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Kingmakers of Igu/ Koton-Karfe dare Bello, urge him to reverse deposition of Ohimege-Igu

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Representatives of the Igu ruling Houses addressing the press conference

***We have never selected our king by political appointment

All the ruling Houses and three surviving kingmakers of Igu and Koton-Karfe Kingdom have rejected the deposition of
His Royal Highness, Alhaji Abdulrazaq IsahKoto, the Ohimege-Igu, Koton-Karfe, recently by Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State.
They described the action as a sacrilege on the Igu traditional institution

At a Press Conference held at the NUJ press center in Utako, Abuja on Sunday, the representative of the eight ruling houses and spokesperson Alhaji Kolo Yakubu Ameh said the purported Coronation of another person as Ohimege will not stand.
He called on the government of Kogi State to as a matter of urgencybreverse the purported deposition of Alhaji Abdulrasaq Gambo Sani Isakato.
Ameh added that the deposition of the reverred king was politically motivated saying that the coronation and installation of the Ohimege which took place 11 years ago was a cultural tradition not political.
“After 11 years on the throne, you now came out to say that you want to depose the King without a fact. First year, second year, and now ten years after, this is injustice because politics is involved. We have never selected our king by political appointment.”
According to him, the reversal will save the age-long custom and traditions, from bastardization, particularly of their highly revered and respected Ohimege Igu Koton-Karfe Kingdom institution.

He said the deposition was an ugly political vendetta orchestrated by a few political Lilliputians with bloated images of their perceived personal self worth.
The Ohimege Igu Alhaji Abdulrazaq Isah Koto who was also the Chairman, Lokoja/ Kogi Local Government Area Traditional Council was deposed and banished to Rijau Local Government Area of Niger State by Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello on the 8th of January, 2024.

Reading from a text that was signed by the kingmakers, Ameh said,
“We the represensatives of all the ruling houses and the 3 surviving pout of the 4 kingmakers of Igu, Koton-Karge Kingdom Kogi Local Government Area Of Kogi State wish to state categorically and most unequivocally our total rejection of the purported deposition of Alhaji Abdulrazaq Gambo Sani Isakoto as the Ohimege Igu, Koton-Karfe and Chairman, Lokoja/Kogi Local Government Area traditional council.

According to him, “We have also rejected the purported appointment of an ohimege during a proclamation on television and on the social media on 8th January, 2024 and since thereafter.

“It’s pertinent to state that out of the three royal fathers that were purportedly deposed and banished it’s only Alh. Abdulrazak Gambo Sani Isakoto that was replaced immediately by that proclamation with the speed of light. This smacks of abitrariness and punitiveness.

“What has happened on this vexed issue is an anathema and a real mockery of our centuries long and reverred kingship institution of the Ohimege Igu, Koton-Karfe and which if not urgently addressed poses great and imminent danger to our well respected and highly acclaimed kingship institution and the peace and tranquility of our very old kingdom.

“It is therefore imperative to use this medium to intimate the kogi state government, its agents and the general public that the capricious proclamation is unacceptable and rejected in its entirety as it relates to our dear kingdom and the reverred institution of The Ohimege Igu, Koton-Karfe.
“It should be put on record that desecration of our age long customs and traditions cannot be allowed to stand.
“At this juncture, we wish to draw the attention of all Nigerians to the willful, calculated and capricious aberration and desecration of our traditional kingship institution which the kogi state government has wittingly embarked upon with the unjust purported removal and the hasty appointment of an Ohimege in order to serve the interest of few political jobbers.
“We therefore certainly consider the abominable deposition of our loving and well respected Ohimege, Alh. Abdulrazaq Gambo Sani Isakoto as an ugly political vendetta orchestrated by some political lilliputians with bloated images of their perceived personal self worth.
Bello in the exercise of his power as givernor also deposed His Royal Highness, Sam Bola Ojoa, the Olu Magongo of Magongo whom he banished to Salka, Magama Local Government Area of Niger State.
His Royal Highness, Samuel Adayi Onimisi, the Obobanyi of Emani, was also removed and deposed to Doko, Lavun Local Government Area of Niger State.
In what was believed to be a fallout of the recently held governorship election in the State which the APC candidate was declared winner, the Governor who felt betrayed by some of the traditional rulers, came up with the decision to depose them as punishment for their alleged partisanship.

