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Oyo Market Group Warns Abeo Against Misleading Title, Affirms Saratu Konibaje as Iyaloja-General

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A prominent figure in the market, Chief Gbadeyanka Alimi, and a coalition of young leaders representing various markets across the 33 local government areas of Oyo State have jointly issued a stern warning to Alhaja Folashade Abeo, urging her to cease identifying herself as the Iyaloja-General of the State.

During a dedicated press conference held in Ibadan, this collective reminded the public that all Iyalojas from the 33 local governments had officially endorsed Alhaja Saratu Aduke Konibaje as the rightful Iyaloja-General of the State.

Chief Alimi also underscored that Alhaja Saratu Aduke Konibaje secured seven votes out of the 12 market groups and leaders in the State, while Abeo garnered just two votes in a highly competitive election involving branch Iyalojas.

Alimi strongly rebuffed recent media reports that suggested a majority of market leaders supported Abeo, dismissing these claims as groundless, diversionary, and deceitful attempts to mislead the State Government.

Alimi emphasised, “The process of appointing or electing the Babaloja-General and Iyaloja-General of Oyo State has long been concluded, following the same procedure that led to the appointment of Alhaji YK Abass as the Babaloja-General of the State over Alhaji Sunmaila Aderemi Jimoh. YK Abass received the official certificate from the State Government”.

He clarified that both Alhaja Saratu Aduke Konibaje and Alhaja Folashade Abeo underwent identical processes. Aduke Konibaje emerged victoriously with seven votes, receiving overwhelming recognition from stakeholders across the 33 local governments.

Alimi highlighted that it is unconstitutional and illegal for the late Alaafin or any traditional ruler to appoint the Iyaloja. Instead, the traders themselves select and elect their preferred candidate, which, in this instance, is Alhaja Saratu Aduke Konibaje.

He also revealed that under the previous administration of late Abiola Ajimobi, there were eight market clusters, but the current administration of Engr. Seyi Makinde expanded them to 12. Elections were held among these clusters, with Alhaja Saratu Aduke Konibaje securing seven votes, compared to Abeo’s two votes.

The spokesperson of the market youth group, Comrade Gbenga Ajibade, urged journalists to exercise caution when disseminating news that might mislead the public or stir unnecessary sentiments in favor of Folashade Abeo.

Ajibade emphasized, -Enough is enough,’ and called on religious and traditional leaders to abstain from interfering in the matter of the Iyaloja-General. He implored them not to misinform the State Government regarding the choice of market women across the 33 local governments.

“Our mothers from the 33 local governments and the 12 clusters have made their voices heard, electing Alhaja Saratu Aduke Konibaje as the new Iyaloja-General of the State. The State Governor should instruct his Commissioner for Trades and Investment to fulfill the necessary procedures and hand over the certificate to her”.

He also pointed out that Chief Bayo Lawal, who now serves as Governor Makinde’s Executive Assistant, held the position of Commissioner for Trades when Alhaja Saratu Konibaje was elected and endorsed by all Iyalojas in the State. Ajibade questioned why anyone would seek to disrupt the process and unsettle the peace in the markets due to an individual’s ambitious aspirations.

Ajibade, however, asserted that Alhaja Folashade Abeo lacks popularity among market leaders and, more importantly, the Iyalojas across the 33 local governments and the 12 clusters.

He urged her to wait for her time and allow Alhaja Saratu Konibaje to enjoy her well-deserved peace as the Iyaloja-General of the State.

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IGP Disu seeks NIPR partnership to boost public trust in police

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NIPR President, Dr Ike Neliaku, in a handshake with the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, at the Force Headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday.

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, has called for stronger collaboration between the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) to enhance public confidence in the police.

The IGP made the call on Tuesday when he received a delegation of the NIPR, led by its President and Chairman of Council, Dr Ike Neliaku, on a courtesy visit to the Force Headquarters, Abuja.

According to a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, the IGP emphasised the importance of effective communication, professionalism, transparency and fairness in strengthening the relationship between the police and members of the public.

Disu noted that every police officer was an image-maker of the Force, adding that the conduct of personnel in their daily interactions with citizens had a direct impact on public perception of the police.

He said the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) remained committed to policing by consent and promoting a service-oriented policing culture built on professionalism, empathy, accountability and respect for human rights.

The IGP also sought the support of the NIPR in providing specialised communication training for police personnel and developing a coherent communication framework that would effectively communicate the sacrifices and contributions of police officers to public safety and national security.

Earlier, Neliaku commended the IGP for his professional accomplishments and briefed him on Nigeria’s hosting of the 2026 World Public Relations Forum and Africa Charter Forum.

The international event is scheduled to hold at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, and is expected to attract more than 3,000 delegates from 126 member countries of the Global Alliance for Public Relations.

