Author: user user

Court lifts restraining order vs Socoteco II-Ignite plebiscite

A power cooperative in South Cotabato has secured victory over an attempt to block a plebiscite on its proposed partnership with Ignite Power and Energy Holdings Inc.

In a 12-page ruling dated September 11, the Regional Trial Court in Polomolok, South Cotabato, has granted South Cotabato II Electric Cooperative’s (Socoteco II) motion to lift a temporary restraining order (TRO), removing legal hurdles for member-consumer-owners to vote on the planned deal.

It lifts a September 4 restraining order, extended to September 24, affecting the initial voting set earlier this month.

The court dismissed as ‘speculative’ the allegations of a lack of transparency in Socoteco II’s move approving the conditional joint venture agreement.

‘What plaintiff offers is a conjecture presented as violation, and an injunction will not protect a right founded on nothing more than speculative claim,’ the decision read.

It added, ‘The parties still need to finalize the proposed deal, as it remains conditional and incomplete.’

If irregularities marred the plebiscite, the court stated that the plaintiff could still present his case and seek to nullify it, including the planned joint venture.

‘The JVA remains subject to a final, independent stage. It has not yet happened. Until it does, whatever consequence plaintiff fears from it remains a possibility hedged by condition, not an injury demonstrable in the present,’ the court said.

Socoteco II, meanwhile, said that voting could now proceed, with dates set on September 19 to 20 and September 26 to 27.

Manny Pacquiao, the boxing legend and former Senator, backs Ignite Power, along with Prime Electric Holdings Inc., led by Razon.

Ridon cites relevance of VP Sara’s husband in unexplained wealth charge

Lawyer Manases ‘Mans’ Carpio is highly relevant to the unexplained wealth charge against his wife, Vice President Sara Z. Duterte, because what he owns also bears on her wealth, House impeachment prosecutor and Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon said Saturday.

‘Very relevant po ‘yung asawa po ng Pangalawang Pangulo dahil, siyempre, basically kung ano po ‘yung pag-aari ni Atty. Carpio ay pag-aari din po ng ating Pangalawang Pangulo,’ Ridon said during the Saturday News Forum in Quezon City.

Ridon, who co-leads the prosecution of Article II with Akbayan Party-list Rep. Chel Diokno, said questioning Carpio could help establish the actual extent of the couple’s properties, wealth and business interests.

‘So I think very relevant po ‘yung mga pagtatanong patungkol doon sa mga actual na extent ng kanilang mga ari-arian, ‘yun pong actual na extent ng kanilang mga kayamanan at kanilang mga kumpanya,’ he said.

Ridon said the prosecution is therefore keeping open the option of calling Carpio as a hostile witness as it begins presenting evidence on the unexplained wealth charge Monday.

‘So as it is, asking him to be a hostile witness for the prosecution today remains on the table,’ he said.

The Senate impeachment court earlier allowed subpoenas for bank and tax records involving Duterte, Carpio and their companies.

Prosecutors have since received copies of the documents for use in Article II.

Ridon also expressed the view that Carpio could not necessarily invoke the same right against self-incrimination that Duterte might assert if she were called to testify.

‘So if the Vice President, for example, will insist on her right against self-incrimination, I don’t think Atty. Carpio can actually raise that same particular point,’ Ridon said.

Any invocation of the constitutional protection against self-incrimination would have to be resolved in relation to the particular questions posed before the impeachment court.

Prosecutors are reviewing more than 1,800 financial documents for Article II, including bank and tax records involving Duterte, Carpio and their companies.

Kwara traditional ruler dies 16 days after regaining freedom from abductors

The traditional ruler of Igbesi community in the Isin local government area of Kwara, Oba Moses Oyinloye Iwedunmoye I, who was recently rescued from abductors, has died.

Tribune Online gathered that the monarch died early Saturday morning after a brief illness in a private hospital following his release on August 27.

The death of the traditional ruler of Igbesi-land was announced on Saturday by the National President of Omo Ibile Igbomina, Bisi Fakayode.

Fakayode, who expressed sadness over the development, prayed for the repose of the monarch’s soul.

The monarch’s son, Prince Olasunkanmi, also confirmed the death.

