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All Set For Coronation of Entrepreneur, Prince Tsola Emiko As 20th Olu Of Warri

Published

5 years ago

July 24, 2021

Editor

All is now set for Prince Tsola Emiko, an Entrepreneur to be crowned as the new Olu of Warri.

In deed, August 21, 2021 will be a day that will live long and rich in the memory of the Warri Kingdom, the people of Warri and indeed Nigeria as a whole, as the Iwere Kingdom crowns the new monarch.

Activities and preparations towards the epoch-making occasion are in top gear and approaching fever pitch as the excitement amongst the Itsekiri people builds to a crescendo.

The occasion promises to be a grand celebration of colour, glamour, glitz, and a display of the finest traditions of royalty amongst people of the Niger Delta.

The new Olu who has just completed the traditional rites that herald the transitioning from one Olu to the next, is the chief celebrant of the occasion and is in earnest preparation to host the world.

Already, congratulatory messages and words of support from world leaders and renowned personalities from around Nigeria have been pouring in including President Muhammadu Buhari, former Presidents Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and Olusegun Obasanjo, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, The Oba of Benin, the Ooni of Ife and Tony Elumelu to mention a few.

Prince Emiko who is himself the son of the 19th Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atunwase II, Godwin Torisetju Emiko, is ascending the throne to replace his Uncle the 20th Olu of Warri who transitioned to eternal glory to be with his ancestors earlier in the year.

At first glance, Prince Emiko cuts a picture of a fine upper-class gentleman bred in the finest traditions of royalty and aristocracy but on closer inspection, his disarming mien, down to earth candour, industrious and progressive mindset belies any previously assumed picture of the archetypal elite.

His late father’s influence on his life cannot be overstated, from the manner of carriage of his slim gait, the air of studied exuberance he exudes to his prescient presence of mind, he is every inch a King who has been long in the making and a King for a time such as this.

Prince Emiko who majored in International Studies & Political Science at the Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio USA and also received an M.Sc. in Management from the same University, is primed to bring his public and private sector experience to bear on his new office where he has laid out an ambitious people-centred community development agenda that set outs with genuine purpose to improve the lives and livelihood of his people.

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) education for children from an early age, technical and financial support for young people in the creative, vocational and technology industries, creation of an Itsekiri Wealth Fund to birth and attract major employment creation projects, specific skill acquisition support for disadvantaged young women, an Itsekiri online global portal/exchange for diaspora and local affairs, environmental protection and remediation and protection of endangered wildlife; are some of the things that form a critical part of his proposed agenda.

It has been said that Prince Emiko believes that with the support of his council of chiefs, esteemed leaders of thought, youth and women groups and the generality of Itsekiri stakeholders, a new level of prosperity and progress can be unleashed with clear and significant impact on the lives of the people.

They add that Prince Emiko has also wholeheartedly committed himself to pursue peaceful coexistence and harmony amongst his neighbours as he believes the common bonds that tie every Niger Deltan together are stronger than the seasonal disagreements that divide them.

It is hoped that the sharp single-mindedness of his projections into the future will be matched by the requisite energy of implementation, which can itself form a template of development in many of our local communities; this indeed is the hope of all Itsekiris as they herald their new Olu.
For Nigeria, Prince Emiko exemplifies all that is good, noble and right in the youth of this nation and his emergence signposts where we must look to for leaders that are capable of ushering this country into the new frontiers where ideas rule and shape the destinies of nations and indeed the world.

Less than a fortnight ago, the expectation of England’s first major tournament win in 55 years was all the rage, and the buzz was “Football’s coming home”. Unfortunately, it was not to be for England, fortunately for the Itsekiri people disappointment will not be their lot as indeed their Olu, the son of Ogiame Atunwase II is finally coming home!

May his reign be peaceful and may it bring progress and prosperity to his people.

Long Live The King! Long Live The Olu of Warri.

Headline

2027: Obi Warns Against Rigging, Urges Voters to Be Vigilant

Published

5 days ago

February 17, 2026

Eric

A former Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, has issued a stern warning to election officials and stakeholders, urging Nigerians to ensure that every vote counts in the 2027 general election.

Obi stressed that anyone who attempts to manipulate or obstruct the counting of votes will be held accountable for undermining the country’s democracy.

“Unlike in the past, in 2027 our votes MUST count, and all those who are there not to count the votes will be counted among those destroying Nigeria,” he wrote on X on Monday, February 16, 2026.

Obi, who has declared that he will contest the 2027 presidential election, advised voters to stay at polling units after casting their ballots to observe the counting and transmission of results, emphasising that preventing the proper tallying of votes would attract legal consequences.

The former Labour Party presidential candidate said: “I encourage everyone to remain at the polling units after voting to count and witness the counting and transmission of results. Those who refuse to allow the votes count will be made to count the full weight of the law against rigging.

