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I’ve lost a father, confidant, Makinde mourns Pa Adigun
Published
6 years agoon
Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde, has described the death of the pioneer president of Ibadan Solidarity Group and Chief Executive Officer of Sahara Engineers, Chief Lere Adigun, as a huge loss to the state.
The governor, who was speaking in Ibadan on Saturday at the burial of the business icon stated that the state has lost one of its finest individuals.
Makinde said Engineer Adigun was like a father and confidant to him, adding that the late Aare Ago Aare Olubadan of Ibadanland was a selfless elder who stood by him in times of trouble.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Makinde, Mr. Taiwo Adisa quoted the governor as saying that the late Adigun played the role of father in his life since the demise of his father, Pa Makinde, in 2012.
Makinde, who was speaking at the Oluyole home of the Adiguns, where Islamic clerics, including the Chief Imam of Ibadanland, Sheik Abubakar Agbotomokekere, Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Edo and Delta states, Alhaji Dawud Akinola and other clerics, conducted Islamic prayers for the deceased, called on leaders to emulate him.
The body of Engineer Adigun was later laid to rest at his Eyin Grammar, Molete, Ibadan, home.
Governor Makinde, who stated that Pa Adigun lived a great and selfless life, described how the late engineer gave him 101 per cent support, during his pursuit to become governor in 2015 and, also, in 2019, even when, according to him, it was glaring that all Ibadan elders were in support of the establishment.
The governor added that his biological father and Pa Adigun were the only two people who could give him an advice and he would not scrutinise, noting that in his one year in office as governor, Pa Adigun never called him for anything personal, but would always call to offer advice and make case for others, who were aware of their relationship.
He urged residents of the state to always comport themselves in a manner that, when they are no longer alive, people could give testimonies about them as it was being done for Pa Adigun.
The governor said: “I thank you Islamic leaders and clerics, the Olubadan and political figures who have taken time to come here today to pay last respect to Engr. Lere Adigun, who has been my father since the demise of my father eight years ago.
“I commiserate with you and his biological children. You are not the only ones who can lay claim to Baba as your father; after I lost my biological father, he has been my father. So, I have lost a father and confidant.
“In my 52 years on earth, there are only two people who can give me advice and I won’t scrutinise it; my father and Chief Adigun. But I have lost the two of them. The same relationship I have with him is what he had for me and it is a similar situation I was in eight years ago, that I am in today. My father died on July 7, 2012, and Baba died on 7 August, 2020.
“When I was told that Baba’s health needed attention, I came to his house and told him, Baba, you have to go to the hospital – though he had told everyone that he wouldn’t go – he told me that whatever I chose, he was okay with it and we took him to UCH so he could have the best of attention. So, we had time to prepare and to reflect on what has happened.
“Yesterday, when I had the call and they used Baba’s number, I knew the news they would give me. I told the people around me that I didn’t want to see anyone after I heard the news. But after three hours, I started asking myself why I was feeling sad. Engr. Adigun lived a good life.
“So, I started reflecting on everything we had done together. He made me develop interest in golf. Baba deserved to be celebrated. He was the chairman of my first Ramadan lecture and subsequent ones. He had been president of Ibadan Foundation. When I approached him that I wanted to be governor, he said he would support me. In 2015 he was with me. In 2019 when all the elders were with the establishment, Baba broke ranks with them and supported me.
“Ever since I became governor, whenever Baba called me, it had never been for selfish reasons. Baba always called me for others, because people who knew the influence he wielded on me always went to him. He was my eyes and ears where I could not reach.
“So, I can say that Oyo State has lost one of its finest and I can only pray that the point Baba reached before he was called to God, God will give us the strength to carry on.
“I also want to advise some of our people who are still living, whatever we do, let us remember a day like this. ‘I want to become this and that’, death will end it all. Let us live in such a way that when we are no longer there, people will have nice things to say about us the way we are doing about Baba Lere Adigun.”
Earlier in his sermon, the Chief Imam of the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T), Sheik Mamoon Elesinmeta, admonished everyone to remember their last day on earth and what people will say after their demise.
He said the Quran made it clear that human beings were created from the soil and shall return to the soil, warning that no matter the riches, power or influence, human beings must be mindful of posterity and do good so that people can say good things about them.
Similarly, one of the sons of the deceased, Mr. Dotun Adigun, said it is a privilege to be a son of the late engineer, appreciating Governor Makinde for what he stood for to the family and the people of the state.
“We appreciate you, Mr. Governor for what you stand for; what you stand for to my father, to the family. I can’t thank you enough. I say thank you for standing on the shoulder of a real icon like my father.
“There are lots of dignitaries that my dad had a relationship with. He seemed like an ordinary person in the house but he was many things to many people.
“He fought to stay alive, he fought. If he had made it back, every minute would have been spent to serve humanity,” he said, appreciating the Islamic clerics for the roles they played since their father passed on.
Some of the dignitaries who attended the prayers include the representative of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, Oloye Lekan Alabi; Chief Imam of Ibadanland, Sheik Abubakar Agbotomokekere and his council; Aare Muslumi of Yorubaland, Edo and Delta states, Alhaji Dawud Akinola; Alhaja Mutiat Ladoja; Commissioners for Education and Special Duties and other government functionaries; Chief Saka Balogun; Engr. Femi Babalola; Chief Bosede Adedibu and Senator Kamorudeen Adedibu, among others.
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Iran War Disrupts Oil Supply, Global Loss Hits $50bn
Published
5 days agoon
April 18, 2026By
Mega IconThe 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
Published
7 days agoon
April 16, 2026By
Mega IconA 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
Published
1 week agoon
April 16, 2026By
Mega IconThe 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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