‘Yes, the news is true. He died after a brief illness following his release. We took him to the hospital, hoping he would survive, but he died there very early this morning.’

Also, the coordinator of the Kwara South Joint Security Watch, Elder Olaitan Oyin Zubair, in a tribute, said, ‘With deep sorrow, we received the news of the passing of Oba Onigbesi of Igbesi.

‘We have lost a committed son of Igbesi and a revered monarch.

‘On behalf of myself, my family, and all members of Joint Security Watch Kwara South, including all security operatives who participated in the rescue of the late Oba Oyinloye, we commiserate with his immediate family, the entire Igbesi people, and the Isin LGA over this monumental loss.

‘It is indeed saddening that despite our efforts to save his life, it ended in futility’.

‘We strongly suspect that the late Oba Oyinloye died from the trauma he suffered during his abduction.

‘As a matter of fact, he looked too feeble after the rescue. We had wished and prayed that he would be alive.

‘Our only solace is that he was rescued, and that he passed on in the hands of his loved ones’.

Also, the Igbomina Elders Council, under the leadership of Chief Solo Olaoye, has commiserated with the family, Igbesi Community, Isin Traditional Council, and the people of Isin LG on the death of Oba Oyinloye.

In a statement signed by the secretary of the group, Chief Layi Ogundele, the people said that the death was an aftermath of the monarch’s recent abduction, ‘by the evil men and subsequent rescue by security operatives.

‘This is another avoidable death, too many in Igbomina land. While we commend our security personnel’s efforts, we urge the governments at all levels to continue to confront this hydraheaded moster, i.e. kidnapping and banditry in Igbomina land until sanity returns to our land’.

Tinubu is Nigeria’s greatest-ever leader – PEBEC DG

The Director General of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), Princess Zahrah Mustapha Audu, has described President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as ‘Nigeria’s greatest-ever leader,’ arguing that his legacy should be judged by institution-building and difficult reforms rather than short-term comfort.

Audu said Nigeria is living through a moment of consequential leadership and urged Nigerians to examine Tinubu’s record seriously rather than dismiss it as political hyperbole.

Audu, who is also the National Publicity Secretary of the City Boy Movement, traced Tinubu’s political life three decades back from his time as a senator in the Third Republic, pro-democracy activist and exile, to his two terms as Governor of Lagos State starting in 1999.

She said the intellectual origins of the Tinubu presidency were visible in Lagos where he confronted the contradiction of extraordinary private dynamism coexisting with inadequate public capacity.

‘States do not become effective because their leaders possess admirable intentions. They become effective when institutions can mobilise revenue, formulate policy, execute decisions, enforce rules predictably and the capacity to govern,’ Audu said.

Audu said Tinubu ended the politics of postponement and defended the administration’s removal of the petrol subsidy and other economic reforms while acknowledging that they have imposed genuine hardship on Nigerians. She argued that previous governments understood Nigeria’s structural problems including subsidy costs, forex imbalances, weak revenues and infrastructure deficits but lacked the political will to confront them.

‘President Tinubu disrupted that logic. Leadership sometimes requires choosing not between difficulty and comfort, but between the difficulty of adjustment today and the greater danger of structural failure tomorrow.’

She said PEBEC through its broader business-facilitation framework aimed to reduce the institutional cost of being productive in Nigeria and to ensure that government facilitates legitimate enterprise rather than constitute an obstacle to it.

While highlighting ongoing reforms to make government more efficient, she linked the reforms to Tinubu’s commitment to building a $1 Trillion Economy by 2030 adding that Nigeria has never been more efficient and accountable.

Audu said Tinubu’s greatness rests not on perfection or a single policy, but on accumulation of political struggle, development of people, institutions and ultimately the accumulation of difficult decisions taken.

‘Nigeria has an unfortunate habit of becoming intellectually generous toward its leaders only after they are gone. We should not require death to become historically fair. Giving President Tinubu his flowers does not mean suspending scrutiny.’

President Tinubu’s work is unfinished. History’s final verdict cannot yet be written. But his place in Nigerian history is already impossible to ignore,’ she added.

Osun Govt to ASUU: UNIOSUN is a leading implementer of FGN-ASUU Agreement

The Osun State Government has described as mischievous and inexplicable the failure of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to acknowledge the state’s efforts in implementing the 2025 Federal Government-ASUU Agreement at Osun State University (UNIOSUN), insisting that the institution is a leading implementer of the pact.

