Category: Opinion

By Yekeen Adio

No doubt, the Oluwo of Iwo is among the leading traditional rulers in Osun State because of the importance of Oluwo stool in Yoruba history.

Iwo is an ancient town in Osun State, Nigeria. It is the seat of the Iwo Kingdom, a traditional state.

The Iwo people, like all other people of Yoruba stock are said to have belonged to Ile-Ife from where they migrated sometimes in the 14th century. The earliest settlement initiated by Adekola Telu a prince from Ife. Adekola Telu was the son of the 16th Ooni of Ife a female called Luwo Gbagida. The town formerly part of Oyo state which was later separated and became one of the major townships in Osun State, Nigeria.

The stool of Oluwo has had 22 occupants including Late Oba Asiru Olatunbosun Tadese who joined his ancestors after reigning for almost 21 years.

On the evening of Monday, 18th February, 2013 when the news of the demise of the immediate past Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Asiru Olatunbosun Tadese, Ariwajoye 1 broke, many people in the ancient town of Iwo especially the indigenes were downcast because the reign of the late Oluwo, according to them witnessed remarkable developments, which includes the establishment of a tertiary institution by the Nigerian Baptist Convention, named Bowen University.

Immediately after late Oluwo’s burial there came an intense battle over who succeeds late Tadese as at least 10 princes from three of the five ruling houses eligible to ascend the throne of Oluwo threw their hats into the ring.

There was dispute among the princes over the number of families eligible to contest the stool in spite of the Osun State government pegging the number at five.

In the aftermath of legal tussle, the Gbaase Ruling House was agreed to be the next to produce the Oluwo. To this end, seven contestants emerged from Gbaase ruling house. After about two years of intense contest and selection processes of which left the people of the town waiting for the announcement of the next Oluwo.

On Monday, 9th of November, 2015, there was wild jubilation among indigenes and residents of Iwo land following the approval and announcement of the appointment of Prince ‘Rasheed Adewale Akanbi of the Gbaase ruling house of Iwo as the new Oluwo of Iwoland by the then Osun State Helmsman, Rauf Aregbesola.

On that same day, the ancient city of Iwo stood still, when the Oluwo-elect, Prince ‘Rasheed Adewale Akanbi entered triumphantly in to the town for the installation and turbanning processes, the ceremony that formally marks the beginning of the reign of the new monarch.

Few weeks after the installation and turbanning processes, a staff and instrument of office was presented to the New Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdul-Rasheed Adewale Akanbi, Ilufemiloye Telu I, by the Osun State government amidst jubilations.

Immediately he was presented with a staff and instrument of office, the New Oluwo, having realized the age long saying, that “Neither the king that brings prosperity nor the one that brings destruction will escape the verdict of history” coupled with his natural desire to impact positively the lives of his people made him swung into action against poverty and marginalization of his town in the country by liaising with relevant government officials and wealthy people in order to facilitate and influence meaningful development projects to his domain.

It was unprecedented, as he began to play his roles with great enthusiasm and burning anger to make a different in his “empire”.

And within 52 months of his reign, listed below are “some” of the development projects and initiatives either initiated, facilitated, influenced or solely sponsored by the Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Adewale Akanbi.

1. Reconstruction of the Old Oluwo Palace into a state of the art magnificent complex.
2. Procurement of Patrol vehicles and motorcycles for law enforcement agencies
3. Establishment of Telu Food and Clothing Bank, the initiative which has been existing since 2016
4. Repairing of the bad portions at Olodo, Ejioku and Iyana-Offa, along Iwo-Ibadan Road axis
5. Repairing and Rehabilitation of Iwo-Osogbo Highway..
6. Facilitating/Donating of Multimillion Naira Medical Equipments to General Hospital.
7. Construction of first Nigeria Arc of Triumph monument, Iwo

