
News
Justice Gbolagunte planned his own funeral — Rev. Oyedemi
The Pastor of New Reservation Area Baptist Church, Iyaganku, Ibadan, Oyo State, Rev. Kayode Oyedemi, on Friday disclosed that late Justice Adegboye Ayinla Gbolagunte of the Oyo State Judiciary knew he would die and so had planned his funeral by choosing the cemetery his remains would be buried, and had paid for his vault.
He revealed this during his sermon at the funeral service for the Eruwa, Oyo State born jurist, who died June 24, 2024.
The 64-year-old son of a former Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mokolade Gbolagunte, was survived by his wife: Wuraola Ayoola, and three children: Oladiran, a Digital Technologist with specialisation in Network Communications; Oladoyin, a lawyer; and Oladotun, also a lawyer.
Quoting from the Book of II Kings 13 and 20; Hebrew 11; as well as II Samuel 12, Dr. Oyedemi, who said that he had never seen anybody prepare his own funeral as deeply as Justice Gbolagunte did, noted: “It is not unusual for saints to die of sickness from attack.


“If prayers can stop death, Justice Gbolagunte would not have died because upon revelation that he would die of the sickness, we were praying, but when the sickness of the beloved is unto death, no amount of prayers can heal the sickness, no matter how perfect one could be in faith.
“The sickness of Lazarus was not unto death, but that of Elisha was unto death.
“God knows why he has called Justice Gbolagunte home at this time.
“While we were praying and believing that God would spare his life, he had accepted his faith himself.
“I remember his last admission to the hospital about two or three days to his death.
“Then I asked if he was still holding unto God in faith and he said yes.
“Since last year, he had told me that his funeral is to be held in Ibadan here.
“He had told me the cemetery.
“I have been hearing about it, but I have not seen anybody who planned his funeral so deep as Justice Gbolagunte did.
“All the arrangements you see, he had chosen and contacted people you see carrying them out.
“He had contacted everybody.
“When he paid for the vault, he told me, and he connected me with the person that was in charge of that.
“That is to tell you that he was convinced that God said that his time had come.
“And that is one of the greatest ways to die.
“For you to know when you are going to die helps you to get settled, not just with God, but with every other thing.
“He had that privilege.
“God told Hezekiah that he would not recover, but he would die.
“God said: ‘Set your house in order for you shall die.’
“It is one of the greatest ways to die.
“People like that will never miss heaven.
“That is the assurance that Hon. Justice Adegboye Gbolagunte has gone to be with Christ.”
Addressing the children left behind by the late jurist, Rev. Oyedemi said: “You have a mother with strong faith and a prayerful one.
“You have a father with a high level of integrity, who was not corrupt.
“You must hold aloft the two qualities of your parents.
“If we have many of Justice Gbolagunte in Nigeria, the country would be better.
“He stood for integrity.
“Public service holders should ruminate on this.
“His colleagues should search themselves how they are dispensing justice.
“Bad leadership persists when there is bad followership.
“In Nigeria, we combine the two.
“Are our leaders of today not followers of the past?
“How much has their past criticisms helped our Nation now?
“Let us ruminate on this.”
In attendance at the funeral service were dignitaries from all walks of life, including the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Debo Ogundoyin; many Judges, serving and retired; Senior Advocates of Nigeria; Nigerian Bar Association executives and members; old secondary school mates of the deceased from Birch Freeman High School, Surulere, Lagos; Baale of Aborerin in Eruwa, High Chief Olaide Ojedapo; friends and relatives of the Gbolagunte family.
It will be recalled that a Special Valedictory Court Session was held in honour of Justice Gbolagunte on July 22, 2024 at the Oyo state High Court in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, during the weeklong celebration of his exit.
On July 23, 2024 at New Estate Baptist Church, Surulere, Lagos, a Commendation Service took place for the deceased, while on July 25, there was a Service of Songs at Jogor Centre in Ibadan.
News
2027: Mbah Leads the Charge as Enugu APC Unveils Campaign Council
…Sen. Nnamani, Nwobodo, Dr. Nnamani, Chime, Ugwuanyi, Prof. Nnaji, Arthur Eze, Frank Nweke, Madueke, others get advisory roles
…Udeh, Nwoye, Utazi, Egumgbe, Ben Collins Ndu, Onyia, others head 51 Directorates
…Council to be inaugurated on Tuesday
The Enugu State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), on Monday, unveiled the party’s Campaign Council ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Campaign Council, comprising 51 Directorates, is chaired by the Governor of the state, Dr. Peter Mbah, while the Deputy Governor, Barr. Ifeanyi Ossai; Deputy National Chairman, APC (South); Speaker, Enugu State House of Assembly, Hon. Uchenna Ugwu; and the Chairman of the party in the state, Dr. Martin Chukwunweike, are Vice Chairmen.
The list signed by Chukwunweike and the Secretary of Enugu APC, Hon. Chukwudi Nnadozie, also has Chief Charlie Mbah as the Director-General of the Campaign Organisation and Dr. Eric Oluedo as the Secretary-General.
Deacon Okey Ogbodo, Dr. Dan Shere, and Hon. S.K.E. Udeh-Okoye are Deputy Campaign DGs for Enugu East Senatorial District, Enugu North Senatorial District, and Enugu West Senatorial District, respectively.
Barr. Steve Oruruo is the Campaign Spokesperson and Director of the Public Communication Committee, with Dr. Austin Okolie as co-spokesperson and Dr. Malachy Agbo as Secretary.

