Lagos State to celebrate you today and always. You have proven your mettle as a people’s leader, mobiliser of consciences, lawmaker, financial expert, humanitarian, and, more importantly, reliable political ally.
“As the leader, you have steadied the turf, rallying members and resources for our administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda. This agenda aims to spread prosperity and transform the lives of Nigerians at the critical stratum of society—the grassroots.
“Owing to your pedigree of excellence and dedicated stewardship, you served as a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, representing Alimosho Constituency 1, for 12 years—from 2011 to 2023. You also served as Chairman of Ipaja/Ayobo Local Council Development Area,” Tinubu said.
The statement also added that in the Lagos State House of Assembly, Yusuf chaired several committees, including public accounts (local) and commerce, where your impact was immensely felt.
“Through the Prince Hope Turns to Reality Foundation, a non-profit organisation you founded, you have made a difference in the lives of many, providing healthcare and empowerment to vulnerable individuals and communities in Alimosho, Lagos.
“On this special day, I wish you many years of good health, wisdom, and strength as you continue to provide leadership and guidance in your community and beyond,” the statement read.
President Bola Tinubu on Friday departed Abuja for Ibadan, Oyo State, to attend the coronation of the new Olubadan, Rashidi Ladoja.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the presidential jet took off from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
In Ibadan, Tinubu will join other dignitaries for the official installation ceremony at the historic Mapo Hall.
His presence and other dignitaries underscore the national importance of the occasion, as Ibadan celebrates the continuity of its revered monarchical institution.
Ladoja, a former Oyo state governor and senator, was selected as the 44th Olubadan, following the passing of Oba Owolabi Olakulehin on July 7.
Excitement is already sweeping across Ibadan as the city witnesses Ladoja’s ascension to the revered throne.
Ladoja, 81, is a respected businessman and political figure who rose through the traditional Olubadan chieftaincy ranks to become Olubadan.
The Olubadan of Ibadanland is the paramount traditional ruler of Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, and one of the largest cities in West Africa. The Olubadan throne holds deep cultural, historical, and political significance among the Yoruba people.
Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Friday hosted dignitaries from across the country as Oba Rashidi Ladoja was formally crowned the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland at Mapo Hall.
The coronation ceremony drew the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III; a former Kano State Governor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso; a former Osun State Governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola; a former Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; and a former Cross River State Governor, Donald Duke.
Earlier, the Afobaje of Ibadanland, Chief Waheed Popoola, performed the traditional rites by placing Akoko leaves on Oba Ladoja’s head at the Labosinde Compound, Oja’ba, before the monarch proceeded in a grand procession to Mapo Hall for the official ceremony.
The new Olubadan’s entourage included political allies such as Senator Sharafadeen Abiodun (Ibadan South) and former Oyo State governor candidate, Teslim Folarin.
Also in attendance were Senator Yunus Akintunde (Oyo Central), Senator Abdulfatai Buhari (Oyo North), and Olamijuwonlo Alao-Akala, who represents Ogbomoso North in the House of Representatives, alongside other federal and state lawmakers.
President Bola Tinubu and Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, are expected to join the ceremony for the official presentation of the staff of office to the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland.
The Japan International Cooperation Agency has cancelled its ‘JICA Africa Hometown’ initiative, citing “misunderstandings and confusion” over the programme.
JICA announced the withdrawal in a statement on its website on Thursday, weeks after reports claimed Japan would create a special visa category for Nigerians who wished to relocate to Kisarazu, a city designated as “hometown” to Nigerians and other Africans under the scheme.
On August 26, the Japanese government denied the visa plan after the Director of Information at the State House, Abiodun Oladunjoye, issued a statement relaying that Japan would introduce a “special visa category” for highly skilled, innovative, and talented young Nigerians who want to move to Kisarazu to live and work.
Clarifying its position, JICA said the use of the term “hometown” and the idea of “designating” Japanese municipalities as such led to “misunderstandings and confusion within Japan, placing an excessive burden on the four municipalities.”
The statement read, “Originally, under this initiative, it was envisioned that exchange programs would be coordinated and implemented among the Japanese local governments, relevant African countries, and JICA. The specific details were to be determined later.
