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Lisabi Festival: Alake of Egbaland, others harp on unity as Sarafa Isola’s grandfather is named Hero of the Year

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Lisabi Festival: Alake of Egbaland, others harp on unity as Sarafa Isola’s grandfather is named Hero of the Year

 

 

Eminent sons and daughters of Egbaland, on Thursday, gathered at Mokola, in Abeokuta, to celebrate the 37th Lisabi Festival and honour the late Otun of Egbaland, Chief Tairu Braimoh Olaleye, as the Hero of the Year.
The Alake and Paramount ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, while speaking about the rich heritage of the Egba people emphasised the significance of Lisabi Festival in uniting the people and promoting selflessness and leadership qualities.

 

L-R Olowu of Owu Abeokuta, Oba Saka Matemilola, Osile of Oke-Ona Egba, Oba Adedapo Tejuoso, Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, Alake’s wife, Olori Tokunbo Gbadebo, the grandson of the Hero of the Year, Ambassador Sarafa Tunji Ishola, during the celebration of Chief Braimoh Tairu Olaleye as 2024 Lisabi festival Hero of the year.

 

 

The monarch, while celebrating the Hero of the Year, who is the grandfather of Ambassador Sarafa Tunji Isola, said the late Chief Tairu was honoured at the 2024 edition of the festival, having served Egbaland diligently as the Otun of Egbaland.

He said the contributions of the Hero of the Year to the development of Egbaland could not also be erased.

The Alake added that the event served as a platform to celebrate achievements, honour exemplary individuals and foster unity among Egba sons and daughters.

“We use Lisabi festival to promote selflessness, to promote leadership qualities in all Egba sons and daughters, to promote what we are known for. Education is our number one industry; to promote education, to promote entrepreneurship.

“This year, we chose agric business, and we have had series of lectures, bankers coming to tell us about what facilities are available to farmers and we have got so many Egba sons who have produced the equipment that so many of our children will need when they’re going into farming.”

Meanwhile, Oba Saka Adelola Matemilola, the Olowu of Owu Kingdom, stressed the importance of preserving history and heritage to propel further development by the younger generation.

He urged the community to build on the successes inherited from their forefathers, especially the legacies of late Chief Tairu Braimoh Olaleye, the grandfather of Ambassador Sarafa Tunji Ishola.

While speaking on unity and blessing of God, Oba Adedapo Tejuoso, the Osile of Oke-Ona Egba, urged his people to always acknowledge God in their endeavours.

He expressed delight in the selection of Chief Tairu Braimoh Olaleye as the hero of the year, noting his significant contributions to the development of Egbaland.

Ambassador Sarafa Tunji-Isola, the immediate past Nigerian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, reflected on his family’s pride in their heritage, with his grandfather being honoured.

He emphasised the importance of unity in achieving development in Egbaland.

“Unity will achieve a lot in terms of having a common agenda for development. The essence thus is to galvanise ourselves together and uplift Egbaland in terms of socio-economic issues, employment and other infrastructure because one thing that always brings development for any set of people is their unity of purpose and I am happy that we are getting that in Egbaland,” he stated.

The highpoint of the event was the presentation of a certificate in recognition of late Chief Tairu Braimoh Olaleye as the Lisabi Festival Hero of the Year, 2024.

Chief Taiwo Braimoh Olaleye, as Otun Egba between 1907 – 1913, played pivotal roles in the development of Egbaland and was a signatory to the Agreement made on 18th November, 1909 between His Excellency, Sir Walter Egerton, Knight Commander of the Distinguished Order of Saint Micheal and Saint George; Governor and Commander in Chief in and over the colony of Southern Nigeria, the Alake and authorities of the Egba nation.

The Lisabi Festival, named after Lisabi Agbongboakala, a revered warrior who saved Egba people from the regular payment of royalty to the Alaafin of Oyo, serves as a testament to the resilience and unity of the Egba people.

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Nigerian Woman Nabbed in India With N1.8bn Worth of MDMA Crystals

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Nigerian Woman Nabbed in India With N1.8bn Worth of MDMA Crystals

Nigerian Woman Nabbed in India With N1.8bn Worth of MDMA Crystals

BENGALURU, INDIA — A 25-year-old Nigerian woman, Ifeoluwa Akinwunmi, has been arrested by India’s Anti-Narcotics Wing of the Central Crime Branch for allegedly trafficking a large quantity of illegal drugs valued at over N1.8 billion.

Akinwunmi, who claimed to be a hairstylist and nail artist, was intercepted last Tuesday at Tarahunase village, Rajanukunte Main Road in Bengaluru, while allegedly in possession of 5.325 kilograms of MDMA (Ecstasy) crystals concealed in a travel bag. The drug haul, estimated at Rs 10 crore, was said to have been smuggled from Delhi.

According to The New Indian Express, the suspect — also known as Princess — was acting as a courier and had arrived to deliver the narcotics to a group of African drug peddlers. “She had come to hand over the drugs to a man in a black hat, but the pickup didn’t happen,” a police officer said.

