Iyalode of Ibadan, Aminat Abiodun, Dies at 94

The Iyalode of Ibadanland, Aminat Abiodun, the only female member of the Olubadan-in-Council, died in the early hours of Saturday 08 December 2018, about a fortnight to her 94^th birthday on 24 December, 2018.

All efforts towards instant confirmation of her death from the palace of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, were turned. An aide to Olubadan, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said there were processes to follow before the palace would officially announce the demise of a High Chief of the Iyalode’s status. As the news of her death filtered into town, top dignitaries started trooping to her residence to commiserate with the family.

Super Falcons Win to Lead AWCON to France 2019

The Super Falcons of Nigeria made its record towards ninth title after its victory over the Banyana Banyana of South Africa at the 11^th African Women Cup of Nations (AWCON) in Ghana on Saturday 1 December, 2018.

It was, however, a very disappointing evening for the Banyana Banyana of South Africa who hoped for a first title but lost 3-4 to Nigeria on penalty kicks.

Ife Monarch Reveals New Wife, Naomi Oluwaseyi

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has unveiled his new wife, Queen Shilekunola Morenike Naomi.

Oba Ogunwusi made the announcement on social media platforms, on Friday, 19 October, 2018, praising her for her beauty, uniqueness and royal qualities and most especially, the fear of God in her.

“Shilekunola, Moronke, Naomi; the greatest Arsenal you can apply on this highly revered throne with many rules and regulations in the midst of undiluted tradition, heritage and culture is the “Fear Of God In You”, which is the beginning of your wisdom on this throne of Oduduwa.

UN Pays Final Respects as Kofi Annan Laid to Rest in Ghana

The UN paid final respects to former Secretary-General Kofi Annan as the late Ghanaian diplomat is laid to rest on Thursday 13 September, 2018 in Ghana.

The current UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, in his remarks at the funeral of his predecessor, played glowing tributes to Annan, who died on 18 August 2018, at the age of 80.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the UN General Assembly would hold a commemorative meeting to pay tribute to the former Secretary-General on Friday 14 September, 2018., at the UN headquarters in New York.

President George Weah Plays for Liberia against Nigeria, aged 51

The football icon, former World Footballer of the Year and the current President of Liberia, George Weah led his country's team in a friendly match against Nigeria's Super Eagles in Monrovia on Tuesday, 12 September, 2018, in 2-1 loss to Nigeria.

Liberia had arranged the friendly to retire the number 14 jersey made famous by Weah.

But fans were in for a shock when, 16 years after his last international appearance, the striker led the national team onto the pitch wearing it instead. Weah turns 52 in just over a fortnight.

Nigeria Super Eagle Beats Seychelles 3-0 in AFCON Qualifier

Nigeria forged ahead in its journey to the Cameroon 2019 Africa Cup of Nations after the Super Eagles beat Seychelles 3-0 on Saturday 8 September, 2018.

Ahmed Musa scored the first goal in the 15^th minute, which was accompanied by a brilliant rebound from Chidozie Awaziem, in the 34^th minute.

Odion Ighalo topped up the goals with another one, which he scored from the penalty spot.

Arsenal Signs a Nigerian Wonder Kid, Adetiba

After five weeks on trial at the popular Arsenal football academy in London, the Club signed a nine-year-old Nigerian boy, Jayden Adetiba. The Nigerian-born Adetiba relocated from England to South Africa 2 years ago. He played for the SuperSport United Soccer School in Cape Town.

Adetiba’s coach, Brent Sanders told KweséESPN that the boy has “something special”.

“Jayden worked with me for two years from the age of seven, and from his first practice session I could see that he was an exceptional talent that stood out in the group,” Sanders said.

The Former UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, Passes On at 80

Former UN Secretary-General and Nobel Peace Prize winner Kofi Annan died at age 80, his foundation confirmed Saturday, 18 August 2018.

