₦airaland Forum

The founder of Egbaliganza, Chief Lai Labode widely known as Aare Lai Labode, PhD; has ignited fresh controversy in Egbaland with a strongly worded letter to the Egba Statutory Chiefs in Council, sources close to the traditional institution have revealed.

In the missive, Labode reportedly threatened to withdraw his participation and the Egbaliganza branding from the iconic Lisabi Festival unless he is granted exclusive rights to “own and commercialize” the event. The demand, insiders say, has sent shockwaves through cultural and traditional circles, where many stakeholders view the festival as a sacred collective heritage rather than a private enterprise open to branding control.

The Lisabi Festival, now in its late 30s (with the 38th edition held in 2025) commemorates Lisabi Agbongbo Akala, the legendary 18th-century warrior who led the Egba people to liberation from Oyo Empire oppression. For generations of Egba indigenes, the annual celebration has stood as a solemn tribute to resistance, unity, and ancestral pride, long predating any modern fashion or commercial overlay.

However, critics within traditional ranks have accused Labode’s Egbaliganza initiative; which gained major prominence during the 2025 Lisabi celebrations of gradually shifting the focus from historical and spiritual reverence toward high-fashion spectacle, celebrity glamour, and commercial ambition.

While supporters argue that the movement has injected youthful energy, global visibility, and economic promise into Egba cultural identity; with projections of stimulating a billion-dollar indigenous textile market; detractors have described the trend as “cultural adulteration” that risks diluting the festival’s core essence.

Tensions have been further heightened by perceptions of personal ambition surrounding the development. Though Labode holds recognized traditional titles, including Osi-Apagun of Egbaland and later Aare of Egbaland, some insiders have quietly expressed discomfort over occasional self-references that appear to evoke the broader Yoruba military title of Aare Ona Kakanfo; a historically weighty honour not exclusive to Egbaland.

Observers have also speculated that the push for greater influence over the festival could be connected to wider strategic calculations, including possible political interests within Ogun State.

The latest ultimatum has revived earlier murmurs in some quarters that Egbaliganza; alongside parallel ventures reportedly linked to Labode, including Ijebu Tiganza, Eko Tiganza, and African Tiganza; may be heavily personality-driven and could struggle to sustain momentum independently over time. Some voices from neighbouring Ijebu circles have reportedly dismissed the initiative as a potential “fluke,” contrasting it with long-standing, multi-family cultural institutions such as Ojude Oba, which have endured for generations.

Despite the growing debate, traditional custodians remain firm in their position that the Lisabi Festival is the collective heritage of the Egba nation and not subject to private ownership.

One senior stakeholder, who spoke on condition of anonymity, stressed that cultural legacies must be protected from excessive commercialization.

“Cultural legacies outlive personalities,” the source said. “Lisabi’s spirit is not for sale.”

As the controversy continues to unfold, calls are mounting for urgent dialogue among key stakeholders to preserve Egba unity and safeguard the festival’s original purpose. Community leaders and cultural observers warn that how the matter is resolved could shape the future relationship between tradition and modern cultural enterprise in Egbaland.

Across the region, attention remains intense. Egbaland and observers throughout Yorubaland are watching the situation very closely, with growing interest and concern. Many are now waiting to see whether dialogue, compromise, or further confrontation will define the next chapter in the unfolding cultural standoff.

The purported publication that Nestoil and Neconde are under Receivership is blatantly false and an attempt to prejudice on going pending suit between First Bank Trustees and FBNQuest Merchant against Nestoil and others.

It is pertinent to note that an ex-parte application by plaintiffs for judicial recognition of their purported Receiver manager was refused. Further more all issues requesting Judicial recognition in the substantive suit by the plaintiffs on behalf of the secondary lender Banks led by First Bank are still pending for hearing at the Federal High Court Ikoyi Lagos.

Consequently any publication that Nestoil and Neconde are under Receivership is totally false ,prejucial and contempt of court.

An inchoate Receiver Manager appointment with out recognition by the court as in this case has no powers to seize the defendants assets including freezing of its accounts and that of its Directors.

