Author: oduduwanews

The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, on Saturday said that among all Yoruba kings, he is the only monarch who has the exclusive rights to confer chieftaincy titles that would cover the whole Yoruba land on worthy individuals.

He made this disclosure in a statement he signed at the conferment of chieftaincy titles of Atobaase and Ayedero of Yoruba land on Engineer Babajide Ademola Agunbiade and Honorable Shina Peller respectively at the weekend.

Oba Adeyemi, who described the two awardees as eligible for the titles contended that “from time immemorial, he is the king and head of the Yoruba nation. He is the only king in Yoruba land who can confer chieftaincy title on a worthy individual, man or woman, to cover the whole of Yoruba land.

“In exercise of this right, successive Alaafin of Oyo had been guided by due process in the appointment of Yorubas to chieftaincies that covers the whole of Yoruba land.

It takes a lot to be invited into Yoruba royalty and be considered for these Yoruba-wide titles. US-based Dr Babajide Agunbiade and Hon. Shina Abiola Peller are the ones getting the chieftaincy titles.”

While justifying his decision to honour the awardees, he maintained that “they are indigenes with impeccable characters. I took the decision to confer historical titles on these two prominent Oyo and proud Yoruba sons of mine because of their contributions to society and outstanding representation in their various industries and fields of endeavours.

“Agunbiade is one of the most cerebral oil and gas experts and, most especially, representing Nigeria gallantly in global oil and gas, rising to the leadership in global oil and gas. I am proud to be associated with such intellect. He’s a passionate, competent, dependable and well vast guy that goes the extra mile to make sure people around him achieve their full potentials.

“Engr. (Dr.) Agunbiade is a distinguished Yoruba son, technocrat and one of the world’s leading offshore production experts with over 20 years experience in the oil industry.”

Speaking on newly conferred Ayedero of Yoruba Land, Hon. Shina Abiola Peller, the son of Alhaja Silifat and late Professor Moshood Abola Peller, Alaafin affirmed that he had excelled in business and as a serving member of the House of Representatives.

“As I have always made known at every occasion and event such as this one, that our pride as Yoruba is in our intrinsic traditions and cultural heritage. Yoruba as a race or nation evolved a superb constitution which though unwritten, is daintily and unequivocally observed by strong convention.”

“The Yoruba chieftaincy institution is the pillar indeed, the bedrock of our system of government. A traditional ruler cannot, therefore, afford to be despotic without dire consequences. He, therefore, must rule within honourable norms of our traditions.”

One of the awardees, Dr Agunbiade stated that “history has it that the Oyo empire existed since 1300 C.E. This very empire was one the wealthiest empires in Africa. The Oyo empire is reckoned as a major source of the Yoruba ancestral heritage. You will also agree with me that the Yoruba race remains a dominant cultural force in Africa since as far back as the 11th century.”

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has denied an online news publication by Sahara Reporters alleging that the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) ordered the arrest of retired Navy Commodore Kunle Olawunmi for recently appearing on a Television programme in Lagos.

The Armed Forces of Nigeria according to a statement signed by Major General Benjamin Sawyerr, Director Defence Information said it may not want to join issues with Sahara Reporters for the scandalous and malicious publication insinuating that it’s Agency has ordered the arrest of Commodore Olawunmi (rtd) for sharing his views on matters of defence and national security.

It added that the retired military officer who is on the military reserve list was only invited via SMS and voice by DIA to further furnish the AFN with relevant and pressing security information which he may be opportuned to have knowledge of as a Professor of Global Security Studies.

The said proposed meeting according to the DHQ between DIA and the retired senior Navy officer was intended to get credible tips on boosting the fight against terrorism/insurgency, banditry and sundry crimes.

He was not asked to come along with his international passport adding that this in no way constitute any form of arrest speculated by Sahara Reporters.

The DHQ described as very sad that an online media like Sahara Reporters would capitalize on a proposed meeting between an agency and it’s stakeholder to paint the story in a manner intended to portray the military as draconic government agency acting in a crude manner.