Mazi Uche Anichukwu and Dan Nwomeh, both drawn from the Governor’s media team, head the Directorate of New Media and Strategic Communication and the Directorate of Mainstream Media, respectively. Dr. Collins Ogbu is the Secretary of the former, while Dr. Reuben Onyishi is the Secretary of the latter.
Barr. Victor Udeh leads the Administration Directorate, while Dr. Ben Nwoye and Arc. Uche Nwatu are the Director and Co-Director of the Fundraising Committee, respectively.
Former Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ikechukwu Ogalla (Rtd.), chairs the Security Directorate, while former Inspector General of Police, Ogbono Onovo (Rtd.), is the Secretary.
The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology is in charge of the Directorate of Government Appointees Coordination (Federal and State), with Prof. Chidiebere Onyia as Secretary, while former Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Eugene Odoh, heads Inter-Party Affairs.
Senator Osita Ngwu, Senator Ikeje Asogwa, and Senator Kelvin Chukwu are Coordinators of the Campaign Council in Enugu West, Enugu North, and Enugu East, respectively.
Meanwhile, in their co-signed statement, Chukwunweike and Nnadozie said the size of the Campaign Council was a reflection of “the conviction that every community, ward, local government area, professional group, support organisation, youth body, women’s group, elder, party faithful and person of goodwill must be seen, heard and meaningfully engaged.”
“Appointment into the campaign structure is therefore not merely an honour; it is a call to duty, accountability and measurable contribution,” they stated.
The Council will be inaugurated at the International Conference Centre, Enugu on Tuesday, October 27, 2026.
All members of the Campaign Council are to be seated before 3pm.
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News
Terrorists Abduct Sunday Igboho’s Iru Ekun Security Group Members in Kwara
Tension has gripped parts of Kwara State following the reported abduction of members of the Iru Ekun Security Group, a security outfit spearheaded by Yoruba nation agitator Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho.
The assailants reportedly abducted the security operatives and forced them to renounce their activities of protecting communities in the state.
According to reports, the abducted members pleaded for their release and were compelled to renounce their community protection activities.
The Iru Ekun Security Group was established to protect Yoruba communities in Kwara State against terrorist attacks and kidnappings.
The reported abduction has sparked fear among residents who rely on the group for protection against insecurity in their communities.

As of the time of filing this report, Igboho had yet to issue a statement on the reported abduction of the security group members.
News
Ifeanyi Ubah’s Elder Sister, Fidelia Chigbogu, Dies Suddenly at 61
Fidelia Ezinwanne Chigbogu, the immediate elder sister of the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, has died at the age of 61.
Mrs Chigbogu, fondly called “Darling” by her husband, reportedly slumped and died on Sunday morning in Lagos while preparing to attend church.
Her husband, Chudi Chidinma Chigbogu, a native of Nnewi in Nnewi North Local Government Area of Anambra State, described her death as a devastating shock, saying she had shown no signs of illness before the incident.
“It was like a shock to me because, even as I am talking to you now, I never believed it,” he said.
Narrating the circumstances surrounding her death, Mr Chigbogu said the family had experienced an electrical incident the previous Thursday when their electricity meter exploded and burnt their changeover room.

He said they had contacted officials of the electricity distribution company, who promised to visit on Monday to replace and relocate the meter.
“We were busy waiting for them. My wife said she would give testimony in church on Sunday, and we were preparing for that,” he said.
According to him, his wife woke up on Sunday morning without any apparent health complaints and was preparing to leave for church when the incident occurred.
“That Sunday morning, she woke up. There was nothing like a headache, nothing like fever, nothing. She finished bathing and was preparing to go to church. She usually leaves home between 7 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. because of the roles she plays in the church,” he said.
Mr Chigbogu explained that he was washing his car because of dust when he became concerned that his wife had not come downstairs.
“I went to wash the car because of dust. Around 8 a.m., I called my son and said, ‘Why has mummy not come down? Go and check.’
“Only for the boy to go and start screaming that he called his mummy and she did not answer. He lifted her hand, and her hand dropped,” he recounted.
He said he immediately rushed upstairs and found his wife lying unresponsive on the bed.
“I called her names, no way. I alerted neighbours, and we carried her to six hospitals. Anywhere we went, they would take me aside and say I didn’t bring her on time, that she had passed on.
“I said no, it was not possible, until we got to Navy Hospital, where they refused to admit her,” he said.
Mr Chigbogu said prayers continued at their home for several hours as the family struggled to come to terms with the tragedy.
He recalled that around 4 p.m., someone told him she had seen his wife in a vision, moving swiftly without looking back, which she interpreted as a sign that the deceased had made it to heaven.
“That was when I changed my mind and allowed an ambulance to come. She left here after 6 p.m. and got to the village around 7 a.m. the next day,” he said.
Describing his late wife, Mr Chigbogu said she was a natural leader, peacemaker and philanthropist who played a significant role in her family, church and community.
“Aside from calling her Darling, I called her many names because she was a leader. No matter the case in the family, she would settle it.
“She is the founder of a women’s group, played a very big role in the church and was known for her charitable work. Before her passing, she was working on her orphanage.
“Even though she is no more, I will not let her down. I will make sure that project comes to pass,” he said.
On her family background, Mr Chigbogu said her parents had seven children—three boys and four girls—and that his late wife was the second daughter.
He added that she was also one of the trustees of the Ubah family.
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