The plaintiffs and its purported Receiver manager can not blow hot and cold at the same time.Nigeria law forbids self help.

The plaintiffs having gone to court,they should as lawful citizens await final determination of their suits for judicial recognition of the Receiver ship amongst other reliefs.

Over the years there's been a lot of talk and stories online about how 2Baba's "African Queen" was the 1st Afrobeats music to be used as the soundtrack and theme song of a Hollywood Movie, which was Phat Girlz. The filmmaker Nnegest Likké shares how that came to be as the song marks its 19th anniversary today, April 7
So after the film was in the can and the editing was done, it was time to score the movie and for me to select the songs and music I wanted for each scene. Beside me, giving his cultural and creative input was my Associate Producer and Story Consultant named Moses "Eagle" James, a Nigerian former World Boxing Champion and Olympian.

Moses is an Isoko boy from Delta State. And I mention that because in the movie there’s a scene where the 3 Nigerian doctor characters, Dr. Tunde, Dr. Akibo and Dr. Godwin, take the phat girlz to a big fancy Nigerian party convention and it’s an Isoko Convention. The reason it’s an Isoko convention in the film is because that was a real convention going on at the time in real life and the Isoko Association of North America allowed us to film scenes from our movie at their actual convention. It was such a grand gesture, them allowing our production to virtually take over their convention because shooting a movie interrupted their program. But they were so kind and generous to allow us to do that. So Moses hooked that up at his tribal convention and he was also helping me go through possible music for the soundtrack to find the best Afrobeats songs to match certain scenes. I knew from the start that I wanted to use Danfo Drivers music in the movie so I called the number on the back of their CD and reached their manager named Cornerstone.

I told him who I was and that I wanted to use a Danfo Drivers song in my movie. It was a simple and straightforward business transaction. We agreed on the fee and signed an agreement. I was so excited to have their music in the movie and knew it would elevate the scene I was using the Danfo Driver song for which was the limousine scene when they are all riding in the luxury limo from the hotel to the big Nigerian convention. So with the movie being a romantic comedy, I also needed to find a beautiful African love song to play over the love scenes. But all the Afrobeats songs I knew were fast songs. I didn’t know if there were any Afrobeats love songs. So me and Moses began searching the internet. At the time, that was only Myspace and people’s personal music websites. There was no YouTube or social media platforms because that was in 2005. Well I was searching Myspace for weeks with no luck. But I kept searching because I said there must be at least one romantic Nigerian song out there even if it's an old song. I said God, help me find a song. And he answered my prayer for real.

As I was going through song after song, finally, I stumbled across one that from the first few notes caught my attention. You know those first few iconic notes of African Queen, du-nuh-nuh du-nuh-nuh... I can hear the melody in my head. I was like OMG, this is the song! It was love at first sound!! After listening to the whole track, it was confirmed, this is the song. And it was ‘African Queen.’ Me and Moses both thought it was perfect. When my editor laid it on top of the movie for us to see how it felt, I was literally trembling with excitement because the song was so perfect for the romantic scenes. I said, oh my God, oh my God, Lord I MUST have this music in my movie!

So I called up my Second Unit Director in Nigeria, that’s the filmmaker and TV Producer and Founder of Zuri24 Media, Mr. Femi Odugbemi, who is another person I could not have made this film without.

I said, “Mr. Femi, I heard this song called ‘African Queen’ by some artist named 2Face and I NEED to have this song in my movie as the theme song! It's the perfect love song. This song was made for my film. How can I get it?!

Femi said, “Oh that song is very popular here in Nigeria, it’s a good song for the movie if you can get it.”

He said he would find a number for the artist and call me back. Five minutes later, he called me back with a phone number and said it was the singer's direct number. So I called the number and 2Face answered. I told him I'm a filmmaker from Hollywood calling from America and I heard his song ‘African Queen’ and I wanted to use it in my movie. I was naively expecting him to be as thrilled and happy as I was and just say, “Ok cool, yes, you can use it.”

