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Ibadan Cultural Festival 2022 Essay Competition Winners Emerge

The finals of the Ibadan Cultural Festival Essay Competition held on Saturday, February 26, 2022 at Ibadan House, Oke Aremo. The competition, which was open to all students of Ibadan origin in all tertiary institutions in the country and beyond, had its title as “Ibadanland Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow: Imagining the Future of a City”. After the screening of submissions, a panel of judges produced a shortlist of four finalists including Abdulroshid Sadiq (from the University of Ibadan), Bukunmi Alade Agboola (from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife), Morufat Tijani (from University of Ibadan) and Nabeelah Mobolaji-Ajani (from University of Ilorin).

Coordinated by Prof. Remi Raji-Oyelade, the chairman of the Education Subcommittee, the shortlisted candidates were given the opportunity to present their essays before a moderate audience comprising the executive members of CCII led by the President-General, Prince Oluyemisi Adeaga, the Cultural Festival Committee headed by Balogun Gafar Ojetola, parents, friends and well-wishers of the contestants.

In his opening speech, the President-General, Prince Adeaga congratulated the finalists (including Bukunmi Agboola who participated via Zoom) for showcasing their writing abilities. He encouraged them to develop more interest in the cultural affairs of the city of their birth and the sky will be their limits.
With Balogun Ojetola as time-keeper, and the Mr Olatunji Oladejo and Mrs Adenike Adefioye as judges, the contestants had their turns before the audience.

At the end of the competition, the first place winner was Abdulroshid Sadiq, and the first runner-up was Morufat Ajani, with both Bukunmi Agboola and Nabeelah Mobolaji-Ajani coming head-to-head as joint second runners-up.

All the finalists were commended for showing great promise. The official awards ceremony for the winners of this essay competition and the quiz competition among secondary school students will come up on March 17, 2022 as part of the Ibadan Cultural Festival 2022 events.

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Akeredolu’s Mother @90: Gov, Siblings, Family Members, Others Felicitate Celebrant

Ondo state Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu,SAN, on Saturday led his other siblings to celebrate the 90th birthday of their mother, Lady Evangelist Grace Akeredolu.

Family members, friends and well-wishers gathered at St. Mathias’ Anglican Church, Orogun, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, to praise and give thanks to God for His divine mercy and favour over the Governor’s mother who has continued to serve God and humanity.

Wife of the Governor, Arabinrin Betty Anyanwu Akeredolu; members of the State Executive Council led by the Secretary to the State Government, Princess Oladunni Odu, among several other dignitaries within and outside Ondo state attended the church service.

Governor Akeredolu who is the first child of the family, took the Bible reading from Psalm 92 Verses 1 to the end.

In his sermon, the Bishop of Ibadan North Diocese and Archbishop of Ibadan Province, The Most Rev. (Dr) Segun Okubadejo, who congratulated and rejoiced with the celebrant on her 90th birthday celebration, said God has really been very faithful to her.

While describing Lady Evangelist Grace Akeredolu as the Dorcas of our time and a woman whose life is a model to all, Bishop Okubadejo added that she is like a tree planted by the riverside.

He observed that clocking 90 years in the face of enormous challenges, including economic and social insecurity, and in a society where life expectancy is low, is a milestone which must be celebrated with praises and thanksgiving offering.

Bishop Okubadejo described the occasion as a gracious and glorious day, not only for the celebrant but for all who have joined to celebrate her on the special occasion.

According to him, it is a thing of joy to see Mama’s grandchildren and great grandchildren gather to celebrate her as it was said in the Bible, stressing that the occasion was to praise and give thanks to God because she has enjoyed the favour of God.

He prayed God to continue to sustain the nonagenarian great grandmother in good health, adding that the transforming favour, love and grace of God are still sufficient for her as she continues with the journey of life.

“At 40, you celebrated the Peace of God, and we thank God the same peace is still with you till today. At 50, you celebrated the Love of God and we thank God you are still lucky God still loves you. At 60, you celebrated the Mercy of God, and if not for God’s mercy there is no way you will be here today to celebrate 90, but we thank God for that.

“At 70, you celebrated the Grace of God, God has been so faithful to you. At 80, you celebrated the Praise of God and till today we thank God the praise has never ceased from your mouth, you are still praising God; and today, at 90, you are celebrating the Wisdom of God. If I want to be generous Mama, at 100, you will celebrate the Glory of God. We want to be more generous Mama, at 120, you will celebrate the Excellence of God”, he added.

In his remarks, Governor Akeredolu thanked all the Archbishops, Bishops and other church leaders as well as guests for the honour done the family.

Akeredolu who appreciated God for the grace his mother has received so far, also noted that the aged mother has lived well.