8 Ten Young and outstanding entrepreneurs were empowered with 100k each

9. Facilitating and Offering Scholarship to several indigenes and residents of Iwoland.
10. Organizing of Oluwo Children Day celebration, the initiative which has been existing since 2016
11. Approval and takeoff of Iwo City Polytechnic, Iwo.
12. Approval and takeoff of National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Iwo Study Centre.
13. Approval and takeoff of Al Ummah College of Education, Iwo.
14. Approval and takeoff of Royal College of Public Health and Technology, Iwo.
15. Approval of Westland University, Iwo.
16. Approval, reconstruction and takeoff of Police Area Command, Iwo.
17. Approval and takeoff of Federal Road Safety Corps FRSC Unit Command, Iwo
18. Approval of an Operational Zonal command of Nigeria Immigration Service, Iwo
19. Approval of Federal College Of Education, Iwo.
    …….to mention but a few

Leadership, they say is not in the ceremonial nomenclature, but the diligent accomplishments of the task one is saddled with.

It is evidential rather than rhetorical. Such qualities can only be found among people who are genuinely concerned and are passionate about the masses just the way Oba Abdul-Rasheed Adewale Akanbi is showing as the Oluwo of Iwoland.

With the support of the people of Iwoland,there will be more inflow of meaningful development to the ancient city of Iwo during the reign of Ọba AbdulRasheed Adewale Akanbi Telu, the Oluwo of Iwoland.

Ẹgan o pe koyin madun!

ALLEGED TERRORISM IN OKE-OGUN, THE TIME WHEN ‘BEING ON TOP OF THE SITUATION’, INACTION AND SILENCE NO LONGER TENABLE

By Ismael Taiwo

Our lives begin to end the day we keep silent on the things that matter most. – Martin Luther Jnr

Globally, the protection of lives and properties is the first condition of humanity. A society where the security of lives and properties is being threatened cannot witness meaningful development that is why the first responsibility of a responsible government as enshrined in the 1999 constitution as amended is to strengthen peaceful coexistence among the populace.

Recently, the media space was awashed with allegation of some suspected terrorists trooping into Oke-Ogun area of Oyo State as clearly affirmed by Aare Onakakanfo, Iba Gani Adams who spoke voraciously based on the intelligence claimed to have been at his disposal.

Gani Adams raised alarm on several occasions that some suspected terrorists presently occupying Oke-Ogun region. In as much as I believe it is the work of security agencies to ascertain the veracity of the claim made by Aare Onakakanfo but as citizens we must brace up to the security threat and ensure that all hands are on deck to prevent another Borno replica in Oyo State.

What should perturb sensisble minds is the inability of our military men to come out in clearer tone what they are trying to put in place or have been put in place to forestall the rising challenge of security threat in Oke-Ogun as claimed by Gani Adams. There is no gainsaying in the fact that the current security architecture in Nigeria has failed to curtail various security challenges battling Nigeria as a country due to the inability of our security agencies to nip in the bud any rising security challenge before it gets out of hand. It has always been a case of some people who supposed to have been on the field doing on-spot assessment of security situation in the country but prefer to sit tight under a well fitted air-conditioning offices dishing out weightless ‘on top of the situation’ press statement even when the fight has been brought to their barracks.

It will be recalled that not later than two weeks that the Aare Onakakanfo raised an alarm of some suspected terrorists occupying Oke-Ogun that the Nigerian Army released their usual statement in response to the claim which depicted their readiness to combat any rising challenge in the region. It must be noted at this juncture, that the current disposition of military in their characteristic manner is not different from their usual statement of being ‘on top of the situation’ while the war on terrorism waxes stronger on a daily basis and seems unabating.

One will expect the military to come out in stronger term on measures put in place to forestall the replica of Borno terror-like-act in Oyo State but their statement alluded to the fact that our security agencies only take solace in tackling security menace at the top level when it has gone beyond control rather than tackling it headlong while the wave of security threat is still at a germinating process. One could infer this from the genesis of security challenges in some northern parts of Nigeria as a result of inability of our military personnel to nip in the bud the growing seed of terrorism in those parts before it later germinated into guerrilla war and escalated beyond control. On several occasions, instead of taking proactive measures to face the challenges holistically in those parts, the military in its usual media tactical approach was brandishing weapon of ‘on top of the situation’ around until the reality dawned on us as a nation.

