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Olowu Kuta @60: My Biggest Dream Is To See My Kingdom Transformed Into Megacity

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Olowu Kuta @60: My Biggest Dream Is To See My Kingdom Transformed Into Megacity

 
 
On Sunday, 14th of July, 2024, the ancient town of Kuta in Osun State, went live as town’s monarch, the Olowu of Kuta, Oba Hameed Oyelude, CON, Tegbosun III, welcomed dignitaries from across Nigeria for the celebration of his 60th birthday.
 
The list of the VIPs was topped by the name of former Nigeria’s president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, the incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State, former governor of the state, Olagunsoye Oyinlola of Osun, the Ooni of Ife, HIM Adeyeye Ogunwusi, and the executive chairman of Federal Character Commission, Dr. Muheeba Dankaka. 
 
Others were fellow traditional rulers; the  Olowu of Owu, Oba Saka Matemilola, Timi of Ede, Oba Munirudeen Lawal, the Emir of Biu, Midala Umar, amongst several other prominent names.
 
Speaking in this interview with the Editor, Oba Makama shared his joy at making 60 as well as having such important dignitaries honouring him for the celebration. Read on…
 
 
Olowu Kuta @60: My Biggest Dream Is To See My Kingdom Transformed Into Megacity
Congratulations on your birthday Kabiyesi. On the list of your 60th birthday gig attendance were top names from different phases of life, including governor, kings, former president, former governor and big players in the business sector. How do you feel seeing them honouring you?
You call it 60, I call it another year. I really don’t feel 60 and I don’t look it. I thank God, He has been very faithful in my life. Nobody would be able to guess my age if I don’t tell them, based on my look. So, it’s just another milestone in life and I’m happy. I will continue to look after my health, exercise more and rededicate myself more to the service of my kingdom and humanity in general.
Turning 60 years of age is a milestone. How would you explain your feeling at 60 in terms of age and experiences on the throne?
I feel highly elated having arrays of people, very important personalities in the country, attending my landmark birthday occasion. I feel super happy seeing people from diverse backgrounds, from all walks of life honouring me.
What is your biggest dream for Kuta kingdom in twenty years time?
My biggest dream for Kuta Kingdom is to see it transformed into a megacity. This is my own London, this is my own Paris, this is my own Abuja and this is my own Lagos. I will continue to work hard to see Kuta transformed, like I said, into a megacity.
What is your favourite music?
When it comes to music; I love traditional music. I mean traditional genres like Apala, Juju and Fuji. I love them. And, at times, I enjoy Hausa music very well, like Dr. Mamman Shata, Dangworo, Dan Indo, and others.
In spite of your open nature, there still may be some qualities people don’t know about you. Would you like to share one or two with the public?
Not everybody can assess you and give accurate assessment of you except those who are close to you very well. Some of the qualities that some people don’t really know about me is that I put people first before myself. For example; there are times numerous when I would have about a million naira and people would come with various private issues and I would give out even more than a million naira. I would share it all, forgetting that I have a family to cater to or that I have to keep some for my emergency needs. Also, I don’t postpone whatever my instinct tells me to do. If there’s a need for me to do it and I have it, I do it almost immediately. I don’t tell you to go and come back for the help. That has contributed hugely to my social investments. That is why I’m being made a patron of various social groups.
The country is facing challenges from various angles. At the centre of this crisis are the youths. How would you encourage fellow kings as custodians of their domains in ensuring that the youths are not provoked to engage in untoward actions out of grievance?
We’re talking to ourselves within the council of Obas across the Southwest and we’re doing all we can do within our reach to making sure that the youths are encouraged to do better and discouraged from being tools for destruction. Our youths are our future, they’re the future of this country. Any country that neglects its youths is doomed to fail. So, we would continue to strive hard within the limited resources available to us to ensure that our youths are given the right place to excel and are well catered for. That’s why we keep advocating to the government to prioritize anything that has to do with our youths. They are the future of this nation and we’re not relenting.
What more activities are you going to rededicate yourself to from now in developing Kuta kingdom and your subjects?
As for now, I will continue to dedicate myself vigorously toward activities that will engender peace, activities that will bring about peace and unity like I have always done. I will redouble my efforts and refocus my attention towards doing things that guarantee development for my kingdom. I want to be more dedicated towards promoting the Yoruba culture and tradition in order to preserve the traditional institution from being diminished or erased.

