From Ayinde Akintade, Osogbo

The Permanent Chairman, Southern Nigeria Traditional Rulers Council (SNTRC), Arole Oodua Olofin Adimula and Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, has installed the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, as the Yeye Asiwaju gbogbo Ile Oodua.

The installation ceremony took place yesterday at Afewonro Park, Enuwa Square, Ooni’s Palace, Ile-Ife, during the grand finale of activities marking the 10th Coronation Anniversary of Ooni Ogunwusi.

Rites were performed for Senator Oluremi Tinubu by traditional chiefs in accordance with ancient customs.

Speaking during the ceremony, the Ooni expressed deep appreciation to Senator Oluremi Tinubu for her unwavering support over the years.

 “She is the mother of the nation. Exactly 10 years ago, on the 7th of December 2015, she stood by me through thick and thin. I asked Baba Obasanjo to help me thank her because he accompanied me to several ancestral sites during those critical moments. Baba spent 16 straight hours with me when I was announced as Ooni of Ife. Today is not a day for long speeches, but I must sincerely thank President Bola Tinubu for his support and thank all of you for standing by our mother. She is indeed a merciful mother,” Ooni Ogunwusi said.

In her speech, Senator Oluremi Tinubu expressed profound gratitude to God and described the honour as both humbling and divine.

She commended the Ooni for his visionary leadership, describing him as a young, wise, and progressive monarch whose reign has brought global visibility and renewed pride to the Yoruba race.

She expressed appreciation to the entire Ife Kingdom for their support for the Ooni throughout the last decade.

“The joy of the nation has come, and we are just beginning to celebrate. God has assured us that 2026 will be a year of joy, honour, and restoration, a year in which everyone will partake in renewed glory,” she added.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo lauded the Ooni for deeming the First Lady worthy of the prestigious title.

He urged Senator Tinubu to continue her humanitarian works, stressing that chieftaincy titles are traditionally bestowed on individuals of proven character.

“You have come to where you should belong. Continue your good works wherever you go. I am grateful to God that I witnessed the beginning of Ooni Ogunwusi’s reign and that I am here again to celebrate his 10th anniversary,” Obasanjo said.

In his goodwill message, Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, praised Senator Oluremi Tinubu as a pillar of national development whose contributions have facilitated numerous impactful initiatives across the country.

Adeleke also extolled the Ooni’s remarkable decade of transformative leadership, highlighting his role in advancing Yoruba culture, fostering unity, and contributing significantly to community and national development.

“In 10 years, Kabiyesi has redefined leadership, using his exalted stool to promote peace, unity, and progress. His purposeful engagement and forward-looking initiatives have elevated Ile-Ife’s global visibility and strengthened the unity of the Yoruba race,” he said.

The governor further applauded the Ooni’s entrepreneurial investments, which have enabled job creation, youth empowerment, and sustainable community development.

“Oba Adeyeye’s reign has greatly enhanced the cultural, social, and economic landscape of Ile-Ife. We pray that God grants him continued grace and good health to sustain his impactful leadership for many more decades,” he added.

The ceremony was attended by dignitaries such as Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III; former First Lady, Patience Jonathan, Soun of Ogbomosho, Ọba Ghandi Afọlábí all of whom graced the celebrations with their presence to pay tribute to the Ooni’s decade of impactful reign.

Among the top government officials in attendance were Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun; former Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun; Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa; former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Dimeji Bankole; and the Deputy Governor of Osun State, Prince Kola Adewusi.

Also present were leading women of influence, including Kafayat Oyetola, wife of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy; Lilian Oghogho Musa, wife of the Minister of Defence; Hajiya Fatima Tajudeen Abbas, wife of the Speaker of the House of Representatives; Dr. Ezinne Chinyere Kalu, wife of the Deputy Speaker; Salamatu Gbajabiamila, wife of the Chief of Staff to the President; Mrs. Titilayo Adeleke, wife of the Osun State Governor; the Yeyelaje of Oodua, Toyin Kolade; and former Oyo First Lady, Florence Ajimobi.

A distinguished assembly of traditional rulers also thronged the venue, further highlighting the significance of the occasion. Present were the Orangun of Oke-Ila, Oba Adedokun Abolarin; Salu of Edunabon, Oba Kehinde Oladepo; Orangun of Ila, Oba Wahab Oyedotun; Elegushi of Ikate-Elegushi Kingdom, Oba Saheed Ademola Elegushi; Oloro of Oro Kingdom, Oba Joel Olaniyi Oyatoye; alongside many other royal fathers from across Yorubaland and Nigeria.