“However, JICA believes that the very nature of this initiative—namely, the term “hometown” and the fact that JICA would ‘designate’ Japanese local Governments as “hometowns”—led to misunderstandings and confusion within Japan, placing an excessive burden on the four municipalities. JICA sincerely apologizes to the municipalities involved for causing such situation.
“JICA takes this situation seriously. After consulting with all parties involved, JICA has decided to withdraw the “JICA Africa Hometown” initiative.”
The initiative was launched in August during the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development with the goal of promoting exchanges between four Japanese municipalities and four African countries through cultural and educational programmes.
JICA, however, stressed that it had never undertaken initiatives to promote immigration and has “no plans to do so in the future,” adding that it would continue supporting other forms of international exchange.
In August, confusion arose after the State House announced that Japan had designated Kisarazu city as the “hometown” for Nigerians and would introduce a special visa category for young, skilled Nigerians wishing to live and work there.
However, the Japanese government quickly dismissed the claim.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan clarified that while the JICA Africa Hometown initiative aimed to promote cultural and developmental exchanges between selected African countries and four Japanese cities, it did not involve immigration benefits or special visas.
The clarification came after Nigeria’s Chargé d’Affaires in Japan, Florence Akinyemi Adeseke, and Kisarazu’s Mayor, Yoshikuni Watanabe, publicly received a certificate naming the city the “hometown” of Nigerians, further fuelling reports of migration opportunities.
A sighting of a suspected drone briefly shuttered a Danish airport on Friday for the second time in a few hours, after the country’s prime minister said the flights were part of “hybrid attacks” that may be linked to Russia.
Drones have been seen flying over several Danish airports since Wednesday, causing one of them to close for hours, after a sighting earlier this week prompted Copenhagen airport to shut down.
That followed a similar incident in Norway, drone incursions in Polish and Romanian territory and the violation of Estonian airspace by Russian fighter jets, which raised tensions in light of Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
“Over recent days, Denmark has been the victim of hybrid attacks,” Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said in a video message on social media on Thursday — referring to a form of unconventional warfare.
She warned that such drone flights “could multiply”.
Investigators said they had so far failed to identify those responsible, but Frederiksen stressed: “There is one main country that poses a threat to Europe’s security, and it is Russia.”
Moscow said Thursday it “firmly rejects” any suggestion that it was involved in the Danish incidents. Its embassy in Copenhagen called them “a staged provocation”, in a post on social media.
Denmark’s Justice Minister Peter Hummelgaard earlier said the aim of the attack was “to spread fear, create division and frighten us”.
He added that Copenhagen would acquire new enhanced capabilities to “detect” and “neutralise drones”.
Denmark will on Friday join other EU countries, mostly along the eastern border with Russia, in the first talks on proposals to build a “wall” of anti-drone defences in the face of the tensions with Moscow.
– Russia sabotage warning –
Drones were spotted on Wednesday and early Thursday at airports in Aalborg, Esbjerg, Sonderborg and at the Skrydstrup air base before leaving on their own, police said.
Aalborg airport, located in northern Denmark, was initially shut down for several hours, and closed again for about an hour from late Thursday into early Friday morning due to another suspected sighting.
“It was not possible to take down the drones, which flew over a very large area over a couple of hours,” North Jutland chief police inspector Jesper Bojgaard Madsen said about the initial Aalborg incident.
The head of Denmark’s military intelligence, Thomas Ahrenkiel, told a news conference the service had not been able to identify who was behind the drones.
But intelligence chief Finn Borch said: “The risk of Russian sabotage in Denmark is high.”
Danish Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen told a news conference the flights appeared to be “the work of a professional actor… such a systematic operation in so many locations at virtually the same time”.
He said it had posed “no direct military threat” to Denmark.
Frederiksen said Thursday that she had spoken with NATO chief Mark Rutte about the incidents.
Lund Poulsen said the government had yet to decide whether to invoke NATO’s Article 4, under which any member state can call urgent talks when it feels its “territorial integrity, political independence or security” are at risk.
French President Emmanuel Macron said his country stood ready “to contribute to the security of Danish airspace”.