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You Against Crime Founder Tayo Folorunsho Praises Winners of Abuja Schools Festival.

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You Against Crime Founder Tayo Folorunsho Praises Winners of Abuja Schools Festival.

 

Abuja, Nigeria – The maiden edition of the You Against Crime – Schools Festival 2026 Grand Finale has concluded, marking a significant milestone in youth engagement and crime prevention efforts across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The event, held at the University of Abuja, brought together 78 secondary schools from the six Area Councils of Abuja, with the top six schools competing in the Grand Finale.

*Winners Emerge*

Tudunwada School, Bwari took the top spot, followed closely by The Golden Crest Royal in second place, and Government Secondary School, Kuje in third.

*CULTURE, THE CURE FOR CRIME*

The festival’s theme, “Culture, The Cure for Crime,” highlighted the importance of values, identity, mentorship, and positive engagement in preventing crime and shaping responsible citizenship among young people.

*DISTINGUISHED GUEST SPEAKERS*

Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, Chairman, Amnesty International, praised the initiative, saying, “This festival is a beacon of hope for our young people, promoting values and principles that can shape a brighter future for Nigeria.”

Aisha Mohammed, Head of Enlightenment & Re-orientation, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, emphasized the importance of mentorship, stating, “Empowering young people with the right guidance and opportunities is key to preventing crime and building a stronger nation.”

*PARTNERSHIP AND SUPPORT*

The 2026 Grand Finale Edition was proudly sponsored by Civicx Technology Ltd Int’l, reinforcing a shared commitment to youth empowerment and crime prevention through cultural reorientation and innovation.

Tayo Folorunsho, Host & Founder, You Against Crime International, addressing the media and appealed to government agencies to support initiatives like this, targeting young minds early.

You Against Crime International is a movement advocating cultural change as a long-term solution to crime. The organization remains committed to advancing youth development, civic responsibility, and nation-building across Nigeria.

You Against Crime Founder Tayo Folorunsho Praises Winners of Abuja Schools Festival.

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TICP Customs Launches Paperless Regime, Warns Against False Declarations

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TICP Customs Launches Paperless Regime, Warns Against False Declarations

 

The Customs Area Controller of Tin Can Island Port Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Comptroller Frank Onyeka, has launched a roadmap for the full implementation of a paperless regime at the command.

 

Onyeka disclosed this during a press briefing in Lagos, stating that the command was fully prepared for seamless digital operations ahead of the nationwide rollout scheduled for the second quarter of the year.

 

He described the engagement as the first in a series of consultations aimed at sensitising stakeholders on the strategies, operational framework and expectations under the new regime.

 

The controller commended the media for its constructive reportage since his assumption of office and sought continued collaboration to ensure the success of the initiative.

 

Presenting the command’s performance report, Onyeka said the Tin Can Island Command generated ₦609 billion in revenue in 2025, describing it as the highest in the history of the command.

 

He added that revenue collection rose from ₦116 billion recorded in January of the previous year to ₦145 billion in the corresponding period last month, representing an increase of over ₦29.9 billion.

 

Onyeka stated that his vision was to make the command known for trade efficiency, explaining that under the paperless regime, containers would be released without physical contact between Customs officers and clearing agents, provided declarations were accurate.

 

He credited the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, for providing the leadership and strategic direction driving modernisation efforts across Customs formations nationwide.

 

The controller urged stakeholders to avoid false declarations and engage directly with the command to resolve concerns, emphasising that transparency and dialogue were essential to achieving efficient port operations.

 

He assured that consignments with clear scanning results and proper documentation would be released promptly, while those flagged by the risk management system would undergo physical examination, adding that the command would continue to collaborate with other agencies to reduce cargo dwell time and enhance port efficiency.

