Oduduwa News

The Arole Oduduwa, Olofin Adimula, Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Babatunde Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, on Sunday commenced his seven-day seclusion in Ile-Ife, Osun State, as part of the traditional rites preceding the annual Olojo Festival.

The monarch declared that this year’s spiritual holiness would be dedicated to prayers for Nigeria’s peace, unity, and sustainable progress, admonishing relevant stakeholders particularly the traditional rulers across the length and breath of the Oduduwa race worldwide to embrace unity as the only veritable tool for achieving these goals.

The Olojo Festival, meaning “the Day of the First Dawn” is celebrated to mark the day the Almighty created the earth. It is one of the oldest and most respected cultural festivals in Oduduwa land, symbolising creation, renewal, and the spiritual authority of Ile-Ife as the cradle of mankind.

Speaking before going into seclusion, the Ooni prayed for Nigerians across all regions to experience divine blessings healing, and national recovery.

Ooni Ogunwusi particularly urged Nigerians to embrace unity, peace, tolerance, and love for one another, noting that without these values, the country would continue to struggle with division and underdevelopment.

He encouraged the citizens to rise above ethnic and religious differences, stressing that Nigeria’s strength lies in its diversity.

“I am praying for Nigeria and for Nigerians. I seek God’s mercy upon this land. May we all experience peace, unity, progress, and the blessings of the Almighty. To the sons and daughters of Oduduwa everywhere, I urge you: be peaceful, be united, and let us work together for progress,” the Ooni said.

He further called on political leaders to act responsibly, urging them to govern with fairness, justice, and compassion.

According to him, leadership must always prioritise the welfare of the people, adding that no society thrives when its leaders ignore the cries of the masses.

The seven-day seclusion is a period of spiritual purification during which the Ooni abstains from public appearances and engages in meditation, and prayer. It is seen as a sacred responsibility that connects the monarch with the divine and his ancestors, enabling him to intercede for his subjects and the nation.

Traditionally, the seclusion period also prepares the monarch for the climax of the Olojo Festival, when he will appear wearing the sacred Aare crown, a relic believed to be the original crown of Oduduwa.

During the festival’s climax, the Ooni leads processions, ancestral rites, and prayers at significant historical sites in Ile-Ife. These rituals reaffirm the town’s place as the spiritual heart of the Yoruba people and unite indigenes and visitors in celebration of cultural pride and heritage.

By dedicating this year’s seclusion to the well-being of Nigeria, the Ooni reinforces the role of traditional rulers as moral and spiritual guides. His message of unity, peace, and progress resonates strongly at a time when many Nigerians are yearning for hope, stability, and a renewed sense of purpose.

As the Olojo Festival gathers momentum, anticipation builds among the Yorubas and beyond. For the Ooni, the week-long solitude is not just about preserving tradition, but about invoking blessings on his people, reminding all sons and daughters of Oduduwa to remain united, peaceful, and progressive in the pursuit of a greater Nigeria.

Earlier same day, the Ooni who doubles as permanent Co-chair man, National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria(NCTRN) and Chairman, Southern Nigeria Traditional Rulers Council(SNTRC) was at Ibadan on a historic visit to the new Olubadan of Ibadan land and the incumbent chairman of the Oyo state Council of Obas, His Royal Majesty, Oba Rasheed Ladoja in a show of love and solidarity with the good people Ibadan land expressing his regrets as he will not be able to attend the forthcoming Olubadan’s coronation slated Friday this week saying it’s coincidental with his Olojo Seclusion rites.

He received at Ibadan by a mammoth crowd of Ibadan indigenes including the Mogajis and other Ibadan monarchs. The hosting Olubadan in his response did not hide his happiness as he commended the visiting the natural head of the Oduduwa race globally for his personal sacrifices to unite the Yoruba and other racial member groups with the larger Oduduwa race worldwide.

Ladoja further urged other Yoruba monarchs to emulate the Ooni urging them to focus on strengthening the cultural values and institutions that unite them, rather than those that divide them.

The Olubadan designate said people look up to traditional rulers not just for leadership but also for inspiration and protection.

“Kabiyesi Oonirisa, If we all come together with our ideas, with yours, we will have our way, and as God will have it, the president of the country is our son, and he has even assured me he will be present at my coronation ceremony.

“The experience of governance is different from the experience used in political intrigues and the business circle. I don’t have the experience Ooni has because ten years on the throne is no joke. By the grace of God, you will be one of my teachers. I have said this to all the obas who have visited me.

