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Chief Ayo Gabriel Irikefe: First Urhobo Chief Justice of Nigeria

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Chief Ayo Gabriel Irikefe remains a towering figure in Nigeria’s judicial and constitutional history. As the first Urhobo man to serve as Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), his career spanned decades of legal practice and national service, leaving an enduring impact on Nigeria’s judiciary and its evolving federal structure.

Early Life and Education

Born on 3 March 1922 to Aduwa and Theresa Irikefe of the Agbon Kingdom in today’s Delta State, Ayo Irikefe was raised in the rich cultural traditions of the Urhobo people. He received his early schooling in southern Nigeria before travelling to the United Kingdom to study law. Irikefe trained at the Middle Temple, London, and was called to the Bar in 1952, gaining the legal foundation that would shape his distinguished career.

Rise in the Legal Profession

Irikefe quickly distinguished himself as a brilliant lawyer and an unwavering advocate of justice. His professional excellence was formally recognized in 1975, when he was conferred with the prestigious title of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN)—one of the highest distinctions in the Nigerian legal profession, introduced that same year.

National Service and Constitutional Role

His influence extended well beyond the courtroom. Following the military coup of 7 August 1975 that brought General Murtala Muhammed to power, Chief Irikefe was appointed to head a high-level panel charged with examining the creation of new states in Nigeria. The committee’s recommendations helped shape the nation’s federal structure by addressing demands for greater representation and autonomy among Nigeria’s diverse ethnic groups.

Chief Justice of Nigeria

Irikefe’s judicial career culminated in his appointment as Chief Justice of Nigeria, a position he held from 1985 to 1987. As the country’s top judicial officer, he guided the Supreme Court during a period marked by political transition and constitutional challenges. His leadership was widely respected for its balance, integrity, and steadfast commitment to the rule of law.

Honors and Distinctions

In recognition of his exceptional contributions to law and nation-building, Chief Irikefe received some of Nigeria’s highest national honours:

Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR)

Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON)

These awards reflected both his professional accomplishments and his service to Nigeria’s unity and constitutional development.

Later Years and Legacy

Chief Ayo Gabriel Irikefe passed away on 1 August 1996, leaving behind a legacy of judicial excellence and patriotic service. To the Urhobo people, he remains a source of pride as the first from their ethnic group to ascend to the nation’s highest judicial office. To Nigeria as a whole, his life stands as a model of professionalism, statesmanship, and an unwavering commitment to justice and national cohesion.

Sources
Nigerian Tribune. “Obituary: Chief Ayo Irikefe, Former Chief Justice of Nigeria,” August 1996.

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Lifestyle

Genevieve Nnaji slams viral tweet urging Igbo men to marry non-Igbo women

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Nollywood icon Genevieve Nnaji has fired off a sharp response after a man on X (formerly Twitter) advised Igbo men to stop marrying Igbo women and instead seek wives from other African countries.

The controversy began after a photo of a Rwandan woman said to be engaged to an Anambra man went viral.

Resharing the image, the user wrote, “Dear Igbo men, instead of marrying an Igbo woman who’ll falsely accuse you of r4ping your daughter, better look outside for a wife.

“Go to East Africa, especially Rwanda, and pick a damsel. They’re all over social media, and you can link up with them.”

Genevieve, who rarely comments on online drama, responded, “In other words, instead of checking yourself and taking accountability, go for the unsuspecting and carry on with your evil. Got it.”

Another user attempted to challenge her, claiming the original tweet was aimed at “false rape accusers” and that Genevieve was avoiding the real issue.

“His tweet was clearly against false rape accusers, but instead of holding the evil women accountable and demanding change, you chose to tweet this?”

But the actress hit back with equal clarity: “The same way a woman can’t tell an abusive man apart from a good one is the same way you shouldn’t say avoid all Igbo women. ‘Not all women’.”

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Don’t handle your family feud like I did, Phyna advises Imisi

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Reality TV star Phyna has offered words of encouragement to fellow Big Brother Naija winner Imisi amid a family feud between the latter and her mother.

In an X post on Monday, Phyna wrote,”To Imisi, @imisiofficial and to anyone walking through the same fire… I’m praying for your strength.

“My own experience broke me, but I’m slowly rising.

“And I’m rooting for you with everything in me, don’t handle it like I did, build strong and focus on you baby girl.”

The post comes against the backdrop of a family dispute in which Imisi’s mother accused her daughter of hatred and revealed the poor condition of the home where she currently lives, despite Imisi winning N150 million after her Big Brother victory.

Imisi replied in Yoruba,”This is why Aunty Debola said you should not show your face to the world. I can’t be saying all that now, you are in the midst of people. Just overlook everything and leave social media.

“Don’t worry, I will send you money to rent a new house. I am tired of all this drama. I am still recovering from the stress of Big Brother.

“Should I be facing another stress now? Please forgive me, I am your daughter.”

Recall Imisi’s mother has publicly expressed frustration on social media, saying she does not need her daughter’s money after being sidelined following the win.

She also blamed Imisi for recounting her childhood experiences, which she claims involve untrue allegations of parental neglect and sexual assault.

In a video, she showed the old house she currently resides in, saying she is content with her situation, a revelation that sparked online controversy.

In 2023, after Phyna’s BBNaija win, her father, Felix Otabor, revealed in an interview that he was distressed by his daughter’s actions following her BBNaija win.

Otabor said Phyna had asked him to stop working as a hearse driver and requested that he sell his cars, promising to improve the family’s life.

He said he later struggled financially after selling the vehicles, losing his business momentum and community position, and has not seen his daughter since her victory.

He described feeling sidelined while she enjoyed her wealth.

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Ned Never Slept Outside Because I Held Him Well In The Other Room – Regina Daniels

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Nollywood actress, Regina Daniels, has opened up about her marriage to her estranged husband, Senator Ned Nwoko.

It was reports that the embattled wife revealed why their seven-year relationship remained faithful despite his polygamous lifestyle.

In a reply to a comment on her Instagram page, Daniels said that during their years together, Nwoko never slept with other women outside their home because she held him well in the other room.

She wrote: “Yes i think he loved me but a toxic one! Because tell me why a polygamous man forgot what it meant to be in polygamy, except for the media.

“Just because it boosted his ego of being seen with multiple women which is easy by me because anyone that sees a man as an odogwu sees the wife as what? He basically had to beg that he share days at ours and other days with his other wives because they begged for his attention.

“Y’all should pls forget this yeye social media comparison because my ex man never slept outside one day in our 7 years of marriage. You know why? Because as a delta babe, I hold am well for the other room ladies use your skills that’s all men want actually!”

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