…Abiodun mourns

The wife of Ogun State’s first civilian governor, Madam Lucia Onabanjo, has died at the age of 100.

Her demise was announced by her daughter, Olubukunola Onabanjo, in a statement on Tuesday.

According to Onabanjo, the matriarch of the Onabanjo family passed away peacefully on Monday.

The statement partly reads, “The family of Chief Victor Olabisi Onabanjo, former Governor of Ogun State, announces with deep sorrow, yet with gratitude to Almighty God, the passing of our beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.

“Chief (Mrs.) Lucia Onabowale Onabanjo (1925–2026) was called to glory on Monday, January 11.

“We thank God for her long and fulfilled life, and for the enduring legacy of love, strength, and faith she leaves behind. May her soul rest in perfect peace.”

Her husband, Chief Olabisi Onabanjo, was the first civilian governor of Ogun State, serving from 1979 to 1983.

He was also a prominent journalist, widely known for his weekly column, Ayekooto, until his death in 1990.

Meanwhile, Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has expressed deep condolences to the family of a former Governor of Ogun State, Chief Victor Olabisi Onabanjo, over the passing of their matriarch, Chief (Mrs.) Lucia Onabowale Onabanjo, who reportedly died at the age of 100.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by Kayode Akinmade, the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to Governor Abiodun, the governor described the demise of Mrs Onabanjo as the end of a glorious era, noting that she lived a highly exemplary, fulfilled and distinguished life devoted to God, family and humanity.

Abiodun said that although the loss of a mother is always painful, regardless of age, Mama Lucia’s transition at 101 was also worthy of celebration, given her impactful life and enduring legacy.

He explained that Mama Onabanjo stood firmly by her husband, the late Chief Olabisi Onabanjo, through his historic struggles for democracy, human rights and social justice in Nigeria.

The governor said, “After a glorious epoch in which she joined her husband, our Papa, Chief Olabisi Onabanjo, in the fight for democracy, the delivery of its dividends on a massive scale, and the advancement of human rights and social justice, Mama has now been reunited with Papa in glory.

“Mama was a treasure and a source of joy to all who knew her. She consistently supported us with her prayers and goodwill, spreading joy, comfort and hope to everyone around her.

“I commiserate with the Onabanjo family, even as I celebrate them for the great gift that Mama was to all of us.

“She stood by her husband through thick and thin and raised children and grandchildren who are today highly distinguished in diverse fields of human endeavour, breaking records and contributing meaningfully to society.

“We bless the Lord for her long and fulfilled life, her legacy of love, strength, deep faith and commitment to development.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Tuesday said President Bola Tinubu was neither missing nor absent from his duties.

This followed comments credited to Mr Peter Obi, the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 presidential election, who questioned the president’s visibility.

The party, in a statement signed by its Lagos State Spokesman, Mr Seye Oladejo, made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Lagos on Tuesday, said the President remained fully engaged in the business of governance, both within and outside the country.

Oladejo urged political actors to focus on issues of substance rather than optics.

According to him, the president is not missing, nor is he absent from his constitutional responsibilities.

“He is actively involved in the complex and demanding work of statecraft, which includes policy coordination, security oversight, diplomatic engagements and economic reforms.

”Governance is not measured by constant public appearances or media check-ins. It is assessed by the quality of decisions taken, the policies implemented and the outcomes delivered in the national interest.”

He also said that Tinubu had continued to discharge his duties with focus and resolve, guided by the constitutional mandate given to him by Nigerians.

“His schedule and engagements are driven by national priorities, not by the need to satisfy political commentary,” he said.

Oladejo added that the Tinubu administration had remained active on several fronts, including economic reforms, security coordination and international diplomacy.

He noted that these efforts were aimed at repositioning Nigeria for sustainable growth and global relevance.

He advised political leaders to engage constructively by offering ideas and alternatives that would contribute to national development, rather than raising questions that could create unnecessary public anxiety.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Obi, also a former Anambra governor, had questioned the whereabouts of Tinubu amid what he described as deepening economic hardship, insecurity and leadership silence.

In a statement posted on his verified X account on Monday, Obi said his concern was driven by the scale of challenges confronting the country and the perceived absence of direct presidential engagement at a critical time.

He alleged that President Tinubu spent 196 days outside the country in 2025, adding that this exceeded the time he spent within Nigeria during the same period.

He also claimed that Nigerians had not heard directly from the president since December 2025.

It would be recalled that Tinubu on Dec. 28 departed Lagos for Europe to continue his end-of-year break and in preparation for an official visit to Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates.

The president was invited by Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, to participate in the 2026 edition of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW 2026).

Tinubu on Sunday arrived in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, to attend the 2026 Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, which began on Monday.

(NAN)

Traditional leaders in Ibadan have issued a stern warning to the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Abimbola Owoade, over what they describe as a serious act of disrespect toward the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja.

The warning came after a tense encounter at the Agodi Government House in Ibadan, where the Alaafin reportedly stretched out his hand while seated to greet the Olubadan – a gesture Ibadan leaders called “deeply insulting to the revered stool and the entire Ibadan traditional institution”.

Following a meeting of Ibadan traditional authorities, including monarchs, Mogajis, Baales, and prominent indigenes, the stakeholders accused the Alaafin of consistently disregarding Ibadan customs and hierarchy.


In a statement signed by the President of Ibadan Mogajis, Mogaji Asimiyu Ariori, and the Coordinator of the Ibadan Compound Peace Initiative, ICPI, Mogaji Dr. Nurudeen Akinade, the leaders described the action as “an embarrassment of the highest order”.

They noted that the Olubadan’s response was measured and appropriate but warned that any further provocation from the Oyo monarch would meet stronger resistance from Ibadan’s traditional authorities, including Kabiyesis, chiefs, Mogajis, and Baales.

The statement highlighted Oba Ladoja’s seniority, age and distinguished service, noting that the 82-year-old monarch is a former senator, ex-governor, seasoned statesman, and successful businessman whose stature, the leaders argued, surpasses that of the Alaafin.

“Alaafin’s disrespect to the Olubadan stool is getting out of hand,” the statement read. “If Governor Seyi Makinde fails to caution him and Ibadan people are pushed to react, the Oyo monarch will regret his actions.”

The stakeholders emphasized that Ibadan people are peace-loving but not weak, stressing that the calm should not be mistaken for fear.

“Ibadan people cherish their culture and traditions and will resist anything capable of ridiculing them,” the statement added.

They further insisted that Ibadanland has never been subordinate to the Alaafin and that any attempt to undermine the Olubadan stool’s dignity would be firmly rejected.

“Alaafin may choose not to greet the Olubadan but stretching his hand while seated to greet our highly revered monarch is an insult to the entire Ibadan traditional institution. Ibadan mesi o go,” the statement added.