The Osogbo Action Committee has been advised not to incite the people against Governor Adegboyega Oyetola by spreading falsehood that the government intends to dethrone the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun Oyetunji.
The Chief Press Secretary to Governor Oyetola, Ismail Omipidan, said in a statement that the letter to the governor asking him to stay action on a non-existent process is not only mischievous but also a wicked one deliberately designed to pitch the people against the governor and his government by agents of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, masquerading as community leaders.
“The author of the letter, Chief Ajadi Badmus, has unfettered access to Mr. Governor. If indeed he has the best of intentions, he ought to have found out from the governor before making his spurious claims.
“Recall that Chief Badmus had also authored a similar letter shortly before the July 16 governorship election wherein he claimed that the government had relocated the Airforce Base from Osogbo to Iragbiji. The wicked lie became the major weapon the PDP agents deployed to canvass for votes in Osogbo and its environs.
“Ordinarily, the Ataoja is directly under the supervision of the Osogbo Local Government. Therefore, the governor has no business per se with his office. Besides, the governor has no issues with Ataoja.
“To this end, I appeal to leaders of thought and clerics in Osogbo to endeavor to find out the truth , know the truth and act based on the truth.
“I also urge the people to disregard the content of this fallacious letter as it does not fit the gentleman’s personality of a governor Osun people and the nation know too well,” Omipidan said.
The Lagos State Government is honoured to host the 35th National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST), Nigeria’s largest arts and culture festival, at the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos.
Today is marking the grand finale of an event which has kickstarted for the past one week.
In his bid to bring relief to the indigent students of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, LAUTECH, the former Commissioner for Works and Transport in Oyo State, Prof. Ramon Raphael Afonja has perfected plan to disburse first out of three batches of bursary to the students.
Prof. Afonja made this disclosure during the 16th LAUTECH Alumni annual lecture held at the university premises in Ogbomoso on the 11th of November, 2022.
The ex-commissioner however confirms today to ODUDUWA NEWS that 240 indigent students have been penciled down for the disbursement slated to commence in three batches next week.
According to Prof. Afonja, the announcement of the bursary award to the indigent students is targeted at cushioning the effect of the current economic hardship on students and parents.
The global President of LAUTECH Alumni association, Hon. Onilede Solomon and the Students’ Union President, Anuoluwa Adeboye while speaking at the ocassion expressed their gratitude on the kind gesture shown by the Professor to the students especially at this trying times in Nigeria.
They both joined the students in appreciating Prof. Afonja on his philanthropic gesture shown towards his community with the fact that the LAUTECH community and the student body in general will never forget him.
Prof. Afonja in his final statement at the ocassion said, “his philanthropic gestures dated years back with the help of Almighty God. He averred that the best thing to give to humanity is to bring succour to the less privileged among us.
He affirmed in his position to commence the bursary award in a week time as the names and account details of the beneficiaries have been penciled down for necessary action.
The students who spoke to the newsmen had expressed that their joy knows no bound since the announcement of the bursary award.
…..As Hon. Dele Adeola, Other Stakeholders Adopt ‘Say Something When You See Something’ Slogan
Nigerians have been warned to be curious about the personalities of people that will vie for political posts in 2023, as some of them might be kidnappers that have amassed wealth from collecting ransoms.
A university lecturer who is also a criminologist, Dr. Oludayo Tade said this at a security summit held at the SAF Group of Schools’ Hall, at Iseyin, Iseyin local government on Saturday, where there was a convergence of community stakeholders to discuss the lingering cases of kidnapping in Nigeria, especially within and around the community.
Tade who was the guest lecturer at the summit, spoke on the topic: ‘Rising Cases of Kidnapping: Beyond Ethnic Stereotype, Mirroring Local Causes & Solutions’, challenged the people of Iseyin and its environs to look inward for solutions, as those perpetrating the evil act live with them.
“As things are going, we may elect kidnappers in 2023, with the successes they record from their operations around the country, we all should know that they now have so much money for them to do whatever they like, and as you know about Nigerians, they may even vie for political posts.
