Seyi Makinde, the governor of Oyo State, has stated that individuals who received bribes during the selection of the Alaafin of Oyo designate will be prosecuted.

Makinde made this remark on Monday while presenting the staff of office to Abimbola Owoade, the new Alaafin of Oyo, at the Oyo State Government House in Ibadan.

Despite opposition from a five-member faction of the Oyomesi (kingmakers), who preferred Lukman Gbadegesin, Makinde announced Owoade as the Alaafin-designate on Friday.

In July 2024, two members of the Oyomesi informed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) that Gbadegesin had offered each of the five kingmakers N15 million during the selection process.

While handing over the instruments of office to the monarch, Makinde reiterated that the Alaafin stool would not be for sale during his tenure.

He further emphasized that those who attempted to destabilize the traditional institution in the state would be prosecuted.

“The government is not letting down. We will prosecute them. The money they collected, they will still be prosecuted,” the governor stated.

“Except they go to Kabiyesi and apologise; if he forgives them, then I will also forgive them.”

The governor also clarified that there were no political motives behind his approval of Owoade as Alaafin.

He mentioned that he had neither spoken with Owoade nor met him or any of the other princes competing for the throne.

This approach, he said, allowed him to remain objective in his decision-making.

“Some people said maybe it was political consideration. No. Politics, electioneering is a game,” he stated.

“It’s only when you have been elected that governance becomes a serious business because you will take decisions that will affect millions of people. So, we will not play politics with governance.”

Makinde further explained that in 2019, his administration faced challenges with the traditional institution in Ibadanland, which have since been resolved to everyone’s satisfaction.

Regarding the Alaafin stool vacancy in 2022, he mentioned, “We were moving towards the election, and people said, ‘you have to approve the appointment of Alaafin; otherwise, Oyo people would not vote for you.’”

He added, “I said, ‘the people should not vote for me, but that I would do what was right,’ and Oyo voted for me massively. And Oyo will still continue to vote for me.”

The governor confirmed that the coronation would take place in four weeks, adding, “on that day, I’ll talk.”

• Promo Makes 60 Millionaires, Gifts N200m

Africa’s Global Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc has distributed over N41.8m in prizes to over 100 lucky customers in its just concluded UBA Legacy Promo series.

The promo which began last year, was specially designed by the bank to celebrate UBA’s rich legacy spanning over 75 years, as well as its long-standing commitment towards rewarding its loyal customers in a grand style.

The campaign, which was opened to several categories of Account holders including Bumper Account holders, Savings account, Kiddies & Teens Account holders as well as Nextgen account holders, also saw lucky customers winning other consolidation prizes including educational grants.

The winners were announced during the Grand Finale draw of the promo which held at the UBA Head-office, Marina, Lagos last Thursday and was witnessed by members journalists and representatives of relevant regulatory bodies including the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC), among other stakeholders.

In the Savings Account category, ten loyal customers walked away with N1,000,000 each. The lucky winners are: Olonade Funmilayo, Abdullahi Yunusa, Anibueze Augustine Chidozie, Ibironke Adedayo, Gilbert Godswill Pepple, Ekonmene Daniel Leghemo, Oligbo Francis Azuka, Liafeez Adebowale, Abiodun Bolanle Felicia, and Adamu Bappayo.

When contacted over the phone, one of the winners, Mr. Oligbo Francis Azuka, who won N1,000,000 in the savings account category expressed his surprise and excitement, stating that it was totally unexpected. He was however grateful to the bank for the gesture, adding: “I am deeply grateful and surprised by this reward from UBA. I honestly, didn’t expect this. I really appreciate the fact that UBA recognizes me. I am very grateful,” he stated.

The Bumper Category saw 10 people who emerged winners of N1,000,000 each. They are: Emem Christian Thompson, Lateefat Omotayo Waheed, Victoria Oluwaferanmi Adebusoye, Nkechinyere Agnes Okolo, Ibrahim Rabiu, Hammed Akande Idowu, Modester Chiadikobi Nwoke, Ajisafe Folashade Success, Thelma Ndubisi Enajiyerin, and Sunday Obaje.