In a statement issued in Osogbo by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Oluomo Kolapo Alimi, the government said it was responding to a press release by ASUU’s National Executive Council at the end of its emergency meeting held in Abuja on Saturday, 5 September 2026, particularly the portions relating to the implementation of the agreement and the governance of UNIOSUN.

While acknowledging ASUU’s constitutional and statutory right to express its views and advocate for the welfare of its members, the government said it was necessary to correct ‘certain misleading impressions’ in the union’s statement, especially where such claims concern the commitment and performance of the Osun State Government.

‘It is particularly curious that ASUU’s statement, while commending a number of state governments for commencing implementation of the 2025 FGN-ASUU Agreement, failed to acknowledge the demonstrable efforts of the Osun State Government in this regard,’ the statement read.

The government stated that it had implemented the agreement at UNIOSUN even before the Federal Government and had commenced payment of the applicable arrears, noting that Governor Ademola Adeleke was the second governor, after Ekiti State, to approve the salary.

‘The omission of Osun State from ASUU’s commendation of states that have commenced implementation is therefore surprising and inexplicable. The Osun State Government considers this omission as mischief. Our commitment to staff welfare is unparalleled, and the records in our university speak to this claim,’ it said.

The government rejected any insinuation that it had been indifferent to the welfare of academic staff or that it had failed to honour its obligations under the agreement, noting that while ASUU itself acknowledged that several issues remained outstanding in the federal university system, including unpaid portions of withheld salaries and deductions, it was unfair to create the impression that Osun State had adopted a similar posture towards its own university.

The government also faulted ASUU’s claim that the Osun State University Law is a domesticated version of the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) Act, 2012, describing the assertion as incorrect.

‘Osun State University has its own Establishment Law enacted by the Osun State House of Assembly. The university is therefore governed by its enabling legislation and the statutory framework applicable to its organs, including the Visitor, the Governing Council and other duly constituted authorities of the institution,’ the statement said.

It added that the attempt by ASUU to present the Federal Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act as though it were the controlling legislation for UNIOSUN was ‘legally misconceived,’ stressing that the university does not derive its existence, powers and governance structure from the federal law.

‘This distinction is not merely semantic. It is fundamental to any serious legal analysis of the governance of UNIOSUN,’ the government said.

Tenure of Vice-Chancellor: Government Defends Legislative Process

The government further rejected the suggestion that the decision concerning the tenure of the Vice-Chancellor was an arbitrary executive action designed to circumvent the law, explaining that the matter had been subjected to the appropriate constitutional and legislative process permitted under Osun State law.

‘Following the decision of the Visitor, the Osun State House of Assembly exercised its legislative authority to amend the relevant provisions of the Osun State University Establishment Law,’ it said.

The government said it found it difficult to understand the basis upon which ASUU, ‘a trade union,’ sought to substitute its interpretation for that of the constitutionally empowered institutions of government, adding that a law made by the legislature can, subject to the Constitution and applicable legislative procedure, be amended by the legislature.

‘It is therefore misleading to describe the legislative intervention as an attempt to undermine the rule of law. On the contrary, the legislative amendment is itself an exercise of the rule of law. The Osun State Government remains committed to due process, constitutional governance and the supremacy of law,’ the statement said.

No Crisis in UNIOSUN, Says Govt

The government expressed particular concern about attempts to frame the UNIOSUN issue as an existential crisis capable of precipitating industrial action, insisting that the university remained open, functional and focused on its core mandates of teaching, research, innovation and community service.

‘There is therefore no basis for portraying Osun State University as an institution in crisis or a bad example. We operate our state university using the legally recognised and approved procedure. We are not telling other states to do like us. Every state has its own rule and system of operation,’ it said.

While acknowledging ASUU as a recognised and important stakeholder in the university system whose contributions to the welfare of academic staff are appreciated, the government said being a stakeholder does not confer on the union the statutory authority to exercise or direct the powers vested in the Visitor, the Governing Council, the university administration or the Osun State House of Assembly.

