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Again, Fusengbuwa Ruling House Offers Prayers to Ancestors, Welcomes New Members

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Again, Fusengbuwa Ruling House Offers Prayers to Ancestors, Welcomes New Members

Again, Fusengbuwa Ruling House Offers Prayers to Ancestors, Welcomes New Members

The Fusengbuwa Ruling House of Ijebu-Ode, the family designated to produce the next Awujale following the passing of Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona of the Ogbagba Anikilaya Ruling House, gathered on Sunday at ‘Ile-Nla’ in the Agusenbi royal family house to offer prayers to their ancestors who once ruled the land.

The event drew a large number of family members, including new members who were formally welcomed into the fold through the traditional rite of ‘ikaro’. They were received by the Olori-Ebi of the family, Prince Adedokun Oreagba, alongside other elders.

Prominent personalities present included Alhaji Prince Fathai Arolowo, Chairman of Aron Construction Limited; HRH Oba Tajudeen Bello, the Enisemu Leguru of Ijebuland and Olowa of Ijebu-Ode; as well as the Abore of Awujale, Chief Razaq Adeleye Osimodi.

Others in attendance were Prince Adeleke Adeyemi, General Secretary of the four ruling houses and Secretary to the Fusengbuwa family; Prince Folu Ogidan Aderibigbe; Prince Olaseni Samsideen Ottun; Omo-Oba Toibu Mabaweje; and representatives from the other ruling houses.

Speaking at the gathering, Chief Ajidagba, the Olori-Ebi of the family, emphasized unity, assuring that there would be no distractions when the time comes to select the next Awujale. He stressed the importance of ancestral prayers in spiritually preparing the path ahead.

“Our ‘Ile Nla Agusenbi’ of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House has produced 25 Awujales in the past. We are offering prayers to remember them and seek their guidance in choosing the next monarch. We mourn the passing of Oba Sikiru Adetona, but after the mourning period, we will embark fully on the process of succession,” he said.

Ajidagba noted that over 200 Princes and Princesses were present with their ‘ikaros’, reaffirming their allegiance to the family. He added that the Fusengbuwa family has eight units, and his own selection as Olori-Ebi had been duly affirmed by the late Awujale, who acknowledged that he had no authority to appoint an Olori-Ebi for any ruling house.

“The late Awujale distorted some traditions of Ijebu-Ode, but we are restoring things to the right path. Mechanisms will be put in place to ensure a fair and transparent selection process under my watch,” he declared.

Otunba Fathai Arolowo also expressed his support, saying, “I am here today to pray with my family and stand by them. The new Olori-Ebi has my full support. Fusengbuwa is one, and we remain united in Ijebu-Ode.”

Prince Folu Ogidan Aderibigbe described the gathering as part of Ijebu tradition and an “awakening session” for members to honour their ancestors. He added that the family seeks to present a capable and well-connected intellectual as the next Awujale, someone who can lead Ijebuland into its next phase of development.

In the same vein, Prince Olaseni Samsideen Ottun assured that the family is well-coordinated and prayed for wisdom and strength for the elders as they prepare for the crucial task of succession.

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OOPL Demands EFCC Apology Within Seven Days, Vows to Present Evidence in Court

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OOPL Demands EFCC Apology Within Seven Days, Vows to Present Evidence in Court

The management of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) has described the operation of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at its premises “as a direct assault on democracy, the rule of law, and the dignity of its founder, former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

The management also said it has gathered concrete evidence to challenge the EFCC in court, including a bullet casing allegedly fired during the raid and identified as belonging to the agency, as well as a beret reportedly dropped by one of the operatives.

It would be recalled that EFCC allegedly invaded OOPL premises on Sunday, arrested 93 suspected internet fraudsters, seizing vehicles and several mobile devices, while several people were also reported to have sustained bodily injuries during the attack.

While addressing journalists today at a press conference held at OOPL, the Managing Director of OOPL, Vitalis Ortese, described the operation as uncoordinated, saying that it was an unannounced intrusion that disrupted tourism, business, and entertainment events, and endangered innocent lives.

The management also gave EFCC seven days to tender public apologies and pay 3.5b in compensation or face legal action.

He said that the EFCC’s actions were a clear invasion of private property and an infringement of OOPL’s rights as a corporate citizen, “and indeed a stark and blatant violation of the rights of the people who gathered for the event.”

According to him, the invasion was an assault on what the institution stands for and an assault on every rule of law that should be the guide rail for democracy.

He demanded a comprehensive investigation into the incident, with reports openly published, while also demanding a public apology to be published in major newspapers.

“That immediate restitution for the damage caused be made to those persons who were arrested and whose vehicles were carted away by the invasion force of the police and EFCC.

