𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚

12/09/2025

Photos: Celebrity chef Hilda Baci has commenced cooking of what is set to be a record-breaking pot of jollof rice.

12/09/2025

The History of Saki

Story By: Chief Samuel Ojo Bada
First Edition (Yoruba): 1937.

Translated into English by:
Sh*tta Olajide Fasasi,
September 12, 2025.

Okere Sabi Ogbegbe (1881-1891):

Sabi was the son of Okere Otiti, whose reign was marked by good omens. Sabi Ogbegbe waged war against Iseyin.

The cause of the war, as previously mentioned, was that after Saki's conquest of Imeri, all the towns under Imeri and Iseyin, including Imeri itself, came under Saki's control.

However, when Olugbile became the Aseyin of Iseyin, he refused to pay homage and dues (Isakole) to Okere, as had been done in the past. This refusal led Okere to wage war against Iseyin.

The war was particularly tough for the people of Iseyin, who praised the Saki people, saying:

“Ojo ko t’ojo, Ojo ko t’ojo
Ti Okere Ogbegbe gb’ogun d’ode Isalu Omo kewu gbogbo ni n’tiro Awon agbaagba n’tidi w’ewu.”

When the sufferings became unbearable for Iseyin, they implored and pleaded with the people of Offa to help them fight Saki and gain their freedom.

The war was intense, and after its conclusion, Alaafin Aole intervened and settled the dispute. He drew a river between Iseyin and Ipapo as a demarcation and named it Paala River (Odo Paala), which remains so to this day. The Olofa who led the Offa soldiers in assisting Iseyin was Olumorin, accompanied by many soldiers. Adegun was the name of the Onikoyi who led the Ikoyi soldiers to the war.

Oriki Okere Sabi Ogbegbe;
“Ogbegbe sata ewa
A r’ohun wonla
Arowosoju porongodo bii ina j’Oko
Okere Ogbegbe to l’esim mefa l’agbala
Meta n jawe odan je
Meji nm’oguro
Agabiawu ni nmu Oti Oyinbo
Asin aronjo
Sata ewa porongodo bi ina j’Oko
Onsese Ilari baba Akuku
Origbagba ni baba Orikunkun
Ogun l’o la muwagun Lori
Okere mi Asamu
Olubiti, ja ka Woran Oko ayaba”

*To be continued…………….

12/09/2025

𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟕: 𝐏𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐎𝐛𝐢 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐆𝐨𝐨𝐝𝐥𝐮𝐜𝐤 𝐉𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐛𝐮𝐣𝐚

Labour Party's 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, held a private meeting with former President Goodluck Jonathan in Abuja on Thursday to discuss pressing national issues. The closed-door meeting, which Obi described as "fruitful," aimed to address the state of the nation.

Obi took to his official X handle to share details of the meeting, referring to Jonathan as his "very dear elder brother, statesman, and leader". While specifics of their conversation remain undisclosed, the meeting has sparked speculation about potential political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“Today in Abuja, I met with my very dear elder brother, statesman, and leader, former President Goodluck Jonathan. We had a fruitful closed-door meeting and discussed the state of our dear nation,” Obi wrote.

12/09/2025

𝐍𝐔𝐏𝐄𝐍𝐆, 𝐃𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐨𝐭𝐞 𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐡 𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐞𝐫 𝐝𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬’ 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐥 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐩𝐬𝐞𝐬

The fragile truce between the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers and the $20bn Dangote Petroleum Refinery has collapsed, igniting a fierce industrial dispute that threatens fuel supply stability and tests the Federal Government’s ability to enforce labour agreements.

The confrontation follows allegations by NUPENG that the Dangote Group reneged on a Memorandum of Understanding signed earlier this week, under which the refinery agreed to allow tanker drivers and other workers to freely unionise.

On Thursday, NUPENG’s National President, Williams Akporeha, accused Sayyu Aliu Dantata, a cousin of Aliko Dangote and key player in the refinery’s trucking operations, of defying the resolution reached on September 9 at the Department of State Services headquarters in Abuja.

The meeting, mediated by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammadu Dingyadi, affirmed the rights of Petroleum Tanker Drivers under NUPENG to unionise. Representatives of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Trade Union Congress, DSS, and other agencies witnessed the signing of the MoU.

