* Over 4,500 youths, women empowered in first phase as new training cycle begins

More than 4,563 youths and women in Ondo State have been trained and empowered in poultry, fisheries, cocoa and cassava across the value chains of production, processing and marketing, as well as in vegetable homestead gardening, during the first phase of the project which spanned five years.

The efficient implementation of the project and the achievements recorded over the five-year period paved the way for additional financing, hence the need to bring on board a new set of incubatees to sensitise them on their roles and the laws guiding the project.

 The orientation and technical sessions were held on Tuesday, October 28,  2025, in Akure, the Ondo State capital, with participants drawn from Akoko North-West, Owo and Akure North Local Government areas, including the hardworking staff of Ondo LIFE-ND.

The State Commissioner for Agriculture and Forestry, Engr. Leye Akinola, stated this during the flag-off ceremony of the orientation training for 612 newly selected incubatees of the Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises in the Niger Delta (LIFE-ND) Project.

Engr. Akinola explained that the event marked another milestone in the state’s collective efforts to transform the agricultural landscape and create viable opportunities for young people and women through agribusiness.

According to him, the phase tagged Additional Financing aims to consolidate and expand on the successes recorded under the initial IFAD/LIFE-ND implementation.

“Under this Additional Financing phase, the project will provide apprenticeships for 13,050 youths and women across the six IFAD-funded states. 

“Specifically, Ondo State will accommodate 2,175 beneficiaries who, upon graduation, will establish profitable enterprises, secure decent livelihoods, and eventually serve as incubators for others,” he said.

Earlier in her remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Mrs. Foluke Tunde-Daramola, urged the incubatees to utilise and maximise the opportunity provided by the IFAD/LIFE-ND Project to grow and become employers of labour. She emphasised that opportunities in the agricultural sector remain limitless.

In his welcome address, the State Project Coordinator, Dr. Olawale Ademola, explained that Additional Financing is a new phase expected to last three years.

“Thereafter, the second phase will follow, depending on the good performance recorded during the Additional Financing. The first phase ended in March. This is not the second phase,” he clarified.

Similarly, the National Coordinator for Institution, Youth and Gender Mainstreaming, Dr. Clement Uwem, who represented the National Project Coordinator, Engr. Sanni Abiodun, PhD, explained that the incubatees were being trained to understand their obligations and responsibilities.

“We have made them realise that this is a very serious agribusiness training. They are being taught how to develop business plans, work and manage groups, understand their environments, and apply the incubator model — a new innovation in agribusiness development in Nigeria,” Dr. Uwem stated.

The orientation programme culminated in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and the distribution of the young farmers to their incubation centres for training and mentoring.

Some of the newly enrolled incubatees expressed joy and commitment, thanking IFAD, the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Ondo State Government for the opportunity to become entrepreneurs. They said they were confident that, in no distant time, they would be self-employed, earn income and enjoy decent livelihoods.

* MAP alleges sabotage, calls for investigation

A warehouse belonging to one of the Meter Asset Providers (MAP) accredited by the Ondo State Government to supply prepaid meters under the O’DATIWA Metering Scheme has been set ablaze by unknown arsonists.

The warehouse, owned by Active Achievers Nigeria Limited, is located on Barracks Road, Okitipupa, and was said to contain over 100 Active Energy Prepaid Meters valued at more than ₦10 million, all destroyed in the inferno.

The Managing Director of Active Achievers Nigeria Limited, Mr. H. A. T. Oyinbo, said that residents in the neighbourhood could not salvage anything from the facility due to what he described as a “coordinated blaze on the store.”

“We were informed early on the morning of Monday, 27th October 2025, that a raging inferno was consuming our warehouse. 

“Our Active Energy Prepaid Meters, though the best and most affordable in the market at the moment, are not inflammable, and as such could not have caught fire without someone deliberately setting it ablaze. This is so devastating that agents of darkness could strike in this manner.

“Most disheartening is the commendable initiative of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to end estimated billing for energy consumers in Ondo State through the O’Datiwa Metering Scheme, which some bad elements appear determined to frustrate,” he lamented.

