A candidate vying for the Awujale throne from the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, Adebowale Olufeko, has called on the Ogun State government, the Chieftaincy Council, the Afobajes, and all relevant stakeholders to ensure transparency, fairness, and adherence to tradition in the ongoing selection process for the next Awujale of Ijebuland.

According to a statement made available to PUNCH Online on Monday, Olufeko told journalists in Ijebu-Ode alongside other members of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, that the Awujale stool represents not only leadership but the cultural soul, heritage, and identity of the Ijebu people.

“Indeed, we humbly appeal to your office concerning the ongoing process for the selection of the next Awujale of Ijebuland.

“This revered throne represents not only leadership but the soul, heritage, and identity of the Ijebu people,” Olufeko said.

He added that the people of Ijebuland are yearning for peace and unity and urged the government to act justly, avoiding actions that could trigger unnecessary tension or unrest.

“Our objective is to examine the process, aggregate our views where necessary, and articulate our collective position with decorum, wisdom, and unity — always mindful of tradition, law, and respect for constituted authority,” Olufeko said.

Olufeko commended Governor Dapo Abiodun for his developmental efforts in Ijebu-Ode, including the upgrade of TASUED to a Federal University.

“We acknowledge and appreciate the state governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, for steps taken so far in ensuring that the Fusengbuwa Ruling House produces the next Awujale of Ijebuland. We also express our gratitude to the Kingmakers for their efforts to see that due process is followed,” he said.

He also emphasised the sacred role of the Kingmakers in the process.

“All Fusengbuwa Ruling House members respectfully request that the Kingmakers should be allowed to present Ijebu-Ode and Ijebuland with ‘Omo Oye.’ Only one person will, at the end, emerge as ‘Omo Oye’ to ascend the stool of Awujale of Ijebuland,” Olufeko said.

Olufeko appreciated the guidance of the Olori Ebis, especially the Head of Fusengbuwa Ruling House, Alhaji Lateef Owoyemi, for his fatherly role in guiding the family through the process.

“We further implore the federal government, led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to include Ijebuland in developmental priorities. The federal government’s attention is really needed in the development of Ijebuland as a whole,” he added.

The statement comes amid heightened debate over eligibility for the Awujale stool, following protests by members of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House last Friday over alleged attempts to impose a candidate.

Protesters carried placards reading,”Fusengbuwa says no to imposition,” “Let Ifa oracle determine the next Awujale,” and “Let the Kingmakers do their job.”

The Awujale stool became vacant in July 2025 after the death of Oba Sikiru Adetona, who reigned for 65 years and died at the age of 91.

Ogun State officials have denied claims of government interference in the process.

The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ganiyu Hamzat, had temporarily halted the selection citing petitions from security agencies and stakeholders.

The Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, described claims of imposition as “baseless and false,” and reiterated the government’s commitment to due process and respect for traditional institutions.

The Regent and Head of the Awujale Interregnum Administration Committee, Sonny Kuku, said the Kingmakers are carefully scrutinising over 1,200 documents from at least 95 aspirants to ensure that only the most qualified candidate emerges.

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The Lagos State Government has warned content creators, influencers and digital media producers that the use of children in online content that violates child protection laws could attract criminal sanctions.

The warning was issued on Monday in a joint statement signed by the state Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mobolaji Ogunlende, and the Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, amid rising concerns over the portrayal of minors in harmful or exploitative digital content.

The state government stressed that children are a legally protected class under Nigerian law and must not be exposed to content that compromises their dignity, safety or psychological wellbeing.

“Involving minors in content that depicts abuse, sexual themes, harmful stereotypes, or unsafe scenarios is not only unethical but also contrary to existing laws designed to protect children,” the statement said.

Protester Collapses as Lagosians March Against Demolition, Forceful Evictions0:01 / 0:51

According to the statement, any individual who creates, distributes or profits from content that sexualises, exploits or endangers minors commits a criminal offence under multiple legal frameworks.

“Under Nigerian law, creating, distributing, or profiting from content that sexualises, abuses, or endangers minors constitutes a criminal offence,” it added.

The government cited Sections 25(1) and 26 of the Lagos State Child’s Rights Law (2015), which prohibit exploitative child labour and all forms of child abuse, as well as Sections 135–139 and 141 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State (2015), which address sexual offences against children.

It also referenced Section 23 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act (2015), which criminalises child pornography and related online offences, alongside Section 24 of the Act, which prohibits cyberstalking and online harassment.

The statement further noted that Section 32 of the Child’s Rights Act prescribes a penalty of up to 14 years’ imprisonment for the sexual abuse or exploitation of a child.

Reaffirming its enforcement position, the Lagos State Government said it maintains zero tolerance for child abuse and will work with law enforcement agencies to ensure full compliance with existing laws.

“We will continue to engage relevant stakeholders and take necessary action to address violations of child protection laws when they occur,” the statement said.

Content creators were advised to familiarise themselves with applicable legal provisions and ensure that children’s rights are protected in all forms of creative expression.

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An early morning fire on Monday razed parts of a popular Kano market, also known as Singa Market.

PUNCH Online gathered that the fire broke out in the early hours of the day, causing damage to sections of the busy market.

Confirming the incident, the spokesperson of the Kano State Fire Service, Saminu Yusif, said the service received a distress call at about 3:16 am and immediately deployed firefighting personnel to the scene to contain the blaze.

“As of about 10 am, pockets of the market were still burning, with firefighters working to bring the situation under control and prevent the fire from spreading further,” Yusif said.

He, however, assured that more details on the incident would be made available to journalists later.

Recall that fire gutted a residential building at Fabikez Street, Omagba Phase 2, in Onitsha North Local Government Area of Anambra State, killing a 95-year-old woman who was reportedly trapped for several hours.

It was gathered that the inferno, which started in one of the apartments in the two-storey building at about 5:15 pm last Friday, spread to adjoining apartments before it was brought under control by officials of the Anambra State Fire Service after several hours.

It was learnt that the blaze, which reportedly caused damage running into several millions of naira, was eventually contained with the intervention of residents and passersby, while firefighters made frantic efforts to extinguish the fire.

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