Copenhagen is set to host a summit of European Union leaders next week.
– ‘Feel rather insecure’ –
Police said investigations were under way with the Danish intelligence service and the armed forces.
The drone activity shook some in Denmark, including 85-year-old Birgit Larsen.
“I feel rather insecure. I live in a country where there has been peace since 1945. I am not really used to thinking about war,” she told AFP in central Copenhagen.
Others were less concerned.
“It’s probably Russia, you know, testing the borders of Europe. They fly close to the borders and stuff and try to provoke, but not threaten,” said 48-year-old Torsten Froling.
The drone flights came after Denmark announced it would acquire long-range precision weapons for the first time, as Russia would pose a threat “for years to come”.
Luka Modric and Kevin De Bruyne will face off on Sunday night when Serie A champions Napoli travel north to face AC Milan and the first true test of their title defence.
Both icons of 21st-century football, veterans De Bruyne and Modric, chose Italy for the latter end of their careers and have so far impressed for their respective clubs.
De Bruyne has started all five of Napoli’s fixtures in the opening few weeks of the season, including the four league wins from fou,r which have put Antonio Conte’s team top of the division on a perfect 12 points.
He has already scored twice this term as Conte tries to create a special role for the 34-year-old who joined Napoli in the summer after leaving Manchester City.
De Bruyne and last season’s player of the year Scott McTominay will be up against another formidable midfielder pairing in 40-year-old Modric and France’s Adrien Rabiot as Milan begin to warm up after a bumpy start.
Tuesday’s 3-0 Italian Cup win over Lecce was a fourth straight win in all competitions for Milan, who sit three points behind Napoli in third and could yet be a dark horse for the Scudetto.
None of Napoli’s major rivals have stood out yet and Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri benefits from having no European football to worry about, just like Conte on his charge to his sixth league title as a manager.
Napoli meanwhile host Sporting Lisbon on Wednesday night and last weekend Conte warned against “the physical and mental stress” of having to play every three or four days.
Milan will also be able to welcome Rafael Leao back to the fray as the Portugal winger returned to team training on Thursday morning.
Leao hasn’t played since suffering a calf injury in a Cup win over Bari last month but is set to make his league debut for the season, probably from the bench.
That is a major boost for Milan, especially as Napoli will be without star defender Alessandro Buongiorno who suffered a hamstring injury last weekend and will miss both Sunday’s clash and the visit of Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Juventus will have a chance to take provisional top spot on Saturday when they host unbeaten Atalanta with a two-point gap separating them from Napoli.
Ademola Lookman will likely get more playing time in Turin after being brought back into the fold by Ivan Juric last weekend with the visit of Club Brugge coming up on Tuesday.
Juric will be hoping Lookman can help Atalanta in the Champions League after the Bergamo outfit were humiliated by Paris Saint-Germain in the opening round of matches in Europe’s elite club competition.
Key stats
4 – Napoli are the only team left with a 100 per cent record after winning their first four Serie A matches of the season.
59 – The number of club trophies won by Modric and De Bruyne.
Fixtures (times GMT)
Saturday
Como v Cremonese (1300), Juventus v Atalanta (1600), Cagliari v Inter (1845)
Sunday
Sassuolo v Udinese (1030), Roma v Verona, Pisa v Fiorentina (1300), Lecce v Bologna (1600), AC Milan v Napoli (1845)
Liverpool, flawless in their Premier League title defence so far this season, will face a serious test when they visit unbeaten Crystal Palace on Saturday.
Arsenal cannot afford another Newcastle nightmare, while Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim is in desperate need of a winning run.
AFP Sport looks at three key talking points ahead of the weekend’s action:
Palace pose Liverpool threat
Liverpool have got off to a flyer with seven straight wins in all competitions, but the Premier League leaders will face a stern examination at Selhurst Park.
The Reds, bolstered by their knack for scoring late winners, have marched five points clear after reeling off five successive league victories.
However, Oliver Glasner’s Palace are also flying high, in fifth place.
The FA Cup holders are the only other unbeaten team left in the top division and have enjoyed recent success against Arne Slot’s men, beating them on penalties in the Community Shield season curtain-raiser at Wembley in August.
