Portable: Monarch frowns on ‘King of Street’ chieftaincy title, demands revocation

Controversial singer Habeeb Olalomi Okikiola, popularly known as ‘Portable’, is in the eye of a storm again. This time, it is about the conferment of “King of Street” chieftaincy title on him by the Olu of Itori, Oba Abdulfatai Akamo.

Another monarch, Eselu of Iselu Kingdom in the Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State, Oba Akintunde Akinyemi, has expressed disappointment about the title and demanded its reversal.

He described the action as an abuse of the institution of traditional rulers.

Oba Akinyemi, in an open letter he personally signed and made available to newsmen in Abeokuta, said the title as bestowed on ‘Portable’ was strange to all palaces in Yorubaland, and must be reversed to avoid chaos.

The traditional ruler said his colleague Oba should not have generalised the title, but ought to have limited it to his jurisdiction by naming the title “King of Itori Street”.

He called the attention of Chairman of Ogun State Council of Obas and Chiefs, His Royal Majesty, Oba Kehinde Gbadewole Olugbenle, the Olu of Ilaro and Paramount Ruler of Yewaland to the untraditional and illegal installation done by Olu Itori.

He added that the decision by Oba Akamo to confer the chieftaincy title on Portable was not well thought out, at a period the singer was being tried before an Ogun State High Court over alleged assault on some government officials.

The open letter read in paer, “The title “King of Street” which Olu Itori gave the controversial musician at His Majesty’s 21st Coronation Anniversary is absolutely unknown in all palaces of Yoruba Land, so given such a title to honour any personality is not only illegal, but a call for chaos if not reversed.

“Using the title “King of Street” can be interpreted as the King of all Streets in the State. This is unacceptable. Olu Itori ought to have limited the title to his domain. Kabiyesi ought to have titled it “King of Itori Street” and the musician would know that his title is only confined to Itori Kingdom.

“All streets in Ogun State have their Kings and they know how they choose them, so this generalization of the title Street should be reversed to prevent any problems in the State and beyond”.

“Apart from the wrong title given to Portable, His Royal Majesty’s decision to install the musician as a Chief was not well thought out because of the unruly and questionable behaviour of the singer who is currently facing a trial in a competent court in Ogun State.

“Giving him a chieftaincy title is like encouraging him to wreak more havoc. An effort that will make the musician live a better life is what is necessary.

“In fact, the unruly self-made kings in the fuji industry have caused lots of divisions among themselves which is entirely different from the love and good legacy the pioneers left behind. Portable is one of the self-made kings who need to refine their lives.”

Lagos Motor Fair, Auto Parts Expo get richer with solution confab, date announced 

A four-in-one package has been lined up for the 2025 edition of the annual Lagos Motor Fair and Auto Parts Expo holding next month in a new move to expand its scope and ensure maximum benefit for exhibitors and visitors.
This year’s event attracting both local international investors/participants is billed to hold from March 12 to March 14, 2025, at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, according to the organisers, BKG Exhibitions Limited.

It said the show would be unique and as it is being packaged to draw people that matter to offer practical solutions to issues facing the auto industry development in Africa.
Managing Director of BKG Exhibitions, Mr Ifeanyi Agwu, said apart from the new vehicle display with solutions and auto parts sections, a conference of auto parts market leaders would be a new addition for this year’s package.
He spoke in Lagos on Tuesday in the preparation for the event giving some details of what ti expect.

While the Lagos auto parts expo will be the 12th edition this year, Lagos Motor Fair is the 19th. They will be held simultaneously with the Africa Motorcycle and Parts Expo.
Agwu said, “This year, we’re focusing on auto parts. We shall be having a conference of auto part market leaders in Africa to talk about fake products and other challenges facing the business.
“We’re building a channel where all manufacturers can be connected. This will be a turning point in the auto fair – were taking it to the highest level.
“Going forward, what we’ll be having at the Lagos motor fair and auto part show will be comparable with the best in the world.”
He expressed concern over the downturn in the auto business in Nigeria and indeed the entire African continent.
However, the BKG boss commended the Director General, National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Mr Joseph Osanipin, for offering a listening ear to vital suggestions and collaborating with relevant stakeholders to address problems besetting the industry.
“There has not been any DG like him in terms of support to stakeholders like us.
“Most of the things I advocate such as encouraging production of parts, he’s absorbing and working on them,” he said.

FAAC meeting postponed as N1.7tn remittances tear states, NNPC apart

The Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) meeting earlier schedule for Wednesday could not hold.

This was reportedly postponed indefinitely due to a dispute between states and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) over unpaid remittances.

States boycotted the meeting until NNPC settles an estimated N1.7 trillion in revenues, pending since the full removal of the petrol subsidy in November 2024.

It is however uncertain whether the meeting will take place later this week.

This came a few months after President Bola Tinubu said in a presidential TV chat that the federal government has not been depending on the NNPC to meet its financial obligations.

According to TheCable a senior official of The NNPC said the company was tied to a number of obligations, such as crude swaps and forwards which it had been using to finance operations.

This was said to be affecting its cash flow.