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Just In: Ayiri Emami Presents Fake Ologbotsere Insignias To Olu Of Warri

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Another round of crisis may resume in Warri Kingdom, Delta State, over the installation of Chief Oma Eyewuoma as the new Ologbotsere of the Kingdom by His Majesty, Ogiamé Atuwatse III, the Olu of Warri.

Until his new title, Chief Eyewuoma was the Aboludero of Warri Kingdom.

But the embattled Ologbotsere, Chief Ayirimi Emami, in his reaction to the removal, said his insignia of office, beads and sword were intact and still with him as his ancestral heritage.

The Olu of Warri last Saturday had invited the Ologbotsere dynasty to Aghofen (Palace) with speculations that the Olu had resolved to reinstate Emami as Ologbotsere.

The Aghófen Hall was said to be filled to capacity as everyone was curious of the agenda of the meeting until the Ologbotsere was urged to submit his Ologbotsere regalia in exchange for a new title held by his late father, ‘Eyeku’ which he rejected.

Despite that Emami’s objection, the installation of a new Ologbotsere took place on Sunday at the Palace of the Olu with Palace Chiefs, the immediate-past Governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan and other notable sons and daughters of Warri Kingdom in attendance.

It was gathered that after the installation of Chief Eyewuoma as the new Ologbotsere, His Majesty, Ogiamé Atuwatse III announced a new title to be conferred on Chief Emami who reportedly declined and walked out of the palace alongside many of Ologbotsere descendants.

Narrating the drama that ensued, Chief Emami said that his original beads and sword, authenticating him as the ‘Ologbotsere of Warri Kingdom’ were still intact, despite the presentation of a bead and sword to the Olu of Warri.

He told the gathering in Warri, that the incident at the Olu palace, was nothing, but joy to him for many reasons, including a Biblical reference Papa Ayo Oritsejafor illustrated on Friday April 14, during the peace meeting at the palace, “when he said if the Devil knew that Jesus Christ would be celebrated, they wouldn’t have killed him.”

Chief Emami, who spoke in Itsekiri language, stated that: “Those that asked me to honour invitation of the Ogiame knew they wanted to kill me, but if I had not honoured the invitation, they would have said I do not want the blessings of Itsekiri.

“You guys should not worry yourselves, what wants blood, if you give it palm oil, it will not take it. Today is a day of joy for so many reasons. When they said the king sent for me, many said I should not go, some said I should go. He that is in me is greater.

“People that said I should honour the invitation are more than those that said I shouldn’t honour it. Those that advised me to go to the palace, said if I go, there will be peace in Itsekiri land and I hold issues concerning Itsekiri in high esteem.

“When he (the king) called me, he told me of the dream he had about Ikenwoli (the transited Olu of Warri) and what Ikenwoli did. Any time the President-Elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, meets me, he always advised me to go and see the Olu of Warri.

“He told me to forget about ancestors and go to the King, that was exactly what I did. Even Oba of Benin spoke about the issue.

“The wife of Ologbotsere is the eyes of Ologbotsere. My wife called me and advised that I should not carry my original beads and sword to the Palace today.

“These three beads; bead of Atuwaste II, my late father and that of Ikenwoli, are my inheritance, I did not buy them. Have you seen me with one bead before?”

For his part, spokesman of Ologbotsere descendants, Comrade Alex Eyengho, said: “What happened in the palace today was part of a script that has been written. We got premonition of the event that would play out, hence the bead and sword presented at the Palace were fake.

“It has been an ongoing script. Ologbotsere family is not stupid. The original beads and sword are intact. Once you give a title to someone, it is till death. You don’t take it back. For Ologbotsere title to be given, it must come from the family of Ologbotsere, on request from the king. Chief Ayirimi Emami remains the Ologbotsere of Warri Kingdom.”

Earlier, Atuwatse III at the palace in the presense of hundreds of sons and daughters of the Warri kingdom said that he was not interested in what would divide the Iwere nation.

Ogiame noted that he had had several dreams on the issues, hence the move to reconcile with the Ologbotsere family. He urged Emami to take the ‘Eyela’ title and continue to work in the interest of the Itsekiri nation which Emami declined.

Recall that the monarch had on October 5, 2021, announced the derobing of Chief Emami as the Ologbotsere of Warri at a ceremony held in his palace.

 

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Tinubu Appoints New Ministers, Sacks Edun, Dangiwa In Minor Shake-Up

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President Bola Tinubu has approved a minor reshuffle of the Federal Executive Council, removing the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, and the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa.

This was disclosed in a statement on Tuesday by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Yomi Odunuga, citing a memo signed by SGF George Akume.