It consequently called on the leadership of ASUU to verify its facts before issuing statements that could unnecessarily inflame passions or create an impression of institutional instability.

‘It is particularly important that a union of academics should be guided by facts, evidence and the applicable law. If ASUU wishes to engage the Osun State Government on the welfare of academic staff, the government remains prepared to engage constructively. But such engagement must be based on facts rather than assumptions, law rather than conjecture, and dialogue rather than threats of industrial action,’ the statement said.

The government said it would continue to honour its legitimate obligations to academic staff, support the growth and development of UNIOSUN and defend the statutory authority of the duly constituted organs of the university and the state, adding that it would not be distracted by attempts to create unnecessary tension around an institution that remains stable and committed to academic excellence.

‘The doors of the Osun State Government remain open to responsible engagement with ASUU and all other stakeholders. However, the government will continue to insist that every stakeholder, including ASUU, must operate within the bounds of the law and respect the authority of constitutionally and statutorily established institutions,’ the statement concluded.

Bicolana Margarette Briton to travel the world as Miss Interglobal winner

Bicolana beauty queen Margarette Briton is buckling up for a tour of different countries around the world as Miss Interglobal titleholder, with several destinations already planned for her by the international pageant organization.

Briton was crowned at what the Miss Interglobal Organization said was their first-ever edition held in Bali, Indonesia, on Aug. 30. She emerged victorious from a field with just more than a dozen contenders spread across three categories-Miss, Teen and Mrs.

The pageant should not be confused with another competition of the same title, where Miriam Refuerzo Damoah of the Philippines assumed the title in 2021 after Thai winner Nachita Jantana’s resignation.

Briton faced journalists and online content creators for her first press conference as newly crowned queen at a quadruple-billed media event hosted by ALV Pageant Circle at the vestibule of Newport Performing Arts Theater in Pasay City on Sept. 10.

‘I have international trips, first in Portugal, then in Africa, in Miami, Florida, and New York, plus the Netherlands. So I am excited to work as Miss Interglobal, and also to show them what a Filipino beauty queen can do,’ she said.

Briton said she was highly motivated by Katrina Llegado’s Miss Supranational victory in Poland in July when she embarked on her own journey to an international title. The two queens were trained by the pageant camp TCI (The Crown Initiative).

‘I always thought to myself that if one girl is capable of making her dreams come true, then I am also capable to make my dreams come true, especially that I am having the same foundation as ‘Ate’ Katrina, and with ALV, with ALV Talents, and of course the organizers, and from the Bicolano teams. I really told myself that everything is possible because I am not fighting alone,’ she said.

Briton has been surrounded by international pageant winners. Aside from Llegado, she also counts reigning Miss Grand International Emma Tiglao and current Face of Beauty International winner Nikki Buenafe Cheveh as close connections.

She was first runner-up at the 2025 edition of the now-defunct Miss Grand Philippines pageant mounted by ALV Pageant Circle, the competition that produced both Tiglao and Cheveh, who both scored back-to-back victories for the Philippines at their respective international competitions.

Briton may be set for a world tour as Miss Interglobal, but she will be coming back home to relinquish her title. The international organization had just announced that the Philippines will be the host country for both the ‘Miss’ and ‘Mister’ competitions scheduled in September next year.

?22.3m farmer grant scheme, herbal products scandal: Police arrest suspect as NAFDAC takes over

What began as a purported farmers’ empowerment programme promising beneficiaries up to ?3 million each has landed a 49-year-old man, Benjamin, in police custody in Osun State, amid allegations of fraud and the sale of unregistered herbal products.

The suspect, however, has rejected allegations of fraud, insisting that he was using proceeds from his herbal products business to support farmers through his Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO).

Benjamin was arrested by detectives of the Osun State Police Command following a petition alleging fraudulent acts, obtaining money by false pretences and stealing.

The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, said the arrest followed a directive by the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Zungura, after the command received complaints from concerned persons over the activities of the suspect.

According to Ojelabi, preliminary investigation revealed that Benjamin allegedly claimed that some philanthropists had engaged him to assist selected farmers with grants of up to ?3 million each.

The alleged initiative, known as the Farmer and Consumers Initiative, was introduced around May 2026.