“Let me reiterate: if you do not count our votes, we will count you among those who destroy our democracy, thereby destroying our future, and you must answer to the law.”

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APC National Secretary Basiru Demands Wike’s Resignation As FCT Minister

Published

5 days ago

February 17, 2026

Eric

The National Secretary of All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibola Basiru, has called on the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to resign from President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet, accusing him of undue interference in the ruling party’s internal affairs.

Basiru’s demand followed Wike’s warning earlier on Monday, in which the former Rivers State governor cautioned the APC scribe to “leave Rivers State alone” and refrain from meddling in its politics. Wike, while addressing supporters during a thank-you visit to Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State, described Rivers as a “no-go area,” warning that those who interfere “may burn their hands.”

But, responding to the FCT Minister’s warning in a statement issued from Osogbo, Osun State, Senator Basiru fired back, describing Wike’s remarks as a “tirade” and “uncouth.”

“My attention has been drawn to the tirade of the Minister of the FCT against my person and my office as National Secretary of the APC,” Basiru said. “It is shocking that such an innocuous statement could elicit such uncouth responses from no less than a member of the Federal Executive Council.”

The APC National Secretary defended his earlier remarks, insisting he merely reaffirmed that governors, regardless of political differences, deserve respect as leaders of the party in their respective states.

“For the avoidance of doubt, our records indicate that Minister Nyesom Wike is not a member of our party, the APC. He therefore lacks the locus to dabble into the affairs of our party,” he declared.

“As National Secretary of the APC, I am imbued with the responsibility to protect the interests of the party and all its members. My activities cannot be confined to my home state, Osun State.”

Basiru also dismissed Wike’s allegation that he and other APC leaders were scrambling for a N600 billion “largesse” in Rivers State’s coffers, describing it as “cheap blackmail.”

“My background and track record are of unquestionable integrity,” Basiru stated. “I challenge him to prove his allegations or we may meet in court.”

The APC chieftain further warned Wike against issuing threats, saying he would not be intimidated.

“Wike is not God and may be overplaying his political card,” Basiru cautioned. “My faith is in God, and I will not succumb to cheap threats such as the one from him.”

He maintained that Wike’s support for President Tinubu does not make him an APC member.

“Millions of non-APC Nigerians also support the President, and Wike’s case is no different,” Basiru said. “He cannot bring the spirit of the PDP into the APC or destabilize our structures in Rivers State.”

Concluding his statement, Basiru said Wike must make a choice between serving as a non-party technocrat or interfering in APC matters.

“He cannot be in the Federal Executive Council of an APC government and be causing confusion within our party. The honourable thing to do is to resign his appointment as Minister,” he declared.

Headline

Alleged N432bn Fraud: El-Rufai Spends Monday Night in EFCC Custody

Published

5 days ago

February 17, 2026

Eric

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, spent Monday night in the custody of the EFCC following hours of interrogation over alleged financial misappropriation amounting to N432 billion.

El-Rufai arrived at the EFCC headquarters in Jabi, Abuja, around 11:00 a.m. on Monday, February 16, 2026, in response to an invitation reportedly issued in December.

Although he presented himself voluntarily, sources within the anti-graft agency disclosed late Monday that he would remain in custody until investigators reached what they described as “advanced stages” of their questioning.

The probe is said to stem from a 2024 report by the Kaduna State House of Assembly, which accused El-Rufai’s administration between 2015 and 2023 of diverting public funds through multiple state channels.

A senior EFCC official confirmed that investigators are reviewing contracts and financial transactions executed during his eight-year tenure.

Tension flared at the EFCC premises as hundreds of supporters and critics gathered shortly after news of his appearance broke.

Supporters accused the Federal Government of political persecution, chanting solidarity slogans, while a group identified as the Mega National Movement for Good Governance demanded accountability, insisting that no public official is above the law.

Security operatives deployed teargas to disperse the crowd after clashes reportedly broke out between the opposing groups.

In a related development, the Department of State Services (DSS) filed a three-count charge against El-Rufai at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The charges, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/99/2026, reportedly concern the alleged unlawful interception of telephone communications belonging to the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.

The filing followed a recent interview in which the former governor claimed he had listened to conversations in which Ribadu allegedly directed security operatives to arrest him upon his return from Egypt last week.

El-Rufai’s legal team, led by Ubong Akpan, has described the investigations as arbitrary and a violation of his constitutional rights.

Meanwhile, indications emerged that the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) has also scheduled him for questioning on Wednesday, February 18.

As of Tuesday morning, it remained unclear whether the EFCC would seek a court order to extend his detention or proceed with formal charges. Several of his former aides are reportedly already in custody as investigations continue.