“The onus is on us residents to localize our approach to curbing criminalities, especially kidnapping, knowing fully well that our State actors are performing their roles but are limited by insufficient logistics in appropriate weaponry, mobility and other inputs, it is important that we give them our support.”
Dr. Oludayo who gave the historical perspective of kidnapping in Nigeria analyzed that people in the past kidnapped kids for ritual purpose, but has metamorphosed into money-making enterprize.
He however charged residents to collaborate with the security agents and give information about suspicious people and activities, to nip crimes in the bud, advised people to stop what he called ‘social media showoff and also cooperate with neighboring communities, to avoid movement of criminals flushed out of a particular community into another.
The Chairman of the occasion, Alhaji Ahmed Raji SAN, who was represented by the former Chairman of Iseyin local government, Alhaji Saheed Alaran, appreciated the convener of the summit, saying the meeting came at the right time, as kidnap cases have permeated the whole nation and has caused so much negative effects on the local economy.
He enjoined the people to make haste in reporting suspicious people and activities to the security personnel or the traditional head in the particular area, in the case of fear of leakage of identity.
“While appreciating the idea behind this summit, we have to face the truth that as much as our people would want to tell the police and other security agencies about their suspicions, the fear of reprisal in case their identity were to be revealed to the perpetrators of the crime is there, but our joy is that the State actors here have given their words that they will keep the identity of the informant secret, so there is no need to fear anymore.
“If anybody still nurses that fear, then you can give the information to the traditional head of the area which we call Baale, any information from such a quarter will be taken seriously by the security and will not dare to reveal their source of information,” he assured.
The representative of the traditional rulers who is the Baale of Alokongbo community in Iseyin, Chief Adesokan Olaniyi called on the leadership of the Fulani herders in Iseyin community to have the data and other information of migrating herders so as to be able to monitor them and dissuade them from perpetrating crime.
Representatives of the police, Directorate of State Security (DSS), the Customs Service, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the Immigration Service, Amotekun and Agro Rangers spoke as one when they appealed for more support from the people of the community.
They also warned that residents should be wary of those they live with and called on landlords to know the sources of livelihood of their tenants while charging traditional rulers to know what those that bought lands in their domains were doing with the land.
The Convener of the summit who is a journalist and community newspaper publisher, Mr Alhazan Abiodun said the reason for the gathering was to access the minds of the various stakeholders on the causes and solutions to the recent rise in cases of kidnapping in Iseyin and other areas in the Oke-Ogun region.
He assured that the stakeholders have shown enough commitment to cooperate with the conventional security agents as well as the local security committee in the community, in the areas of logistics support, communication of adequate information and extension of goodwill from the residents to the security agents.
Some residents of Osogbo under the aegis of Action Committee had since Thursday morning embark on a protest against the alleged plan to dethrone the Ataoja of Osogboland Oba Jimoh Olanipekun Oyetunji (Larooye II).
ODUDUWA NEWS gathered that the protesters who stormed the street of Osogbo with different inscriptions on their placards warned those planing to remove Oba Oyetunji as the Ataoja of Osogbo.
Recall Ataoja of Osogbo publicly campaigned for the PDP’ gubernatorial candidate who is also elected Governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke in the last gubernatorial election in the State.
Some of the inscription on their placards are; “Don’t cause confusion in Osogbo”, “stop the attempt to depose Oba Jimoh”, “Efura oo, ijoba ipinle Osun Fe da rukerudo sile” “Ataoja of osogbo Is our king”
The protesters have vowed not to relent in their protest until they are assured by Osun State Government that such plan never existed let alone to be carried out.
The Babaloja-General of Oyo State, Alhaji Sunmaila Aderemi Jimoh, has described the appointment of another Babaloja-General of the state as contempt of court and unconstitutional.
Jimoh made this disclosure on Saturday.
ODUDUWA NEWS gathered that Governor Seyi Makinde of the state recently approved the appointment of Alhaji Yekini Abass as Babaloja-General of the state.
Jimoh has, however, described the appointment as illegal.