Under the programme, participants were reportedly promised an initial payment of ?50,000 after the first week, followed by ?100,000 and ?200,000 at subsequent stages until each beneficiary received a total of ?3 million.

However, participants were allegedly required to pay ?5,000 as registration and introduce two other people into the programme, with each new participant also expected to pay the registration fee.

The police said about 4,000 people were reportedly registered through the complainants and allegedly fulfilled the stated requirements.

The complainants further alleged that approximately ?22,329,050 was paid to Benjamin in connection with the scheme.

As doubts grew over the legitimacy of the programme and the promised financial support failed to materialise as expected, the matter was reportedly taken to the police.

But beyond the alleged farmer-support scheme, investigators uncovered another issue: the suspect’s involvement in the production and distribution of herbal products without the required regulatory certification.

Among the products allegedly manufactured and distributed by Benjamin are Reumax Syrup, Kaye Bitters, Ginger, Extra-Time Detoxpro, Herbal Blood Tonic, Atura Herbal Balm, Herbal Tea and Exotic Fruit Flavor.

The discovery has now brought the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) into the matter.

The police said the herbal products aspect of the investigation had been referred to NAFDAC for necessary regulatory action, while the alleged fraud case remained under investigation.

Speaking with Saturday Tribune during an interview, Benjamin denied defrauding anyone, maintaining that his intention was to assist farmers with money from his personal business proceeds. He said he founded the Philanthropic Global Network Foundation in 2010 to assist needy and less-privileged people, adding that he later introduced an Agricultural Support Fund for farmers.

According to him, the controversy began after a man identified as Banji, who allegedly claimed to be a director of a farmers’ group, approached him about assisting farmers. Benjamin said his NGO agreed to support the farmers but imposed a condition that participants purchased one of his herbal products. He explained that the product was initially sold for ?5,000 but that he later reduced the price to ?3,500 and refunded ?1,500 to those who had already paid the higher amount.

‘I told the man that bringing his people to the programme was free, but on one condition: the person would buy one of my herbal products, which was sold for ?3,500,’ he said. Benjamin maintained that the condition was intended to promote his herbal products and not to defraud the participants.

He said the products included herbal blood tonic, bitters, detoxifier and balm, adding that proceeds from their sales were used to fund his assistance to farmers, and that about N50 million had been given out to some beneficiaries.

On the herbal business itself, Benjamin disclosed that he registered Bright Life International with the Corporate Affairs Commission in 2025.

He said the company was established for the sale of herbal products and pharmaceutical equipment, including blood-monitoring machines. However, the suspect admitted that he had not registered his herbal products with NAFDAC before commencing their sale in April 2026.

The admission has consequently placed the regulatory aspect of the case within NAFDAC’s jurisdiction.

While Benjamin insists that his activities were motivated by a desire to help farmers rather than defraud them, the police said investigations into the alleged financial scheme are ongoing.

2027: Atiku/Amaechi ticket will rescue Nigeria, group insists

The Atiku/Amaechi Movement has urged opposition leaders to unite ahead of the 2027 general elections, insisting that the proposed Atiku Abubakar-Rotimi Amaechi ticket has the capacity to provide Nigerians with effective leadership.

The group made the declaration while reacting to recent comments by former Kano State Governor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, on Atiku’s 2027 presidential ambition.

In a statement issued by its National Director, Media and Communications, Hassan Sahabi Sanyinnawal, the movement said it respected Kwankwaso’s right to express his opinion but disagreed with attempts to undermine Atiku’s capacity to lead the country.

The group said the 2027 election should not be centred on personalities but on the ability of candidates to address the challenges confronting Nigerians.

‘2027 is not about personalities. It is about capacity, experience, and the urgent need to rescue Nigeria,’ the statement said.

It described Atiku as a former vice president with extensive experience in governance and a strong understanding of the Nigerian economy, saying he also possessed the national political reach required to unite the country.

The movement said Amaechi’s administrative experience would further strengthen the proposed ticket.

‘Paired with the administrative competence of Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, this ticket offers Nigerians the tested leadership they deserve at this critical time,’ it said.

According to the group, insecurity, poverty and national division were too serious to be overshadowed by disagreements among political leaders.

‘While we disagree with attempts to downplay this capacity, we will not engage in rancor. The challenges facing Nigerians – insecurity, poverty, and division – are too serious for distractions,’ it added.