But 2Face was politely like, “Oh no, sorry, it doesn't work like that. You have to talk to my manager. He’s in the US now.” So he gave me his manager’s number, who at that time was Kenny Ogungbe.

Well, let's just say that after a series of back and forth, suspenseful and nail-biting (for me) negotiations, we were able to strike a deal and I got ‘African Queen’ as the soundtrack.

After the movie came out, that song exploded in America. Not just with African-Americans, with all other races. Even white kids were singing it. The children of our head producer, Bobby Newmyer - a Jewish man and the same producer of Denzel Washington's Oscar-winning movie "Training Day" - were always playing 'African Queen' on their iPods saying it was their favorite song ever.

Everyone was playing it and it was so funny to hear white people singing, “You are my African queen…” Like who are they singing to, lol. But that's the beauty of music. It's universal, across all colour lines and culture. And that song that was already so big in Africa became iconic in America too.

So that's the story of how “African Queen” and also Danfo Drivers’ ‘Danfo Driver’ song melodied its way into a Hollywood movie soundtrack and ushered Afrobeats onto the global stage, exposing it to a whole new audience of billions worldwide.

The recent ruling by Hon. Justice Adeyemi of the Ikeja High Court (Family & Probate) in the estate administration case of the late Herbert Onyewumbu Wigwe has drawn significant attention, especially on social media.

The case, Suit No. ID/7735FPM/2024, was initiated by Christian Wigwe and Pastor Shyngle Wigwe against Uche Wigwe, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, and Otutochi Wigwe. The ruling sheds light on crucial aspects of inheritance laws in Nigeria and the validity of wills and estate planning instruments.

In estate law, two primary scenarios arise upon an individual's death: testacy (where the deceased leaves a will) and intestacy (where no will exists). The Wills Law of Lagos State 2004 (WL) governs the execution of valid wills, requiring that a will be in writing, signed by the testator in the presence of at least two witnesses, and voluntarily made by a person of sound mind.

Conversely, when an individual dies intestate, the Administration of Estates Law of Lagos State (AEL) 2015 dictates the distribution of assets. Section 46 of the AEL outlines the hierarchy of inheritance, prioritizing the spouse and children of the deceased over other relatives. The ruling in Salubi v Nwariaku (2003) reaffirmed this order, emphasizing that inheritance rights are not merely based on biological relationships but on legal provisions and the testator’s expressed wishes.

Herbert Wigwe’s will, executed outside Nigeria, was submitted for probate in Nigeria. The document named three individuals in alternative capacities as personal representatives and trustees, including his wife, Doreen Wigwe, his cousin Uche Wigwe, and Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede.

The motion filed by the claimants sought three primary reliefs: Appointment of interim administrators; Appointment of interim guardians/supervisors for the estate and granting a Norwich Pharmacal Order (NPO) to obtain information related to the estate’s management.

Justice Adeyemi denied all three prayers, citing legal precedents that prevent courts from deciding substantive issues at the interlocutory stage. The court referenced Shanu v Afribank (Nig) Plc (2002), reinforcing that such applications should not preempt the full trial process.

For Interim Administrators and Guardianship, one of the primary issues before the court was the appointment of interim administrators. The court observed that the claimants’ prayers for interim administration closely mirrored the substantive claims in the suit, rendering the application procedurally flawed.

The court emphasized that substantive issues should be determined at trial rather than through interlocutory applications. Additionally, the court dismissed the claim for further guardianship oversight, noting that Otutochi Wigwe, the adult daughter of the deceased, had already been lawfully appointed as the guardian of her minor siblings.

In the request for Norwich Pharmacal Order (NPO), a legal mechanism used to obtain information in cases of suspected wrongdoing, the court said the claimants failed to provide prima facie evidence of fraud, financial mismanagement, or coercion by the estate’s administrators.

Under Nigerian law, an NPO requires clear proof of suspected fraud, duress, or financial malpractice. Since the claimants merely made allegations without supporting evidence, the court found no justification for granting such an order.