The NIPR delegation also sought the support of the Nigeria Police Force in security planning and coverage for the event.

Neliaku further invited the IGP to serve as a keynote speaker at the forum and encouraged police officers to register and participate as delegates.

The delegation included the Secretary-General of the African Public Relations Association, Dr Omoniyi Ibietan; Dr Suleiman Haruna; Mrs Maryam Sanusi; Mrs Olubunmi Badejo; Commandant Olusola Odumosu; Chief Uzoma Oyegbadu; Chief Moji Makanjuola; Mr Stanley Ogadigo and other members of the institute.

Iniedu said the meeting reflected the commitment of the  Police Force to building productive partnerships with professional bodies and other stakeholders to strengthen public trust, enhance public safety and promote national security.

 

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Inflation drops marginally to 15.39% — NBS

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Nigeria’s headline inflation rate fell marginally to 15.39 per cent in August 2026 from 15.43 per cent in July, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.

The NBS disclosed this in its Consumer Price Index released on Tuesday, saying the latest figure represented a 0.04 percentage point decline from the previous month.

The statistics agency, however, reported a sharper decline in the month-on-month inflation rate, which dropped to 0.71 per cent in August from 1.57 per cent in July.

The month-on-month rate, according to the bureau, declined by 0.86 percentage points compared with the July figure.

The NBS explained that the development indicated that the rate at which the average price level increased in August was slower than that recorded in July.

The latest data also showed a significant moderation in food inflation, which stood at 19.57 per cent year-on-year in August.

The figure was substantially lower than the 25.30 per cent recorded in August 2025.

On a month-on-month basis, food inflation fell to 1.02 per cent in August from 5.56 per cent in July, representing a decline of 4.55 percentage points.

The NBS said the development showed that food prices were still rising, but at a slower rate during the month under review.

It attributed the decline largely to changes in the average prices of a number of food items, including palm oil, carrots, pepper, onions, cassava flour, beef, yam flour, water yam, melon (egusi), fresh ginger, fresh fish, Irish potatoes, wheat grain, frozen chicken and turkey meat.

At the state level, Adamawa recorded the highest year-on-year food inflation rate in August at 38.85 per cent.

It was followed by Zamfara with 37.96 per cent and Bayelsa with 36.20 per cent.

On the other hand, Borno recorded the lowest year-on-year food inflation rate at -4.04 per cent, followed by Jigawa at -0.23 per cent and Kebbi at 3.47 per cent.

The month-on-month figures presented a different picture, with Katsina recording the highest food inflation rate at 9.48 per cent.

Rivers and Osun followed with 8.86 per cent and 8.32 per cent respectively.

Taraba recorded the lowest month-on-month food inflation rate at -12.42 per cent, followed by Borno at -12.15 per cent and Bauchi at -8.88 per cent.

The latest figures indicate a moderation in the pace of price increases, particularly in the food sector, although the NBS data show that consumers continue to face varying price pressures across the states.

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Nigeria’s Oil Output Rises to 1.68m Barrels Per Day

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Nigeria’s crude oil and condensate production rose to 1.68 million barrels per day in August 2026, representing a 0.4 per cent increase from the 1.67 million barrels per day recorded in July.

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission disclosed this in its latest production report released on Sunday.

Excluding condensate, the country produced an average of 1,500,190 barrels of crude oil per day in August, allowing Nigeria to meet its Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries quota for the fourth consecutive month.

Daily combined crude oil and condensate production ranged between 1.64 million barrels and 1.71 million barrels during the month under review.

A breakdown of production by terminals showed that Bonny Terminal recorded the highest output at 320.04 thousand barrels per day, followed by Forcados Terminal with 317.40 thousand barrels per day.

Qua Iboe Terminal recorded an average production of 171.72 thousand barrels per day, while Escravos Oil Terminal posted 131.71 thousand barrels per day.

Bonga ranked fifth among the highest-producing terminals, with an average output of 92.50 thousand barrels per day.

The NUPRC attributed the modest improvement in August production largely to the resolution of operational challenges involving the Single Buoy Mooring at the Erha field.

The commission said the challenges had adversely affected production in the preceding month.

“The restoration of normal evacuation and production operations at the asset contributed positively to overall production volumes during the period under review,” the commission’s spokesperson, Eniola Akinkuotu, said in a statement on Sunday.

The regulator added that production activities across most other producing assets remained relatively stable during the month.

“Production activities across most other producing assets remained relatively stable, with operators sustaining implementation measures aimed at optimising production efficiency, maintaining asset integrity, and minimising operational disruptions,” the statement said.

The latest figures indicate a continued improvement in Nigeria’s oil production, with the country maintaining its OPEC quota compliance for the fourth consecutive month.

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