Author: oduduwanews

The Arole Oduduwa & Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, on Monday launched an Adire textile production hub; a cultural centre built on a 30,000 square meters of land with a vision to empower the youths through the revival of local fabrics.

While declaring the hub opened within the premises of the Ife Ground Resorts, Ile-Ife, Ooni Ogunwusi revealed that the ancient Adire textile is an agelong tradition of Ife, from where he said it was taken to the Abeokuta by the Egbas and other parts of the world.

“Our vision is to empower our youths because that is the way to go, if we empower them they won’t be interested in protests and other things that might disrupt the system. A lot of them will be productively engaged and I am happy to inform you that we are doing that already.

“We are working with the textile department of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife and other tertiary institutions across the country as well as Yoruba speaking countries like Cuba, Brazil, Venezuela among others.

“This innovation is a clear message to all that lots can be achieved through local technology and intelligence. Look at this whole place, it was built and decorated through local intelligence whole these fine touches were done with local fabrics (Adire).

“This is the beginning and I can assure you that we have mapped out plans to take it across the entire country and beyond.” The Ooni said.

Earlier in her address, Co-founder of the textile hub, Princess Ronke Ademiluyi, described the concept as a viable means of youth empowerment, cultural promotion and cultural exchange.

“His Majesty decided that we should launch this production hub during this year’s Aje festival because She is about wealth creation and entrepreneurship and textile hub aims to provide a lot of wealth creation opportunities for the local artisans in Ile-Ife who work with us and the hub will enable them to increase their production capacity and generate sustainable involved for themselves.

“Most important, His Majesty will also want the hub up engage in the use of sustainable practices, including researching and using dyes that are not harmful to the environment. He has emphasized that we make use of Elu leaf in Ile-Ife, which is also known as the indigo leaf as this is a resource that is yet to be tapped and can bring wealth creation to the local community.” Princess Ademiluyi said.

Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has blamed the growing sectional activism which he said is gradually replacing National patriotism on the faulty and twisted federalism operated in the country.

He lamented that most Nigerians are losing faith in “Unity in Diversity” sloganeering while urging that the only opportunity to restore national consciousness is through True Federalism.

Governor Akeredolu spoke at a Public Lecture organized as part of the activities marking his 2nd Term Inauguration with the theme “Towards A New Nigeria: From Federal Fatherism To A CommonWealth.”

The Lecture was delivered virtually by the President, African Development Bank Group, Dr Akinwumi Adesina.

Arakunrin Akeredolu said rather than building the Nation, Nigerians are more inclined to ethnic nationalism, adding that the people have resorted to clannish satisfaction in place of nation-building.

While identifying insecurity as the most potent threat to national belief, Governor Akeredolu stressed that the consequences are increasingly becoming more daring, adding that the time to act is now.

Speaking on the efforts of the Southwest Governors in tackling insecurity, he said their fight is against criminality and not targeted at any ethnic nationality or business.

He said;” we are against criminality and we shall fight criminality with every legal means. It is in the interest of our collective wellbeing.

“All we require is the support and understanding of all Federating Units, including the Federal Government. The simple truth is that we have lived in self-denial amid an excruciating pain that is almost cancerous now.“

“Notwithstanding our challenges today, my firm belief in the Nigerian Project is strengthened by my fact of a true Nigerian.

“That I desire a more United Nigeria with every ingredient of freedom, rule of law, patriotism, love, mutual respect and harmony is an understatement. And I am prepared to fight for it legitimately for the benefit of all.”

Earlier in his Lecture, Dr Adesina said with good governance and a better accountability system, with a zero-tolerance for corruption, more economically stronger constituents states would emerge.

The AFDB boss called for a change in the relational mindset between the states and the Federal government, saying the fulcrum should be the states, while the centre would support them and not lord over them.

Adesina said there should be a new Nigeria where massive wealth would be unleashed across the states.

Present at the event were; the Chairman of Occasion, Yobe state Governor and Chairman APC Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee, Hon. Mai Mala Buni, who was represented by the former Senate President, Senator Ken Nnamani, minister of state for Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Donald Tayo Alasoadura, former deputy governor, Senator Iyiola Omisore, Engr. Ade Adetimehin and other important dignitaries.

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has ordered the reopening of Shasha community following the recent clash between Yoruba and Hausa communities in the market.

The governor directed that the market should be reopened immediately.

The decision to reopen the market was reached during a meeting between the governor and Shasha community leaders at the Western Hall, Secretariat, Ibadan.

Following the recent clash which led to the loss of lives and property, Makinde (Oyo), Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano), Bello Matawalle (Zamfara), Abubakar Bagudu (Kebbi), and Abubakar Bello (Niger) had visited the market in Ibadan to proffer a lasting solution to the recent clash between Yoruba and Hausa communities there.