The Inheritance Rights and Familial Relationships is a major contention in the case was the claimants’ assertion of inheritance rights based on close familial relationships with Herbert Wigwe.

Pastor Shyngle Wigwe, the father of the deceased, and Christian Wigwe, a cousin, sought to assert a role in estate administration. However, the court reaffirmed that inheritance and estate administration are governed by statutory provisions and the expressed wishes of the testator, not simply biological ties. The ruling upheld that only legally recognized beneficiaries, such as the spouse and children, hold enforceable claims to the estate.

The ruling in the Wigwe case underscores the necessity of clear estate planning and adherence to legal processes. It also highlights the judiciary’s role in preventing legal maneuvers that could derail proper estate administration.

As the case progresses, alternative dispute resolution mechanisms such as mediation may offer a more amicable path for the family. Litigation, while legally binding, often deepens familial divides. This case serves as a vital lesson in estate planning, reinforcing that the execution of wills and trusts should be meticulously structured to avoid prolonged legal battles.

For now, the court’s decision stands as a reaffirmation of the primacy of legal wills and the structured hierarchy of inheritance in Nigerian law.

It’s an established fact that good guys are contagious. Get a group of good men together, and they will change their community and the world. A good guy has integrity and character. Simply put, a good guy is less talk and more action. The Latin origin of ‘integrity’ means whole, and when it comes to being a good guy, wholesome is sexy. Everywhere he goes, he leaves a mark. One of such figures is Oluwaseyi Afolabi Tinubu.

Every man is a work in progress. As a successful entrepreneur, vibrant socialite, sports enthusiast, humanist and now the son of Nigeria President, Seyi is still on the stock. As the Chief Executive Officer of Loatsad Promomedia, a full-fledged digital out-of-home advertising company, Seyi has acted as an innovative disruptor with an unprecedented inventory of specialized outdoor and digital products ranging from giant sized billboards to automated standalone boards. His works have had a tremendous impact on the concept of goods and services promotion. Yet, profiling the philanthropic focus of Seyi —who has in the last few years busied himself with the issues that bother the masses most— is not a demanding task.

Over the years, Seyi has solidified his reputation as a philanthropist dedicated to transforming lives through the Noella Foundation —a non-profit private sector he co-founded with his wife, Layal Jade Tinubu to scale talents and improve Nigeria's economy via entrepreneurship, innovation, sustainable ideas and plans. His impactful contributions, dating back to 2018, continue to serve as a reference point for his unwavering commitment to social change.

Seyi believes in service —service to the people, service to the nation and service to God. The 39 year-old fella does good in the most clear-sighted, ambitious, and unsentimental way possible that will yield a measurable impact on problems. He focuses on maximizing the impact of charitable giving. From setting up monthly community kitchens in partnership with Food Clique Support to launching the Seyi Tinubu Empowerment Project, STEP initiative aimed at empowering millennial tech entrepreneurs in Nigeria, Seyi's impact continues to resonate with more expansive programs designed to create long-term social and economic transformation. One of his most notable acts of kindness was the life-changing support Seyi gave to a struggling one-legged Lagos bus conductor simply called Chima. The physically-challenged gentleman received a state-of-the-art prosthetic leg worth millions of Naira —a gesture that not only restored Chima’s mobility but also his dignity.

Beyond the physical support, Seyi also ensured financial stability for Chima by offering him a position as an assistant coach on his football team with a monthly salary of Fifty Thousand Naira (₦50,000). This gesture exemplified his approach to sustainable empowerment, providing people with opportunities beyond just financial aid.

Reflecting on his journey, Chima shared his gratitude: “My life is back to normal because I can now walk with both legs, work, and earn a living. I thank God for using the Noella Foundation through Seyi Tinubu to come to my rescue. God bless them mightily.”

This act of generosity is just one of many initiatives of Seyi driven by the Noella Foundation. Even with his father in power as Nigerian leader, Seyi hasn’t faltered in his charity deeds. Through his associates, he has given out relief items to people involved in a fire disaster in Nasarawa, gifted palliatives in Abuja, and sponsored some medical outreaches.

