Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has felicitated the Christian faithful in the state and across Nigeria on the occasion of the Easter festivity.
The Governor, who congratulated the Christians on witnessing another Easter season, called on them to use the special occasion to pray for Oyo State and Nigeria as well as the leadership.
According to the Governor, it has become important to engage in more prayers and supplications for the country and the state amid current economic situations.
He equally charged Christians to imbibe the lessons of love and sacrificial living taught through Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection, saying it is important for Christians, now more than ever before, to put into practice the lessons of love and sacrificial living of Christ.
He said: “I congratulate our Christian brethren on the occasion of Easter festivity.
“It is my prayer that God grants us the opportunity to witness more of such occasion.
“I also want to use the opportunity to charge them to follow Christ’s examples of love, selflessness and sacrificial living, as exemplified by his death on the cross of Calvary and resurrection.
“I equally call on all residents of the state to be vigilant and security-conscious as they celebrate Easter.
As we always say, if they see something, they should say something and as their government, we will continue to take action towards securing the state.
Experts, academics, non governmental organizations as well as students under the aegis of Strengthening Capacity for Research and Policy Engagement on Notions of Motherhood and Fatherhood and Improved Children’s Wellbeing in Africa (SCaRPE-A), have advocated for safe motherhood and responsive fatherhood in child upbringing while calling for the eradication of child labour in our society.
This was made known yesterday at a One-Day Conference on Childhood Identities and Wellbeing in Nigeria which culminated into policy report titled: Parenting and Children Wellbeing In Nigeria: Dynamics, Interventions and Agenda Action presented by the duo of Dr. Mutiat Oladejo who is a Senior Lecturer at the Department of History, University of Ibadan and Dr. Sharon Omotoso who is a Senior Research Fellow (Gender/Media Studies) at the Institute of African Studies, University of Ibadan.
The event had scholars from various disciplines who also added their research inputs to the theme of the event.
In his opening remark, Professor S.O. Oyetade, Dean of the Faculty of Arts, University of Ibadan, thanked the Department of History for organising the Conference on parenting and children wellbeing in Nigeria, an important area of consideration in contemporary world owing to the changing notions in parenting and child upbringing. He noted further that the upbringing of a child is the collective responsibility of the society, but due to the high level of decadence in society nowadays, the upbringing of the child suffers a setback.
Dr. Mutiat Oladejo while speaking to newsmen on the Policy report, highlighted some of the challenges facing motherhood in our society which have placed burden of child parenting strictly on mother while neglecting important role of fatherhood as an integral component in child upbringing.
She was quoted as saying, “we have been in this project since 2020 and our advocacy is to improve children wellbeing and ensure proper child upbringing irrespective of whether you are a father or mother. Notion of motherhood is usually entangled in the problem of women discrimination, biases against women in the society as there is too much burden on being a mother while fatherhood is relegated to only financial support to mother, neglecting the aspect of social, psychological and moral support to the mother. She therefore called for responsive fatherhood and safe motherhood to improve parenting and children wellbeing in Nigeria.
The Head of Department of History, UI, Prof. Rasheed Olaniyi while joining the conversation called for the eradication of child labour in our society. He attributed some challenges facing children in our society to bad parenting and that adequate steps needed to be taken to address those challenges. He however enjoined the political elites to address socioeconomic problems confronting the nation as this will reduce economic burden on parents who engage their children in hawking and other forms of street trading when they are supposed to be in school.
The programme which lasted for several hours hosted academics from various institutions and a communique drafted at the end of the programme is reproduced below:
Communique issued at the end of a one-day conference on Childhood Identities in Nigeria: Being, Belonging and Becoming, a project of Strengthening Capacity for Research and Policy Engagement in Shifting Notions of Motherhood and Fatherhood for Improved Children Well-Being in Africa (SCaRPE-A) in collaboration with the Department of History, University of Ibadan, Nigeria and Women’s Research and Documentation Centre (WORDOC), University of Ibadan, Nigeria.
