ODUDUWA NEWS has gathered that a student of Alapoti High School (snr.) Ogun state on Tuesday was arrested by the Police for bringing “Igbadi” (An Assorted Charm) school.
It was learnt that the boy brought the charm to school early morning on Tuesday.
According to an annonymous eyewitness spoke with by ODUDUWA NEWS, he said they boy confessed that he used the charm for protection owing to the fact that the country is not secured.
Effforts at getting report from Police Spokesman in the State proved abortive as several calls were put to him but not picked.
ODUDUWA NEWS has learnt that some ARMED THUGS coming to Ekiti from Ibadan were arrested by Soldiers at about 3am today, at Ita Awure/Efon Junction.
It was gathered that the armed thugs were coming to invade Ekiti to stalemate the PDP Primary Election in order to prevent emergence of a particular candidate as the flagbearer of the party in the forthcoming 2022 governorship election.
They came in many vehicles and are being held by Soldiers as at the time of filing this report.
ODUDUWA NEWS has gathered that the owner of Hilton Royal Hotel, Dr Ramon Adedoyin, and six others have been finally arraigned in Abuja High Court over the circumstances surrounding the death of Timothy Adegoke, the MBA student of the Obafemi Awolowo University, who reportedly died at the hotel on November 6, 2021.
Adedoyin, according to a statement on Tuesday, is being charged with the offence of unlawful interference with a dead body, while the other six accused persons are charged with various offences ranging from murder, conspiracy, altering receipt, along with other stated offences.
According to the case summary and proof of evidence filed by the Police, Adedoyin is being charged for illegally disposing of Adegoke’s body, altering and cancelling his payment receipt and the removal of the hotel’s CCTV cameras with intent to destroy evidence.
Others charged with the educationist are, Adedeji Adesola, 23, Magdalene Chiefuna, 24, Adeniyi Aderogba, 37, Oluwale Lawrence, 37, Oyetunde Kazeem, 38, Adebayo Kunle, 35 and others still at large.
One of Adedoyin’s lawyers, Abiodun Williams, said the legal team expected the development as it was an indication that the Police had concluded their investigations which also signified the beginning of the legal battle to prove and establish the innocence of the accused persons.
He said, “At least the charges have now cleared Adedoyin of the grievous allegations of murder and ritual killing peddled against him; thus setting the stage for him and all the suspects to prove their innocence before the court.
“We will like to restate, most emphatically, that Adedoyin ought not to have been dragged into this case in the first place. We will, therefore, leave the rest to the court to decide according to the proof of evidence placed before it.
“Hopefully, the media, especially the online blogs and those sponsoring lies and rumours, will stop their unfounded allegations and allow the court to dispense justice to all those involved according to the facts and evidence adduced.”
The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has slammed apex Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, over the group’s stance on not supporting the 2023 presidential bid of former Lagos State Governor and National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In a statement by its Director General, Prof. Ishaq Akintola on Tuesday, MURIC stated that Afenifere’s refusal to support Tinubu is a slap on the Yoruba race in “view of Tinubu’s active role in the struggle for the restoration of democracy in Nigeria.”
The MURIC DG said he was surprised that a Yoruba socio-cultural group which was supposed to be a rallying point for all Yorubas should come out in the open to denounce one of its own because of the differences between its leader, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, and the APC chieftain.
The Muslim group added that Tinubu deserves to reap from the gains of democracy, having sacrificed for its realisation and as such, should be supported, especially by the Yoruba group.
It described the action of Afenifere as “myopic and unpatriotic,” saying the group “has one or two lessons to learn from the Igbos.”
“Unlike Afenifere’s cold attitude towards the only Yoruba man who has shown interest in the presidency (at least publicly), the Igbo socio-cultural group, the Ohaneze, has pledged to support two Igbo men (Anyim Pius Anyim and Dave Umahi), who have expressed interest in the presidency with 10 billion naira,” MURIC said in the statement.
“We call on Afenifere to sharpen its political instinct. An adage says one good turn deserves another. The Yoruba socio-cultural group should neither reject its best candidate nor remain neutral at a time others are embracing their own,” it added.
The Pan Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, held its first annual general meeting on Tuesday, January 25, 2022.