In September last year, Seyi flew to Borno with a team of associate-sympathizers and was received by the state governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum. During that visit, Seyi donated N500 million to victims of the Maiduguri flood. A few weeks later, Seyi once again saved some underprivileged from a bad fate of financial hardship as his foundation procured prescribed medication through a drug bank that would serve over 10,000 indigent people in 60 hospitals around the country. This drug bank, Seyi said, is more than medicine but a “commitment to dignity, to equality, and to the fundamental human right to healthcare.”

Beyond financial aid and community projects, Seyi remains a role model for young Nigerians, proving that success is not just measured by personal achievements but also by the ability to uplift others. His dedication to humanitarian causes has encouraged more individuals and organizations to join in the mission of fostering positive change. His past interventions, like Chima’s story, remain a powerful reminder of the impact of selfless giving, inspiring more individuals and organizations to play their part in building a better society.

Seyi, as an entrepreneur, rather than fund a lavish lifestyle, wanted to make as much as possible to do as much good as he could. He has embraced an effective altruism non-profit to create a positive social impact and maximises charitable giving. With an ever-growing portfolio of community-focused initiatives, Seyi continues to redefine philanthropy in Nigeria, ensuring that his legacy of impact, compassion and empowerment endures for generations to come.

In the latest twist to the ongoing saga surrounding the estate of the late Herbert Onyewumbu Wigwe, exclusive court documents have revealed a startling development.

Christian Chukwuka Wigwe, the said late Herbert’s cousin, who had filed a caveat on behalf of Pastor Shyngle Wigwe, the deceased’s father, to challenge the distribution of his Estate as outlined in his Will, has been officially warned about his involvement in the Estate by the Lagos State High Court.

Specifically, the Lagos State High Court Probate Registry has issued a legal notice giving Christian Chukwuka Wigwe an 8-day ultimatum to explain his interest in the Estate of late Herbert Wigwe.

A portion of the notice dated 21st October 2024 addressed to Christian Chukwuka Wigwe reads “To enter an appearance either in person or by your Legal practitioner at the Lagos High Court Probate Registry setting forth what interest you have in the Estate of the above-named deceased, Late Herbert Onyewumbu Wigwe of No. 11 Oyinkan Abayomi Drive, Ikoyi, Lagos, contrary to the interest of the party at whose instance this warning is issued.

If you have no contrary interest but wish to show cause against the sealing of a grant to such party to issue and serve a summons for direction by the Registrar of the said registry”.

By this invitation, there is no more hiding behind any affidavit for members of the Wigwe family, who had challenged the implementation of the deceased’s Will.

Last week, Emeka Wigwe, one of the brothers of the late banking guru, Herbert Wigwe issued a statement that said the family stood by the affidavit Christian Chukwuka Wigwe deposed to and was not challenging the beneficiaries of late Herbert Wigwe’s Will.

According to the statement “The facts regarding the Estate are already publicly available in the Probate Registry, where an affidavit clearly outlines the correct details”.

With the notice issued at the instance of Mr. Uchechukwu Wigwe, the appointed personal representative of the Estate of the deceased by virtue of the deceased person’s Will dated July 09, 2013, Christian Chukwuka Wigwe will have to appear at the Court Probate Registry to explain the legal and factual basis for his affidavit.

This is to determine of the relevance of Christian Chukwuka Wigwe’s claim to the enforceability of late Herbert Wigwe’s Will otherwise the caveat will be thrown out and the court will issue a grant of Probate or Administration in the said Estate notwithstanding his caveat.

With the unfolding development, it may be necessary to make an inquest into the real identity of Christian Chukwuka Wigwe, his background, possible relationship and connection to late Herbert Wigwe and his children, the beneficiaries of his Will.

In a dramatic turn of events, actress Halima Abubakar has officially filed a lawsuit against Dr. Ejezie Emeka Rollas, the President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), following her controversial suspension for allegedly spreading fake news.

