Author: oduduwanews

Arole Oduduwa Olofin Adimula, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, the Ooni of Ife on Sunday kickstarted this year’s Olojo Festival in Ile-Ife with the traditional 7 days seclusion where he’s expected to commune with his ancestors and for the people of Ile-Ife, all descendants of Oduduwa worldwide and Nigeria as a country.

Ooni Ogunwusi while answering questions at his Ile-Oodua palace, Ile-Ife, before heading into seven days seclusion to commune with the gods ahead of Olojo Festival pledged to pray to his ancestors and God to touch the heart of Nigerian politicians and changed them towards loving the people, saying Nigerian politicians are the same irrespective of their parties, challenging them to start serving the people genuinely and stop taking the country for granted.

The Natural Head of the Oduduwa race worldwide who insisted there is no difference among politicians in the country, stated that they have all cross carpeted from one major political party to another to protect their interests.

“We believe in the forces of nature for nature to conspire in our favour but every other thing in our country they are all man made, the likes of security, our politicians will take credit for that, they are the ones that caused it till date. I will go again to seclusion for God to touch their hearts for them to stop playing all of us like ludo.
“They should be more sensitive about people because it is one political movement. They are just crisscrossing from one political party to the other in order to retain their positions. We have one political party in this country, same value, same character, same politician. But I am going to go into seclusion for God to touch their hearts for them to stop playing games with the lives of citizens of this country. It is about time for them to realize that they should serve us genuinely because we can not continue like this.

“This time around is a serious one, it is a request on behalf of the entire people, Oduduwa race and by extension our dear Country Nigeria. I am going for God to touch their heart and really pray to my ancestors. We are just deceiving ourselves that they are different, they are the same. All of them have crossed to the major parties but Nigeria is above them all.

“This time around it is a very sensitive one and a very serious one. First of all to thank God almighty and the spirit of our ancestors that have been guiding us thus far, God has really helped us with the pandemic issue because we won’t be able to handle it, when we compare things we have been doing with other nations. We have every course to be thankful to God.

“They said we are spiritual and it is working for us in this country, we have course to thank God Almighty, that it is not out of hands. We should not rest our hoax, I am going to seclusion which is the 6th during my reign. I inherited the tradition from my ancestors of thousands of years ago”, Ooni said.

To participate in this edition of the Olojo Festival in Ile-Ife, foreigners from America and Brazil have started arriving the country in their hundreds as a number of them were sighted at the Ooni’s Palace to join in the procession accompanying the Ooni to the ILE IMOLE, venue of the 7 days seclusion location along Iremo road of the ancient town which is the cradle and traditional headquarters of the Oduduwa race worldwide.

Erica Pinheiro, a participant from Brazil who spoke to the newsmen said this is her second time to participate in the festival which she called ‘festival of day and God’. She described it as a home coming for all of them who came from Brazil, saying whenever Africa or Nigeria is mentioned in Brazil, the city of Ile-Ife first come to mind.

This is my second in the country to witness this festival that celebrates creation of day and festival Olodumare. Ile-Ife is a household name in Brazil. Every Brazilian wants pilgrimage to Ile-Ife and we will be coming home from Brazil every year. ” Erica Pinheiro said.

Former President of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo, has frowned at the way the Federal Government is taking loans. According to the ex-president, borrowing for recurrent expenditure is ‘foolish’.

Obasanjo said, “If you want to build a commercial house and you go and borrow money, and you have 50 per cent of your own money and you borrow 50 per cent and in five years, you pay the 50 per cent that you borrowed. That is a wise thing to do. But if you have to go and borrow money for you to be able to feed yourself and your family, that is a stupid thing to do.

“So, if we are borrowing for recurrent expenditure, it is the height of foolery. If we are borrowing for development that can pay itself, that is understandable; then how long will it pay itself? But we are borrowing and accumulating debt for the next generation and the next generation after them, it is criminal, to put it mildly. What are we borrowing for?

“When I came into government and was elected President, we were spending $3.5bn to service debt, and even with that, our quantum of debt was not going down.”

The administration of the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), has borrowed a total of N21tn within six years.

The administration of the President Muhammadu Buhari has borrowed a total of N21tn within six years.

Data from the Debt Management Office showed that at the end of March 2021, Nigeria’s public debt hit a total of N33.12tn.

Some aggrieved members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State have passed a vote of no confidence on Governor Seyi Makinde.

The members expressed their grievances during a meeting in Ibadan, on Monday.

Present at the meeting were former deputy governor in the state, Chief Azeem Gbolarumi, Bisi Olopoeniyan, former House of Representatives leader, Mulikat Adeola Akande and Adekola Adeoye.

Other aggrieved members are Nureni Akanbi, Engineer Femi Babalola, Elder Mattew Abioye, Princess Aderonke Adedoja, Sarafa Olaoniye, Ahmed Aranse, Ajinawo, Baba Elisa, Chief Odeyemi, Somope, Bola Akinyemi and Micheal Okunlade among others.

The aggrieved members claimed they met on Monday to discuss how to rescue the party ahead of the forthcoming congresses of the party.

PDP party congresses are expected to commence at the end of September.

But a communique issued after a meeting of the group indicated a vote of no confidence on Governor Makinde.

The members alleged that Governor Makinde had hijacked the party structures and that they were working hard to retrieve it from him.

The aggrieved members claimed they had commenced work to return the party to its members.

They said, “The meeting rose with the passing of the vote of no confidence on the leadership of the Oyo State PDP.

‘Members are urged to conduct themselves for the Congress. The venue remains the ward meeting venue in each of the 351 words in the state.

“Nobody should engage in any hooliganism or brigandary. As members of the same party, we must relate as such.

“Members are assured that efforts are to ensure that the party is back to the members of the party”.

Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo state has bared his minds on some issues around his government, national polity and his trip to London to visit the APC national leader, Ahmed Tinubu.

He spoke in an interview with Rueben Abati on Arise TV.

These are some of the highlights of Akeredolu’s interview with Reuben Abati.

On Southern Governors’ Forum’s push for a Southerner to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari:

“Our stance is for equity and justice; our focus is not to field a presidential candidate”

VAT

It is unconstitutional for the FG to share the VAT. The move by the FIRS to go to the NASS means we’re on course and that something was wrong from the beginning.

It’s constitutional amendment they are pursuing and I can bet you,it’s dead on arrival because more states will support us to kill such amendment in the State Assemblies.

Anti-Open Grazing

Anti-Open Grazing Law not targeted at anyone. Is the position of the Katsina Governor, who also a Fulani by tribe also targeted at his own people? Why are people not talking about that? Those who can’t live peacefully amongst our people must get out.

Supreme Court and Buni’s continued stay in office.

The verdict of 4/3 meant I escaped by the whiskers. From the onset, I told the party the case was a long dagger drawn in the heart of the APC.

On Buni, I have said it privately and I’m not inclined to continue to make it a media issue but I must say this.

i have very strong reservations about the legality or otherwise of his position. I can say this because I bore the brunt, I was at the centre of it all.

Visit to Tinubu in London and 2023

I’m an APC person and I have said it over and over that I won’t leave APC.

Once I’m through here, I’m going back to my chambers where I find more comfort.

So whoever the APC brings, I will support. For the National Leader, we’re waiting for him to come so that critical decisions could be taken.

He is our leader in the South, he is what we can call our Capon.

Delayed cabinet

Expect more Commissioners by early next month; I may not have as many as I had in my first term because of the state of our finances.

Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Sunday received his counterpart from Zamfara State, Dr. Bello Muhammad Matawalle on courtesy visit.

Sanwo-Olu, who received Matawalle and his entourage at Lagos House in Marina, said it was important for states to embrace regional collaboration targeted at fostering economic growth and development.

“Progressive collaborations between regions is key to fostering economic growth and development of our dear country, which will impact positively on the citizenry,” Sanwo-Olu said.

Governor of Osun, Adegboyega Oyetola has congratulated the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, on the occasion of his birthday anniversary.

The Governor also felicitated the first Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General of Osun, Asiwaju Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, on the occasion of his birthday, describing him as a foremost patriotic Osun indigene, who is passionate about the growth and development of the State.

Oyetola in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Ismail Omipidan, said he joined families, friends, associates and the people of Lagos and Osun respectively, to celebrate the Lagos Deputy Governor, whom he described as an astute technocrat, administrator and politician of note; and Awomolo, whom he applauded for his long years of sacrifice and service to Osun and humanity.

He lauded Hamzat’s contributions to governance and development of Lagos through the different capacities he has served the State.

Governor Oyetola also appreciated Dr. Hamzat for being a loyal and dependable partner of Governor Babajide SanwoOlu in the quest to develop Lagos State and deliver dividends of democracy to Lagosians.

“On behalf of my family, Government and the good people of Osun, I heartily felicitate my friend and brother, the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, on the occasion of his birthday anniversary.

“It is my prayer that Allah will grant you longer life and increase you in sound health and wisdom to serve the people of Lagos, Nigeria and humanity at large. Happy birthday, brother,” the governor said.

Similarly, he has also felicitated the former Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General of Osun, Asiwaju Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, on the occasion of his birthday, describing him as a foremost patriotic Osun indigene, who is passionate about the growth and development of the State.

To Awomolo, Oyetola said “I value your moral support and wise counsel as we set out to build the Osun of our dream which all of us will be proud of.

“ On behalf of my family, government and the good people of Osun, I heartily felicitate my namesake and egbon, Adegboyega Awomolo on the occasion of his birthday anniversary.

“ I pray God Almighty to grant you longer life and to continue to strengthen you for greater service to Osun and humanity.”

President of the Senate, Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan was today conferred with the title of Aare Akerewolu of Iyin-Ekiti by the paramount ruler of Iyin-Ekiti, Oba Adebola Adeniyi Ajakaiye.

The conferment ceremony which was well attended by Federal and state lawmakers was part of the activities to commemorate the first coronation anniversary of the Oluyin of Iyin.

Lawan said that the Kabiyesi has demonstrated unity by honouring an Ahmed from Yobe State.

The visibly elated Senate President thanked the Oluyin of Iyin, his cabinet and the entire people of Iyin Kingdom for finding him worthy of the title of Aare Akorewolu of Iyin Kingdom.

“I believe that what Kabiyesi did is to recognise someone from Yobe State. An Ahmed from Yobe who is coming to Iyin for the first time but has been with Iyin in his life, in his dreams, in his mind, since I met my friend, my brother, my colleague, Distinguished Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, your son.

“On behalf of myself, my family and people of Yobe North Senatorial District that I represent and the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and indeed the entire National Assembly, I thank you most sincerely for the honour done to me.”

“I accept this honour on behalf of all of us in the Senate and we have a very good delegation of Senators in this very important first anniversary of the coronation of His Royal Highness,” Lawan said.

Senators in company of the Senate President to grace the occasion include: Senate Leader, Yahaya Abdullahi, Senate Deputy Chief Whip, Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, Barau Jibrin, Sadiq Umar Suleiman, Kola Balogun, Ayodele Akinyelure, Chukwuka Utazi, Aisha Dahiru Binani, Mohammed Sani Musa, Surajudeen Basiru Ajibola, Biobarakuma Degi-Eremienyo, Francis Fadahunsi, Adelere Oriolowo, Michael Opeyemi Bamidele(the host) and also Clerk of the National Assembly, Architect Olatunde Ojo.