The conference on Childhood Identities and Wellbeing in Nigeria and a Public Presentation of Policy report titled: Parenting and Children Wellbeing in Nigeria was held on Thursday, March 28, 2024 at Otunba Subomi Balogun Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, Nigeria as part of the project of SCaRPE-A Nigeria convened by Dr. Mutiat T. Oladejo and Dr. Sharon A. Omotoso. The one-day Conference had in attendance scholars across various disciplines, educationists, representatives of non-governmental organizations, researchers and students. At 9am prompt, the conference opened with the introductory remark by Professor R.O Olaniyi, Head of History Department, University of Ibadan.
Following his address was the welcome speech by Professor S.O. Oyetade, Dean of the Faculty of Arts, University of Ibadan, who thanked the Department of History for organising the Conference on parenting and children wellbeing in Nigeria, an important area of consideration in the world today owing to the changing notions in parenting and child upbringing. He noted further that the upbringing of a child is the collective responsibility of society, but due to the high level of decadence in society nowadays, the upbringing of the child suffers a setback. He also made reference to how modernity has affected the upbringing of a child and thereby making it worse, the product of this according to him is what he described as (Abi Iko) one who was born but not trained and (Ako Igba) one who received moral training but refuse to put the training into use. He highlighted that at the end of the conference there should be resolutions and suggestions for parents to take care of their children. In the opening remark by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, (Research Innovation and Strategic Partnerships), Prof. Oluyemisi Bamgbose commended the Department for the wonderful opportunity of such a program and the need for the department to continue on such a trend towards having a better society. At 9:55am, the session rose for a group photograph.
This was immediately followed by the first lead paper presentation by Prof. Rasheed Olaniyi, Head of Department of History University of Ibadan. In his presentation titled: “Reckoning with the cycles of Abuse: Perspectives on labour exploitation of children in Nigeria”, Prof. Olaniyi applied an holistic approach in tackling the issue of child Labour and its consequences. He recognised the major reasons many children are used as cheap labourers is because of their inability to negotiate with the employees. He went further to identify the patterns of Child Labour ranging from street hawking, child marriage, child begging and child prostitution. Child labour affects both the boys and girl child which are subjected to exploitative practices. Beyond losing their childhood, these children developed survivor personality. He rounded up by saying that child learning is holistic, education should be prioritized and child labour should be curbed. The second lead paper was presented by Prof. Olukemi K. Amodu of the Institute of Child Health, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan. She emphasized on Childhood Immunisation as an integral factor in the becoming of a child. In the context of Nigerian society, she reiterated how researches on immunization is crucial in policy uptake for a healthy society.
At the parallel sessions, about forty (40) papers were presented by participants. Generally, some of the recommendations and resolutions reached at the conference included collaborative efforts among stakeholders in government, non-governmental agencies, schools and academic institutions, members of the public and the family in tackling the vice of child trafficking, improving children’s welfare and as well as changing the notions of parenting for effectiveness. Other recommendations include the adoption of enforcement agencies in tackling child trafficking, beyond the mere rhetoric of it.
The conveners presented a policy report on parenting and children wellbeing in Nigeria, published conference proceedings and edited publication of fieldnotes by early career researchers. The outcomes of the capacity strengthening process are uploaded in the website of African Research University Alliance, Centre of Excellence in Notions of Identities, Makerere University, Uganda. By 5:51 pm, Dr. Mutiat Oladejo gave the vote of thanks and note of appreciation to all participants at the conference and the conference ended with key issues manifesting that:
identity should not be a fixed construct but it should be viewed as dynamic and changing.
tradition tends to impose communal moral imposition on the child, motivating all moralists in the community to assault the child.
deadbeat mothers and fathers are common in the society but the wounds are incurable in the minds of children.
mothers’ undergo severe burdens involving poverty, spirituality, infertility and sacrifice in child upbringing.
the reason for child labour are manifest in debt bondage, lack of education, weak institutional framework and budget constraints.
impacts of entrepreneurship in child labour is exploitative because it leads to nonchalant attitude in concentrating on education and apprenticeship.
childhood immunization is an important aspect as feeding a child because of the exposure of children to various diseases and conditions.
the growing population in Nigeria has led to increased in the challenges of parenting on both fatherhood and motherhood.
there is no one way parenting styles as there have been several dynamics which have shaped the phenomena of parenting depending on class status in the society.
out-of-school children is a complicated issue, because of the cultural mindset on child labour
baby factory phenomenon has become an illicit economy that connects other West African countries
juvenile prostitution is an illicit economy that parents are also complicit in using their girls for.
child trafficking is also an illicit economy expanding rapidly due to challenges of inadequate care.
