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Oniru Of Iruland, Oba Gbolahan Lawal Takes Crown, Ooni, Tinubu, Sanwo-Olu In Attendance

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It was a colourful event yesterday at the coronation of the 15th Oniru of Iruland, Abdulwasiu Omogbolahan Lawal, at his palace on Victoria Island,  Lagos.

The 15th Oniru of Iruland, HRM Oba Gbolahan Lawal

Some three months after Oba Lawal was installed, the coronation was delayed due to COVID-19.

Although without the usual cultural displays characteristic of such royal outings,  the duo of Sulaiman Ayilara Aremu, popularly called Ajobiewe, and Fausat Ayo Ewebiyi ensured there was no dull moment.

Busola Kukoyi of Lagos Television, the master of ceremonies, left the guests highly entertained.

Many women decked in colour purple attires, while the men shone in white.

Traditional leaders were not left out. Religious men, especially Islamic clerics, were well represented.

Among early callers were wife of Lagos State Governor Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, who wore a velvet purple lace, and Erelu of Lagos Abiola Dosunmu in traditional white.

The arrival of All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu,  raised the bar.

He was led into the venue by Dr Hamzat, Elegushi of Ikateland Oba Saheed Ademola Elegushi, Lagos State Head of Service Hakeem Muri-Okunola, and Chief of Staff to the governor Tayo Ayinde.

A renowned industrialist and Aare of Lagos, Alhaji Rasak Akanni Okoya, his delectable wife, Sade, and  Chief Samuel Adedoyin joined the dignitaries on the high table.

Commissioners for the Environment Tunji Bello; Information and Strategy – Gbenga Omotoso; Housing Moruf Akinderu-Fatai (MAF); Culture and Tourism Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf; Justice and Attorney-General Moyo Onigbanjo and Special Adviser  on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr Solomon Bonu led other members of the state executive.

The celebrators, Oba Lawal and Olori Mariam, were ushered into the tastefully decorated pavilion, joined by the monarch’s mother, Olori Muinat Lawal-Akapo, and the Ojora of Ijora, Oba Abdul Fatai Aromire.

Rendered in Yoruba, the national anthem was followed by a poetic oratory performance.

Some Islamic scholars coordinated by Imam Hakeem Kosoko rendered prayers for the monarch, governor and his exco, Asiwaju Tinubu and Lagos state.

Oba Lawal was dressed in traditional golden Agbada with long royal beads, a crown, and face mask. He held his mini staff of office.

He waved the horsetail to the admiration of the gathering.

The monarch, in his coronation speech, hailed Governor Sanwo-Olu, Asiwaju Tinubu, who he described as a mentor and confidant; his family, traditional rulers and his subjects.

“My deepest appreciation is to Almighty Allah. In the journey so far, I have received several divine favours and benevolence from our creator, and none of these do I take for granted or deem myself qualified for. It has been providence and I will continue to remain grateful,” he said.

Oba Lawal almost betrayed his emotion while eulogising his mother and remembering his late father, Chief Taoreed Akapo-Lawal,  the former Ojora of Lagos.

He promised to be fair, and work for the progress and development of Iruland.

Sanwo-Olu, represented by Hamzat, reminded the gathering of his advice to the monarch to strengthen the unity and peace in Iruland for the development and progress of the kingdom.

“Two months on the throne, I’m pleased to note that Kabiyesi took this advice to heart as exemplified by his very impressive actions characterised by wisdom, knowledge and large-heartedness. My advice to all sons and daughters, as well as residents of Iruland is to continue to stand firm and united behind His Royal Majesty in order to advance the development and prosperity of this kingdom.

“I have absolute confidence in the ability and capacity of His Royal Majesty to bring about greater transformation that will benefit everybody and further reposition Iruland within the metrics of development in Lagos State,” the governor said.

Asiwaju Tinubu urged the monarch to work with the people as well as the state to actualise his lofty dreams for  Iruland and Lagos State.

He said a beautiful idea dies without the support of government and people who such great idea was meant to develop.

Asiwaju, who described Oba Lawal as intelligent, reliable, dependable and unassuming, urged the people to work in peace and harmony and not in greed, saying that no matter how much of wealth one appropriates to oneself, everyman would leave the world with nothing.

Tinubu urged those who sought to succeed the late Oba but did not make it, to work with Oba Lawal to develop Iruland.

Among dignitaries present were former Ambassador to Ghana Senator Musiliu Obanikoro; members of the House of Assembly; and former and serving members of the National Assembly.

Others were local government chairmen – Princess Abiodun Adu (Iru-VI); Dr Funmilayo Akande-Mohammed (Apapa-Iganmu); Omobolanle Akinyemi-Obe (Coker-Aguda); Arobadade of Iruland Prince Abayomi Daramola; and whitecap chiefs.

Source: Global Excellence

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Oyo 2027: Adelabu Quits As Power Minister To Focus On Guber Race

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The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu has formally resigned from his position in the Federal Government to pursue his governorship ambition in Oyo State.

In a resignation letter dated April 22, 2026, and addressed to the President, Adelabu stated that his resignation will take effect on April 30, 2026, to enable him to focus on his governorship ambition in Oyo State.

The letter, routed through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, stated that he was stepping down with “a deep sense of honour and profound gratitude.”