In a statement made available to Newsmen on Saturday, Jimoh insisted that such appointment is against an existing judgement of a competent court of jurisdiction.
He appealed to traders in the state to remain calm.
He also urged them to abstain from whatever can lead to breakdown of laws and orders in the state.
Jimoh, while speaking further, insisted that no appointee of the government has the legal right to determine who should be installed as Babaloja-General in the state.
He explained that an Oyo State High Court has stopped and banned Abass from parading himself as Babaloja-General of the state.
He said, “Judgement issued by the Oyo State High Court against Alhaji Yekini Abass where the court stopped and banned him from parading himself and also not to be addressed as Babaloja-General of Oyo State is still binding on him and constitutionally valid because it hasn’t been vacated by any competent court in Nigeria.
“This issue will be wisely and constitutionally handled and the truth will be exposed to the governor. Their efforts to pull down the good structure enjoy by the traders in Oyo State will die a natural death and all manipulations and injustices will end in futility.
“We are traders, our associations are registered with the corporate affairs commission under the law of the land, we are not government agencies and no appointee of the government has legal right to determine who should be installed as Babaloja-General.
“Should there be any ambiguity in the judgement of the court, the parties should be advised to return to court for better interpretation. Advisory Council is a government agency and cannot speak for over 2 million traders. Besides, traders have demanded for the dissolution of advisory council in more than 2 occasions for lack of integrity and moral justification to decide their faith.
“I want every one to know that this display of executive rascality and lawlessness was initiated and launched by Bayo Lawal, the Commissioner for Trade and Industry in Oyo State, who has arrogated unconstitutional and unjust powers to himself in the administration of Engr Seyi Makinde. He arrogantly boasted recently that nothing would stop installation of Y. K. Abass as Babaloja-General of Oyo State, but he has forgotten that power is transient.”
Lagos residents in their thousands gathered for an inter-faith prayer for the State, supplicating for divine intervention for peace, harmony and political stability.
Agege stadium, on Friday, was filled to capacity, as Lagosians from all faiths, ethnic backgrounds and denominations forged a common alliance, coming together in a joint prayer at the interdenominational event tagged: “Pray for Lagos, Pray for Nigeria”.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu was the special guest at the event organised at the instance of Soul Winners Ministries International led by a frontline Christian leader, Cardinal James Odunmbaku, popularly known as Baba Eto.
The event was also graced by chairman of Lagos chapter of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Bishop Stephen Adegbite, and founder of Sebil Najat Islamic Foundation, Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fulanny.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu saluted the courage of the congregants for openly exhibiting the spirit of tolerance and unity, saying their action reflected the essence of solidarity and brotherhood which the country needed to achieve lasting peace and stability.
Taking a Bible reading from the Book of 1st Thessalonians 5:17, the Governor charged residents to always pray for the State and the country without limiting it to a season.
Those seeking stability for the country, Governor Sanwo-Olu said, must support their prayer point with efforts to achieve peace. He urged Nigerians to rejects those sowing seeds of division among the citizens, advising them to promote tolerance and respect for one another.
He said: “This inter-faith prayer movement truly represents the essence of solidarity and unity, which Lagos has exhibited. We are a people who cannot be divided by faith; we are people who are not separated by ethnicity.
There is no better time to seek the face of the Lord in prayers for the nation than now. All Nigerians must be united in prayers as we are doing now and reverse the negative trends characterised by fear, destruction, tension and uncertainty.
“We need God to lead us and show us the guidance to be able to achieve the progress and the development we crave, particularly as we approach the election year. While we pray, we must complement it with genuine actions.
I am delighted to join all ministers of God, leaders of faiths and prayer warriors in this year’s crusade. As we cry to the Lord for harmony and stability, I have no doubt in my mind that God will surely listen to our supplications and save our country from the myriad of challenges confronting us.”
Gov. Sanwo-Olu praised Cardinal Odunmbaku for his commitment to seeking divine intervention for Lagos and the country in times of need, stressing that the constituency of the crusade in the last 18 years had made the event worthy to be attended by peace-loving citizens who only want the best for the nation.