“As well as for bodily injuries suffered by these persons numbering at least 100, be paid in the amount of at least N1 billion.

“We also demand that a further N2.5 billion be paid in token acknowledgement and atonement for the immense damage caused to the reputation, business, and our financial reputation as well as to the reputation of our Chief Promoter (HE Chief Olusegun Obasanjo),” he said.

Ortese expressed concern over the lack of coordination and “glaring lack of inter-agency collaboration,” saying the police officers stationed at the OOPL premises were not respected nor carried along in the operation.

According to him, the act undermines the credibility of the nation’s security framework while also putting lives at risk.

He also called on the EFCC to pursue justice with discretion, professionalism, and respect.

The management further threatened to seek legal redress if these demands were not met within the seven days, beginning on Wednesday.

“Families and international tourists were holidaying. Entrepreneurs were conducting business. Youths were organising musical shows and entertainment events.

“These are the very expressions of creativity and productivity we are meant to encourage not criminalise.

“The indiscretion displayed in this operation has created an aura of fear among youths who are striving to earn legitimate incomes.

“It sends the wrong message that creativity and enterprise are suspect, that ambition is dangerous, and that public spaces are unsafe.

”We have engaged legal counsel, security experts, and civil society partners to demand accountability, enforce institutional respect, and protect the rights of our patrons and staff,” he said.

Justice For Africans: The CLAP Foundation Champions Legal Aid For The Less Privileged

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Justice For Africans: The CLAP Foundation Champions Legal Aid For The Less Privileged

Justice For Africans: The CLAP Foundation Champions Legal Aid For The Less Privileged

The Clementina Legal Aid Philanthropy Foundation, known as CLAP, is officially set to begin operations, bringing renewed hope to underprivileged Africans in need of justice.

In a profound act of service and remembrance, a grassroots family from Remoland, Ogun State, based in the United Kingdom, has chosen to establish the CLAP Foundation to honour the legacy of the late Mrs. Clementina Daley (nee Modupe). A respected community leader, businesswoman, and humanitarian, Mrs. Daley was widely admired for her compassion, fairness, and resilience.

CLAP’s mission is to provide free or subsidised legal aid to vulnerable Africans especially those wrongfully detained, denied fair representation, or unable to meet bail conditions due to financial hardship.

In a statement, the foundation said;

“We have all heard of the numerous cases of wrongful arrests, incompetent investigations, wrongful convictions, and delayed justice; especially when it affects the most vulnerable, less connected, and less well-off members of society across the African continent.

The Clementina Legal Aid Philanthropy (CLAP) Foundation exists to bridge the gap where government institutions fall short — whether due to inadequate funding, incompetence, corruption, geographical limitations, or poor public awareness.

Founded by the Modupe family, who are based in the United Kingdom and hail from Remoland in Ogun State, Nigeria, CLAP is a non-profit organisation dedicated to restoring justice and dignity to the less privileged.

The foundation was created in loving memory of their recently departed daughter, sister, aunty, businesswoman, and Iyaloja (Market Leader) of London’s world-renowned East Street Market.

Her life embodied compassion, fairness, and unwavering morality: values the CLAP Foundation intends to carry forward in all its cases”.

For many Africans silenced by poverty and trapped in cycles of injustice, CLAP’s launch marks the beginning of a new era of hope. The foundation expects strong support from local communities, legal practitioners, and international partners, paving the way for a sustainable movement towards justice and equality in the country.

Rising Divorce Rates in Nigeria Call for Urgent Action

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Rising Divorce Rates in Nigeria Call for Urgent Action


Marriage,  traditionally refers as a sacred and lifelong union, is under increasing strain in contemporary Nigerian society.  Once seen as a bedrock for family stability and societal cohesion, the institution of marriage now finds itself vulnerable to a growing trend, divorce.  Events from within and outside Nigeria reveal that the rate of marital breakdown is rising at an alarming pace, prompting an urgent question: What is going wrong?

During courtship,  couples often project themselves as generous,  loving, and attentive. The love feels endless, and commitment unwavering. Yet, not long after tying the knot, many discover a different reality. The very individuals who once could not go a day without speaking to each other suddenly become emotionally distant,  sometimes even hostile. Is marriage really then an ‘eye-opener’, as the popular saying goes?  Or are societal, psychological,  and cultural forces silently undermining relationships from within.?

While Nigeria lacks a centralised,  up-to-date national database,  anecdotal evidence,  court filings, and media reports suggest a marked increase in divorce rates, particularly in urban areas.

In Ogun State,  data from the High Court divisions between 2017 and 2020 shows a sharp rise in divorce petitions, from 535 in 2017 to 1,016 in 2019.

