WHEN SCHOOL GIRLS LEARN, THE WORLD CHANGES IN ILAWO

. As Olori Fashola-MacGregor Mentors 200 School Girls on Menstrual Health & Hygiene

Three days to Valentine's Day, the queen of Orile Ilawo Kingdom, Her Royal Majesty, Ambassador (Dr) Omolara Fashola-MacGregor has led the charge for the preservation of the right of the girl-child through an awareness and mentorship initiative primarily designed for the promotion of menstrual health and hygiene in tennage girls.

The initiative, code named 'Project Reddot' in collaboration with a non-governmental organization, Vweta Chadwick Empowerment Foundation is a community-driven initiative focussed on empowering tennage girls aged 13 to 19 with vital knowledge, mentorship and access to essential menstrual hygiene resources.

The event which held on Wednesday 11th February 2026 at the Orile Ilawo Royal Palace along Oba MacGregor Road, Ilawo, Abeokuta had over 200 tennage school girls selected from neighbouring communities in attendance to create a safe, exclusive space where they learnt menstrual hygiene and health; boosted their confidence and received practical guidance on preventing teenage pregnancy.

The initiative also presented opportunity to break the silence around menstruation, confronted harmful taboos and ensured that no girl feels ashamed or excluded because of her menstrual period.

Through an engaging and culturally sensitive interactive session anchored by the NGO's Director of Organization (South)Joan Ejiro, the students were taught the importance of Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM), bodily autonomy and building self-worth. The use of relatable language and open dialogue allowed the girls to ask questions freely and learn how to care for their bodies with confidence and dignity.

Speaking on motivation behind the initiative, Olori Fashola-MacGregor said she is saddened by the prevalence of unwanted pregnancies particularly among teenage girls, many of whom have suddenly become teenage mothers due to lack of access to vital information about menstrual health and hygiene.

"As a queen and as a mother, I am saddened by the menace of teenage pregnancy among school girls because they are not getting the right information about the changes in their bodies as they grow into adulthood. 

She espoused her thoughts. "Education is one of the greatest gift a girl can receive. It does not only teach them how to read and write but it teaches them to think, dream and believe in themselves. Education gives them knowledge, confidence and the power to create a better future.

"When a girl goes to school, she learns her rights and understands her value. She becomes strong enough to make good decisions about her life. She gains skills that helps her support her family and contribute to society. 

"Sadly, many girls around the world are still denied this opportunity. Some are forced to drop because of poverty. Some are married off too young. Some are told education is not important for girls. But when a girl is taking out of school, her dreams are also taken away.

"Menstruation is a natural part of life. It happens to every girl and woman. It is nothing to be ashamed of. Yet for many girls, their periods come with fear, discomfort and hardship. 

"Some girls miss school every month because they cannot afford sanitary pads. Some use old clothes, tissue or unsafe materials that can cause infections. Some feel embarrassed and hide instead of asking for help. This is known as Period Poverty- when girls and women lack access to proper menstrual products, clean facilities and education about their bodies. 

"Period Poverty affects education, health and confidence. When girls miss classes regularly, they fall behind in their studies. Over time, many lose interest in school or drop out completely. But this problem can be solved," Olori Fashola-MacGregor insisted.

"When girls are provided with period kits, clean toilets, and accurate information about menstruation, they attend school confidently. They participate in class, sport and leadership activities without fear. No girl should lose her education because of her period," she added. "We must talk openly about menstruation. We must support programmes that provides sanitary products. And we must create safe environment where girls feel respected and supported. Ending period poverty means protecting dignity, keeping girls in school and giving girls fair chance to succeed."

On the need to support girls and women to be career-driven and live meaningful life, Olori MacGregor posited: "Every girl has dreams inside her heart. These dreams are powerful because they shape their future. But many girls are told to limit their dreams. Some are told certain careers are only for boys. Some are told their role is only in the home. Some are discouraged when challenges arise. But girls are just as intelligent, capable and strong as any one else.

"When girls receive education, mentorship, encouragement and opportunities, they grow into confident women who can achieve great things. They learn how to set goals, work hard and overcome obstacles. Being career-driven does not forgetting family or values. It means using their talents to create a better life for themselves and others. A meaningful life is one where you contribute positively to society and live with purpose. When girls succeed, family succeed. When women succeed, communities grow and when girls are empowered, nations progress.