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Love on Display: Katie Price and Lee Put On a Public Show of Affection 

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Love on Display: Katie Price and Lee Put On a Public Show of Affection 

By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by SaharaWeeklyNG 

British media personality Katie Price is once again at the center of tabloid and public attention after being photographed poolside with her new husband, Lee, in a display of affection that quickly circulated across entertainment platforms. The images, reportedly taken during a recent leisure outing at a private resort location in the United Kingdom, show the couple embracing and kissing beside a swimming pool, with Lee prominently displaying a tattoo tribute dedicated to Price.

 

The photographs, which surfaced in mid-February 2026 through British tabloid outlets, depict the couple appearing relaxed and affectionate. Lee, whose full name has been reported in sections of the UK press but who largely maintains a lower public profile compared to his wife, lifted his arm to reveal a visible tattoo said to be in honor of Price and a gesture widely interpreted as a public affirmation of their relationship.

 

What happened was straightforward but symbolically charged: a public display of affection between newlyweds, amplified by Price’s longstanding celebrity status. Where it happened (poolside at what sources describe as a private holiday setting) underscores the blending of personal life and public spectacle that has long defined Price’s media journey. During a recent February getaway placed it squarely within ongoing tabloid interest surrounding her latest marriage. Price, 47 and her new husband Lee, whose visible tribute tattoo became the focal point of the moment.

 

Celebrity culture scholars argue that public figures such as Price operate within a media ecosystem where visibility sustains relevance. “Modern celebrity is performative intimacy,” explains Professor Graeme Turner, a media and cultural studies scholar known for his work on celebrity culture. “Public displays of affection are not merely private acts; they are communicative gestures that reinforce brand identity and narrative continuity.” In Price’s case, her romantic relationships have long been interwoven with her public persona.

 

Price first rose to prominence in the late 1990s under the glamour model moniker “Jordan,” before transitioning into reality television, publishing and business ventures. Her personal life (including previous marriages and high-profile relationships) has frequently generated headlines in the British press. This latest marriage continues that pattern of intense scrutiny.

 

The tattoo tribute displayed by Lee is particularly significant in celebrity symbolism. Body art dedicated to a partner is often perceived as a declaration of permanence. Dr. Chris Rojek, emeritus professor of sociology and an authority on fame and public identity, has observed that “celebrity relationships are sustained as much through symbolic reinforcement as through private commitment. Visible tokens (rings, tattoos, coordinated appearances) function as public assurances.” In this case, the tattoo serves not merely as personal expression but as a visual narrative device in an already highly mediated relationship.

 

How the moment unfolded (casually but conspicuously) reflects the dynamics of contemporary celebrity coverage. Photographs were reportedly captured either by paparazzi stationed nearby or shared through controlled media access, a common practice in the British entertainment industry. Within hours, the images were republished by multiple outlets, accompanied by commentary on Price’s relationship history and ongoing legal and financial challenges, issues that have previously placed her under intense public scrutiny.

 

Despite recurring controversy throughout her career, Price remains a resilient media figure. Communications analyst Mark Borkowski has previously remarked in interviews that “Katie Price understands publicity better than most. Whether by design or instinct, she maintains a feedback loop with the press that keeps her culturally visible.” The poolside photographs appear to fit squarely within that established pattern of managed exposure and reactive media amplification.

 

Critically, there is no indication of misconduct, public disturbance or controversy tied directly to the poolside display itself. It was, by all verified accounts, a consensual and celebratory expression of affection between married adults. The wider attention it has generated speaks less to the act and more to the individuals involved; particularly Price’s enduring position within British popular culture.

 

For global audiences, the episode illustrates a broader truth about contemporary fame: private milestones often become public commodities. The marriage of Katie Price and Lee (and the symbolic tattoo that now marks it) has become another chapter in a life lived persistently under the camera’s gaze.

 

As celebrity culture continues to blur boundaries between intimacy and publicity, moments like this poolside embrace are no longer trivial snapshots. They are narrative events, reinforcing identity, commitment and brand continuity in equal measure.

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