Governor said he strongly believed prayers genuinely said by citizens could turn around the country’s challenges for good, adding that there was no problem too big before God which prayers could not solve.
“Without doubt, prayers have been keeping us together as a nation. More importantly, prayer is the reason for the prevailing peace, tranquility and remarkable progress that we have been experiencing in Lagos.
I enjoin all people of God here not to be tired in seeking divine intervention and supplicate for the restoration of the lost glory of our nation,” the Governor said.
Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr. Tayo Ayinde, opened the session with the Bible reading from Ephesians 3:19-21, praying for positive developments to manifest across the country.
Cardinal Odunmbaku said the inter-faith project started when he received an inspiration from God to bring forth an avenue to unite citizens on a common platform.
Clerics at the event led prayer sessions for Lagos, the country and those steering the affairs of the State.
The Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, on Saturday, expressed optimism that his Osun State counterpart, Adegboyega Oyetola, would emerge victorious at the tribunal.
Akeredolu spoke in Owo at the funeral service of his late mother, Grace, saying Oyetola would “regain his mandate very soon whether you like it or not. He is a man after my heart.”
Akeredolu, in a response to sermon delivered by Revd Stephen Ayodeji Fagbemi, said there were crops of politicians in the Southwest the people could be very proud of.
According to him: “We have listened to your political sermon. It was wonderful listening to the sermon. I will not contend with you but I know as politicians we are doing our best. It might not be good for everybody.
“You should also say the things we have done. Continue to pray for us so that we will do our best. We will look at it. It is not that we are not trying. We have our shortcomings. We have crops of politicians in the Southwest we can be very proud of. Not all of us shall die. We shall be here when Christ shall come.”
Revd Fagbemi, in his sermon, tasked politicians to begin their campaigns tours in hospitals.
He told candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, that God has placed him where he is going to make a difference.
“Go to hospitals and schools and see what Nigeria is like. I encourage you to go to FMC here in Owo to campaign and see what the future holds.
“The poor are getting poorer. Nigeria needs a change that will ensure safety and security in villages. We need a government that understands economics. Life is hard in this country. Let our leaders be careful to help us move things forward. The best place to start campaign is hospital.”
Revd Fagbemi urged Governor Akeredolu and his siblings to immortalise their mother because she lived a life of service to God and humanity.
The Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, and the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2023 general elections, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, were among several other eminent personalities who joined the Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, CON, and his siblings to bid their mother, Lady Evangelist Grace Bosede Akeredolu (JP), farewell.
Other dignitaries at the Funeral Service held at the Cathedral Church of St Andrew’s, Imola, Owo, on Saturday included Governors of Ogun, Prince Dapo Abiodun; Lagos, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Osun, Gboyega Oyetola, and Oyo, Engr Seyi Makinde, represented by his wife, Olufunke.
Also in attendance were former Governors of Ekiti state, Dr Kayode Fayemi and wife, Erelu Bisi; Ogun, Senator Ibikunle Amosun; Ondo, Dr Olusegun Mimiko; Minister of Youth and Sports, Sunday Dare, and Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Olorunnimbe Mamora.
Other are members of the National Assembly; Ondo State deputy Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, and wife, Oluwaseun; members of Ondo State House of Assembly led by the Speaker, Bamidele Oleyelogun; members of the State Executive Council led by the Secretary to the State Government, Princess Oladunni; Local Government Chairmen, led by the ALCON Chair, Augustine Oloruntogbe; several Bishops both serving and retired; serving and retired Justices; Heads of security agencies in the state; Afenifere leaders including Basorun Seinde Arogbofa; DG DAWN Commission, Seye Oyeleye; members of the Bar and the Bench; captains of industry; political associates; technocrats; Chief Akin Olujimi, SAN; Chief Bisi Akande; Titi Laoye-Tomori; representatives of traditional rulers; senator Iyiola Omisore; Chief Femi Falana, SAN, among several other dignitaries.
In their separate tributes, Prof Yemi Osinbajo and Asiwaju Bola Tinubu described late Lady Evangelist Grace Akeredolu as a true Christian who lived a life worthy of emulation and celebration.