"We must therefore continue to inspire girls to believe in themselves, to dream boldly and to never settle for less than their potential. These are some of the narratives we hope to correct through this initiative starting from here in Ilawo. Our girls must be well informed about their menstrual health and hygiene to make informed choices about their life and dreams. 

With the Valentine's Day around the corner, there is no better time to educate these girls about menstruation and personal hygiene other than now in order to stop the menace of unwanted pregnancies among our school girls especially here in Ilawo." She concluded.

Over 200 menstrual packs were freely gifted to all the girls in attendance as a form of support and encouragement to promote awareness of menstrual health and hygiene among school girls.

Among those who graced the occasion were the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Motunrayo Adijat Adeleye who was represented by the Director of Empowerment, Mrs. Olajumoke Adewusi; Special Adviser to Gov. Dapo Abiodun on Water Resources, Hon. Damilola Otunbanjo, who was ably represented by the Admin Officer, Mr. Hope Samson; the Osi of Ilawo Kingdom, High Chief Anthony Ajani Olufade and the Akogun of Ilawo, High Chief Wasiu Balogun and other members of Ilawo Traditional Council.

PRESS STATEMENT 

 Why Askari Fuji Deserves More Recognition

Before his promotion by the then Inspector General of Police through a signal in April 1998, Alhaji Ishola Adeyinka aka 'Askari Fuji' a member of Batch of PMF 20, Ikeja had been playing Fuji music on a low key alongside his police duty.

Soon after his promotion, Askari Fuji immediately debuted with an album titled 'Loyalty' in 1998. Within a short period, the album and its video became popular within and outside Nigeria.

After the release of the masterpiece, the brave and dynamic Askari Fuji started using his music to campaign against crime and other societal vices.

 He was also using his music as a bridge between the police and the general public; projecting the image of the police through his music.

Despite his busy music schedule, he was able to combine his official duty (Police) with music. To this end, he served in so many departments of the police such as SFU Milverton, Ikoyi, Kano State CID, and  State CID Panti, Lagos etc.

Apart from being a musical household name, he has also risen from the rank of a Constable to Superintendent of Police (CSP). His efforts was also rewarded in his Ibadan home town, when he was installed Mogaji Alare Agbejonku of the Agbejonku Royal Dynasty of Ibadan on 3rd October, 2023 by the late Oba Ishola Balogun. With the chieftaincy title of Mogaji, Askari Fuji could be on the verge of becoming an Olubadan in nearest future.

Askari Fuji is a man of three parts, a crime fighter, musician and cultural icon. He has released about 12 albums namely: Loyalty, Internet Fuji, Wetin You Carry, Live Wire, Authority, London Swagger Unmissable, Fuji Parade, Explosion, Innovation, Ibadan and Alaseju.

As a talented musician, all his musical works contain one or two messages which are either tailored towards crime fighting, campaigning against social vices or words of advice to both young and old.

Following his installation as Mogaji,  Askari Fuji did a thorough research on his hometown Ibadan and came out with an album titled 'Ibadan.' The album alongside it's musical video did not only promote the town but also came out to correct a lot of misconceptions about the town called Ibadan.

The video which has been showing constantly on African Magic has been receiving accolades from viewers both home and abroad. His latest single titled 'Alaseju' is a campaign against disobedience.

In recognition of the immense contribution of Askari Fuji to Ibadan and the whole nation in general the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) decorated him with an award ‘The Champion of Ibadan Culture '

With accolades coming from CCII and other groups, it is expected that the Nigerian Police ,the Olubadan- in-Council and the Governor of Oyo State can do more by honouring the policeman per excellence, musician and Cultural Ambassador to encourage him to do more.

 WHY BAYO OLASOJU SOUGHT TO BE JOINED AS DEFENDANT IN OSOLO SUIT

. As Judge Adjourns Case Till 6th Feb

The Executive Chairman of Isolo Local Council Development Authority (LCDA) Otunba Adebayo Olasoju has applied to be joined as a necessary and desirable party in the ongoing Osolo of Isolo court case instituted by Prince Jimmy Adetokunbo Goloba challenging the installation of Oba Isa Abiodun Faronbi-Shekoni as the Osolo of Isolo.

