OLU ILAWO GIFTS FOOD PALLIATIVES ON ALAKE'S 20TH CORONATION ANNIVERSARY 

The Olu of Ilawo, Oba (Prof) Alexander Olusegun MacGregor has supported the 20th coronation anniversary celebration of Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo (Okukenu III) with food palliatives.

The gesture serves as a token of Oba MacGregor's helping hand at reaching out to the less-privileged during the coronation anniversary of the paramount ruler of Egbaland. 

"We figure out that there may be well-wishers and admirers of the Alake who may not be privileged to be part of the celebration. Hence, these palliatives are designed to reach out to them as gift items in the true spirit of celebration of the purposeful and visionary leadership of the Alake of Egbaland, (HRM) Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo (Okukenu III) since he mounted the Egba throne twenty years ago," says Lanre Olaleye, the media aide to Oba MacGregor in a press statement.

A total of 100 packs of food items comprising of rice, garri and beans were handed over to the coronation planning committee for onward distribution to indigent Indigenes of Egba kingdom during the anniversary celebrations.

As a clear demonstration of the honour and respect accorded the paramount ruler, Oba MacGregor alongside other traditional rulers and Muslim faithfuls joined the Alake in a Jumat Service held at Central Mosque, Kobiti, Abeokuta to appreciate God for His guidance since taking over the reign of Egba kingdom.

The anniversary celebration which started on Friday 14th November will climax with a thanksgiving service on 19th November at the Cathedral Church of St. Peter, Ake Abeokuta, while a South West Junior Squash Tournament would round off the events on Saturday 22nd November, 2025.

 OBA MACGREGOR HOSTS ROTARY'S SPECIAL ROYAL FELLOWSHIP

The Art Gallery of Ilawo Royal Palace came alive once again on Thursday 13th November 2025 as the Olu of Ilawo Kingdom, Oba (Prof) Alexander Olusegun MacGregor hosted a special royal fellowship of the Rotary Club of Abeokuta.

The highly revered monarch alongside his beautiful wife, Olori (Dr) Omolara Fashola-MacGregor were on hand to welcome fellow Rotarians as they arrive the palace for their monthly fellowship led by their president Rot. Aduragbemi Smith Ogundipe.

The highlight of the fellowship which lasted for an hour was a joint educational initiative between the palace and Rotary Club to organize a retreat for school girls in Ilawo during the long holidays.

According to Olori MacGregor, the initiative will help to engage the girls in their academic pursuit and stem the tide of the prevalence of unwanted early pregnancies.

In his closing remark, the Rotary Club president, Rotarian Aduragbemi Smith Ogundipe thanked the royal couple for hosting the club to a lavish hospitality.

Responding, His Royal Majesty stated that his doors are always open to the Rotary Family because they represent service to humanity and hence is always happy to receive them warmly.

Following the conclusion of the business of the day, the Rotary contingent was treated to sumptuous meals and drinks to wind down the evening.

 Breaking News: High Court Dismisses Injunction Against Oba Shekoni As New Osolo

. Adjourns Suit To Nov. 28

A High Court sitting in Sabo, Yaba has dismissed an injunction against the installation of the new Osolo, Oba Issa Abiodun Olakunle Faronbi-Shekoni.

Presiding Judge, Justice Ezekiel Oluwole Ashade of Yaba High Court on Monday 3rd Movement 2025 while ruling on the injunction sought by Prince Jimmy Adetokunbo Goloba against the installation of Oba Shekoni ruled that the arguments averred by the claimants were not strong enough to grant the injunction.

Prince Goloba in his reliefs had sought an injunction against Oba Shekoni's installation as the new Osolo; a restraining order of the court against Shekoni from parading himself as the new Osolo as well as his outright removal from the throne.

In his defence, Oba Shekoni prayed the court to dismiss the suit for lack of jurisdiction even as he posited that the court lack competence to adjudicate over the suit.

After hearing motions and arguments from both parties, Justice Ashade ruled that the arguments put up by the claimant's counsel, Prof Fagbohun (SAN) were not convincing enough to grant an injunction.

He, therefore, dismissed their claim but rather expressed his willingness to grant an accelerated hearing of the suit. 

Following due consultation with both parties, the judge adjourned the matter to 28th November 2025 and 5th December 2025 for the commencement of the substantive suit.

Oba Shekoni was installed as the new Osolo of Isolo by the commissioner for local government, chieftaincy affairs and rural development, Hon. Kayode Roberts at a closed ceremony held at the state secretariat, Alausa on 28th March 2025 after the demise of the former monarch, Oba Kabir Adelaja Agbabiaka who joined his ancestors in 2024.

DARK DAYS!

 

Oshodi Returns To Dark Days of Street Trading

. As Traders, Urchins Convert Adjoining Streets Into Make-shift Markets

Lagos State Government appears to be losing the battle to sanitize Oshodi as marketers and street urchins have taken over available spaces following the resurgence of street trading in the area.

Oshodi which is the gateway to the Lagos metropolis from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport has attracted public outcry from concerned residents and stakeholders many of whom have watched helplessly as street traders and motor park touts have virtually converted roads to market extensions and motor garages without recourse to pedestrians and shop owners who pay heavily to own shops in the area.

The Snoop gathered that the growing resurgence of illegal street trading and encroachment across Oshodi-Isolo Local Government has become a ticking time bomb threatening public safety, free movement, and the aesthetic order of one of Lagos State’s most strategic commercial corridors.