The Chief Imam of Iwoland, Sheik Abdulfatai Olododo, is dead.
It was gathered that he died yesterday at his residence in Iwo.
However, the Iwo Local Government Caretaker Chairman, Hon. Moshood Kabiru IRORUN has expressed his deep sympathy to the Muslim Ummah in Iwo over the demise of the Chief Imam of Iwo, Sheikh Abdul-Fatai Olododo.
In his condolence message, the chairman described the late Chief Imam as a deeply religious and patriotic indigene who contributed greatly, not only to the propagation of Islam in the community and beyond, but also to the prevailing peaceful co-existence between Muslims and adherents of other religions in Iwoland.
“Chief Imam was not only a respected religious scholar but also a beacon of unity and tolerance in our community. Through his vast knowledge and unyielding dedication, he fostered an environment where people of different faiths came together in harmony, understanding, and respect. He tirelessly preached love, compassion, and acceptance, inspiring us all to embrace our shared humanity and work towards a better future for everyone.
“We are forever grateful for Chief Imam’s teachings, guidance, and the extraordinary example he set for us all. His tireless efforts to unite us, irrespective of our differences, will echo in our hearts and minds, serving as a lasting testament to his wisdom and sincerity. The legacy he leaves behind is one that must be cherished and carried forward in our daily lives, as we continue to nurture the bonds of friendship and understanding he worked so diligently to strengthen.
“As we mourn this great loss, let us remember Chief Imam not only for his scholarly achievements but also for the compassion and love he shared with each and every one of us. Let us honor his memory by committing ourselves to the principles he upheld and by embracing the diversity that exists within our community. In doing so, we can continue his mission of fostering peace, harmony, and unity among all members of our community.
“During this difficult time, I extend my deepest condolences to Chief Imam’s family, friends, and all who held him dear. May you find solace in the memories and teachings he shared, and may his soul find eternal peace in the loving embrace of the Almighty”.
Akarigbo has urged cultists within Remo, Ogun State to emulate 48 people who renounced cultism, surrendered arms, ammunitions in Sagamu.
Yesterday, March 26, 2024, his royal majesty, Oba Dr Babatunde Adewale Ajayi, Torungbuwa II, LLB, LLM, FCA, FBR, CFR, the Akarigbo and Paramount Ruler of Remoland and also the Chairman, Ogun State Council of Obas received the Ogun State security agencies in his Palace at Ita Oba, Sagamu, Ogun State.
The security agencies ably led by the Ogun State Commissioner of Police CP Abiodun Alamutu, were in the Palace of Akarigbo on the issue of cultism where nothing less than 48 Cultists renounced cultism and surrendered their arms and ammunitions to the Police for confiscation.
Speaking earlier, the Akarigbo and Paramount ruler of Remo land, Oba Babatunde Ajayi, said the amnesty for the cultists was as result of several engagements and discussion during when many of the cultists regretted their nefarious acts and promised to turn a new leaf.
Oba Ajayi said that “not satisfied with the killings and disturbance of these cultists in the town, the community restrategized and moved against them. The heat was so much that some of them were even forced to leave the town, but they continued to beg, sending emissaries that they were ready to turn a new leaf.
“We have engaged them and told them point-blank that cultism is not the way forward, that they will only ruin their life, ruin their family name and the plans of God for their lives.
“We told them to submit their weapons and stay away from cultism, and we have promised to integrate them into the society. It is an ongoing exercise, and we hope that their colleagues in other parts of Remo land and Ogun State as a whole will draw a vital lesson and follow suit as well. ”
Akarigbo thanked Governor Dapo Abiodun, security agencies, and the Sagamu Security Committee for working round the clock to ensure the success of the amnesty deal for the former cultists.