Olasoju's application and that of Isolo LCDA  to be joined as the 7th and 8th defendants in the case was submitted yesterday by the leading counsel to Oba Shekoni, Prof. Gbenga Ojo at the resumed hearing of the case holding at the Lagos High Court, Sabo, Yaba.

In his Motion on Notice brought in pursuant to Order 15 Rule 17 of the High Court of Lagos State (Civil Procedure) Rules 2019 and under the inherent jurisdiction of the court, Olasoju is seeking an order of the court joining or adding him to the suit as the 7th and 8th defendants.

He is also seeking an order of the court directing the claimant (Prince Jimmy Goloba) to amend the writ of summons and statement of claim with other front loading processes to reflect the name of the 7th defendants (Bayo Olasoju). And for such Order or further other Orders as the court may deem fit to make in the circumstances.

Stating the grounds for seeking to be joined in the suit, Olasoju stated as follows:

I) The throne and succession to the vacant throne of Osolo of Isolo is under the jurisdiction of the Applicant (Bayo Olasoju) seeking to be joined.

ii) The 4th Defendant (Commissioner for Local Government & Chieftaincy Affairs) directed the Applicant (Olasoju) to issue Public Notice announcing the death of the the immediate past Osolo of Isolo to the members of the public and also inform the Alagbeji Ruling House to nominate a candidate for the vacant Osolo of Isolo throne.

III) In compliance with the directive, the Applicant (Olasoju) informed the Alagbeji Ruling House to nominate a candidate for the vacant Osolo of Isolo throne.

iv) After nomination, the matter was refered to the kingmakers to select the suitable candidate (Omo Oye) for the vacant throne.

v) When the kingmakers could not do so within time frame, the kingmakers wrote to the Applicant (Olasoju) for extension of time, which the Applicant (Olasoju) granted.

vi) The kingmakers have always been interacting with the Applicant (Olasoju) whenever it becomes necessary.

vii) The 4th Defendant (Commissioner for Local Government & Chieftaincy Affairs), who ought to be neutral, intruded into the affairs of the kingmakers and directed the kingmakers to submit their report to the Oshodi/Isolo Local Government, which is not a party in this case.

viii) This caused disagreement as one of the kingmakers submitted his minority report to the 6th Defendant (Oshodi/Isolo Local Government) while the remaining kingmakers submitted their report to the Applicant (Olasoju) and authorized one of the kingmakers to submit the report to the Applicant (Olasoju), which was done by a letter dated 19th September, 2024.

ix) On receipt of the report, the Applicant (Olasoju) forwarded the three names to the 2nd Defendant (Executive Governor of Lagos State) to use his discretion to pick one of the candidates by a letter dated 30th October 2024.

x) The 2nd Defendant (Executive Governor of Lagos State) picked the 2nd Defendant (Prince  Shekoni) and via a letter dated 27th March, 2025, the 4th Defendant (Commissioner for Local Government & Chieftaincy Affairs) directed the Applicant (Olasoju) to convey the approval of the appointment to the 1st Defendant (Prince Shekoni).

xi) By a letter of the same date, the 7th Defendant (Olasoju) conveyed the approval to the 1st Defendant (Prince Shekoni).

xii) The Lagos State Government gave an instrument of office dated 28th March, 2025 to the 1st Defendant (Prince Shekoni).

xiii) Subsequently, the 1st Defendant (Prince Shekoni) was installed as the new Osolo of Isolo.

xiv) All kingmakers without any exception capped the 1st Defendant (Prince Shekoni) as the Osolo of Isolo 

xv) The Applicant (Olasoju) played vital role in the appointment of the 1st Defendant (Prince Shekoni).

xvi) The Applicant (Olasoju) is a desirable and necessary party in this case on the succession to the vacant throne of Osolo of Isolo.

The council boss, therefore, avers that his application to be joined as a defendant and subsequent testimony in this case is in the interest of fair hearing.