Annan, who was born in Ghana in 1938, served as the seventh UN Secretary-General, from 1997 to 2006, and was the first to rise from within the ranks of the United Nations staff.

He had also been a member, since 2007, of The Elders, a humanitarian group of a dozen leaders and activists of worldwide stature formed by Nelson Mandela. In 2013, Annan became its chairman.

Falconets Beat Austrian Club 4-0 in a Great Warming Up Match

The 2010 and 2014 FIFA World Cup silver medalists hammered Austrian Women League top flight team, FC Wacker Innsbruck 4-0 in their final pre-tournament friendly in Tirol on Saturday, with a brace from top scorer Rasheedat Ajibade and one each from Adebisi Saheed and Chinyere Igboamalu.

A few days earlier, the Nigerian girls had spanked another Austrian top flight side, FC Bergheim 3-0. Saturday’s match in Tirol was also watched by Nigeria’s Youth and Sports Minister, Solomon Dalung.  Ajibade, who plays for FC Robo Queens of Lagos and also featured at the last tournament in Papua New Guinea, top –scored for Nigeria in the African qualifying campaign and is heavily touted to dazzle the world in France next month.

Nigeria Unveils New National Carrier, NigeriaAir

The Federal Government on Wednesday 18 July, 2018 unveiled the branding and insignia for the new national carrier, Nigeria Air, and the airline would be officially launched at the end of the year.

According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Aviation in Abuja, the Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, unveiled the carrier at a press conference during the Farnborough Air Show in London.

The Minister was quoted as saying, "I am very pleased to tell you that we are finally on track to launching a new national flag carrier for our country, Nigeria Air. We are all fully committed to fulfilling the campaign promise made by our President, Muhammadu Buhari, in 2015. We are aiming at launching Nigeria Air by the end of this year.

Winnie Madikizela-Mandela dies @81

Winnie Mandela, the ex-wife of South African anti-apartheid fighter and former president Nelson Mandela, died on Monday 2 April 2018 at the age of 81. She died in a Johannesburg hospital after a long illness. A statement from the Mandela family said Madikizela-Mandela had struggled with “a long illness” since the start of the year and “succumbed peacefully” at a hospital in Johannesburg. Winnie Mandela, who was married to Nelson Mandela for 38 years, played a key part in the campaign to end white-minority rule but her place in history was also stained by controversy.

An Undergraduate and 8 others Installed to the Olubadan Lineage

The Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji, on 5 February 2018 installed nine new Mogajis (family heads) to begin traditional chieftaincy journey to the stool of Olubadan.

The new Mogajis included Alhaji Ibraheem Olaniyan, chairman, Police Community Relation Committee (PCRC), Ogun State and Chief Executive Officer, Asiwaju Group of Companies, who was installed Mogaji Fosun Paja, Ibadan.

Also, a 20-year-old student of Business Economics, University of Warrick Conventry, United Kingdom, Mr. Solomon Adegbola, was installed Mogaji of Arogundade family, Ita Ege, Idi-aro Ibadan.

Former Football Star George Weah Sworn in as Liberian President

Liberians queued for miles to see the inauguration of the former footballer star George Weah as their new president on Monday 22^nd January 2018, celebrating their country’s first peaceful, democratic transition of power in 47 years by dancing as they waited.

Weah, 51, took over from Nobel laureate Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, who spent 12 years at the helm, steering the West African nation away from the trauma of a civil war.

He was sworn in as president by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Francis Korkpor.

Court Declares 21 Kings Installed by Gov Isiaka Ajimobi Illegal

An Oyo State High Court presided over by Justice Olajumoke Aiki on Friday 19 January, 2018 declared the review of the 1957 Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration and other related Chieftaincies in Ibadan land by the Justice Akintunde Boade Review Commission, which was set up by the Oyo State Government, as unconstitutional, illegal, null and void, and of no effect.

The commission had recommended, among others, the creation of several monarchs in Ibadan which led to the installation of 21 kings by the State Governor Abiola Ajimobi.