Officers stated that Akinwunmi was standing alone with a suspicious bag and appeared nervous. Upon inspection, officers found the MDMA stash hidden among 11 traditional Indian churidars.

During interrogation, Akinwunmi insisted she was unaware of the bag’s contents, claiming a friend in Delhi had asked her to deliver it. She told investigators she came to India in 2021 to start a salon business and identified herself as the daughter of a Nigerian civil servant — though she withheld further personal information.

Authorities revealed that while Akinwunmi initially arrived on a business visa, she later secured a student visa to study at a university in Telangana but never enrolled. Her visa expired in 2022, and she had been living illegally in India ever since.

The arrest comes just two days after another Nigerian national, Emmanuel Bediako a.k.a. Maxwell, was arrested in Telangana for a similar offence, further raising concerns about an expanding drug network involving foreign nationals.

Investigators say Akinwunmi’s boyfriend, suspected to be a key figure in the trafficking ring, is currently on the run in Delhi. “There are credible leads, and we will be taking her into custody for further investigation,” an officer said.

Akinwunmi has since been transferred to the jurisdictional Chikkajala Police Station as investigations continue. This is her first known offence in the city, though authorities are working to determine whether she is linked to other cases across India.

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NASRE Promises Support To Daily Times Group Business Editor, Oseni, Over Serious Road Accident

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*NASRE Promises Support To Daily Times Group Business Editor, Oseni, Over Serious Road Accident*

The Nigerian Association of Social and Resourceful Editors (NASRE) regrets to announce that its Director of Investment and Group Business Editor of the Daily Times Newspaper, Mr. Motolani Oseni, was involved in a serious motor accident in the early hours of Sunday, June 15, 2025.

The unfortunate incident occurred while Mr. Oseni was en route to Iyana Ipaja, Lagos.

According to a statement by NASRE’s Public Relations Officer, Mr. Adeyemi Obadimu, the accident took place around dawn and left Mr. Oseni with multiple injuries, the most severe being on his left leg, which is suspected to be fractured.

“He is currently receiving urgent medical attention at Amadiya Hospital in Lagos,” Mr. Obadimu confirmed. “The initial assessment by medical personnel indicates a grave injury to the leg. We are, however, awaiting the outcome of further diagnostic tests, including an X-ray, expected by tomorrow morning to determine the full extent of the damage.”

Mr. Motolani Oseni is a respected media professional with about two decades of experience in financial journalism and editorial management.

His dual role as NASRE’s Director of Investment and Group Business Editor at Daily Times reflects his commitment to integrity, professionalism, and national development through journalism and resource advocacy.

NASRE expresses deep concern over this tragic development and has pledged to stand by Mr. Oseni during this critical time.

The association is calling on members of the media community, friends, and well-wishers to join in prayers for his quick and complete recovery.

“This is indeed a difficult moment for us at NASRE,” said NASRE President, Femi Oyewale , “Motolani is not just a colleague; he is a pillar in our association and a voice for responsible journalism in Nigeria. We are hopeful that with the grace of God and excellent medical attention, he will pull through this challenging ordeal.”

 

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EXPOSED: ZAMFARA STATE SPEAKER BILYAMINU MORIKI FULL MILITARY KITTED PICTURES EMERGED WITH SUSPECTED PEOPLE ALLEGED TO BE BANDITS IN ZURMI LOCAL GOVERNMENT FOREST.

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EXPOSED: ZAMFARA STATE SPEAKER BILYAMINU MORIKI FULL MILITARY KITTED PICTURES EMERGED WITH SUSPECTED PEOPLE ALLEGED TO BE BANDITS IN ZURMI LOCAL GOVERNMENT FOREST.

 

 

As the Nigerian Security Forces are recording success dialy on the ongoing fight against bandits in the Northwest, the full Military kitted pictures of the Zamfara State House of Assembly Speaker Hon. Bilyaminu Moriki emerged from one of the no go area forest in Zamfara having pleasantries with some Fulani’s believed to be bandits terrorizing Zurmi local government area of Zamfara State.

 

Investigations from Moriki Locals revealed that, the bandits dent visited by the Honourable Speaker is that of Kachallah Dammaka Dole situated in Moriki death Zone no go area under Zurmi local government.

 

It was also confirmed from one the State own security outfit Zamfara State protection Community Guards personal who begged for his name to not appear on the print that,”Even last week huge amount of ransom was paid to same bandits enclave visited by the Honourable Speaker, added that last year Nigeria Air force strike and neutralized Several bandits Commanders but are gradually regrouping since when we noticed the presence of Zamfara State government within the axis.

 

In one of the speaker Military kitted pictures, the biological son of the wanted bandit Kachallah Dammaka Dole Maude was seen at left side hand of the Honourable Speaker Smilling.

 

“That was where Seven of us were kept as Captives before our freedom by Kachallah Dammaka Dole, “Said one of the Victim who identified the dent visited by Hon. Bilyaminu the Honourable Speaker Zamfara State House of Assembly.

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