The actress, known for her vibrant roles and outspoken nature, claims the decision was a targeted attack on her character.

The AGN made waves on Friday when it announced Halima's indefinite suspension, citing a two-year investigation that found her guilty of leaking unfounded rumors about fellow actors and prominent figures in the entertainment industry.
The Guild accused her of orchestrating a campaign of slander that included sensational allegations of extramarital affairs, which sent shockwaves through the industry.

On October 20, 2024, Halima’s legal team, P.D. Pius & Associates, sent a scathing letter of demand to Rollas, condemning his statements as "false publications" that have tarnished her reputation.

The letter highlights that Halima, a respected figure in the entertainment industry, was shocked by the allegations leveled against her, particularly during a time when she has been battling health issues.

The AGN’s October 17 post on Instagram claimed that a secret investigation had found Halima responsible for slandering fellow actors, including allegations of extramarital affairs involving high-profile individuals. The Guild's statement suggested that her actions constituted a serious breach of their code of conduct.

Halima’s legal representatives did not hold back. They accused Rollas of using her vulnerable state to further a negative narrative, claiming it was an attempt to "stir up social opprobrium" against her. The letter stated, “Rather than show concern for our client’s fundamental rights to fair hearing and privacy, you chose this delicate moment to push your false narrative.”

The demand letter includes a stern request for Rollas to take down the original Instagram post, issue a public apology, and pay a staggering three billion naira (approximately $7.5 million) for the damage to Halima’s reputation. “Your false publication has damaged the reputation of our client and continues to do so with each passing minute,” the letter asserts, pointing to the wide reach of Rollas' initial statement across various media platforms.

Halima’s legal team has set a seven-day deadline for compliance, warning that failure to meet their demands will lead to further legal action.

In less than one year of the demise of Dr. Herbert Wigwe, former Group Managing Director, Access Holdings, who died on February 9, 2024, in a helicopter crash in States of America, a bitter fight seemed to be brewing over the execution of his Will.
With the campaign of calumny on the social media and falsehood propagated by hired hands, Herbert Wigwe’s parents’ heinous desire to disinherit the deceased’s children by thwarting the rightful execution of Herbert’s Estate by filling a caveat at the Probate Registry, is coming to the open.

The caveat was filed on the instruction of Pastor Shyngle Wigwe, late Herbert Wigwe’s father, and the affidavit was deposed to, by one Christian Chukwuka Wigwe, who claimed to be Herbert’s cousin, to prevent the rightful execution of Herbert Wigwe’s Will.

The motivation for this action was that the deceased’s father requested that his son’s directives on the administration of his Estate should be altered. Pastor Shyngle Wigwe demanded that 20% of Herbert’s Estate should be taken from his children, and given to him, Herbert’s brothers and sisters.

Meanwhile, Herbert had drawn his Will, which provided that his wealth should be distributed amongst his children only, was lodged at the Ikeja Probate Court, before his unfortunate death early this year.

Since Herbert’s death in February 2024, there have been exhibition of some ridiculous behaviours and attitudes by members of the Wigwe family when well-wishers, friends and associates, from across the globe are still mourning the demise of the top banker.

Instead of the expected melancholy that should grip a family experiencing a genuine sense of loss, entitlement seemed to have taken over the entire Wigwe family.

Herbert Wigwe’s parents would only travel on a private jet, claiming that they would fall ill, if they fly First class.

Unfortunately, with Herbert’s demise, the dysfunctional of his family, which his accomplishments had shielded from the public glare, is beginning to manifest indecently. For instance, Pastor Shyngle Wigwe had locked up Emeka, one of Herbert’s brothers, at Panti Police Station for three months, for fighting one of Herbert’s sisters, who had cursed the deceased that “his plane would crash, and money would drop from the sky for people to pick”, because he did not grant one of her requests.

Herbert was not genuinely loved by his family, especially siblings. He was envied for his success, and the hatred they harboured toward him is now being extended to his children, whose inheritances they are plotting to take away from them.