The All Progressives Congress APC in Oyo state has come out to condemn Governor Seyi Makinde’s decision to bankroll the international soccer match between the Nigeria’s Under 20 female team and their Rwandan counterparts with a whooping sum of N110million at the expense of many critical responsibilities which required the attention of the state government.

The opposition party specifically came hard on the governor over his alleged lackadaisical attitude to the plight of the staff of the Ladoke Akintola Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso which has resulted in the closure of the medical facility since the beginning of this month of September.

In a statement issued on Monday and made available to journalists in Ibadan by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, Oyo APC hinted that the health sector in the state would soon be grounded as the state chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) was set to commence a total industrial action in solidarity with their colleagues in Lautech Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso with October 2, 2025 set as the deadline for Gov. Makinde to act as expected.

“It is a height of insensitivity on the part of a government that cannot value the life of its citizens to prioritize spending on a soccer project which belongs to the federal government. For the avoidance of doubt, the qualifiers match between the Nigerian Under 20 girls and their Rwandan counterparts had been put in the year 2025 budget of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) through its parent body- Nigerian Sports Commission (NSC) and there are no reports that either the NFF or FG asked Gov. Makinde to help them out in hosting the match.

“As a matter of fact, the emergency decision of the Oyo state government to attract the match to the low quality Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan raised a lot of questions which beg for answers. The decision was hurriedly backed up with a budget of N110million which has been removed from the state treasury immediately.

“One might not understand the implications of reckless spending by the current PDP administration in the state until a wider look is taken at most critical sectors which have been abandoned. For instance, among the demands of the striking medical staff of Lautech are the procurement of modern equipment to cater for patients since it has been established that no public hospital in the state has anything like Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Machine among others.

“Worse still, X-ray machines and ambulances are luxury in most of these hospitals while qualified personnel quit the service of the state government in droves on daily basis due to negligence and high-handedness on the part of the Makinde administration. Nigerians love football but female under 20 qualifiers cannot be their priority at the moment. Therefore, Gov. Makinde should spend a less amount on the match and use the balance to fix some of the problems in Lautech Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso.” Sadare stated.

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, on Sunday, paid a visit to the Olubadan designate, Rashidi Ladoja, at his Bodija private residence in Ibadan, Oyo State.

Oduduwa News reports that Oba Ladoja will be installed as the 44th Olubadan on Friday, September 26, 2025, following the demise of the 43rd Olubadan, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, who joined his ancestors on Monday, July 7, 2025, at the age of 90 years.

The two paramount rulers exchanged pleasantries.

OPEN LETTER TO GOV MAKINDE, ON THE UNFULFILLED PROMISE TO REHABILITATE ADO-AWAYE SUSPENDED LAKE

By: Comr. Ismael Taiwo MNIM

Your Excellency,

I write as a concerned indigene of Ado-Awaye and a stakeholder in Oyo State’s tourism development. During your campaign for a second term in office, you made a clear promise to rehabilitate and transform the Ado-Awaye Suspended Lake into a world-class tourist destination that would boost Oyo State’s economy, create jobs, and place our dear state on the global tourism map.

Your pledge gave our community hope. We believed that, under your visionary leadership, Ado-Awaye would finally receive the facelift it deserves, matching or even surpassing other global wonders. However, with your tenure fast approaching its end, that promise remains unfulfilled, and our people continue to wait with growing disappointment.

The potential of the Ado-Awaye Suspended Lake cannot be overstated. It is the only natural suspended lake in Africa and one of only two in the world, a unique natural wonder capable of attracting international tourists. Yet, despite its global significance, it still suffers neglect such as poor infrastructure, lack of modern facilities, absence of structured marketing, and inadequate accessibility.

Meanwhile, Olumo Rock in neighboring Ogun State, after its renovation, now reportedly generates over ₦20 million weekly. This is a testament to the immense revenue Oyo State is missing by failing to develop Ado-Awaye into a standard tourist hub. If Olumo Rock can yield such returns, one can only imagine the economic transformation that a properly developed Ado-Awaye site would bring — not just for Iseyin zone, but for the entire state.

Your Excellency, Oyo State is blessed with natural and cultural endowments, but tourism development requires deliberate investment and political will. The rehabilitation of Ado-Awaye would not only diversify the state’s economy beyond oil and taxes but also empower local businesses, artisans, and youths who would thrive from the influx of visitors.

I therefore humbly appeal to you to remember your promise to Ado-Awaye and to act swiftly before the end of your administration. Posterity will not forget a governor who turned untapped potential into prosperity. Fulfilling this pledge will cement your legacy as a leader who truly invested in tourism and inclusive development.