Mr. Oyinbo called on security agencies to conduct a thorough investigation to uncover the perpetrators of what he described as an “act of sabotage” aimed at crippling the state’s metering initiative.

Meanwhile, officials of the Ondo State Fire Service have confirmed that preliminary investigations are ongoing to determine the actual cause of the fire.

 According to a senior fire officer who spoke on condition of anonymity, the inferno was already at an advanced stage when firefighters arrived at the scene, making it difficult to save any property.

In a swift reaction, a senior official of the Ondo State Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources condemned the attack, describing it as a setback to the government’s commitment to ensuring transparency and fairness in electricity distribution. 

The official assured residents that the metering programme would continue as planned, despite attempts by saboteurs to derail the project.

A celebrated historian and scholar from the Department of History and International Studies, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko (AAUA), Professor Adedayo Emmanuel Afe, will on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, deliver the University’s 50th Inaugural Lecture.

Professor Afe, a distinguished Professor of Legal History, will speak on the topic, “The Dynamics of Jurisprudence and Judicial Reforms in Nigeria: The Verdict of History,” at the University Multipurpose Hall, beginning at 2:00 p.m.

According to a statement signed by the Chairman, University Ceremonies Committee, and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Professor Adebisi Daramola, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Olugbenga Ige, will preside over the event as Chairman. Invited guests are expected to be seated by 1:30 p.m.

Professor Afe began his academic journey with a Bachelor of Arts in History from the then Ondo State University (now Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti) in 1997. He obtained his Master of Arts in History and International Studies from Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, in 2004, and earned a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in History from Ekiti State University in 2012.

He joined the services of Adekunle Ajasin University in 2001 as a Graduate Assistant in the Department of History and International Studies and rose through the ranks to become a Professor in 2020.

Since joining the University, Professor Afe has held several academic and administrative positions, including Acting Head, Department of History and International Studies; Member, Senate Business Committee; President, ASUU Cooperative Multipurpose Society; Departmental Postgraduate Coordinator; Secretary, Faculty of Arts Research Committee; Member, University Car Refurbishing Loan Committee; Coordinator, IPTP Akure Centre; and Coordinator, Diploma in International and Strategic Studies Programme.

In recognition of his scholarly achievements and professional contributions, Professor Afe has received several awards, honours, and scholarships. These include the Federal Government of Nigeria Postgraduate Scholarship (2003); TETFund Conference Sponsorships to Nairobi, Kenya (2013), and Freiburg, Germany (2014); and the Academic Staff Cooperative Multipurpose Society Award for meritorious service as Welfare Secretary. He also received the Radio Nigeria Positive FM, Akure Award as a Distinguished Public Affairs Analyst.

A member of the Historical Society of Nigeria and the European Studies Association of Sub-Saharan Africa, Professor Afe is a well-known public affairs commentator and analyst on several broadcast, print, and new media platforms within and outside Ondo State.

A prolific researcher, he has authored and co-authored four books and has over 25 published research articles, book chapters, and monographs to his credit. He remains a sought-after speaker at academic, intellectual, and policy forums.

Professor Afe has attended, presented papers, and coordinated more than 26 national and international conferences, including the International Multidisciplinary Conference organised by the International Journal of Arts and Sciences in Germany; the International Conference on Race, Ethnicity and Place in the United States; the Conference on Monarchies, Development and the Future at the University of Benin; the Second Annual International Conference on the Challenges of Development in Africa held in Kenya; and the National Conference on the Chieftaincy Institution in Nigeria at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.

The Ondo State Commissioner for Agriculture and Forestry, Engr Leye Akinola, has dismissed as false and malicious a report alleging that he was involved in political activities that conflict with his official duties.

In a statement issued on Friday, Akinola described the publication as “spurious and misleading,” insisting that it was a calculated attempt to tarnish his image and undermine his cordial relationship with the state governor, Hon Dr Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa.

He said, “Let it be stated unequivocally that the entire report is false, misleading, and a deliberate attempt to tarnish my reputation and undermine the cordial relationship I enjoy with my principal, the Governor of Ondo State, His Excellency, Dr Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa.”

The Commissioner maintained that all his official engagements, including trips outside the state, were duly approved and strictly in line with his official responsibilities.