But Akporeha alleged that within 48 hours, Dantata ordered drivers to strip NUPENG stickers from their vehicles and forcefully enter the refinery in violation of union loading procedures.

“Alhaji Sayyu Aliu Dantata flew over them several times with his helicopter and then called the navy of the Federal Republic to come over ostensibly to crush the union officials. Our members are waiting for him and his agents to run them over,” Akporeha said in a statement.

The union condemned what it described as Dantata’s “impunity” and warned the Federal Government not to allow security agencies funded by taxpayers to be used against workers.

“His wealth cannot make him above the law. Security agents should not allow an individual to ride roughshod even while not observing terms of agreement reached in meetings in which they themselves facilitated,” Akporeha added.

NUPENG’s leadership placed members on “red alert” for the possible resumption of a nationwide strike, suspended earlier in the week when the MoU was signed. The union also called on the NLC, TUC, civil society organisations, and international labour allies to rise in solidarity.

On Thursday evening, NUPENG’s General Secretary, Afolabi Olawale, alleged that the Dangote management was planning to use towing trucks to remove vehicles used by the union to block non-compliant trucks. In response, NUPENG reportedly reinforced its blockade at the refinery gates.

The row began when NUPENG accused the refinery of attempting to bar drivers of its 4,000 compressed natural gas trucks from joining any union, describing the move as an affront to freedom of association guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution and international labour conventions.

The refinery’s scheme to deploy CNG trucks for fuel distribution, earlier scheduled for August, was delayed due to logistics issues in China but is expected to commence before year-end. NUPENG alleged that the refinery’s management and MRS, owned by Dantata, compelled drivers to sign undertakings not to join oil and gas unions.

The situation escalated into a strike on September 8, shutting down depots and filling stations across the country. But after government intervention, both sides signed the MoU, prompting NUPENG to suspend the strike.

Fuel marketers, under the Petroleum Products Retail Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria, urged all parties to respect the truce, to avoid an industrial action that may arise due to such disagreements.

PETROAN’s President, Billy Gillis-Harry, said attempts to renege on the agreement were “not in good taste.”

“All parties should adhere to the terms and spirit of the MoU signed.

12/09/2025

Akpoti-Uduaghan: Counsel, NLC, PDP insist on resumption

COUNSEL to Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan(PDP, Kogi Central), Mr Michael Numa, SAN, has written to the Clerk to the National Assembly, CNA, KaKamorudeen Ogunlana, to recall the Senator to enable her to resume her legislative duties; failure to comply by Monday, contempt proceedings would be initiated against him.

12/09/2025

Gen. Murtala Mohammed shakes hands with Lt. Col. Ibrahim Babangida after the latter takes his oath of office as a member of the Supreme Military Council at Dodan Barracks, Lagos circa 1975.

Babangida was appointed to the council as one of its youngest members, serving from August 1, 1975, to October 30, 1979.

His appointment was suggested and facilitated by Olusegun Obasanjo.

11/09/2025

JUST IN: Dangote announces date for free fuel distribution

The Dangote refinery is set to commence its free fuel distribution scheme on Monday, starting with Lagos, the South West, Abuja, Kwara, Delta, Rivers, and Edo, respectively.

According to the Dangote Group spokesperson, Anthony Chiejina, the scheme will bring relief to millions of Nigerians by providing fuel at reduced prices.

“We are starting the free fuel distribution scheme on Monday. We will start with Lagos and the South West, Abuja, Kwara, Delta, Rivers, and Edo States. There will be a drop in price effective on Monday when the free distribution starts,” Chiejina said.

The refinery has dropped petrol retail prices to N841 per litre in Lagos and the South West, and N851 per litre in Abuja, Edo, Kwara, Rivers, and Delta States. This price reduction is expected to boost economic activity and reduce the financial burden on Nigerians.

Over 1,000 trucks have been received by the refinery to commence the programme, with more states expected to benefit from the scheme as additional trucks arrive in Nigeria.

The refinery has also embarked on a large-scale Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered truck roll-out to enhance logistic strength and reduce costs.