Oba Babatunde Ajayi also pleaded with the residents of the Sagamu community to show the repentant cultists love and support and not treat them as outcasts.
Those in attendance were, DSS State Director, Folashade Adekaya
Aareonakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Abiodun Ige Adams, on Tuesday, warned against what he termed as deliberate efforts by some individuals to drag his name in the mud, saying that his silence should not be taken for cowardice.
Iba Gani Adams, gave the warning while speaking on the controversy generated by an alleged audio clip, which had gone viral, vowing that he was ready to set the records straight on the various questions hanging in the balance on the alleged defamation contained in the said clips.
The Yoruba generalissimo, in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Mr Kehinde Aderemi, said the ongoing legal infraction by both Sunday Adeyemo Igboho popularly called Igboho and Mr.Tayo Ayinde, the Chief of Staff (COS) to the Lagos State Governor, was a grand conspiracy to discredit his person, and further vowed that he was ready to do everything to protect his hard-earned name and the office he represents.
He said his reaction became pertinent as it had become evident that those involved- Igboho and Ayinde – were not ready to toe the line of peace as initiated by the Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Eniitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja 11, other prominent Obas and personalities in Yoruba land.
“The reason for my silence amid the various legal and media infractions by Igboho and Ayinde was not because I am a coward, but because of the initial interventions of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, other prominent Obas, and several other important personalities in Yorubaland.
This was just as he pointedly said that the audio clip generating the squabbles was a distorted and disjointed content of a private conversation held way back in 2021 between him and a US-based younger brother of a friend, recalling that the conversation was initiated by the young man who claimed he wanted a reconciliation between myself, Igboho and some other people.
The Ogun State Community, Social Orientation and Safety Corps (aka So-Safe Corps) has arrested five suspects for alleged armed robbery and burglary.
The arrests, in two different operations, comprised a one-man armed robbery suspect, whose previous records of operations were carried out with a makeshift pistol, while the other gang of four specialized in the burgling of residential apartments.
The two incidents took place under the Agbara Area Command of the Corps, led by AC Adebesin Lukmon.
In the case of the suspected armed robber, Oluwatosin Ayinde, he had set out, as usual, on Friday, March 22, fully prepared for an operation, when the law of retribution caught with him
According to a press statement issued by the State Commander of So-Safe, Dr. Soji Ganzallo, through the Director of Information and Public Relations of the Corps, AC Commander, ACP Moruf Yusuf, the suspect’s cup of criminality got filled to the brim on the said day.
He was alleged of attempting to dispossess one Abiodun Ogunbiyi of his motorcycle at gunpoint, by flaunting a ‘pistol’, which was later discovered by the victim as a makeshift pistol, formed from a gas lighter, resulting in a physical combat between the duo on the victim’s motorcycle.
In the ensuing upheaval, during which they both fell off the bike, the victim raised an alarm that attracted officers of the Corps, who were very close to the scene.
The incident, according to the statement, occurred at Idanyin near Agbara at about 9:35pm on March 22. while officers of the Agbara Area Command of the Corps, led by AC Adebesin Lukmon, were on a routine patrol.
Ganzallo noted that, on sighting the officers, the suspect threw the gas lighter, which looked like a stainless pistol, into a nearby bush, adding that, “This tool he used to intimidate his victims into submission”.
On interrogation, the suspect, a resident of Idanyin in the Ado-Odo/Otta Local Government Area of Ogun State, confessed to the crime, and further owned up to his membership of Eiye Confraternity.
Recovered from him were a blue Honda motorbike, manually marked LSR 615 QM, two Techno Spark4 phones.
The Lagos State Police Command has foiled a staged kidnapping and arrested four people involved in the scheme.
The command’s Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, disclosed this in a statement on Friday.
The statement partly read, “Detectives of the Lagos States Police Command have arrested Margret Itodo ‘f’ aged 25, Agnes Ogbeh ‘f’ aged 23, Esther Anyanwu ‘f’ aged 24 and Anthony Chinakwe ‘m’ aged 24 for faking the kidnap of Agnes Ogbeh.