He wrote, “I write with a deep sense of honour and profound gratitude to formally tender my resignation as the Honourable Minister of Power of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This resignation is to take effect on 30th April 2026, in order to allow sufficient time for a smooth and orderly handover of responsibilities.”

Adelabu thanked the President for the opportunity to serve, describing his appointment as a privilege.

He said, “Your Excellency, I remain sincerely grateful for the privilege and confidence you reposed in me by appointing me to serve our great nation in this capacity.

“It has been a rare honour to contribute to national development under your leadership and to play a role in advancing reforms in the power sector—one of the most critical foundations of Nigeria’s industrial growth and economic transformation.”

The former minister said his resignation was to enable him focus fully on his governorship ambition in Oyo State, citing provisions of the amended electoral law.

He added, “My decision to step down is informed by my intention to focus fully on my gubernatorial ambition in Oyo State. This aspiration, which dates back to 2016 during my service as Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, ultimately led to my voluntary resignation from the Central Bank in 2018 in order to pursue the same goal.”

“In line with the provisions of the Amended Electoral Act 2026, which preclude political office holders from contesting elections, I consider it both appropriate and necessary to resign at this time.”

Adelabu’s exit marks a major political development ahead of the next electoral cycle, particularly in Oyo State, where he is expected to contest the governorship election.

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Wale Edun, Musa Dangiwa Resigned Voluntarily, Not Sacked – Presidency

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The Presidency has clarified that Wale Edun (former Finance Minister) and Ahmed Musa Dangiwa (former Housing Minister) voluntarily resigned from their positions and were not sacked by President Tinubu.

In a statement released this evening April 22, presidential media aide, Bayo Onanuga, said that contrary to public opinions, Wale Edun resigned on health grounds while Dangiwa also tendered his resignation and thanked the President for the opportunity given him to serve in the Federal Executive Council.

Onanuga stated that Edun, who clocked 70 on Monday and has battled recent ill health, fittingly submitted his resignation letter on his birthday, thanking the President for the opportunity to serve Nigeria.

“It has been a pleasure and privilege to serve your administration and the Renewed Hope Agenda, Under your leadership, Nigeria has emerged stronger, more resilient and more internationally respected. I wish you and the administration every success in the future” he wrote

Onanuga stated that on Tuesday, before the Office of the Secretary of the Government of the Federation announced his departure from the Cabinet, Edun paid a valedictory visit to the President at the Villa and held an hour-long discussion with the president and then left to focus on his private businesses.

The presidential aide stated that President Tinubu has expressed deep appreciation to Edun and Dangiwa for their dedicated service and significant contributions to the administration’s economic reform programme and wished them continued success in their future endeavours.

‘’In the same vein, the President has urged the new Minister of Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, to consolidate ongoing reforms and advance the administration’s fiscal and economic objectives with renewed focus, discipline, and innovation.

President Tinubu will shortly send the ministerial nominee for housing, Muttaqha Rabe Darma, also from Katsina, like Dangiwa, to the Senate for confirmation” the statement concluded

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Unity Bank, Experts Advocate Green Investment, Climate Innovation To Drive Economic Resilience

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Nigeria’s retail lender, Unity Bank Plc, alongside leading climate innovation experts, has called for increased investment in the green economy and the adoption of frontier technologies as critical pathways to driving economic resilience and reducing the impact of climate change on vulnerable populations across Africa.

The call was made during a thought-provoking webinar hosted by the Bank to commemorate this year’s Earth Day, themed “The True Cost of Climate Change and Who Pays?”. Climate experts and stakeholders convened to examine the human, economic, and institutional costs of climate change, while spotlighting practical solutions to address its growing impact.

In his opening remarks, Unity Bank’s Head of Strategy and Innovation, Ibukun Coker, emphasised the urgency of addressing climate risks from both a societal and business perspective.

He said: “Climate change is no longer a distant or abstract challenge. It is an existential threat with direct consequences for individuals, businesses, and economies. At Unity Bank, we recognise the role institutions must play in incorporating sustainability in project financing, supporting businesses and promoting solutions that build resilience in communities where we operate.”

The webinar featured Chinwe Udo-Davis, Founder and CEO of Instollar, and Oluwatosin Ajide, Programme Manager at the Nigeria Climate Innovation Centre, both of whom provided insights into the drivers of climate change and the pathways to mitigation and adaptation.

Speaking during the session, Udo-Davis highlighted the disproportionate burden which climate change places on underserved communities and the need for inclusive solutions.

“The true cost of climate change is not evenly distributed. Communities with the least resources are often the most affected, whether through energy poverty, environmental degradation, or limited access to sustainable alternatives. Addressing this imbalance requires intentional investment in clean energy solutions that are both accessible and scalable.”

Ajide underscored the importance of coordinated, system-wide approaches in tackling climate challenges, particularly through innovation and policy alignment.

“Climate change is fundamentally a structural problem, and its solution requires a paradigm shift: from innovation and policy to financing and implementation. Stakeholders must work collaboratively to drive solutions that are sustainable and inclusive.”

The session also explored emerging opportunities in climate technology, renewable energy, and ecosystem financing, reinforcing the role of innovation and cross-sector collaboration in building long-term resilience.

By hosting the webinar, Unity Bank continues to demonstrate its commitment to advancing sustainability-focused dialogue and supporting initiatives that promote responsible growth and environmental stewardship.

The initiative underscores the Bank’s broader strategic focus on environmental sustainability as well as its commitment to financial inclusion.

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