“Any official trip made by me outside the state is strictly in line with my official duties and fully approved by the appropriate authorities. There is no iota of truth in the claim that such trips were politically motivated,” he stated.

Akinola also refuted claims of disloyalty to Governor Aiyedatiwa, stressing that he remained a dedicated member of the administration. “I have remained focused on my roles as a key member of Governor Aiyedatiwa’s team, working daily to improve agriculture and forestry in Ondo State,” he added.

Responding to allegations of financial impropriety, the Commissioner described the claims as defamatory and baseless, insisting that the ministry’s finances were managed transparently.

According to him, “The allegation regarding the misuse of Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) is not only false but also highly defamatory. The Ministry’s finances are managed through a transparent system, and all expenditures are duly accounted for in accordance with due process.”

Akinola further distanced himself from the Minister of Interior, Hon Bunmi Tunji-Ojo, denying any personal or political affiliation with him. He also urged the minister to rein in individuals allegedly using his name to cause division within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

“I have never been an associate or a fan of the Minister of Interior, Hon Bunmi Tunji Ojo, neither do I have any form of contact with him,” he said. “I would use this opportunity to implore the Honourable Minister of Interior, Bunmi Tunji Ojo, to stop sponsoring the political jobbers who are attacking the Government of the day under the guise of support groups and thereby trying to create crisis within the party.”

He advised Tunji-Ojo to maintain unity within the party and, if interested in the governorship position, to wait for the appropriate time.

“If it is true that Hon Bunmi Tunji Ojo eyes the governorship seat of Ondo State, I will personally advise him that he should wait until the appropriate time and timing and the zoning arrangements,” Akinola stated.

Reaffirming his loyalty to the Aiyedatiwa-led administration, the Commissioner declared that he remained committed to advancing the agricultural and forestry sectors in Ondo State.

He urged the public to disregard what he called “cheap blackmail” intended to sow discord within the government.

“I am a loyal and committed member of the administration of Governor Aiyedatiwa, and I remain focused on delivering on the mandate of my office and contributing meaningfully to the growth of the state’s agricultural sector under the leadership of my principal,” Akinola added.

A Professor of African Traditional Religion and Cultural Studies, Adetunbi Ogunleye, has called for a revival and reawakening of African culture and traditions as a path to restoring moral values, peaceful coexistence, and a sense of self-identity among Africans.

He made the call on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, while delivering the 49th Inaugural Lecture of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, titled “Resting in Peace? The Dilemma of the Living Dead.”

Prof. Ogunleye described culture as “the sum total of both material and intellectual equipment which people use to satisfy their biological and social needs,” lamenting that many cultural values and practices that once defined Africans-especially the Yoruba-are fast disappearing under the weight of modernity and foreign influences.

He observed that traditional customs such as naming, marriage, and burial ceremonies have been altered by Western education and foreign religions to the extent that they no longer produce the moral and social outcomes they once guaranteed.

The Don noted that many now give names to children without deep thought or connection to the circumstances of birth, adding that the adoption of meaningless foreign names has weakened the moral attachment people once had to their names and identities.

According to him, the combined effects of Western civilisation, foreign religions, and modernisation have eroded the cultural pillars that sustained moral discipline and social harmony, leading to widespread moral decay and disorder in society.

He decried the growing acceptance of practices such as cohabitation and same-sex relationships, describing them as alien to Yoruba culture and detrimental to the sanctity of marriage, which has resulted in the collapse of family values and increased cases of divorce.

“In the traditional Yoruba worldview,” he explained, “sexuality is not merely about pleasure or personal freedom. It is a sacred act tied to procreation, spirituality, and community continuity. The harmonious union between male and female is not just natural but essential for societal balance and moral order.”

Prof. Ogunleye further warned that the erosion of traditional values has triggered a moral crisis, as seen in the rise of indecent dressing, sexual promiscuity, indiscriminate killings, and general insensitivity to ethical and communal values that once held societies together. He said these negative trends are clear signs of moral confusion resulting from the neglect of indigenous culture and belief systems.

He also linked the weakening of ancestral influence to the adoption of improper burial practices, noting that such deviation from tradition has disrupted the sacred connection between the living and their ancestors, who were once seen as guardians of morality and protectors against evil.