According to the memo, Taiwo Oyedele has been appointed as the new Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy.

Also appointed is Dr. Muttaqha Darma as Minister-designate for Housing and Urban Development.

The memo directed the outgoing ministers to complete handover processes to their respective successors or supervising officials.

It stated that all handing over and taking over activities must be concluded on or before the close of business on Thursday, 23rd April, 2026.

Explaining the decision, Akume said the changes were aimed at improving coordination and strengthening delivery across key sectors of the economy under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

“These changes are aimed at strengthening cohesion, synergy in governance as well as achieving more impactful delivery on the economy to Nigerians, through the Renewed Hope Agenda,” Akume stated.

He added that President Tinubu acted in line with his constitutional powers as provided under Sections 147 and 148 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

The SGF also conveyed the President’s appreciation to the outgoing ministers for their service to the nation and wished them well in their future endeavours, noting that the process of cabinet reinvigoration would remain continuous.

The statement further noted that Taiwo Oyedele was appointed as Minister of State for Finance in March 2026, while Edun was among the ministers appointed on August 16, 2023.

 

 

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Tax Reform Expert Taiwo Oyedele Nominated As Minister Of State For Finance

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially nominated Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Dr. Taiwo Oyedele as the new Minister of State for Finance.

Oyedele replaces Dr. Doris Anite-Uzoka, who has been redeployed to the Ministry of Budget and National Planning as Minister of State, her third portfolio in the administration.

The President on Tuesday conveyed Oyedele’s nomination to the Senate for confirmation in a letter to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, according to a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Tuesday.

Until Tinubu nominated him as a minister, Oyedele from Ikaram, Akoko, Ondo State, was the chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, which overhauled Nigeria’s tax system.

The 50-year-old is an economist, accountant, and public policy expert who led the comprehensive overhaul of Nigeria’s tax system through the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms.

The committee, inaugurated in August 2023, delivered four executive bills that consolidated over 60 taxes into fewer than 10 statutes and introduced significant reforms, including zero income tax for Nigerians earning N800,000 annually or less.

The Tax Reform Acts, which became effective on January 1, 2026, also exempted small businesses with turnover below N50m from company income tax, capital gains tax, and development levy.

Other provisions include a 50 per cent tax deduction for companies hiring new workers for three years, a 50 per cent deduction for wage increases to the lowest-paid employees, and a five-year corporate tax holiday for agricultural enterprises.

Oyedele attended Yaba College of Technology, where he obtained a Higher National Diploma in Accountancy and Finance, before proceeding to Oxford Brookes University for a BSc in Applied Accounting.

He also completed executive education programmes at the London School of Economics, Yale University, the Gordon Institute of Business Science, and the Harvard Kennedy School.

Oyedele spent 22 years at PricewaterhouseCoopers, joining in 2001 and rising to become the Fiscal Policy Partner and Africa Tax Leader before his appointment to head the tax reform committee.

He is currently a professor at Babcock University in Ogun State and a visiting scholar at the Lagos Business School.

As Minister of State for Finance, Oyedele is expected to oversee the implementation of the tax reforms he championed, particularly as the government seeks to improve revenue generation and deepen economic reforms.

Anite-Uzoka, who is being redeployed to the Ministry of Budget and National Planning, previously served as Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment before her appointment as Minister of State for Finance.

The Senate is expected to screen and confirm Oyedele’s nomination in the coming weeks, following which he will be sworn in to assume his ministerial duties.

The Finance Ministry, currently led by Wale Edun as substantive minister, oversees fiscal policy, revenue mobilisation, debt management, and economic planning.

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Gospel Artiste Taiwo Adegbodu Of Adegbodu Twins Passes On

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Taiwo Adegbodu, one half of the popular Nigerian gospel duo Adegbodu Twins, has passed away.

The tragic news was officially confirmed by his twin brother and musical partner, Kehinde Adegbodu, through a heartfelt post on the duo’s official Facebook handle.

In a heartfelt post, Kehinde conveyed his profound grief over the loss of both his brother and ministry partner.

He wrote: “TAIWO, why will you leave me and your kids without notification?
My heart is bleeding, Lord how do you want me to cope without him?
God why? This is too much for me to bear!!!”

Taiwo and Kehinde Adegbodu were renowned in gospel circles for their spirited worship sessions, twin-stage performances, and dynamic ministrations, which resonated with churches and Christian gatherings across Nigeria.

Their music and live performances earned them a devoted following, particularly in the South-West region.

As of the time of this report, the cause of Taiwo Adegbodu’s death and details of his funeral arrangements have not been disclosed.

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