The team, which included security heads in the state, Special Adviser to Governor Makinde on Security, Mr. Fatai Owoseni; Chairman, Advisory Council, Senator Hosea Agboola; and former Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Senator Monsurat Sumonu, were received warmly to the palaces of the Baale of Shasha and Seriki Shasha.

The Arole Oduduwa & Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, played host to the Ovie of Ozoro kingdom, Delta State, Ovietobore Ogbogbo, on Saturday at his Ile Oodua Palace, Ile-Ife.

While receiving the monarch who was flanked by his queen, chiefs and other dignitaries from the Delta kingdom, Ooni Ogunwusi admonished that Africans and indeed Nigerians should not dispose their cultural heritage on the basis of confliction with religion.

The Ooni who is the Spiritual head of the Yoruba race explained that there are distinctions between religion and culture and they must be carefully studied and practiced with one not encroaching on the other.

“How can you be sitting on honey and milk and not enjoying? Something is not adding up and what you need to do is to visit your history. I am aware of your rich cultural heritage, please do not throw them away for civilization or religion.

“You need to know the difference between cultural heritage and spirituality. Visit your history and look into those things your ancestors used to do, do not think you are worshipping idols.

“I am the spiritual head of the Yoruba people and I am saying it with all authority. When you get home, gather your elders and speak to your ancestors, they will hear you. Don’t fight, just speak to the land of Uzoro and it’ll hear you.” The Ooni advised.

On the South-South kingdom’s relationship with their Yoruba counterpart in the Southwest part of Nigeria, Ooni Ogunwusi revealed that they belong to Oluyare Compound in Ife and their lineage remain unambiguously known to all.

“Oranmiyan who was an Ife Prince left home to establish the Benin kingdom from which Ozoro emanated from, now you see we are one. I want you to visit the Orun Oba Ado groove, Oduduwa groove, Oranmiyan groove and other places of significance to help you get the clear picture of what I am saying.

Earlier in his speech, the Ovie of Ozoro Kingdom, Ovietobore Ogbogbo, described the Ooni as a wonderful monarch whose leadership knacks are immeasurable.

“I decided to come here to have a feel of home and I am convinced that this is home, this is root. I am so happy and excited to tap from the grace and I pray that this shall be the beginning of good things in Ife and Ozoro kingdoms.

Guests at the event including the Oore of Otun Ekiti, Oba Adekunle Adeagbo, were thrilled with performances of palace cultural dancers, drummers and the Princesses from Ozoro Kingdom who made the big day colourful.

tHe management of Oyo State College of Agriculture, Igboora has made it kwnown to the public that the school has not been shut down contrary to the report that the school has been closed indefinitely. This was made known today in a release made available by the Register to the newsmen by which reads in part:

“The general public are hereby notified that Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology, Igboora has not been shut, the School is still in session but academic activities was only disrupted by student.

” Similarly, the management express surprise at the hasty decision of the Students Union Government of the institution to disrupt academic activities without first presenting its agitations to the management of the institution.

“According to the Students Union president Comrade Salahudeen Hameed Olasunkanmi who spoke with the Acting Registrar of the institution said, “the protest was aimed at drawing the attention of stakeholders to the poor funding of education.”

“It is however, worrisome that some individuals for reasons best known to them decided to mislead members of the public by distorting the facts under whatever guise in order to bring the good name of the management of the institution to a disrepute.

“It should be noted that the Management has never turned deaf hears to the needs of Students and other materials that would make the stay of students on campus an enjoyable one.

” For the records, Students of Oyo State College of” Agriculture and Technology, Igboora can attest to the fact that they are usually treated as very important personalities, while students’ matters are giving priority attention within the available resources.

“It is therefore not true that poor treatment was meted out to students of the institution or that the students were protesting as a result of neglect in the hand of the school management.

” With respect to amenities, it is no gainsaying that the institution has state of the art facilities for teaching and learning, while some are due for upgrading, but efforts are underway to fix such.”

The Management said the institution has up to 10 boreholes that supply water to the various departments in the college, while the health centre of the institution which was donated by the Ibarapa Central Local Government, has experienced personnel that provide medical assistance to ailing students.

“Also, the institution is connected to the national grid and generators are available at the various departments for power supply.”

Ibadan Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday secured the conviction of one Oluwatoyin Henry before Justice Sherifat Adeyemi of the Oyo State High Court, sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State on one count of obtaining by false pretences.

According to the commission’s spokesperson, Wilson Square, on Monday, the suspect is a student of Ladothe ke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso.

The charge reads: “That you Oluwatoyin Henry sometime in 2019, at Ogbomoso, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, obtained the sum of one thousand two hundred United States of America dollars ($1,200) from one Betty Mosley, when you falsely presented to him that you are a citizen of United States of America by name Amanda, who is in love with him, which representations you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence.”