Prof. Ogunleye explained that the increasing frequency of misfortunes and failed rituals has created doubts about ancestral powers, leading many to believe that ancestors have lost their spiritual potency. He, however, attributed this perceived silence to the modern disregard for traditional customs that once sustained ancestral authority.

He stressed that the growing neglect of indigenous traditions has created an inferiority complex among Africans, diminishing the relevance of ancestral heritage and weakening moral consciousness in contemporary society.

The scholar recommended a return to proper cultural education, in-depth research into dying traditions, and a balanced embrace of change and cultural preservation. He also urged scholars to engage in rigorous academic inquiry into traditional values and practices to document, revitalise, and sustain the essence of African identity.

In his remarks, the Vice Chancellor of Adekunle Ajasin University, Prof. Olugbenga Ige, who chaired the lecture, congratulated Prof. Ogunleye on the successful presentation. He noted that an inaugural lecture offers newly appointed professors a platform to share their scholarly contributions with colleagues, students, family, and the public, while also serving as an opportunity for the university to showcase the academic excellence and intellectual achievements of its faculty.

-VC commends feats

The Vice Chancellor of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko (AAUA), Professor Olugbenga Ige, has commended the remarkable feat of nine members of staff who have earned global recognition by being ranked among the top two per cent of academic researchers in the world.

The nine scholars were listed in the prestigious 2024 Elsevier–Stanford Global Ranking of Top Scientists, recently released. This achievement once again affirms AAUA’s distinguished place on the international academic and research map.

Professor Ige described the milestone as a resounding testament to the University’s unwavering commitment to quality research and global relevance. He stressed that the accomplishment would further inspire staff and students to pursue excellence in scholarship, while reinforcing AAUA’s reputation as one of Nigeria’s pace-setting universities where world-class research thrives.

According to him, the recognition, based on rigorous metrics including research impact, citation indices and global scholarly contributions, underscores the University’s growing influence in cutting-edge research and innovation. He added that the honourees, who span diverse fields, reflect AAUA’s strong tradition of academic excellence and interdisciplinary advancement.

Among the AAUA researchers recognised was Professor Sunday Olatunji, with 129 publications indexed in Scopus and the Web of Science. He was specially commended for his pioneering application of machine learning and artificial intelligence to solve real-life challenges in science, engineering and the humanities. Professor Olatunji, currently Dean of Computing, was earlier named by the National Universities Commission (NUC) as Nigeria’s best Artificial Intelligence researcher for 2025. His scholarly record includes over 157 publications on Google Scholar, 3,992 citations, an h-index of 34 and an i10-index of 93.

Others who made the ranking include Professor Nurudeen Oladoja with 121 publications, Professor Adeleke Ashogbon with 22 publications, Dr Taiwo Agbede with 51 publications, Dr Taoreed Owolabi with 97 publications, Dr Abayomi Oke with 31 publications, Dr Andrew Falowo with 31 publications, Dr Oluwatobi Oyeneyin with 54 publications and Dr Damilola Omoboyowa with 50 publications. Their works, indexed in Scopus, the world-renowned abstract and citation database, further highlight the calibre of scholarship emanating from AAUA.

The global ranking, produced by Stanford University in collaboration with Elsevier, identified 233 Nigerian scientists among the top two per cent worldwide. Drawing on the Scopus database, it assessed over 8.5 million active scientists across 22 major fields and 176 subfields, ultimately recognising 190,000 as leaders in their disciplines.

The evaluation process, which focuses on key academic metrics such as research impact and citation performance, provides a comprehensive overview of each scientist’s career achievements and recent contributions. The Stanford–Elsevier ranking is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious benchmarks in global academia.

Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko (AAUA), Ondo State, will on Tuesday, 7 October 2025, host its 49th Inaugural Lecture, to be delivered by Professor Adetunbi Richard Ogunleye of the Department of Religion and African Culture.

According to a statement signed by the Chairman of the University Ceremonies Committee and Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), Professor Adebisi Daramola, the lecture will hold at the University’s Multipurpose Hall, with the Vice Chancellor, Professor Olugbenga Ige, presiding as Chairman.