In separate interviews, some of the children of the celebrant including Prof. Oluwole Akeredolu, Dr (Mrs) Modupe Adeyinka, Pastor Kola Akeredolu and Oluwafemi Akeredolu, appreciated God for keeping their mother alive in good health to celebrate the exceptional and landmark 90th birthday, saying not too many people will live up to the age.

According to them, Lady Evangelist Grace Akeredolu went through a lot to ensure all of them got to where they are today, describing her as a strong pillar and true mother who deserves the best.

The children also prayed God to grant more years for their mother in sound health.

.Highlights of the event were thanksgiving, taking of Holy Communion, the Akeredolus’ family harvest, prayers for the celebrant and the Akeredolus.

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House of Reps Aspirant, Ramata Agberemi Declares Ambition In Akinyele

The female aspirant for the position of member, House of Representatives, Lagelu/Akinyele Federal Constituency under the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) come 2023 has declared her intention to run for hallowed chamber seat.

The declaration was made known yesterday at the Party Secretariat in Akinyele.

Ramata Agberemi while declaring her intention to run for the seat admonished members of the party to rally round her and ensure that the ticket is given to her.

“I have come to seek for your support to ensure that I become the flagbearer of our great party to contest as a member of House of Representatives, Lagelu/Akinyele Federal Constituency”.

She however charged party leaders and stalwarts to see her aspiration as the beginning of light and new dawn in Akinyele/Lagelu Federal Constituency being the banner of her campaign.

Agberemi tasked members of the party to make sacrifices, noting that the only way to achieve the party’s goals and aspirations was to unite as members of one political family.

The party elders and leaders at Akinyele Local Government however commended Ramata for her unrelented efforts to better the lives of the citizens of Akinyele/Lagelu constituency.

Ramata further stated that her aspiration to become the member of House of Representative is borne out of her desire to serve the people noting that in her individual capacity as the founder of an NGO she has contributed immensely to the development of the people.

“You would agree with me that I have been doing my best to bring succour to the needy and less privileged in our society and today I have come to seek for your support to ensure that the House of Representatives ticket of our great party is given to me.

“I therefore assure you that if given mandate to become the House of Representatives member, I shall ensure that the dividends of democracy trickled down to the people”, said Ramata.

Party leaders and members unanimously prayed for Ramata and assured him of their unflinching support towards the realization of her dream.

Cash and gift items were later donated by Ramata to the party leaders and the programme came to an end with encomium from different quarters amidst singing and dancing.

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FIBSU National Decorates Chief Mrs Temitope Awotunde As National Staff Adviser

The Federation of Ibadan Students’ Union National Council on Thursday, 24th of February decorated Chief Mrs Temitope Awotunde as National Adviser for the Union.

Mrs Awotunde until his appointment is the Head of Department, Community Health of Oyo State College of Health Science & Technology, Eleyele, Ibadan.

Chief Mrs is also the Iyalode Asa 1 & Ashiwaju Iyalode of Awotan land. She also holds the chieftaincy title of Otun Iyalode of Idi-Oro Elewa, Adetokun, Ologuneru.

The Decoration and award ceremony took place in the Premises of the College with Principal Officers of the Instruction in attendance.

Among other dignitaries presents were the Representatives of Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes including the members of her Club, Omo Ajegbinyo where she’s currently serving as the General Secretary.

Speaking at the event, the National President, Aare Fakolade Anuoluwapo said that the Union deemed it fit to appoint her as one of our National Staff Adviser following her antecedents as a humanitarian, teacher and community developer who prioritize the interest of Ibadan and her students above personal interest.

“We recognize her contribution in the student community and in the development of Ibadan land, we are proud of her antecedents and we believe, that being out National Staff Adviser will add clamour to the Union, as our priority is to protect the interest of our members and contribute our quota to the development of Ibadan”

The University of Ibadan at the event, also presented an Award of Excellence to Chief Mrs.

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Editorial: Aregbesola; Walking On The Dyke Of Disgrace.

This is the monthly EDITORIAL of Oduduwa News.

Political relationship is not eternal. But severance of political relationship could be handled in such a way that it would not shatter personal relationship that has been built in decades. Politics is a game of interest and from the principle of individual differences, it is certain that we are bound to have political differences. Naturally, we are bound to differ in principles. Infact, no two individuals could align in a position till eternity.

Political difference is not peculiar to Nigeria only. It is a global phenomenon that has come part of politicking. The ugly side is the throwing of tantrum. Politics in Nigeria is irrespecta of courtesy. Aside this, politics encompasses surprise, betrayal, disappointment and realignment.

Towards the tail end of last year, we did write to posit that the best quote of the year was given by Asiwaju Tinubu. It is re-presented inter alia;

” I have always prepared for betrayal and disappointments; and forgiveness”.

The above is philosophical and highly pregnated with meanings. It is one that worths adoption by every right – thinking citizen. Succinctly, it is an antidote and a shock absorber against frustration and hypertension.