From Attah Ede, Makurdi

An ex- corps member and a recipient of Presidential Honour Award, Udokpo Abasi, at the weekend returned to the NYSC orientation camp Wannune and his place of primary assignment in Benue State to show appreciation for the support he garnered to win presidential award.

Abasi, former member of the Orientation Broadcasting Service(OBS) and the Editorial and Publicity CDS Group, visited the NYSC Orientation Camp in Wannune, Benue State, to express his gratitude for the platform the scheme provided him.

He was warmly received by the State Coordinator, Veronica Garba, the Camp Director, Yahuza Isa Adamu, and the Head of the Publicity and Protocol Committee, Victoria Ogwuche.

 During the visit, he shared the principles that shaped his success and contributed to his recognition as a State and Presidential Honour Award recipient.

Abasi highlighted punctuality, regularity, determination, devotion to duty, loyalty, effectiveness, resilience, initiative, discipline, teamwork, and strong interpersonal relationships as key values that guided him during and after his service year. He encouraged Corps Members to embrace these virtues diligently.

He also commended the current batch for the teamwork and discipline he observed in camp, noting that such qualities remain central to personal progress and the continued legacy of excellence in the NYSC scheme.

 He further motivated Corps Members to embark on purposeful projects, embrace responsibility, and maximise the opportunities available during the service year.

As part of his visit to Benue, Abasi also returned to his former place of primary assignment and his host community, where he once served as a Corps Member, to reconnect and express appreciation for the support he received.

Corps Members described his visit as inspiring and reaffirming, as it offered real life examples of the opportunities available through dedication and hard work.

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From Attah Ede, Makurdi

A global Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), International Alert has inaugurated Climate Project Steering Committee in Benue State, to tackle climate-induced conflicts and promote peace through Community dialogue.

The programme which is being supported by Irish Government, is meant to address the challenges of climate stress and conflicts by providing oversight and strategic guidance for implementing the Powering Peace through Climate Action project.

While inaugurating the state steering committee in Makurdi, the Senior Project Officer, International Alert, Kengkeng Ati, enjoined the State Steering Committee members to diligently tackle the dual challenges of climate stress and conflicts across the state.

He further urged the committee to provide oversight, strategic guidance, and recommendations for implementing the Powering Peace through Climate Action project.

“We are not simply urging communities to cease hostilities; we are investing in climate-smart solutions that offer livelihood options and alleviate tensions,” Ati emphasized.

Highlighting the climate challenges faced by Benue State, the Project Officer mentioned issues such as reduced rainfall, drying water sources, declining soil fertility, and abnormal weather patterns as indicators.

He underlined the urgent need to address these issues to prevent further disputes over land and resources.

Meanwhile, as part of measures to mitigate tensions, climate hubs have been set up in Fiidi and Agatu, offering services like weather monitoring, biogas production, briquette- making, fish drying, and solar-powered water supply.

This is in addition to fish ponds in Fiidi Community in Makurdi and Agatu which are being revitalized to enhance food security and income.

The project which is being implemented in collaboration with the Benue State Council on Climate Change, aims to empower local Communities and ensure the sustainability of climate hubs beyond the project’s one-year duration.

The inaugurated multi-stakeholder Steering Committee includes representatives from government ministries and parastatals, departments, agencies, and the private sector.

The Senior Project Officer highlighted the project’s objectives, which include raising awareness about climate change, developing local peace and adaptation plans, influencing government policies and funding, and providing sustainable livelihoods to reduce conflict triggers.

He encouraged Benue Communities to embrace new technologies and transition from conflict-prone systems to a more prosperous future.

In a presentation titled “Powering Peace Through Climate Action Project Phase II,” Mr. Ati shared insights from the project’s initial phase, which he confirmed had successfully united Communities and resolved resource-related conflicts through a climate-conflict analysis.

According to him, the project’s second phase would focus more on sustaining conflict sensitivity and climate adaptation efforts to engage diverse stakeholders.

Ati stressed the importance of collaboration among international stakeholders, government bodies, INGOs, and Community groups to harness climate adaptation for stakeholder empowerment.

Chairman of the Steering Committee, who is also the Director General of the SDGs Office in the State, Sir John Akuse pledged assured that the Project Steering Committee would provide unwavering dedication and top-tier support to the project team.

Other members of the Committee including Dr. Dan Mailumo, the Director General of Benue State Council on Climate Change, and Mrs. Josephine Habba, the Director General of Benue State Commission for Peace and Conflict, alongside other representatives from pertinent organizations, expressed their full support for the project and affirmed their commitment towards achieving the goals set by the Project Steering Committee.

It would be recalled that the International Alert, was established in 1986, with a mission to foster dialogue, research, advocacy, and outreach activities promoting peace and sustainable development.