The lecture, titled “Resting in Peace? The Dilemma of the Living-Dead”, will commence at 2:00 p.m., with guests expected to be seated by 1:30 p.m.

Professor Ogunleye began his academic journey with a Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, in 1995, and a Master of Arts in Religious Studies from Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, in 2004. He later obtained a Doctor of Philosophy in Religious Studies from Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, in 2009.

He joined the services of Adekunle Ajasin University in 2003 as a Graduate Assistant in the Department of Religion and African Culture, rising through the ranks to the position of Professor in 2021.

Over the years, Professor Ogunleye has held several academic and administrative positions at AAUA, including two terms as Head of Department, Sub-Dean of Arts, Chairman of the Faculty Time-Table Committee, and Representative of the Postgraduate School at oral examinations. He has also served on key committees such as the Faculty of Arts Research Grant Committee, Faculty Office Allocation Committee, and the SDC on the Sandwich Programme, among others.

A prolific scholar, Professor Ogunleye has authored and co-authored seven books and published 32 journal articles. He also serves as an external examiner at Ekiti State University and has presented papers at more than 15 local and international conferences in countries including Ghana, Cameroon, Kenya, and South Africa.

In recognition of his scholarly achievements, Professor Ogunleye has received several awards and honours. These include the Meritorious Award for Best Lecturer of the Year (2022/2023); NARACS Award of Excellence as Head of Department (2016); Award of Excellence as Staff Adviser (2017); and Certificates of Achievement for authoring Top Downloaded Articles (2017 and 2018). He has equally benefitted from sponsorships such as the TETFund Conference Sponsorship Award (2016), the University Conference Sponsorship Award (2015), and the TOFAC 2025 Conference Fellowship Award.

He is an active member of professional associations including the Nigerian Association for the Study of Religions and Education (NASRED), the Nigerian Association for the Study of Religions (NASR), and the National Association for the Promotion of Studies in Arts and Social Sciences (NAPSASS).

The forthcoming lecture is expected to provide profound insights into African cultural practices, examining their relevance and implications in contemporary society.

A Professor of African Literature, Busuyi Mekusi, has called for the revival of literature and the appropriation of its many positive functions and roles to address societal, socio-cultural, and politico-economic contradictions and ills.

He stated this on Tuesday, 23 September 2025, while delivering the 48th Inaugural Lecture of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, titled The Danger of Forgetting: Afromorphs, Literature and Memory.

Prof. Mekusi posited that literature and literary works have therapeutic effects and could help heal wronged individuals and communities, as literary texts reflect the connection between the state of mind of an abused person and how such a personality is shaped by past events.

The inaugural lecturer added that literature, in the form of pop culture and music, could also serve as instruments to mitigate societal decadence. He further emphasised that sustaining African oral traditions within written literature could aid the re-socialisation of youths.

In his words: “Just like the way History as a subject has been treated, so much so that it was removed from the curriculum for some years and only reintroduced in 2025, the many functions performed by literature have not been substantially appropriated. Humanity, particularly in challenged and embattled postcolonial nations in the southern hemisphere, continues to be confronted by too many socio-cultural and politico-economic contradictions.”

He suggested that literature should be intentionally centralised in Nigeria, Africa, and globally as a therapeutic instrument for the healing of violated personal and collective psyches.

According to him, literary texts have consistently reflected the connection between the state of mind of an abused person and how such a personality, shaped by unpleasant past experiences, could become an aggressor, thereby initiating a despicable and debilitating chain.

Prof. Mekusi further explained that the many written works and literary satires addressing national malaise such as bad governance, corruption, poor infrastructure, and institutional collapse should not be dismissed as outbursts of disgruntled elements or sadistic writers, but regarded as homilies by sane and patriotic voices aimed at desirable national reforms.

He also called on governments at all levels to ensure that approved and vetted texts focusing on African socio-cultural and political renaissance are read in schools, noting that the historical materials they contain would contribute to the socialisation, education, and orientation of students to create a better future.

Similarly, Prof. Mekusi urged stronger collaboration between universities and the private sector in Nigeria to ensure that ideas and findings from research works, inaugural lectures, theses, dissertations, and other academic avenues are harnessed to resolve some of the endemic problems confronting the nation.