It is not a slip of pen to admit that senator Tinubu made Ogbeni Aregbesola. During the reign of the latter as the executive governor of Lagos state, Aregbesola was the Commissioner of works. A confidant and political strategist to the governor. The bond was so strong that people began to tip Aregbe as the heir apparent. The way the duo used to dance on the podium at any social or political function to the amazement of other dignitaries was lovely. They were like Siamese twins. To Tinubu, Aregbe was a sacred cow. To Aregbe, anyone that insulted Jagaban would incur his wrath.

The hitherto fraternity has been broken. Things have fallen apart and the centre could no longer hold. The benefactor and the beneficiary have turned sworn enemies. What a life !

The problem began at the tail end of Aregbesola’s tenure as the servant of Osun state. He chose to bear the appellate and that of Ogbeni.

At the completion of two term of eight years of Ogbeni Rauf, the issue of who took over from him became a thorny debate. Aregbesola had his favourite but his benefactor thought otherwise. At the end of reconciliation, compromise and sacrifice, Tinubu had his way. Alhaji Oyetola who was then the chief of staff to the Osun State governor succeeded his boss.

The recent vituperation and vitriolic attacks of Tinubu by his political son was the climax of hitherto insinuations of frosty relationship between the duo. Aregbesola reluctantly conceded to Tinubu but he was never contended with Oyetola as his successor.

The issue of who flies the party’s flag at the governorship election in Osun has pitched the duo against one another. To Tinubu, four plus four should herald eight for Oyetola while in the opinion of Aregbesola, Oyetola has had enough. To the latter, one good term does not deserve another.

In a bid to assert authority this time, Aregbesola chose to be confrontational. He became ferocious and his caustic tongue knew no bound. He became so desperate that he spared no one that aligned with Tinubu.

The grey hairs on Baba Bisi Akande was inconsequential, the political sagacity of Omisore was irrelevant, Senator Basiru was a persona-non-grata. Aregbesola did not mince words when he claimed that APC had admitted murders into its fold. This was a direct assault on Omisore who had just formally registered as a card-carrying member of the party. How about Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila whom Aregbesola referred to as Ex-Convict !

To Aregbesola, it was either Alhaji Adeoti and nothingness. The campaign of calumny was so dirty that the Minister of Internal Affairs began to spread falsehood to malign his benefactor. “Won ti n to s’ara” became his slogan. This was a veil reference to the unsubstantiated claim that Tinubu was urinating on his clothes.

The primary election has come and gone. Despite his threat and street show of popularity, Oyetola emerged as APC candidate for the next guber election in Osun. The gap was unprecedented. It was over two thousand votes.

Why did Aregbesola hate Oyetola with so much anger ! The answers are not far-fetched but multi-facetted. All bothered on the jettisoned policies of governor Oyetola which; in the opinion of the former governor, was aimed at exhuming his legacies.

Governor Oyetola’s are: the controversial single school uniform, re-classification of the public school system and the abolition of single-sex schools across the state.
Others are ‘Opon Imo,’ otherwise referred to as the tablet of knowledge, issuance of primary school leaving certificates, change of schools’ identities, ownership of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, operations of Osun State University, merger of basic and high schools across many communities.

It is an irony that Aregbesola was using godfatherism to campaign against Tinubu. Aregbesola became Osun state governor by imposition. He was drafted from Lagos by Tinubu with so much protest from the local APC stalwarts who saw the imposition as a slap. To them, how can a foreigner, who resides in Lagos be fostered on them. So, Aregbesola himself was a product of godfatherism.

Now that the primary has been won by governor, the salient questions are: what becomes of TOP, a fringe group formed by Aregbesola? Will Tinubu forgive him? Will Aregbe work against the re-election of the governor? Will the minister ever remain politically relevant again?

Only time will tell whether he would eventually turn a prodigal son that retraced his steps. At present, he has become a political orphan and a lone wanderer. It might be difficult for him to return to Lagos where a serious anti-Aregbsola protest was staged.

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Don’t just leave office, hand over to me – Tinubu tells Buhari

An All Progressives Congress, APC, Presidential aspirant, Bola Tinubu has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to hand over
power to him in 2023.

Tinubu anchored his call on the fact that he supported Buhari’s ambition to become president in the past. He recalled campaigning with Buhari across Nigeria in 2015.

The APC National Leader said Buhari should not just leave office in 2023 but hand over power to him. He spoke during his separate visits to the Ooni of Ife and Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, in Osun State, to seek their support. According to Tinubu: “We went around the country in 2013 to campaign for Buhari. Again in 2019, we stood with him and he won.

“He will soon finish his tenure. I am saying they should not just leave the post; they should hand it over to me. I cannot demand it alone. I must seek your assistance.