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Power Minister Orders Immediate Action on Grid Collapse Committee’s Recommendations

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Chief Adebayo Adelabu

Nigeria’s Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, has directed the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) and related agencies to immediately implement the recommendations of a committee formed to address frequent grid collapses.
This is happening as TCN acknowledged potential temporary power disruptions as it begins repair work on the national grid.

The directive followed a recent grid disturbance reported at 11:29 a.m. on Thursday, November 7, caused by a sudden frequency increase from 50.33Hz to 51.44Hz.
The TCN reported that recovery efforts were promptly initiated, with power partially restored within minutes in the Abuja region, though work continued in other areas.

Bolaji Tunji, Special Adviser to the Minister on Strategic Communications and Media, noted that the committee’s recommendations aim to offer lasting solutions for both immediate and long-term grid stability.

TCN’s General Manager of Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah confirmed that the agency has begun implementing these recommendations, which involve technical upgrades and strategic repairs across key areas. Ongoing work includes improvements on the 330kV Shiroro–Mando transmission line, significant upgrades at the Jebba Substation, and restoration of the second 330kV Ugwuaji–Apir line.

According to Mbah, while these enhancements are underway, some intermittent power instability may persist.
The TCN has appealed for public understanding during this period, emphasizing that the measures are critical for achieving a stable and reliable power supply across Nigeria.
The TCN reiterated its commitment to minimizing power disruptions and enhancing the grid’s resilience, recognizing the essential role that stable electricity plays in the country’s economic growth.

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Fuel scarcity imminent as NLC declares support for NUPENG’s nationwide strike threat

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A fresh wave of fuel scarcity may soon hit Nigeria as the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has expressed its solidarity with the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), after its threat of a nationwide strike.
The strike warning followed an alleged military intervention to forcefully remove oil workers from the Oritsetimeyin oil rig, sparking outrage within labor unions.
NLC President Joe Ajaero in a statement released Friday condemned the reported involvement of military personnel, which he described as a breach of labor rights and a threat to the principles of industrial relations. According to Ajaero, the NLC is in total solidarity with NUPENG in its stance against the alleged forced eviction warning that NLC would escalate its response if such incidents continue.

The dispute popped up following a longstanding industrial disagreement between NUPENG and the rig’s management, who allegedly failed to honor contractual agreements concerning worker severance benefits.
NUPENG has criticized the actions of the oil companies involved—Dutchford E&P, Selective Marine Services, and their labor contractors—for allegedly ignoring legally binding agreements and resorting to what they describe as intimidation tactics.
Earlier in the week, NUPENG filed a petition with the Federal Government to address the conflict, expressing alarm over the deployment of armed forces.
Despite this, it is reported that a special naval unit was flown to the Oritsetimeyin rig on Thursday to eject workers, prompting NUPENG to threaten a nationwide shutdown if the government does not intervene.
In response, Ajaero highlighted the destabilizing effects of military involvement in workplace matters, which he said could damage an already fragile economy and violate workers’ rights.
“We cannot accept the militarization of our workplaces,” he stated, calling on the Nigerian military, the National Security Adviser, and the Department of State Services (DSS) to uphold labor statutes and prevent further harassment of union members.

The NLC also stressed the importance of keeping industrial disputes out of the military’s purview, urging authorities to allow peaceful negotiations to run their course.
“This matter is strictly an industrial relations issue,” Ajaero emphasized, urging the government to protect workers’ rights to fair negotiation without coercion.

With fuel scarcity on the horizon, Nigerians may face disruptions if the strike goes forward, impacting businesses, transportation, and day-to-day activities across the nation.

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Akpabio Mourns Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen. Taoreed Laggaja

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President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio has expressed deep sorrow over the death of Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja. Describing Lagbaja as a “fine, committed, and dedicated officer,” Akpabio praised the late military leader for his unwavering commitment to Nigeria’s security and unity, even at great personal risk.
In a statement by his special assistant on Media Jackson Udom, Akpabio shared that he was shocked by the news, having recently spoken with Lagbaja, who had been optimistic about his return to office.
The Senate President remarked on the significant loss Lagbaja’s death represents for Nigeria, particularly in the nation’s ongoing efforts to combat insecurity.

“On behalf of my family, the people of Akwa Ibom Northwest Senatorial District, and the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I commiserate with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the military community, and the Lagbaja family on this great loss,” Akpabio said.

He extended prayers for strength and comfort to Lagbaja’s family, friends, and colleagues and wished for the late officer’s soul to find peace in Aljanah Firdaus.

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