My dearest people of Oke-Ogun, we are not oblivious of the fact that some parts of the region are presently under the siege of some criminal elements. Records of dastardly acts carried out by these criminal elements have alluded to the fact that Oke-Ogun is not safe presently. In recent times, the cases of kidnapping, maiming, killing, raping and all sorts of social vices have been traced to some suspected kidnappers, bandits and Fulani marauders who have taken over some parts of Oke-Ogun and are hellbent in terrorizing the innocent people carrying out their daily economic activities. Over time, the people of Saki have been raising alarm over the spate of insecuity in the town where kidnappers have been on rampage – killing, maiming and raping of innocent girls. Many citizens have been recorded to have lost their lives in the hands of these agents of darkness whose operations could be likened to terror-like-act. Recent happening in Saki few days ago where a farmer was kidnapped and killed by Fulani marauders corroborates my stance that Oke-Ogun is under siege and not safe any more.

The incessant kidnappings and killings are numerous in some parts of Oke-Ogun where the citizens have resigned to fate having been neglected by government.

Ado-Awaye, Araromi LCDA is one of the towns in Oke-Ogun that is currently under siege of kidnappers and Fulani marauders as no fewer than five people within this month said to have been kidnapped with no trace of whereabouts. Ipapo area of Oke-Ogun is not left out of the terror currently unleashed on the innocent citizens of Oke-Ogun as virtually every part of the region is being terrorized.

While it is the duty of security agencies to combat security challenges, we must not shy away from the fact that security apparatus put in place in Nigeria has failed to live up to its responsibilities and this could be justified by the spate of insecurity in Oke-Ogun and Nigeria at large. Hence, the need for the sons and daughters of Oke-Ogun to set aside their political, religious and personal differences and address the security challenges holitistically. Being ontop of the situation everytime or rolling out weightless press releases without appropriate action is no longer tenable for us as a people of Oke-Ogun.

Yoruba will say, “ati okere ni oloju jinjin ti n m’ekun sun”, we must therefore rise to the ocassion of security challenges by putting our security agencies on toe. It is high time we took a bold step in salvaging Oke-Ogun from being totally taken over by terrorists as alleged by Gani Adams.

I am utterly bewildered by the inability of our security agencies to come out in clearer term to either authenticate or disprove the claim made by Gani Adams as well as silence and inaction of some of our stakeholders. This inaction and attitude of sitting on the fence has put us as a people on red line and we must brace up and confront the challenges ahead of us.

I must say that history will place us on record, our disposition currently will speak for or against us in future. We must therefore shun attitude of passivity and silence and rise to the new wave of security challenges in Oke-Ogun by organizing a security summit where we come together to harmonize ideas and chart a way forward ahead of possible threat of terrorism as alleged by Gani Adams.

I summit by the words of Frantz Fannon, “future will have no pity for those who possess exceptional privilege of being able to speak the words of truth but have taken refuge in attitude of passivity, of mute indifference, and sometimes, of cold complicity. It is high time we spoke the words of truth to those who care to listen.

Com. Ismael Taiwo T-COOL
writes from Oke-Ogun

Breaking up location 419 seems the only sensible and perfect solution to the born to rule mindset in a minority rule government. Any other option will simply be a temporary solution to a permanent problem. Let the contraption be broken up once and for all. And let the nations within her commence deliberations on modalities for dissolution of the forced unfruitful marriage.

That few men from Futa Jalon who believe in conquest should through subtlety and the barren of guns continue to dominate and aim to make location 419 their father’s estate should not be undermined.

Omo Oduduwa, wake up from slumber, the army of conquest are back on rampage. They are rounding up their rehersal in the Southern Kaduna, they are battle ready to fight with sole intention to take over Ile Oduduwa. It is time the royal fathers should rise up and let their voices be more audible in this emancipation struggle.

I respectfully remind gbogbo ori Ade, our fathers that without a Kingdom, there is no King. Please do not allow your stool be replaced with Emirs or Sultans.

“And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season”. Luke 4:13.