Furthermore,  the Hill Deep Dive report estimated that there are about 15,000 formal and informal divorce or separation disputes, annually,  in the state,  suggesting that most separations occur outside formal courts, with many families choosing informal resolutions or simply walking away. 


Such breakdowns are not without consequence,  as findings have shown that children from broken homes often suffer academically and emotionally,  with higher levels of psychological distress and lower academic performance. 


Beyond infidelity and financial stress, many marriages suffer due to lack of preparation.  Too many couples focus on planning a glamorous wedding but spend little time evaluating emotional compatibility or receiving premarital counselling.  According to marriage therapists,  many divorces could be prevented with better pre-marital education. 

Changing gender roles has also been identified as a contributory major factor. As more Nigerian women attain higher education and financial independence,  they are less willing to endure disrespect,  abuse, or irresponsibility from partners.

Cultural and religious pressures also complicate matters. Many marry to fulfil family or religious expectations,  only to find themselves ill-equipped to navigate the  complexities of shared life. Add to this the widespread stigma around seeking therapy or help, and it is no surprise that unresolved issues fester into full-blown crises. 


Social media,  though a viable tool of change,  has also emerged as a powerful destabiliser. A 2022 study in Ota, Ogun State found a strong correlation between social media use and family discord, noting that online behaviours often fueled suspicion, emotional withdrawal,  and infidelity.


The consequences are clear : emotionally unstable  children,  fractured family units, and increased social tension. In response,  Ogun State is strengthening it’s Family Courts to better manage domestic disputes and also support affected individuals. What then can be done?

Osimhen Poised for Gala Return Amid Turkish Mosque Controversy

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Osimhen Poised for Gala Return Amid Turkish Mosque Controversy

Galatasaray head coach Okan Buruk has confirmed that Nigeria international Victor Osimhen will return to action on Friday against Karagumruk as the Turkish mosque controversy surrounding the record signing continues to rage.

The Yellow and Reds manager defended his decision to omit Osimhen from the squad for Saturday’s 3-0 victory over Gaziantep, explaining that the striker needed more time to regain full fitness.

“Osimhen had a five or six-day training period,” Buruk stated, as reported by CNN Turk.

“Playing during that period could have been risky for him. I spoke to him about this, and he indicated he was considering resting for this match and aiming for some playing time in the next one.”

The 26-year-old forward, who joined the Istanbul giants from Napoli this summer in a record-breaking €75m deal, reported late for pre-season training due to the long-drawn negotiations for his transfer.

Meanwhile, the Super Eagles star has found himself embroiled in an unexpected controversy just days after his arrival in Turkey. According to Fanatik, the Bulut Mosque in the central Karatay district of Konya, completed in 2008, was listed on Google Maps as ‘Victor Osimhen Mosque.’

The unexpected name change has prompted complaints from worshippers, who insist the original name should be restored.

A member of the mosque congregation said, “We have been a congregation of Bulut Mosque since we have been here. We are against it being changed to Victor Osimhen. The name Victor Osimhen is a Christian name. As the mosque congregation, we want the authorities to look into this issue.”

Another congregant added, “On the internet, the location says the mosque is in Victor Osimhen’s name, but this has been the Bulut Mosque for 10 years. Everyone has known this place as such. He is not a football player from Konyaspor. He did no good for the mosque, and he’s not someone Konya will never forget. We don’t understand the relevance of this.”

Zeki Yaylacı, another member of the community, described the situation as offensive, saying, “It’s a shame to name a non-Muslim and make a mockery of it. We consider it an insult to Muslims, the mosque community, and mosques themselves. We urge the authorities to introduce regulations to prevent such changes from being made so easily.”

There is no suggestion Osimhen was aware of or involved in the change. It appears to be the result of incorrect user edits on Google Maps, which the authorities are now being urged to rectify.

The Nigerian striker, who spent the previous season on loan at Galatasaray, where he scored 37 goals and provided eight assists in 41 appearances, has since returned to full training and is working towards his highly anticipated debut. His contract reportedly places him amongst the highest-paid players in Europe, making him instantly the biggest signing in Turkish football history.

SMEDAN Partnership Boosts Adire Village Project

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SMEDAN Partnership Boosts Adire Village Project

The management of Global Adire Egba Development Limited on Tuesday resolved to strengthen its collaboration and partnership with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria, SMEDAN, to establish a global “Adire Village” in Abeokuta to tackle the challenge of the growing imitation of the local tie and dye fabric while boosting Adire production in the state.

The Chairman, Committee of Adire Global Village, Oluyinka Kufile, disclosed this when he led other members of the committee to pay a visit to the Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, at his Ake Palace, Abeokuta, Ogun State capital.

Kufile maintained that the initiative will consolidate and empower the indigenous Adire industry in Abeokuta through the creation of a w