The Eleta Oluyara of Iyara Land in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State, Oba Jacob Babatunde Meduteni, is dead.

Naija News reports that the traditional ruler, who was 75 years old, reportedly passed away in his palace in Iyara after a prolonged illness whose nature was not disclosed.

His death has plunged the community into mourning, barely three years after he assumed the traditional stool.

Meduteni became the traditional ruler of Iyara after the Kogi State Government appointed him on July 24, 2023.

He was initially installed as a third-class chief before the state government elevated the traditional institution to second-class status.

The Kogi State Executive Council approved the upgrade on September 26, 2023.

The monarch was formally crowned and presented with his staff of office on December 23, 2023, at a ceremony that attracted traditional rulers, politicians and other notable guests.

Before becoming a monarch, Meduteni built an extensive career in engineering and corporate administration. He was educated at The Polytechnic, Ibadan, and the University of Calabar.

His professional journey included appointments as Manager, Marketing, and Head of Customer Service in Kaduna.

He subsequently rose to the top of the management ladder in Nigeria’s electricity distribution sector, serving as Chief Executive Officer of the Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company before becoming CEO of the Kano Electricity Distribution Company.

He left active corporate employment in 2008. After his retirement, Meduteni devoted more time to entrepreneurship and community development.

He ran his private ventures, Newday Engineering Company and Nowday Farms, while remaining involved in activities aimed at advancing Iyara’s interests.

His contribution to community affairs was further demonstrated by his leadership of the Iyara Development Movement, where he served as national president for two terms.

He spent a total of six years in the position before being selected to occupy the Eleta Oluyara stool.

A former Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Peter Ajang Azi, has died.

Azi, who served as Speaker of the state legislature between June 2015 and July 2018, died on Thursday in Jos, the Plateau State capital.

His family confirmed the development in a statement signed by John Daniel Azi, describing his death as a painful loss.

“With total submission to the will of God Almighty, the Azi Ajang Family announce the passing unto glory of their son, brother, and father, Rt. Hon. Peter Ajang Azi,” the statement read.

The family said the former lawmaker “peacefully joined his Lord” on Thursday, adding that details of his burial arrangements would be announced later.

Reacting to the development, the senator representing Plateau South Senatorial District and former governor of the state, Simon Lalong, described Azi’s death as a “painful and devastating loss” to his family and the Plateau political community.

Lalong recalled Azi’s role during his administration, describing him as a dependable political associate who contributed to governance and policy formulation in the state.

“Rt. Hon. Azi was a trusted political ally and a committed member of the All Progressives Congress,” Lalong said.

He described the deceased as a politician known for humility, loyalty and commitment to grassroots service.

Azi served as Speaker during part of Lalong’s tenure as governor and was involved in legislative activities supporting the administration’s programmes.

Lalong, who also chairs the Conference of Former Speakers of State Houses of Assembly of Nigeria, said Azi remained active in the organisation and contributed to conversations on good governance and legislative integrity.

“Rt. Hon. Peter Azi was not only a former Speaker and distinguished public servant; he was a brother, a dependable political ally, and a strong member of our political family. His death has left a painful void that will be difficult to fill,” he said.

The former governor extended his condolences to Azi’s family, friends, political associates and the people of Plateau State.

Speaking on behalf of his family, the people of Plateau South and the Conference of Former Speakers, Lalong prayed for God to grant the bereaved family the strength to bear the loss and for the deceased to rest in peace.

The Nigerian legal profession has been thrown into mourning following the death of renowned legal scholar, advocate and former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice of Lagos State, Prof. Alfred Bandele Kasunmu (SAN).

Naija News reports that Kasunmu died peacefully in the early hours of Sunday at the age of 92.

His family announced the death in a statement, describing him as a beloved father, grandfather and great-grandfather whose life was devoted to law, scholarship and public service.

“With gratitude to God for a life well spent, we announce the passing of our beloved father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Professor Alfred Bandele Kasunmu, SAN, who departed peacefully in the early hours of Sunday, 9th August 2026,” the family said.

Kasunmu was born on May 23, 1934, in Lagos to parents from Ilesa, Osun State.

He attended Elizabeth Fowler Memorial School, Reagan Memorial Baptist School and Baptist Academy in Lagos before travelling abroad for further studies.

He later studied at University College London, where he obtained Bachelor of Laws and Master of Laws degrees.

Kasunmu was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1964.

The late legal scholar began his academic career in the same year he was called to the Bar, joining the Faculty of Law of the University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University, as one of its pioneer lecturers.

In 1971, he moved to the University of Lagos as a senior lecturer and was subsequently elevated to the rank of Professor of Law.

He served as Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Lagos from 1973 to 1975.

His academic career helped establish his reputation as one of the leading legal scholars of his generation.

Kasunmu was appointed Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice of Lagos State in 1975 and held the position for three years.

He was elevated to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria on January 25, 1978, making him one of the earliest members of Nigeria’s Inner Bar.

He was also a Notary Public of Nigeria.

Leading members of the legal profession have described Kasunmu as a scholar, mentor, advocate and statesman whose work influenced generations of Nigerian lawyers.

Beyond courtroom advocacy and public service, Kasunmu was known for his contributions to legal scholarship.

He jointly authored several influential legal texts and published numerous academic articles on different areas of law.

His legal practice also covered a wide range of matters, with appearances before courts at different levels and arbitration panels in Nigeria and abroad.

According to his family, he represented both Nigerian and expatriate clients during a legal career that spanned several decades.

Source: Naija News