Osinbajo said the late Grace Akeredolu lived a good life of service to God and mankind.
He congratulated Governor Akeredolu and his siblings on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria and President Muhammadu Buhari for surviving their aged mother.
The Vice President advised the children to sustain the good legacy of their late mother.
On his part, the Presidential Candidate of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who equally rejoiced with the children of the deceased for surviving their aged mother, prayed God to continue to be with them even after the demise of their mother.
Earlier in his sermon, the Bishop of Owo Anglican Diocese, Dr. Stephen Fagbemi, said God was merciful and gracious to late Lady Evangelist Grace Bosede Akeredolu throughout her lifetime.
While congratulating Governor Akeredolu and his siblings, the Bishop commended the children for taking good care of their mother until her death.
He said he was happy that the late mother lived a fulfilled life as a child of God, as an Evangelist and as a good mother.
Bishop Fagbemi noted that life is not equal and it brings different things to different people, adding that it is God who showed mercy on the late mother and made her die at the ripe age of 90 years.
The Bishop, who observed that nothing is as certain as death, admonished the congregation to be careful about how they live their lives so that they can be remembered for good when they die.
Speaking on the next year’s election, Bishop Fagbemi noted that Nigeria needs a leader that will ensure the security of lives and property of the citizens and as well eradicate poverty in the land.
The first child of the nonagenarian and Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Akeredolu, appreciated everyone at the event including Prof Yemi Osinbajo, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, South West Governors and other dignitaries for honouring them with their presence.
A Magistrate Court sitting in Ikirun, Ifelodun Local Government Area of Osun State has granted LEAVE to an applicant seeking the binding over and restraint of Prince Yinusa Akadiri from being installed, coronated and presented with staff of office as the new Akirun of Ikirun in order not to cause further breakdown of peace and order in Ikirun and environs, ordering the applicant to file and serve on the respondents, within 14 days, the application to show cause why the order of binding over for the maintenance of peace in Ikirun should not be granted.
On the face of the application, the applicant deposed to the fact that taking any further step regarding Akinrun Chieftaincy and opening the palace will imperil the peace of Ikirun until all litigations in court regarding Akinrun Chieftaincy is laid to rest.
Prince Abass Adeyemi has also approached the Osun State High court to restrain the Osun State Government, Attorney-General of Osun State, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftancy Affairs, Ifelodun Local Government and the Kingmakers from furthering the process of installation, coronation and presentation of staff of office to the purportedly appointed new Akinrun.
Granting the leave, Chief Magistrate Ijiyode allowed the application thereby paving way for the applicant to apply that the respondents, i.e, the Kingmakers and Prince Yinusa Akadiri, be caused to enter into a bond to show cause why they should not be made to enter into recognizance in order not to cause further breakdown of peace, law and order in Ikirun and its environs.
In the same vein, another suit had been filled at the Osun State High Court seeking for an injunction restraining the State Government and kingmakers from proceeding on the installation, coronation and presentation of staff of office to the purported new Akirun.
The injunction was hinged on the fact that there was an existing pending case in the appellate court which is the main issue, unfortunately, the State Government went ahead to appoint Prince Yinusa Akadiri as the new Akirun and this has caused a lot of crisis in the town.
Meanwhile, since the day the new Akirun was announced, it has triggered a lot of crisis within the town, as the palace has been under lock and key. This has made it impossible for the new monarch to access the palace as the processes of his purported nomination, selection and appointment are being challenged in court.
Recall, recently, the Osun State Government announced the appointment of Prince Yinusa Olalekan Akadiri of Oba-Ara Ruling House as the new Akinrun of Ikirun, in Ifelodun Local Government Area of the State. This has generated a lot of crisis in the town.
The Akinrun stool became vacant on February 8, 2021, following the demise of Oba Rauf Adedeji who mounted the royal stool in 1991.
However, since the purported appointment of the new Akinrun, the process of installation, coronation and presentation of staff of office to Akadiri has been on hold, making his appointment to be yet inconclusive.
