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Chieftaincy Reforms Law: Group congratulates Makinde, Oyo Assembly for making history

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A socio-cultural group, under the aegis of the Ibadan Renaissance Reform Mandate, has congratulated the Oyo State Governor, Engr Seyi Makinde, and members of the State House of Assembly on Wednesday’s passage of an executive bill on the reform of the age-long Chieftaincy Matters.

The group, on Thursday, added that both the governor and the state lawmakers have recorded their names in the history book as they would be remembered ‘for replacing the retrogressive and an archaic law’ with a new document that would allow the Governor to exercise his discretion as provided by the new Law on Chieftaincy-related matters.

Chief Olutola Ogungbade, the convener of the group in a press statement hours after the passage of the bill by the State legislature, urged the State Governor to immediately assent to the bill to become law without further delay.

His words, “We must congratulate the State Governor on his mission to reposition the Chieftaincy system in the State.

“Engr Seyi Makinde employed the due process of the law as the executive came up with the bill to the State Assembly some weeks ago and the latter in its wisdom, thoroughly debated the matter at the second reading stage and even made room for a public hearing where stakeholders submitted a memorandum to express their views on the matter.

“The State lawmakers thereafter considered the outcome of the bill ‘by the Committee of the whole house’ and they have now endorsed same through its passage on Wednesday.

“This is a great feat and welcome development. Though some minority stakeholders expressed dissenting voices against the passage of the bill the generality of our people across the State has shown their preference for the reformation of the existing law.

“We should recall that Olubadan-in-council members; traditional rulers in some parts of the State alongside senior chiefs and Mogajis in Ibadan including Market men and women across the State commended the Governor on this move and are therefore happy to see the bill scaling hurdles to become law.

“It, therefore behooves on the State Governor to immediately sign this bill into law. We are impressed with the Governor and believe that his second term would be a blessing for traditional rulers and the people of our State,” Ogungbade added.

Penultimate Friday, it would be recalled that the Olubadan-In-Council, backed the Chiefs law of Oyo State, saying ‘it is time to amend the Chiefs law to have more Obas’ under the Olubadan of Ibadanland.

Majority of the Olubadan High chiefs in their memorandum to the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, during a public hearing of the bill on the reform which recently entered the second reading stage, copiously advanced reasons why the need for chieftaincy reform in Ibadan which can only happen after the Chiefs Law of the State has been amended.

According to one of them, High Chief Tajudeen Ajibola, ‘I need to report why the Government of Oyo state should reform the Oyo State Chieftaincy Reform visa-s-vis Ibadan Municipality in the Eleven Local Government within its Municipality and how to go about it.’

Ajibola said ‘The Ibadan has been long governed by 1957 Declaration Law whereby the High Chiefs under the Olubadan are subject to ridicule and lack of respect at public functions until during the era of Late Senator Abiola Ajimobi who abolished the 1957 Declaration Law and upgraded the High Chiefs to the Status of Royal Majesty why Olubadan himself was upgraded to the Status of Imperial Majesty.

‘He also cut the line to 12 steps at Otun line and 13 steps at Balogun line, the situation which was later reversed by Governor Seyi Makinde

‘The Ibadan High Chiefs were not respected and given necessary regard within and outside governmental functions like other Obas from outside Ibadan like Oke Ogun, Oyo, and Ogbomoso axis who have no higher domain status or a size bigger than Foko, Agbeni, Oje, etc. in Ibadan.

‘The defect leading to the derailment of the attempt of the Late Senator Ajimobi to upgrade the Ibadan hierarchy was a failure to amend the Chiefs Law to give it the status it deserved.

‘Now that the incumbent Governor Engineer Seyi Makinde has now deemed it fit to put the record straight and give Ibadan a befitting status, we solidly support the Amendment to section 28 of the Chiefs Laws of Oyo State.

‘It is a kudos to His Excellency Governor Makinde who has deemed it fit to correct the long time defects to the Chiefs law politically created during,’ Ajibola added.

In his contribution, the Onpetu of Ijeru Kingdom, Oba Sunday Oladapo Oyediran
Stated that the amendment of the Law is a good development.

He, however, said the exercise of the Governor’s discretion in respect of the chieftaincy holders that are entitled to wear beaded crowns should be exercised based on the historical antecedent of the chieftaincies, the peculiarity of a given area and doctrine of necessity.

Oba Oyediran said, ‘In exercising his discretion, the Governor should carry out due diligence to ensure that territorial identities are respected, avoid overlapping of areas of traditional authorities and draw a distinct line between traditional Chiefs and honorary ones. The beaded crown so approved by the Governor should be annotated with the inscription of Obas created by statute.’

The monarch said with this amendment, the Governor is now placed in the position of a Judge of the Court in respect of entitlement to wear a beaded crown and he must exercise his discretion judiciously and judicially,

The reform sought to amend the current Chiefs Law particularly Section 28 of the Law which provides that ‘The Governor may from time to time after consultation with the Council of Obas and Chiefs of the State by order specify the chieftaincies, the holder for the time being of which are entitled to wear the beaded crown.’

The wearing of a beaded crown by chieftaincy holders in the State is at the discretion of the Governor by the provision of the present law and the Governor can only exercise his discretion after he must have consulted the Council of Obas and Chiefs. This has now become history as the State Governor can now exercise his discretion as provided by the new Law, unfettered.