The movement therefore called on opposition leaders and other patriotic Nigerians to put the interest of the country above personal differences and work towards a united front in 2027.

It said its doors remained open to dialogue and collaboration with political stakeholders committed to providing Nigerians with an alternative to the current administration.

‘Our doors remain open for dialogue, collaboration, and a united front to send a clear message in 2027,’ the statement said.

The group concluded: ‘Nigerians are tired and they deserve better. We are ready to provide it.’

Solar firm probe vs Legarda, son a waste of prosecution resources – spox

Sen. Loren Legarda’s camp said on Saturday that the investigations against her and her son, Batangas Rep. Leandro Leviste, over the latter’s solar power companies, were a ‘waste of prosecution resources’.

‘Ako, I see it as a waste of prosecution resources,’ Lawyer Tony La Viña, Legarda’s spokesperson, said when asked in a DWIZ interview.

(‘Me, I see it as a waste of prosecution resources,’)

A plunder and graft complaint against the two are under preliminary investigation at the Office of the Ombudsman in connection with P10.44-billion alleged irregularities involving Solar Para sa Bayan (SPBC) and Solar Philippines Power Project Holdings Inc., owned by Leviste while he was still a private citizen.

This also stems from the more than 30 service contracts in the government that Leviste won in 2013, which the Ombudsman said created a ‘monopoly’ of solar energy projects.

La Viña maintained that ‘no government money used, no government money was stolen,’ as he previously explained that service contracts and franchises acquired by Leviste are not allotted government funds and only used private funds.

He further said that the fines of failed service contracts were paid by Leviste.

‘Walang so-called 24 billion or 10 billion. Not a single document asking him to pay for that,’ he added.

(There is no so-called 24 billion or 10 billion. Not a single document asking him to pay for that.)

The spokesman argued that Legarda did not help her son secure a solar franchise when she was Senate Committee on Finance as the votes were unanimous.

‘Parang it’s absurd, ‘di ba, na just because you’re a senator and you have a son, automatically, ‘di ba, ginamit mo yung power mo para makuha ng anak niya yung mga franchisees or mga contracts,’ he expressed.

(It seems absurd, doesn’t it? That just because you’re a senator and have a son, it’s automatically assumed you used your influence to secure franchises or contracts for him.)

But he noted that the ‘most successful renewable energy project’ of the administration was among the solon’s projects.

‘That’s the nature of the business, ang sinasabi ko. Si Leandro is only one of several players in the business. But again, what Senator Legarda has nothing to do with that,’ he maintained.

Wole Arisekola moves a step higher

All roads may soon lead to the ancient city of Ibadan as prominent businessman and philanthropist, Wole Arisekola, inches closer to another traditional honour following his nomination for promotion in the revered Olubadan traditional institution.

Arisekola, who currently holds the title of Mogaji, has been nominated for elevation to the prestigious position of Jagun Olubadan by the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rasheed Adewolu Ladoja, in recognition of his contributions to the development and growth of Ibadan.

The nomination is expected to generate excitement within the city’s traditional and social circles, particularly among those who have followed Arisekola’s activities and investments in the development of his hometown.

Known for his interests in business, real estate and community development, Arisekola has, over the years, remained actively involved in initiatives aimed at contributing to the socio-economic development of Ibadan. His efforts have earned him goodwill among traditional institutions, business associates and members of the community.

His proposed elevation also comes as another recognition of the growing influence of accomplished professionals and business leaders within Ibadan’s traditional system, where chieftaincy titles have historically served as a bridge between the palace, the business community and the wider society.

For Arisekola, the journey from Mogaji to Jagun Olubadan, if eventually approved and formalised, will mark another significant chapter in his relationship with the traditional institution of Ibadanland.

Already, friends, associates and members of the Ibadan social establishment are said to be looking forward to the formal processes surrounding the elevation, with expectations that the eventual ceremony will attract an array of traditional rulers, business leaders, politicians, captains of industry and high society personalities.

For a city renowned for its rich history and deeply rooted traditional hierarchy, the prospect of seeing one of its prominent businessmen take on the revered Jagun Olubadan title is already generating considerable interest in Ibadan’s high society.