Investigations and field observations reveal that most streets within the Oshodi market hub—notably Agege Motor Road (from Bolade Junction), Suwebatu Ajala Street, Araromi, Banjoko, and McCarthy—have been overtaken by traders and transport operators who have converted public roads into makeshift markets, garages, and motor parks.

The disturbing trend, according to sources is allegedly aided by some self-appointed  'authorities' who collect daily tolls and levies to allocate public spaces to traders and transporters. This sad development further raises deep concerns about the usurpation of official authority and gradual territorial take over of public infrastructure by criminally-minded elements in the area.

Aside from the heavy human and vehicular traffic congestion and filthy environment now defining these streets, commuters and residents are losing valuable productive hours to the gridlocks created by this illegal occupation. 

Worse still, the median at Agege Motor Road which was originally designed for traffic demarcation has now become an unregulated car park for both private and commercial vehicles which further compound the chaotic situation in the area.

More worrisome is the role of NURTW members, commercial tricycle operators and others who have reportedly converted most of the inner streets into mini motor parks under questionable authority as sources informed our correspondent that these toll collectors usually brandish official toll tickets issued by authorities of Oshodi/Isolo Local Government to officialize their actions.

Residents and other stakeholders in the area are, however, worried that the sad the developments, if left unchecked could precipitate a full-scale urban anarchy and total breakdown of law and order in Oshodi despite the huge investments of Lagos State Government in sanitizing the area through the construction of a modern bus terminus and relocation of adjoining markets from the area.

While the Otunba Kehinde Oloyede-led local government administration deserves commendation for its visible achievements in road rehabilitation and infrastructure renewal, it is puzzling that the same roads are now being hijacked by those collecting illegal rents and levies thereby denying the tax-paying public access to facilities built with their own money.

Concerned residents are, however, quick to dismiss the sad development as sheer negligence on the part of the local government authority but rather described it as a betrayal of public trust and a stain o

n the impressive work done by the council administration so far.

The prevalence of street trading and illegal conversation of public roads to markets bring to question the poor enforcement of environmental sanitation laws by the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) officers who were permanently stationed to maintain law and order in Oshodi. Multiple sources revealed that the officers have become a major cause of the chaotic situation through their penchance for collecting bribes and gratification from street traders and NURTW members to allow them access to public spaces.

THANKSGIVING!

You Must Forgive Your Offenders

- Ven. Banjo Admonishes Oba MacGregor At Second Year Thanksgiving Service 

What Shall You Render Unto The Lord? Was the poignant question asked of His Royal Majesty Oba (Prof) Alexander Olusegun MacGregor as he marked his second year coronation thanksgiving service at St. Peters African Church, Ilawo, Abeokuta on Sunday 21st September 2025.

This was the theme of the sermon taking from Psalm 116 vs 12 by the Vicar of St. Peters African Church, Ilawo, Venerable Abiodun Banjo who enjoined the monarch to be thankful for all the blessings promised by God have been fulfilled unto him. "If the lord had not done it for you, you cannot rejoice and give thanks because you have fulfilled all righteousness contained in Psalm 92," the Vicar said.

Ven. Banjo reminded Oba MacGregor that the best way to render to God is to spread His love among His people whom He has chosen him as their king. "You must show love to those who loves you and to those who despise you. Hence, you must used the occasion of your coronation anniversary to forgive your offenders and spread the love of God among His people. If you don't forgive others, God will not forgive you," the clergyman counselled.

Ven. Banjo admonished the monarch to keep faith with God and see how His promises made in the book of Isaiah 41 vs 8-16 will come to pass.

In his address, Oba MacGregor appreciated God's benevolence since his enthronement as the Olu of Ilawo Kingdom just as he expressed his immense gratitude to the church for the tremendous moral and spiritual support giving to him.

"Today, we are here to give thanks as we always do. I thank God for His faithfulness at all times and also appreciates the support of the church morally and spiritually. A lot of activities have taken place since our enthronement such that we have lost track of time. Though, it has not been easy but we draw strength from God," he added.

Oba MacGregor seized the occasion to announce the installation of the solar-powered electrification of the church which he promised would be completed in a month time.

The monarch accompanied by his beautiful wife, Olori Omolara Sekinat Fashola-MacGregor, members of the MacGregor family, traditional and royal council chiefs, invited dignitaries undertook the family and second year coronation thanksgiving harvest of His Royal Majesty ably supervised by Ven. Banjo.

The Vicar while praying for the long reign and well-being of the king and his household also prayed for God's divine intervention in the affairs of Orile Ilawo Kingdom.

The Osi of Ilawo, Chief A. A. Olufade led other traditional and royal council chiefs in accompanying Oba MacGregor to the thanksgiving service. Others include Chief Kolapo Aremu, Baba Oba & Aare of Ilawo; Chief Bankole, Aro; Chief Funsho Akinwande, Oluomo; Hon. Bode Bankole, Aare Onibon; Chief Wasiu Balogun, Akogun; Chief (Mrs) Adebunmi Bankole, Lika and Chief Babalola Olufunsho, Bale Osha.

Others include Chief Diyaolu Oluwatosin, Sakotun; Chief Moruf Adebayo, Bayangun; Chief Oluyemi Taiwo, Asiwaju Bada; Chief (Mrs) Adebayo Taiwo, Ekerin Like; Chief (Mrs) Kofoworola Sulaiman, Moriwafu; Chief Balogun Kamoru; Chief Bayo Bankole, Akinrogun and Chief Mutiu MacGregor, Lemo of Ilawo.