The convict pleaded guilty to the amended charge after a plea bargain agreement with the prosecution and was convicted and sentenced to six months in prison.

However, he was also ordered to restitute the sum of $1,200 to his victim, and forfeit his iPhone 11, one Infinix Hot 5 and a Nokia phone to the Nigerian government.

The Government and people of Ekiti State has today mourned the passage of its citizen, Flight Sergeant Olasunkanmi Olawunmi (ATOS specialist), who died in the Beechcraft Kingair B350i plane crash while returning to the Abuja Airport after a technical difficulty enroute Minna, Niger State on Sunday.

Late FS Olawunmi, an indigene of Ogotun Ekiti, was a competent, courageous, and worthy NAF personnel. He was a true Nigerian hero who won the respect and admiration of both his peers and his commanding officer throughout the war against insurgency.

The Amalgamated Union of Foodstuff and Cattle Dealers of Nigeria (AUFCDN) says it will withdraw its services nationwide if the Federal Government fails to respond to its demands within seven days over the Shasa and #EndSARS crises.

AUFCDN, an affiliate of Nigeria Labour Congress, is demanding protection of its members, payment of N475bn compensation for lives of members and properties lost during the #EndSARS protest and the Shasa market chaos.

Its Secretary-General, Ahmed Alarama, at a press conference in Abuja on Sunday, said the union had notified President Muhammadu Buhari and the security agencies over its planned actions.

Ikubabayeye, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III has advised political leaders to embark on restructuring to solve rising challenges of insecurity and menace of banditry in Nigeria.

The monarch, in a statement on Sunday, likened the current situation to the 1967 crisis during the early period of military interregnum.

He said the current situation requires that all Yoruba leaders should come together irrespective of political differences and speak with one voice as done in the days of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

Oba Adeyemi said restructuring of Nigeria is a major solution, which Yoruba should push further this time.

The statement, which he personally signed, reads: “If there is anytime the Yoruba should come together and speak with one voice, this really is the time.

“Whether in terms of security or human welfare including safety of lives and property, I make bold to say that things have never been so bad in the country. This time is really an era of ethno-religious suspicion among our various communities.

“The present state of national uncertainty can best be compared with the situation in 1967 during the political crisis during the leadership of General Gowon.

“I recall with pleasant nostalgia that during the time, Yoruba leaders across different political parties sank their political differences and met in Ibadan under the governorship of General Adeyinka Adebayo.

“On that occasion, Yoruba unanimously chose the sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo not only as leader but as the authentic spokesman of the Yoruba. It was the success of Awolowo leadership that kept the Yoruba away from any kind of civil war in spite of all temptations.

“Coming back to the present, suffice to say that the word restructuring, which we are all demanding now is not a new phenomenon in our national polity; only that it has changed its name.

“Thanks to the political foresight of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo who, at all constitutional conferences in the pre-independence years, insisted on true federalism as the bedrock of political survival and stability of the country.

A Lagos State Mobile Court over the weekend convicted and sentenced a fake soldier arrested by the operatives of the Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences (Enforcement) Unit (Taskforce) for assault and impersonation to six weeks jail term.

Speaking on the arrest and arraignment, the Chairman of the Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences (Enforcement) Unit (Taskforce), CSP Shola Jejeloye, disclosed that the convicted fake soldier was apprehended after he collaborated with some miscreants to assault members of the enforcement team of the Agency at Airport Bus-Stop, along Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway.

He said that the operatives of the Agency were coming from monitoring and enforcement operation with over 150 impounded motorcycles loaded into three of the Agency’s trucks before the fake soldier, whose commercial motorcycle was also among those impounded while plying restricted routes, mobilised hoodlums to attack the team with dangerous weapons.

“The fake soldier was subsequently arrested after the attack was quelled. However, it was during preliminary investigations that it was discovered that he was not a member of the Nigerian Armed Forces but an impersonator”, Jejeloye said.

“The man later confessed to having only claimed to be a soldier in order to retrieve his impounded commercial motorcycle and that he painted his motorcycle with Nigerian Army camouflage colour in order to evade arrest from security agents while engaging in commercial activities on restricted routes”, he added.

CSP Jejeloye urged members of the public to stop impersonating security agents to commit crimes as anyone caught would be seriously dealt with in accordance with the Law.

The Chairman, however, confirmed that the arraignment of the fake soldier at the Lagos Mobile Court was in compliance with the directive of the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hakeem Odumosu.

Magistrate Oyebimbola Israel Adelakun, who presided over the matter, sentenced the accused Kabiru Mohammed (25 years) to six weeks in jail with N40,000 as an option of fine after he had pleaded guilty to the three-count charge of Assault, Conduct Likely to Cause Breach of Peace and Impersonation levelled against him.