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Iran War Disrupts Oil Supply, Global Loss Hits $50bn

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The global oil market has recorded losses exceeding $50bn following massive supply disruptions triggered by the ongoing Iran war, which has now stretched to nearly 50 days.

Data from energy analytics firm Kpler showed that more than 500 million barrels of crude oil and condensate have been wiped off the global market since the crisis began in late February, making it the largest energy supply disruption in modern history.

Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araqchi, on Friday said the Strait of Hormuz had been reopened after a ceasefire agreement reached in Lebanon.

However, tensions escalated again on Saturday as Tehran warned it could shut the strategic waterway if the United States sustains its blockade of Iranian ports.

Also, U.S. President Donald Trump expressed optimism that a deal to end the conflict could be reached “soon,” although he did not provide a definite timeline.

Analysts warned that the scale of disruption could have prolonged effects on global energy stability, with shocks expected to linger for months or even years.

Providing context, Principal Analyst at Wood Mackenzie, Iain Mowat, said the 500 million barrels lost is equivalent to grounding global aviation demand for 10 weeks, halting all road transport worldwide for 11 days, or shutting down the entire global oil supply for five days.

Further estimates showed that the lost volume is nearly equal to one month of oil demand in the United States or more than a month’s supply for Europe. It also represents about six years of fuel consumption by the U.S. military and could power global shipping activities for approximately four months.

The crisis has significantly affected oil-producing nations in the Gulf, with output losses reaching about eight million barrels per day in March—roughly equivalent to the combined production of two of the world’s largest oil companies.

Jet fuel exports from major producers, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman, dropped sharply from 19.6 million barrels in February to just 4.1 million barrels recorded across March and April combined. Analysts said the shortfall could have powered about 20,000 round-trip international flights.

With crude prices averaging around $100 per barrel since the onset of the conflict, the lost volumes translate to an estimated $50bn in revenue. Experts noted that this figure is equivalent to about one per cent of Germany’s annual Gross Domestic Product, or roughly the size of the economies of smaller European countries.

Meanwhile, global onshore crude inventories have declined by about 45 million barrels in April alone, while total production outages have risen to approximately 12 million barrels per day since late March.

Industry experts cautioned that unless a lasting resolution is reached, the disruption could intensify volatility in global oil markets, worsen inflationary pressures, and further strain fragile economies worldwide.

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Oseni Secures Prestigious City People Political Award Nomination

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A member of the House of Representatives representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency and Chairman of the House Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency, Aderemi Oseni, has been nominated for a Special Award in Politics at the 2026 City People Political Awards.

The nomination was conveyed in a letter dated April 13, 2026, signed by the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of City People Magazine, Seye Kehinde.

The development was disclosed in a statement issued by Oseni’s media aide, Idowu Ayodele, and made available to journalists in Ibadan on Thursday.

According to the statement, the lawmaker earned the nomination in recognition of his “outstanding contributions to politics in Oyo State, particularly in Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency.”

The organisers noted that Oseni emerged as a nominee following a comprehensive review of performances across sectors by the award’s selection committee.

Part of the letter read, “Having performed creditably well in your sector last year, the Organising Committee presented you as a nominee in your sector.”

The award ceremony is scheduled to hold on Sunday, May 3, 2026, at Etal Hall, Kudirat Abiola Way, Oregun, Ikeja, Lagos, at 4pm.

The City People Awards is an annual event that recognises individuals who have distinguished themselves in governance, public service and other sectors of national development.

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Kaduna Electric to prosecute, expose attackers of staff

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The Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company has announced a crackdown on individuals who assault its staff, warning that offenders will face prosecution and public exposure.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the company expressed concern over what it described as a “disturbing surge” in attacks on its field workers and third-party partners.

It noted that the affected personnel were mainly engaged in meter installation, revenue collection and maintenance of electricity infrastructure.

According to the firm, the increasing cases of harassment, physical assault and unlawful detention of its workers pose a serious threat to employee safety and the stability of electricity service delivery across its franchise areas.

The Deputy Managing Director, Abubakar Mohammed, said the company would no longer tolerate any form of aggression against its workforce.

“Let this serve as a clear warning to anyone who engages in the assault of our staff. Kaduna Electric will pursue every case to its logical conclusion,” he said.

“We will work closely with security agencies to ensure offenders are brought to justice and face the full weight of the law,” Mohammed added.

He further disclosed that the company would publicly reveal the identities of individuals found culpable.

According to him, names, photographs and other details of offenders would be published on the company’s official platforms as well as in national and local media.

“This measure is intended to ensure accountability and serve as a strong deterrent. Anyone who chooses to attack our personnel should be prepared not only to face prosecution but also public exposure,” he added.

The company stressed that assaults on utility workers attract serious legal and financial consequences, noting that offenders risk criminal charges that may lead to fines or imprisonment.

It added that perpetrators could also face civil liabilities, including compensation for medical treatment, psychological trauma and loss of work hours.
While condemning the attacks, Kaduna Electric urged customers to adopt peaceful and lawful means of resolving disputes.

It advised aggrieved customers to channel complaints through its customer service units or appropriate regulatory bodies.

The management reaffirmed its commitment to protecting its workforce and partners, stressing that a safe working environment is essential for delivering reliable and efficient electricity services.

Although disputes between electricity providers and consumers are often linked to billing issues, metering challenges and service delivery concerns, the company maintained that such matters must be resolved through dialogue, insisting that violence against its staff will no longer be tolerated.

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