An appraisal of the devil’s nature revealed his style is to submerge and then emerge. The devil in the face of hard contested battle will temporarily accept defeat and disappear to restrategise. This is exactly what the Fulani are doing in Nigeria.

They seek to destroy Yoruba history so another narration could be propounded. Nah! They were defeated in Osogbo in 1840 and sent upward. Perphaps it was a big mistake for Yoruba not to have pursued and totally destroyed them, and recover Ilorin which they conquered from Afonja in 1836AD

It is no gainsaying that the Karambani are back with renewed hope and modern strategies with desire to conquer location 419.

However, let the present generation of Oduduwa descendants rise up in defense of their ancestral land. The Oduduwa youths in particular must know the truth, they belong to a Nation that has never been conquered. A nation that will never be subservient to anyone. A nation credited with almost everything first in Africa. A nature adjudged as the glory (imole Ogo) of the black race.

We are the indomitable, highly intelligent, superbly intellectual, extremely focused, pacesetting, well cultured, highly conscientious Oduduwa descendants.

Let us be inspired by the knowledge of who we are. Our self identity must inspire us as we confront the ongoing invasion of our land by the world acclaimed African wanderers who have been suppressed and expelled in over 26 African Nations.

Rise, Omo Alade Oduduwa rise. Ese ara yin ni oshusnu owo, igba eshishi kin dena lowo. Owo ni baba eshishi.

Awon onile afunwa se. Eledumare agbewa leyin.

Rise up, in the spirit of legendary Yoruba warriors from every corner of Oduduwa nation.

Edide eta giri. Idagiri kin ja omo leyin Ekun. Awon iran daran daran koni muwa leru o.

The condition of the highly revered throne of the Ooni of Ife is being variously assessed again after an incident involving the Ooni and Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the coronation of the Oniru of Iru in Lagos became pictorial and video footage report massively circulated on the social media.

The picture and the video footage show the Ooni, in his usual modest disposition to life, pausing to show courtesy to Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the senator returning the courtesy rather uncouthly. Various commentators have taken to the social media to remark the incident from different cultural perspectives. Many have concluded that the Ooni’s humble posture while greeting the senator was rather lowly and unwarranted while many think otherwise. Several others held the opinion that Senator Tinubu was arrogant to have openly disrespected the Ooni. Yet many applauded the humility of the Ooni and rebuked the senator for acting the lord of the manor in total disregard for the good gesture of the Ooni who, in traditional cultural terms, is his father and leader.

The raging controversies surrounding the incident present an opportunity for the present writer to broadly remark public appearances of the Ooni and ways in which the public have been critically receiving the humble dispositions of His Imperial Majesty.
How should the Ooni make public appearance? No answer to this question can be satisfactory given that different circumstances in today’s world would always make different demands on the most ancient throne of the Yoruba people. Recall that gone are the days when the Ooni would live a life of total seclusion and still be able to oversee the affairs of the world placed under his watch. The hermetic universe is long gone! It is the era of modernity with its multifarious complications! It will not surprise if the simple commonsensical logic of the answer snappily offered here would not appeal to those who think the operative techniques of the institution of the Ooni should remain unchanging, the wild sweeping storms of modernity across the globe notwithstanding. Forget about assuaging the curiosity of such people. It won’t work.