He cautioned Nigerian and African writers against the temptation of commercialising their works by promoting orientations and behaviours that assault societal values simply to please foreign donors and sponsors.

He added: “Since literature remains the fulcrum of human imagination, governments at all levels in Nigeria and Africa should, even while pursuing science and technology, continue to support the development of literature, including in digital forms, to respond to contemporary realities, as it is central to holistic human and societal development.”

Introducing the lecturer, the Chairman of the event and Vice-Chancellor of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Prof. Olugbenga Ige, acknowledged the scholarly and administrative contributions of Prof. Mekusi to the growth and ranking of the institution.

All is now set for the 48th Inaugural Lecture of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, which will be delivered by Professor of African Literature, Busuyi Mekusi.

The lecture, entitled “The Danger of Forgetting: Afromorphs, Literature and Memory,” is scheduled for 2.00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, at the University Multipurpose Hall.

A statement signed by the Chairman of the University Ceremonies Committee and Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), Prof. Adebisi Daramola, indicated that the lecture would be held under the chairmanship of the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Olugbenga Ige.

Prof. Daramola added that all arrangements had been concluded for a seamless lecture and urged members of the University Community, as well as friends and well-wishers of the lecturer, to be seated by 1.30 p.m.

Prof. Mekusi obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in English from Ondo State University, Ado-Ekiti, in 1998, and went on to earn a Master’s Degree and PhD in Literature from the University of Ibadan and the University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in 2003 and 2010 respectively.

He joined Adekunle Ajasin University as a Graduate Assistant in the Department of English Studies in 1999 and rose through the ranks to attain the enviable position of Professor in 2019.

Over the course of his career, he has held several academic and administrative positions and currently serves as Director of the University’s Teaching and Leadership Centre.

Prof. Mekusi has also served as Chairperson of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) AAUA, between 2010 and 2015; elected Representative of Congregation on the Governing Council; University Orator; Member of the Governing Council of the Federal College of Education, Eha-Amufu, Enugu State; and Visiting Lecturer to various institutions.

He has to his credit more than 28 published scholarly articles in reputable journals, in addition to co-authoring books.

Beyond academia, he is actively engaged in community service, being a regular voice on local and national media on contemporary issues, as well as a sought-after speaker at national and international conferences and seminars.

Prof. Mekusi has attended and presented papers at seminars and conferences across Africa, Europe, America, and Nigeria.

He is also a member of several professional bodies, including the Nigerian English Studies Association, West African Languages Association, Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA), and the Development Policy Management Forum.

By Jesufemi Oluwadare

The Ondo State Commissioner for Agriculture and Forestry, Engr. Leye Akinola, has commiserated with the people of Igbatoro community over the demise of their traditional ruler, Chief Joseph Akinsehinde Adanri, the Olu of Igbatoro Kingdom, who passed away on Sunday, 7 September 2025, at the blessed age of 107. 

He described the monarch’s passing as a great loss to the state.

While describing the late traditional ruler as a symbol of wisdom, peace, and cultural continuity, Engr. Akinola noted that Chief Adanri ruled the Igbatoro community with dignity, foresight, and humility. 

These qualities, according to the Commissioner, endeared him to all, both within and beyond the community. He added that the monarch’s voice was calm, yet his counsel was firm, always urging unity, justice, and development.

In a condolence message made available to the press, the Commissioner said: “With deep sorrow and solemn reflection, I mourn the passing of our revered traditional ruler, Chief Joseph Akinsehinde Adanri, the esteemed Olu of Igbatoro Kingdom.

“As an indigene of Igbatoro, I personally witnessed Baba’s unwavering love for his people. Under his traditional leadership, our community enjoyed relative peace and cultural pride. He consistently supported initiatives for agricultural and rural development, often opening the palace doors for dialogue and progress.

“To the Adanri family, the chiefs, and the entire Igbatoro community, I extend my heartfelt condolences. May the Lord grant you the fortitude to bear this irreplaceable loss and comfort us all in this season of grief.

“May Baba’s gentle soul rest in perfect peace, and may his legacy of honour and leadership continue to inspire generations to come.”