The DHQ urged the general public to note that the AFN is a professional entity that will continue to be responsive to all credible information that will promote peace and unity of Nigeria.

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Lucky Irabor according to the statement has just completed his tour of the 6 Geo-Political Zones where he interacted with retired military officers with a view to rallying them to lend their support to the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

The DHQ urged Commodore Kunle Olawunmi to come forward to give valuable information to the military authorities as a patriotic citizen who has served meritoriously in the Nigerian Navy and in various capacities before retirement.

The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemo III has conferred the chieftaincy titles of Ayedero and Yeye Ayedero on the lawmaker representing Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Iwajowa/Kajola Federal Constituency, Hon. Shina Peller and his wife, Ayobola Peller. The conferement was held yesterday at the Palace of the monarch in Oyo town. The snapshots below are for photostory.

Chairman of the Southwest Governors’ Forum and Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, on Friday accompanied the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, on a condolence visit to the Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, over the death of his father, Dr Emmanuel Adesanya Abiodun.

Governor Akeredolu, in his own remark, congratulated Governor Abiodun on surviving his father.

The Governor said the late retired teacher would be remembered for his good works which he said helped in transforming the society.

The Southwestern Nigeria Security Network (WNSN), codenamed Amotekun Corps, in Oyo state has arrested four suspected kidnappers on Thursday along Iseyin-Oyo road.

The suspected kidnappers who were arrested at a farm at Odo-Ogun were identified as Adam Musa (18 years old) from Kogi State, Babuga Ali (19 years old) from Sokoto State, Abdullahi Sheu (18) from Niger State and Umar Mesan (17 years old) from Kano State.

The four men were apprehended while attempting to kidnap another farmer at Odo-‘Mighty Ogun’s Farm,’ where they were found with a variety of weaponry including locally made firearms and ammunition, machetes, knives, and other hazardous weapons.

The offenders told Amotekun operatives that they were responsible for two successful kidnappings in which they received N6.4 million and N1.2 million from the two victims.

They also said that they sent N3 million from the ransom collected to a yet-to-be-identified contact in Kano State, who they said would assist them in obtaining several cows.

The suspects have been handed over to the Police in Iseyin for additional investigation and prosecution, according to a close source within the Amotekun operatives in Iseyin who spoke to ODUDUWA NEWS.

Comrade Lekan Badmus, is a columnist, writer and contributor @Oduduwa News.

It is no more a news that CR7 has returned to the team that brought him into limelight. What is news is whether he would be honoured with his symbolic jersey no 7 currently on the neck of Cavani.

Jersey no 7 is the most popular jersey number in Man U. From George Best to David Becham , Ronaldo to Owen, Depay to Martial and currently to Cavani, every player that has worn the number is seen as a genius and an extra ordinary player. The issue now is: will CR7 retain 7; a number that has become household to his hotels and private jet ?!

It is not impossible to return 7 to Christiano. Cavani could willingly submit. Never forget the fact that Martial relinquished the number to the current holder.

If Dybala could do that for Ronaldo at Juve, nothing stops Cavani to respect Ronaldo.

At PSG, Neymar wears 10 which incidentally is synonymous to the new arrival- Messi. This might pose little emotional problem. Although, report revealed that Messi would be given No 30 which he wore at Barca while Ronaldhino was wearing 10. As soon Ronaldhino left, Messi got 10.

One thing is cock sure. If this issue of 7 is subjected to an open debate in England, majority would vote for CR7.

Omo ju omo lo !

Meanwhile, the available number of jerseys optional and available for the the five-time world best player are : 12, I5, 24, 28, 30, 32, 33.

In conclusion, the return of Portugal Christiano Ronaldo would undoubtedly improve the image of the red-devils, increase the popularity of Premiership, attract more money and spectators to the “Theatre of Dreams” and ultimately inject serious competition to the the team.

Comrade Lekan Badmus is freelance writer, Sports and Education Consultant.

E.mail: lekanbadmuscolumn@gmail.com

Mobile: 08060002439