Unfortunately, a motely crowd of commentators on the Ooniship stool is constituted of mischief-makers who simply rejoice in creating rumpus and nothing else. Such mischief-makers exist though in a number so infinitesimal but unfortunately as a potent force poised to pollute any environment of reason. This category of people makes the worse kind of abhorrence. And to say the least, it rudely assaults reason to find some Yoruba kings in this kind of category of commentators on the Ooniship stool as events in recent times have shown.
To avoid dealing broadly with proper and improper attitude towards the Ooni because of time and space, let us focus a little on the recent topical incident. Hopefully there will be time and opportunity to address the double-edged subject in greater detail in the future. The following are questions extrapolated from diverse commentaries on the latest incident involving the Ooni and Senator Tinubu: Was the Ooni duly invited to the Oniru’s installation? Must the Ooni be there even if he was duly invited? Why did the Ooni have to greet Senator Tinubu at all? If he must greet the senator, did he have to show him so much respect? Why did Senator Tinubu remain pompously seated as the Ooni greeted him? Has the Ooni not further desecrated the throne by taking bullshit from Senator Tinubu? And many more
In the whole of this, what I see as real issues are two: 1. The sincere concern showed by the scions of Oodua for the sanctity of their most revered stool which Ooni Babatunde Ogunwusi occupies. 2. How the concern showed by the Ooduans is felt and shared by the Ooni. Recall here again that the Ooni holds the position he occupies in trust on behalf of the Oodua people worldwide. Therefore, in the modest opinion of the present writer, Senator Tinubu’s attitude, whether deliberate or not, should not make a topical issue as much as the two issues highlighted if our concern with the safety of our most revered throne will be a serious one. This is because we all know the kind of mess modern-day politicians have always thrown up and how they revel in ignominy, being power-mongers.

As Ben Carson observes, politicians generally are the problem of society. Unfortunately folks have been conditioned to see them as solution to their problems. Nigerian politicians are the worst kind on the planet earth. Then, if we are to list top Nigerian politicians, who would fail to mention Tinubu within the first five. Nigerian politicians are unique for having the penchant to blindly exploit meager resources of the people regardless of the worsening condition of life of the people.
Rather than allow what seems a political bait of Senator Tinubu to attract attention for whatever private or political reason(s), the scions of Oodua who have stood up in defence of the stool of the Ooni should be applauded. The Ooduans should “move forward together” and avoid being distracted by baits of power-mongers and mischief-makers of any kind. It is important to learn from Henry Ford’s dictum: “If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself”. The Yoruba need to uphold this philosophy of progress, particularly now.

Happily, before the recent massive defence of the throne of the Ooni, Chief Gani Adam had remarkably recognized the Ooni’s worthiness as father to all Oodua people. The occasion was the special session of Oodua festival 2020 for the Oodua People’s Congress’s members worldwide and Chief Gani Adam’s paying of obeisance as a mark of reverence for the Ooni was a spectacle to behold on the auspicious day. Chief Adam alongside his Oodua People’s Congress’ followership gave Yoruba history a bit of truer and more purposeful orientation. Suffice to say that what we need most especially at his time is more of such culturally and historically correct attitude.
What is being witnessed as reactions to the supposed belittling of the Ooni’s position by Senator Tinubu resonates with two instances of massive opprobrium in defence of the Ooniship stool not too long ago. The first was that of a great multitude of the Yoruba people that greeted the Oba of Lagos’ uncouth public disposition to the same Ooni sometime ago. The other one was that against an immodestly fabricated code of conduct that was supposed to guide how Wasiu Ayinde (the Fuji musician) would show regard to any Yoruba Oba after his controversial installation as the Mayegun of Yorubaland by the Alaafin, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III. And what was the lie being sold to the public as a traditional code of conduct for the Fuji star? He was never to prostrate for any Yoruba Oba again! The two instances cited ignited the anger of great multitudes of the Yoruba people and served as test cases for the amount of value they attach to their traditional rulership institution. The authors of balderdash in both instances were forced to make quick amend.
From the illustrations here, the Yoruba have been rallying support for the Ooni while the throne has also proved to be a rallying point for the Yoruba across the globe in their bid to ‘move forward together’ in a purposeful manner. But will this trend endure? How can this positive development be sustained? Something tells me prospect for success in this regard would depend on how the Yoruba appreciate Ooni Adeyeye’s adoption of humility as a strategy of fatherly relation across different spheres of life. Many keen observers of Ooni Adeyeye will vouch for his conscious deployment of humility as a strategy of leadership. This is not difficult to know. His kind of humility is an attribute being strangely affixed to the throne of the Ooni. No doubt, Ooni Ogunwusi is an innovator of diverse interests – one driven by single-minded commitment to set goals. As a conscious innovator, he exudes readiness for the burden that goes with being innovative. This burden, in the words of Jeff Bezos, is “the willing[ness] to be misunderstood”. Severally, Ooni Babatunde the son of Ogunwusi of Giesi royal lineage of Ife has been misunderstood. Yet, the humble and amiable surrogate of all gods and goddesses of the Yoruba forges ahead, knowing quitters never win and winners never quits.