He is hoping to back his testimony with evidences which include a Public Notice dated 22nd July 2024 announcing the vacancy of the Osolo throne;  letter of invitation by the commissioner dated 15th July, 2024; the report of the kingmakers dated 19th September, 2024 to the Executive Chairman of Isolo LCDA and the letter of the Executive Chairman of Isolo LCDA to the Executive Governor of Lagos State forwarding the report of the kingmakers.

Olasoju also hopes to present more evidences to prove the installation of Prince Shekoni as Osolo of Isolo followed due process as contained in the Obas and Chiefs Law of Lagos State as amended. These include Commissioner's letter directing the Chairman of Isolo LCDA to convey the approval of the appointment of Prince Isa Abiodun Faronbi-Shekoni as new Osolo of Isolo; Chairman of Isolo LCDA's letter conveying the approval of the appointment of Prince Shekoni; the Lagos State Government Instrument of Office of Prince Shekoni as new Osolo of Isolo as well as photographs of the installation of Prince Shekoni as the new Osolo of Isolo by all the kingmakers.

Following the receipts of the application by both the claimant and defence counsels, the preside judge, Justice E.O. Ashade adjourned hearing on the motion on notice till 6th February 2026.

 MACGREGOR ROYAL FAMILY REFUTES FICTITIOUS PUBLICATION

. As Ilawo Traditional Council Suspends Errant Chief Borokini

The MacGregor Royal Family of Ilawo, Abeokuta has condemned in strong terms a recent news story posted on some online news platforms alleging property dispute in the family.

A disclaimer statement signed by the Family Head, Alhaji Najeem Adesina MacGregor categorically denied statements, claims, quotations and allegations contained in the fictitious online publication attributed to one Mutiu MacGregor.

The family stated that the content of the publication emanated solely from the said Mutiu MacGregor, who has long acted independently and contrary to family unity and who is not recognized as spokesperson of the family even as it added that "the narrative did not originate from any collective family decision, briefing or consensus which certainly does not reflect the true position, values or intentions of the MacGregor Royal Family."

The statement added that Mutiu's "actions are viewed within the family as consistently provocative, disruptive, and hostile to peace, often aimed at creating division, tension, and public controversy where none exists."

The Family Head maintained that the MacGregor Royal Family remains committed to peace, dialogue, respect for tradition, and internal dispute resolution and rejects all attempts by any individual to drag the family name, royal institution, or community into unnecessary public conflict.

Accordingly, the family disassociates itself entirely from the publication and urges the public and media to disregard the report in its entirety.

In a related development, the Ilawo Traditional Council has suspended Chief Mutiu MacGregor for gross misconduct, insubordination and acts unbecoming of a titled chief. 

In a suspension letter dated 6th January 2026, signed by the Secretary of the Council, Chief Oluwatosin Diyaolu and addressed to Chief Mutiu Adejare MacGregor, the council expressed it's deep concern and regrets for the various infractions committed by the errant chief who incidentally is the 'Borokini.'

After a thorough review of actions, utterances, behaviours attributable to the Borokini which are in clear violation of Ilawo customs, traditions, palace protocols and the oath of loyalty binding all chiefs of the kingdom, the Council found him culpable of gross misconduct and insubordination to His Royal Highness Oba (Prof) Alexander Olusegun MacGregor, the Olu of Ilawo Kingdom.

Specifically, the Council suspended him for gross misconduct and persistent insubordination to the authority of His Royal Majesty, the Olu of Ilawo Kingdom; open disrespect and assault- verbal and otherwise on the Ilawo Traditional Council and the person of the king- conduct which is unacceptable  and intolerable within any constituted traditional institutions.

The Council also reprimanded him for reckless, inflammatory and unbecoming utterances capable of bringing the throne, the Council and the ancient Ilawo tradition into disrepute.

He was also found guilty of wilful refusal to pay homage to His Royal Majesty, an act that constitute a grave breach of tradition, loyalty and allegiance expected of a titled Chief of Ilawo Kingdom.

Consequently, the errant chief was suspended from participating in all council meetings and activities; representing Ilawo in any traditional, cultural or public capacity even as he was forbidden from using privileges, insignia and authority attached to the title of Borokini pending further review of disciplinary actions.

The Council also directed him to refrain from parading himself or acting in any manner as a chief of Ilawo Kingdom during the period of his suspension.