Palace also drew 1-1 with champions Liverpool at Anfield on the final day of last season, an impressive result that ranks as part of their current 16-match unbeaten run in competitive matches dating back to April.
With Hugo Ekitike suspended, British-record signing Alexander Isak is set to lead the Liverpool attack after scoring his first goal for the club in the midweek League Cup win against Southampton.
Isak will be closely watched by Palace’s England defender Marc Guehi, who was on the verge of joining Liverpool before the move collapsed on transfer deadline day.
No margin for Arsenal error
Desperate to end their agonising wait for a first English title since 2004, Arsenal cannot afford another costly slip-up when they head to Newcastle, which has not been a happy hunting ground recently.
Mikel Arteta’s second-placed side, Premier League runners-up for the past three seasons, are already trailing in Liverpool’s wake after losing to the champions at Anfield and dropping two points against title rivals Manchester City.
The Gunners, without a trophy since 2020, are developing an unwanted reputation for crumbling when the pressure mounts and the trip north will provide another test of their mettle.
Arsenal have been beaten on their past three visits to St James’ Park, including a League Cup semi-final second-leg defeat last season after a Premier League loss earlier in the campaign.
Newcastle have won four of the past six meetings regardless of venue and Eddie Howe’s men have plenty of motivation after taking just six points from their first five matches.
Amorim seeks Man Utd momentum
Manchester United boss Amorim has his sights set on finally winning successive league matches as his side travel to struggling Brentford on Saturday.
Amorim has endured numerous low points since he arrived from Sporting Lisbon in November, including a humiliating League Cup loss at fourth-tier Grimsby in August, fuelling speculation over his future.
United have steadied the ship a little with consecutive home league wins against Burnley and Chelsea — the first time they have managed that in Amorim’s reign.
But the 40-year-old is still far from secure after a miserable 3-0 loss at Manchester City, in a match sandwiched between the two wins at Old Trafford, exposed the many issues bedevilling Amorim’s team.
If United cannot return home with three points from Brentford, languishing in 17th place after losing three of Keith Andrews’ first five games in charge, the questions surrounding Amorim will grow even more uncomfortable.
Fixtures (1400 GMT unless stated):
Saturday
Brentford v Manchester United (1130), Chelsea v Brighton, Crystal Palace v Liverpool, Leeds v Bournemouth, Manchester City v Burnley, Nottingham Forest v Sunderland (1630), Tottenham v Wolves (1900)
Sunday
Aston Villa v Fulham (1300), Newcastle v Arsenal (1530)
The Jigawa State House of Assembly has approved a N58 billion supplementary budget for the 2025 fiscal year.
This decision came after the adoption of the report from the House Committee on Appropriation during a plenary session of the Assembly held on Thursday at the Assembly’s complex in Dutse, the state capital.
The original 2025 budget, tagged “Budget of Innovation and Transformation for Greater Jigawa,” was passed on December 31, 2024, at N689.3 billion. It includes N90.7 billion for personnel costs, about N70.2 billion for recurrent expenditures, and over N537 billion for capital development programs.
Besides, the Assembly also approved N17 billion to support the 27 Local Government Councils, covering both their recurrent and capital expenses for the year.
Presenting the supplementary budget report during the plenary session, the Committee Chairman, Mr. Ibrahim Hamza-Adamu, explained the increase is due to expected additional revenues from federal allocations to the state.
He stated, “The 2025 Appropriation Law appropriated N698.3 billion for recurrent and capital expenditures, but with the supplementary N58 billion, the total budget now stands at N756.3 billion.”
Mr. Hamza-Adamu urged lawmakers to exercise strict oversight to ensure the funds are used wisely and only for their intended purposes.
“The Assembly remains focused on transparent and effective budgeting to drive progress in Jigawa State during the 2025 fiscal year,” he emphasised
The chairman also highlighted that “this supplementary budget signals an effort to boost ongoing development projects and enhance service delivery across the state.”
The PUNCH online reports that the report of the committee was unanimously adopted after Deputy Speaker, Hon. Sani Isyaku Abubakar, who chaired the plenary, put the motion forward for voting.