“On March 19, 2024, Agnes Ogbeh, resident in Akure, had travelled to Lagos and was reportedly kidnapped in Lagos.
“The family back in Akure received a video showing Agnes and one other tied, gagged, and groaning with blood droplets around them.
“The ‘kidnappers’ demanded N5m for the release of Agnes.
Nigeria’s former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, has revealed what he spends the better part of his weekdays doing.
Speaking when he paid a courtesy visit to Abia state governor, Alex Otti on Friday, the elder stateman disclosed that he plays squash on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays to be physically fit.
He earlier hailed Otti for repealing the law that gave pensions to ex-governors and their deputies.
The ex-president was on his way to attend the 61st birthday celebration of his former Special Assistant on Privatisation, Bishop Sunday Onuoha.
Obasanjo commended Otti for taking time to engage in exercise, saying leaders must keep themselves in healthy shape.
“This morning, I came in and I met you exercising. A sound mind and a sound body and I say to you, now I know your secret,” Obasanjo said.
“I was glad when you said you do that every other day. It’s just like me playing squash on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. I think a leader must keep himself or herself in a healthy condition,” he said.
The former leader celebrated his 87th birthday on March 5.
Operatives of the Ogun Police Command on Thursday reportedly engaged suspected kidnappers in a gun duel and killed five of them.
The kidnappers numbering eight were said to have been responsible for the kidnapping of Tunde Osifowokan, the farm manager of Flourishing Poultry Farm, Idowa in Odogbolu Local Government area, Ogun State.
The masked gunmen reportedly stormed the poultry farm on Monday shooting sporadically after which they abducted Osifowokan said to be the younger brother of the owner of the farm.
The hoodlums were said to have demanded for the whereabout of the owner of the farm after which his younger brother stood up to say that the farm owner was not around.
On getting to know that the young man is the brother of their target, the kidnappers were said to have whisked him away amidst heavy shooting.
The Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alamutu said the police had been on the trail of the armed gang since the incident was reported.
Alamutu said the command’s operatives stormed the kidnappers’ hideout on Thursday and engaged them in a gun battle
He said “at about 4am on Thursday morning, our anti-kidnapping unit stormed the kidnappers hideout at Odogbolu forest along Sagamu-Benin express way“.
“The kidnappers engaged the squad in a fierce gun battle during when five of them, out of about eight were neutralised while the rest escaped with bullet wounds.
“Exhibits recovered from the dead among the kidnappers are cash sum of N1,185, 070 suspected to be part of the ransom the kidnappers had collected.
“Other exhibits are one sword, cellphones, substances suspected to be hard drugs, charms, empty shells of AK47 riffle and sticks.”
Alamutu also said that the victim, Tunde Osifowokan, was rescued unhurt.
He said corpses of the kidnappers were deposited at the morgue of a General Hospital for autopsy.
The CP said that the command has intensified efforts to arrest all the fleeing suspects.
No fewer than ten people have lost their lives to the ghastly motor vehicle accident that recently occurred on Tuesday night in Oyo State.
It was learnt that the motor accident conveying passengers from Iseyin to Ogbomosho suddenly summersaulted and ten people reportedly died while others sustained serious injuries.
A source who spoke to ODUDUWA NEWS said the bus took a disorderly heap off the road after experiencing a sudden tyre burst on a full speed.
The bus driver, Alhaji Lukman Omipoleko Olope, was said to have died immediately as other casualties were tragically recorded.
He was a fitness enthusiast.
“It was this morning I saw him. He asked if I was going to Ilorin or not. This is so sudden.
“People who saw him before the accident are in shock and disbelief. May God overlook his shortcomings and forgive him,” a grief-stricken ally of the deceased driver, Ashirudeen Ayuba, said.
Meanwhile, the remains of the deceased have been brought back home for burial according to Islamic rites.
A WhatsApp voice note dropped in a group where Olowoeko was a member, which this publication heard revealed that sympathisers have been gathering at Oja Ebedi Motor Park in Iseyin to pay their last tributes to the driver and others.