Let us strengthen the point being made with a recount of some instances of skepticism marking Ooni Adeyeye’s ascension to the most prestigious throne of the Yoruba. It was speculated that the new Ooni would be a stooge of the influential politician, Senator Tinubu. The speculation was that he would not be able to act in the full capacity of the Ooni, the father of all Yoruba and their kin known by other names both within and outside Nigeria. The reason adduced in reinforcing the speculation was that Ooni Ogunwusi would turn out to be slavishly indebted to the powerful politician whom the speculators believed was instrumental to his ascension to the throne.
But on the contrary, the Ooni has not only proved the speculation wrong but has achieved rare feats and promised lots more within less than five years, all like play like play. I mean in spite of ‘comedy skits’ that a commentator recently pointed out as the Ooni’s major preoccupation, Ooni Ogunwusi has moved mountains and plumbed the wild, all for the good of the Yoruba home and abroad.

The most laudable achievement of Ooni Ogunwusi, in the opinion of the present writer, is his proclivity to rally the Yoruba of all shades, home and abroad, for the unity and progress of their land and country. His impact and investment also cut across diverse areas such as cultural security and promotion, national integration and conflict resolution, international linkages for micro and macro-economic growth, political tolerance in spite of multi-party politics, youth development and empowerment, tourism development and promotion of academic researches, promotion of unity across Yorubaland and beyond, restoration of racial pride through direct diaspora relations, revitalization of valuable traditions, and heritage recovery and safekeeping. Just name it!
No doubt, Ooni Ogunwusi is a trailblazer and this has endeared him to many all over the world. His love for his Yoruba people has earned him his people’s love in multiple folds. This is beautiful story. Unfortunately not everyone enjoys stories laced with melodious tunes. Those who hate happy stories like this prefer the tragic versions. Where providence has not introduced tragic interludes or moments, they force one into it to please their sadistic ego.
Though this writer would not want to make a big issue of Tinubu’s supposed uncouth attitude towards the Ooni, it is discomforting that high profile individuals of Yoruba extraction could be found lacking in basic cultural norms. If those of Oba Akiolu and Senator Tinubu are known today, that the Alafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi has not reciprocated the kind gestures of the Ooni and seems to be on an opposing side to the Ooni may be a pointer to more to come. Can we also pretend there is no ‘cold war’ between the Ooni and Governor Oyetola of Osun State? The connecting line of these oppositions reveals recurrent subterfuge which may mar Yoruba unity that we all have been clamoring for.
Finally, for those who blame the Ooni for being too humble and Tinubu for being very arrogant, my submission is that arrogance is an albatross and humility is not without its own burden. Whoever cares should learn. A leader who does not want to fail would constantly remember: “Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other”, says John F. Kennedy.

Signed: Opa Loogun Osin, 29 Edema Street, Lafogido, Ile-Ife.

Dopemu-Agege Youths Embark on Awareness Rally Against Rape, Child Abuse, Gender Based Violence

In a statement sent to OduduwaNews today, Dopemu-Agege Youths said, “sexual violence is a menace that affects everybody emotionally and psychologically and a Walk Against Rape is an avenue to say NO to the menace in our communities.

Walk Against Rape is an opportunity for Lagosians to come together and raise awareness on sexual assault. Statistics shows that 1 in 4 women and 1 in 11 men will be raped in their lifetime and it is estimated that less than 20% of rape cases are reported to the police. The silence and stigmatization of rape victims in our society make rape victims feel dejected and neglected.

The main aim of Dopemu-Agege Youth Wing is to empower the victims, their friends, families and supporters to break the silence by staging a walk against rape together on the streets in order to send signal to the perpetrators that Lagos State frowns and condemns in totality any act of sexual harassment on our girl-child.

We have our aims and objectives as highlighted below:

Raising awareness in Agege on the need to curb any form of sexual violence.