“Even though we recently noticed how the CNG prices doubled a week ago, that will not deter our 10,000 CNG truck roll-out this year,” the company said.

This initiative, TRIBUNE ONLINE gatheref, is part of Dangote’s efforts to improve fuel distribution and reduce costs, ultimately benefiting consumers.

The free fuel distribution scheme was initially slated to start in August but was delayed due to logistics challenges in China. Despite this setback, Dangote remains committed to its goal of providing affordable fuel to Nigerians.

11/09/2025

𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔: 𝐈 𝐰𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐲 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐭, 𝐀𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐤𝐞 𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬.

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has assured his supporters that he would not betray their trust if given the opportunity to serve beyond his current tenure.

11/09/2025

The History of Saki:

Story By: Chief Ojo Bada
First Edition (Yoruba): 1937

Translated into English by: Sh*tta Olajide Fasasi, September 11, 2025

Ilorin War:

Alaafin Oluewu waged a massive war to ensure the complete ouster of the Fulanis from the entire Yoruba land. He believed that if all the Yoruba communities joined the war, victory was certain. Alaafin Oluewu invited all the Yoruba communities, including the Ibarubas, who were Saki’s friends, to join the war against the Fulanis. However, lack of coordination, hypocrisy, and religious differences caused feud among the Yorubas, leading them to abandon the war. Oluewu and 13 Ibaruba Obas who joined the war were killed, marking the beginning of the crisis between Ibaruba and Yoruba.

The Ibarubas, seeking revenge for the deaths of their kings, began waylaying and ambushing Yorubas on commercial trips, terrorizing and molesting women, maiming and killing, and attacking small communities. As a result, inhabitants of these small towns began migrating to bigger towns for safety. The loss of the war greatly saddened Bada Alausa, as all the efforts he and his soldiers made in Saki, Gbodo, and Otefon were rendered fruitless.

War:

During the reign of Okere Otiti (1675-1745), Alaafin Ajagbe waged war against Ogbooro, and Saki joined the war. However, several towns, including Agbonle, Tede, and Imeri, supported Ogbooro against Saki. Despite being outnumbered, Saki won the war. Aftermath, parts of Imeri and Tede migrated to Saki and settled in Sangote and Oga. Following the war, Iseyin and other towns under Imeri came under Saki’s authority until Aseyin Olugbile’s time, when Iseyin gained freedom.

War:

The king of Sabe waged war against Saki, but Saki emerged victorious. The people of Saki threw rocks from Adabara Hill, killing many Sabes, while others fled. The Sabe warlords who led the attack were called Soforo, giving rise to the Yoruba adage, “Asabari ko ko Ija, Oloogun ko ko are.”

War:

When the Ibaribas kidnapped people from Oyo towns in Gbere, they came to Kusu near Saki. Upon learning this, the Tapas attacked, but Alaafin implored Saki for assistance. Saki waged war against the Tapas, chasing them away and preventing them from returning.

in Saki:

When Alaafin Ehungunoju came to Saki, Okere told him to look for a place wherever he liked. He chose a place called Ayekale, which remains so to date. At the time, he met no one there. However, after some time, he pleaded with Okere to give him another place because the hill called Ofefe at Ayekale was disturbing his horses whenever he wanted to come to town. Okere allocated another place called Aafin to him, which is still known by that name to date.

When the Tapas heard about the presence of Oyo in Saki, they came to Saki, but the Saki people were too strong for them again. Saki won and chased them away.

*To be continued.………

11/09/2025

Meet Clement Onyemelukwe
The Man Who Designed the Nigerian National Grid.
Onyemelukwe initiated the planning and development of the electricity grid still used in Nigeria today when he became Chief Electrical Engineer in 1962.

10/09/2025

𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚 Face of the week.

Hon. Sh*ttu Ibraheem Aremu.

10/09/2025

Barr. Akeem Agbaje, chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and 2027 governorship aspirant in Oyo State, earlier yesterday honoured the invitation of the Plant and Machineries Mechanic Association of Nigeria (PAMMAM), Oyo State Chapter, at the official ribbon-cutting ceremony of the association’s newly completed office complex.

Barr. Akeem Agbaje, chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and 2027 governorship aspirant in Oyo State, earlier yesterday honoured...