20 lucky customers also received N500,000 each. They are: Ojo Goroye Banjo, Sandra Christopher Effiong, Femi Henry Idehen, Rashida Oiza Momohjimoh, Umar Usman, Joshua Chidera Nweke, Racheal Erhieyovwe, and Fatima Muhammed. Others include Ogbonna Edward, Eziuche Goodluck Chinyere, Lydia Bawa, Obiajulu Augustine Agwazia, Sale Barde, and Sikiru Morakinyo; Tajudeen Kareem Opeloyeru, Regina Queen Abeekaa, Isaac M. Ponfa, Mary Amos, Emmanuel Isa, and Amaechi Okoro.

Also in the bumper category another twenty customers got N250,000 each, while 10 lucky customers each won N100,000 each during the live draws.

In the NextGen category, Emmanuel Olakotan Oke, Sharon Oluwafunmilayo Ibitoye, Fortunate Izegboya Ijewemen, Anozie Janerose Chinelo, Maryam Zaharaddeen, Oluwakamikun Faidat Taiwo, Daniel Ayomikun Olawale, Ayomide Goodness Olowodara, Dennis Ogina Gbele, and Ofeoritse Jessica Waya each received N180,000 pocket money for a year.

The Kiddies and Teens category, also saw 20 young customers receiving N200,000 each in educational grants.

UBA’s Group Head, Retail and Digital Banking, Shamsideen Fashola, who spoke at the event, emphasized the significance of the promotion in strengthening the relationship between the bank and its community.

He said, “UBA Legacy Promo is our way of saying thank you to our loyal customers who have trusted us over the years. As we celebrate 75 years of impact, we remain committed to deepening financial inclusion and providing innovative and customer-focused products and services. Our goal is to make banking more rewarding and life-changing, improving lives and building stronger communities.”

Over the past six months, from July till December 2024, UBA has through a series of draws; cluster, monthly, and quarterly draws, rewarded over 600 customers with prizes totaling more than ₦200 million. This remarkable initiative has created over 60 millionaires, highlighting the bank’s commitment to enriching the lives of its customers and promoting savings culture, as UBA continues to reaffirm its dedication to launching more impactful initiatives, ensuring customer satisfaction and financial well-being remain at the forefront of its operations.

United Bank for Africa is one of the largest employers in the financial sector on the African continent, with 25,000 employees group wide and serving over 45 million customers globally. Operating in twenty African countries and the United Kingdom, the United States of America, France and the United Arab Emirates, UBA provides retail, commercial and institutional banking services, leading financial inclusion and implementing cutting edge technology.

Peter Obi, the Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, has retracted his earlier statement regarding the national grid collapse reports.

Media reports had claimed the national grid collapsed on Saturday, causing a blackout in parts of the country.

In response to these reports, Obi expressed concern on X about the state of Nigeria’s power infrastructure, stating the grid had collapsed 12 times last year.

He noted that the disruptions caused significant setbacks and hardships for households and businesses, describing the impact as immeasurable.

However, Ndidi Mbah, general manager of public affairs for the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), clarified in a statement that the national grid did not experience a collapse.

Mbah explained that the incident was merely a power tripping at the Benin-Omotosho 330 kilo volt (kV) line.

In response to this clarification, Obi acknowledged that his initial comments were based on reports from “reputable media platforms” and later information confirmed that the incident was not a grid collapse as initially suggested.

“Following my earlier message regarding the alleged collapse of the National Grid, which was based on reports from reputable media platforms, I have since learned that there was no such collapse,” Obi stated.

“Instead, the incident involved the tripping of the Osogbo-Ihovbor and Benin-Omotosho lines, which affected the Lagos axis.”

Obi also commended the transmission company for promptly addressing the matter and providing clarity.

While the clarification was made, the former governor of Anambra State urged for increased efforts to enhance the country’s power infrastructure to meet the needs of Nigeria’s over 200 million citizens.