Providing a space for the victims of sexual violence to preach love to them that they are not neglected and we care for them.

Educating communities about the means available to seek a redress and rehabilitation if anybody is assaulted asexually.

As Dopemu-Agege Youth Wing, we believe that no single individual, organization, foundation or business man can stop the epidemic of sexual assault alone but by collective responsibility we can stop the menace.

Speak out and you shall be heard. We say NO to rape and any form of sexual harassment.”

The Director and Convener of Female Orientation Team FOT and a PDP Chieftain, DIG Eedris Moyosoreoluwa has expressed his felicitation message to the Executive Governor of Oyo State, Gov. Seyi Makinde, Deputy Governor, Engr. Rauf Olaniyan, the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Debo Ogundoyin and all Muslim Faithfuls on the Eid-el-Kabir festive.

In his felicitation message, Moyosoreoluwa said, “it is with great joy, happiness and love from my heart that I say congratulations to all Muslim faithfuls as they celebrate the Special ‘Ileya festival’ particularly an historic event at the present moment the pandemic COVID-19 is ravaging the world.”

“I therefore use this medium to celebrate with the Governor, Deputy Governor and the Speaker being the leaders of all the citizens of the State whether Muslims or Christians as their commitment and determination in ensuring peaceful coexistence among Muslims and Christians can never be overlooked. Seyi Makinde demonstrates love and harmony to everybody irrespective of religious or political affiliations owing to his usual stance of preaching peace and tolerance to religious leaders at all times. Indeed, he is a leader worthy of emulation and I express my confidence and trust in his administration particularly how he has been handling the outbreak of COVID-19 in the State.”

“Eidel-Kabir is a remarkable day in our lifetime as the day signifies love, perseverance, benevolence and peaceful coexistence.

I urge our dear Muslim faithfuls to channel their prayers to Almighty Allah in ending this pandemic as soon as possible so that people in the State and across the world can return to their normal day to day activities.

While we are celebrating the Sallah, I appeal to the good people of Oyo State to adhere strictly to the guidelines and preventive measures NCDC given to us.

May Almighty God continue to protect everyone of us now and forever. Amen.

Barka De Sallah.

Paradox of Poverty

He who wears poverty like a gown knitted from golden threads,
Whose hands house the biggest watch from the line of Rolexa.

Forgive him for he has time no more to spend on instagram,
Behind bars – his new home as a superstar for criminals.

Forgive the rich ones whose parents wear beautiful rags,
Thou who abandoned his kinsmen while chasing the king of papers.

Watch his mother dance round the village square with old Akwete,
How she bend, break and beg for spoilt akpu from the kingmakers,
Yet her son is a king on social media, the leader of chop life geng.

Have you seen that sun shines not on their hut because all they do is hurt,
When the rain fall, it fails to course their farmland because of curse,
Woe betide Obi who choose to bless our ancestral land with disgrace.

I won’t lay curse on the skeletons of those that blessed this union,
But we will pardon Anupampam the ray-diant puppy,
The one from the land of the sleeping sun and snake eaters.

Who will wash of this smell of disgrace they brought to our land?
A requiem to Aanonja the greatest of all useless palm wine tappers,
I failed to be awed, bastards after all do take after their fathers.

Luck down

Gbemisola Adeoti

which song do we sing
to the cacophonous sound
of gbedu’s larynx
tapped by viral fingers of Covid?

with ancient skins out sorts
dancing feet out of genre
broken legs robbed of rhythm
broken cords robbed of chorus
we beckon the world to a feast-
endless wonders of an errant era
that turns luck inside out
as all is locked down
upside down
untamed disaster unravels
before feasting eyes
before dithering ears
of conquerors and fraidy-cats

in this wandering era of wonders
our pot becomes a bulging strainer
cooking tears and statistics
negative tone triggers laughter
positive tune sags the spirit
like a timeworn, drooping okra

in this straying season of wonders
the living is locked
in pestilential dance
with a dis-ease, voyager of death

but one day
Covid’s luck will take a deadly plunge
down the hill of undying solitude.