We are not asking for the impossible. We are simply asking you to keep your word, to give Ado-Awaye the facelift it deserves, and to make Oyo State a shining example of tourism-driven economic growth.

With utmost respect and hope,

Comrade Ismael Taiwo MNIM
Concerned Citizen of Ado-Awaye

A fire outbreak on Saturday morning razed a tailoring factory in Ibadan, Oyo State, destroying equipment and materials worth millions of naira.

The incident occurred in a four-bedroom flat converted into a factory.

Though no lives were lost, the cause of the fire is still being investigated.

The Ogun State Governor has disclosed that the state’s foremost tourist attraction, Olumo Rock in Abeokuta, now generates about ₦20 million weekly following its recent renovation.

According to the governor, the facelift has not only enhanced the aesthetics and safety of the iconic historical site but also significantly boosted patronage from both local and international tourists.

He noted that the surge in revenue demonstrates the economic potential of tourism when properly harnessed, adding that the state government remains committed to developing more tourist sites to diversify its economy and create jobs.

Olumo Rock, one of Nigeria’s most popular heritage sites, holds deep cultural and historical significance for the Egba people of Abeokuta. The governor emphasized that with the growing revenue, the state is positioning tourism as a major driver of its internally generated revenue (IGR) and overall development.

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a senior member of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Shamsideen Adio, for allegedly beating a dispatch rider to Coma on Tapa Street, Lagos Island.

According to eyewitnesses, the incident occurred on Wednesday after a minor clash between Adio and the victim, who was accused of scratching his vehicle. The argument quickly escalated, and Adio, reportedly joined by some of his colleagues, descended heavily on the rider, beating him until he collapsed.

A journalist, Chris Nwandu, who shared a video of the incident on social media, described Adio as notorious for similar violent attacks on tricycle (Marwa) operators in the area. He alleged that just days earlier, the suspect had assaulted another operator who ended up in hospital but unfortunately succumbed to his injuries and died.

A police source confirmed that the rider succumbed to the injuries sustained in the attack. “The victim died from the beating, and the suspect has since been arrested. He is currently being held at the State Criminal Investigation Department,” the source said.

The Lagos Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Adebisi, could not be reached for official comment as of the time of filing this report.

The Lagos State Government has ordered probe into the viral video of secondary school students allegedly caught smoking Indian hemp.

This was contained in a statement made available by Mr. Jamiu Tolani Alli-Balogun, Honourable Commissioner
Lagos State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education via his official X handle as read in part:

“The State Government views this incident with the utmost seriousness, as it goes against the core values and behavioural standards expected within the educational system of Lagos State.

“We wish to inform the public that the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education (MBSE), via the relevant agency, Office of Education Quality Assurance (OEQA), is fully aware of the content of the video and has commenced a thorough investigation into the matter. Our Monitoring and Investigation team has been dispatched to verify the authenticity of the video, confirm the identities of those involved, and determine the level of institutional oversight.

“Preliminary engagements have also begun with the school authorities to gather all relevant facts, and any school found culpable will face appropriate sanctions in line with Lagos State education policies and regulations.

“The safety, well-being, and moral values of all students remain paramount to the Lagos State Government. We are committed to ensuring that all learning environments are safe, disciplined, and conducive to the academic and moral growth of every learner”.

The Oyo State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of an Islamic cleric, identified as Alfa Bashiru, for being in possession of suspected human flesh in Ibadan. The suspect was intercepted by officers of the Federal Highway Patrol at the Toll Gate axis of the Ibadan Expressway while driving a white bus with registration number XA 551 IRG around 11:30 a.m.

According to police reports, Bashiru allegedly confessed that he bought the suspected human parts in Lagos. The exhibits have been sent for forensic analysis to ascertain their authenticity and origin.

Police spokesperson CSP Adewale Osifeso said the case has been transferred to the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Iyaganku, Ibadan, for further investigation.

The death toll from Tuesday’s fire outbreak at Afriland Towers, Lagos, has risen to 10, following confirmation from affected organizations.

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) announced the loss of four staff members, while United Capital Plc confirmed the death of six employees.

The inferno, which began around 1:30 pm in the building’s basement inverter room, trapped several occupants in the eight-storey commercial tower that houses major firms. Emergency responders rescued at least nine persons, with five successfully resuscitated.

Authorities continue investigations into the cause of the blaze as families and colleagues mourn the victims.