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President Buhari Signs Electoral Act Amendment Bill Into Law

President Muhammadu Buhari has finally signed the Electoral Act Amendment Bill into law.

The President assented to the bill at past midday on Friday at a brief ceremony held at the Council Chamber of the Aso Villa in Abuja.

The President of the Senate, Ahmed Lawan, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, witnessed the signing of the bill.

Members of the President’s cabinet in attendance included his Chief of Staff, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, among others.

This comes barely a week to the expiration of the window the President has to take a decision on the proposed legislation, as required by the Nigerian Constitution.

Having received the bill from the National Assembly on January 31, various stakeholders including political actors and civil society groups had awaited its signing into law by the Nigerian leader.

Amid an outcry over the delay in signing the bill into law, sources had indicated that President Buhari was billed to give his assent on Wednesday.

But the signing of the bill failed to take place as scheduled and was rescheduled to Friday, although sources said the President would honour the new date.

Previous attempts to amend the nation’s electoral laws were unsuccessful during the 8th National Assembly led by former Senate President Bukola Saraki and former Speaker Yakubu Dogara.

But lawmakers in the 9th National Assembly successfully amended the act, although they also had an initial setback.

President Buhari had withheld his assent to the bill in November 2021, citing the cost of conducting direct primary elections, security challenges, and possible manipulation of electoral processes by political players as part of the reasons for his decision.

He later gave some conditions to give his assent – an action that prompted the lawmakers to re-work the bill, leading to the emergence of two versions in the Senate and House of Representatives chambers.

President Muhammadu Buhari with others at the signing of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill in Abuja on February 25, 2022.

The House had re-amended the bill to include the direct and indirect primary options while the Senate re-adjusted it to include the direct, indirect, and consensus modes of selecting political parties’ candidates.

Both chambers later passed the harmonised version on January 25 – the final agreed version of the amendment to Clause 84 which included the direct, indirect, and consensus primary modes.

The harmonised version was received by President Buhari a week later, as confirmed by his Senior Special Assistant on NASS Matters (Senate), Senator Babajide Omoworare.

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Lagos Court Sentences Notorious Kidnapper, Evans, Two Others To Life Imprisonment

Justice Hakeem Oshodi of the Lagos High Court in Ikeja on Friday sentenced Chukwudimeme Onwuamadike, aka Evans, and his accomplices – Uche Amadi and Okwuchukwu Nwachukwu to life imprisonment.

The court found Evans guilty of the kidnap of Mr Donatius Dunu, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Maydon Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

In a three-hour judgment, Justice Hakeem Oshodi found the three persons guilty of conspiracy and kidnapping.

The judge, however, discharged and acquitted the other co-defendants, Ogechi Uchechukwu, Chilaka Ifeanyi, an ex-soldier; and Victor Aduba, also an ex-soldier.

He held that there was no evidence linking them to the crimes

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Naira Marley, Marlian crew after my life – Mohbad speaks after NDLEA release

Nigerian music artist, Mohbad has alleged that his label boss, Naira Marley and other members of his record label are after his life.

Mohbad said this in an Instagram live video after his release from the NDLEA custody for being in possession of Cannabis and Molly.

He said: “I don’t know why these people have been hating on me, they have been doing bad bad things on me, I went mad because of this issue now they are trying to kill me.”

“Everybody in the whole world please help me, if I die, just know it was Marlian Music and Naira Marley that killed me,” he said.

Some minutes after, reports from another live Instagram video showed Mohbad going to a hospital.

He was heard crying out, “God please help me, I don’t trust anybody please help me, I don’t want to die.”

The reason for his outburst and behavior is yet to be disclosed, but this comes after the artist and his colleague, Zinolesky were arrested by NDLEA officers on Thursday.

Some fans have opined that he might be traumatized from his experience at the NDLEA custody or may be suffering withdrawal symptoms from drugs.

However, Naira Marley, who confirmed he’s on his way to Nigeria, described NDLEA’s treatment of his boys, Zinolesky and Mohbad as ‘disgusting and unfair’.

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IBEDC: Apete Residents Embark On Protest Over Incessant Power Outage In Community

The residents of Apete area of Ibadan have trooped out today to protest against the incessant black out in the community.

The people came out today to show their grievances on the inability of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company IBEDC to give them light.

According to ODUDUWA NEWS correspondent who monitored the event, observed that the people who were agitated displayed placards with various inscriptions.

They however warned power distribution officials to desist from distributing bills for the service they do not render.

One of the protesters who spoke under the condition of annonymity to our correspondent frowned against what he called ‘wickedness’ on the part of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company IBEDC officials for making their business activities paralyzed due to the incessant black out.

They unanimously called on all stakeholders to rise to their demand as it is no longer comfortable for most of them who are artisans, traders and business men who use electricity for their survival on a daily basis.

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