The meeting held at the country home of the Acting Leader, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, in Isanya Ogbo, Ogun State. The meeting was attended by some leaders and members of Afenifere from all the states in Yorubaland including Delta, Kwara and Kogi.
Among the leaders in attendance were the former Governor of Kwara State, Chief Cornelius Adebayo, former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Senator Kofo Bucknor-Akerele, Senator Femi Okunrounmu, Chief Supo Sonibare, Chief Sola Ebiseni, the Secretary General, Dr. Gbola Adetunji, Chief Korede Duyile, Abagun Kole Omololu, Hon. Leke Mabinuori, Chief Kofoworola Doherty, Dr. Ebun Sonaiya, Chief Tunde Onakoya, Senator Femi Lanlehin, Jumoke Ajasin-Anifowose, Chief Segun Olawoyin and Deacon Owolabi Oladejo, Chief Olu Pesu, Reverend Goke Omigbodun to mention a few. The Ag. Leader welcomed Members and congratulated them for surviving the turbulent 2021.
The meeting deliberated extensively on various issues pertaining to the Nigeria nation especially in the way they affect the Yorubas.
The meeting reviewed the various challenges that Nigeria has been facing since independence. The meeting felt that while the country had never met the dream of its founding fathers, the situation had never been this bad socially, economically and politically. The situation is particularly worse on the security front as no part of the country is safe at any time of the day any more.
The meeting also discussed the continued travails of Mr Sunday Adeyemo Igboho and Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
This was contained in a statement signed and sent to ODUDUWA NEWS by Afenifere National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Jare Ajayi.
After extensive deliberations, Afenifere resolved as follow:
A. Before and after independence, various efforts have been made to have a country, Nigeria, that everyone would be proud of. A country in which every one lives a happy life and there is life more abundant for all. Afenifere however has no doubt whatsoever that the country can never get out of its present logjam, let alone, develop, unless there is Restructuring.
B. The meeting felt that one of the things that has been a great cog in the wheel of Nigeria’s progress today was the rubishing of true federalism. Meaning that true federalism must be allowed to be effectively operational immediately. In other words, States and local government councils must be allowed to enjoy self governance as bprovided for them in the Constitution.
C. Afenifere is convinced that Restructuring of the Nigerian State before the 2023 general elections is achievable. It is achievable through the adoption of the Reports of the 2014 National Conference and the 2018 Mallam El-Rufai Committee of the APC on True Federalism with desirable modifications where necessary.
D. In recent times, we have consistently expressed concern on the situation of insecurity in Nigeria today. We have also always recommended what we consider as the ways out of the unprecedented security challenges facing us. In this respect, we strongly call on the present administration under President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure the introduction of State Police equipped with requisite means to enhance security in the states and that of the federation ultimately. The performance of Amotekun Security Network in the South West in conjunction with the Nigerian Police has shown clearly that all the criticisms against State Police are unfounded and self serving.
E. The meeting considered Sunday Adeyemo Igboho as a Prisoner of Conscience. Afenifere called on all men and women of conscience, particularly the international community to which human rights and freedom are abiding faith, to prevail on the Governments of Nigeria and Benin Republic to release Sunday Igboho forthwith. Not only that, the federal government should also pay Sunday Igboho the damages awarded to him by the court upon the savage attack on his person and property.
F. The meeting also called on the federal government to release Nnamdi Kanu even if on Political consideration as happened in the case of Asari Dokubo under the then President Olusegun Obasanjo. The meeting expressed appreciation to its Leader and to Ekiti State for hosting the participants. The meeting looks forward to a more benign year in 2022.
Lagos Govt suspends NURTW activities on Lagos Island Indefinitely over Idumota Clash.
The Lagos State Government has suspended the activities of the National Union of Road Transport Workers indefinitely on Lagos Island.
Special Adviser to the governor on transportation, Oluwatoyin Fayinka announced the suspension.
The action is coming barely 24 hours after the threat by the National President of the Union, Ibikunle Baruwa, that the operations of its Lagos chapter may be suspended.
The areas covered by the suspension include Church Street, Eyin Eyo, and Idumota bridge.
Recall that the RRS had on Monday arrested Kunle Poly and Sego, both NURTW chiefs in the state following the breakdown of law and order in Idumota as a result of the clash between the separate groups loyal to the NURTW officials.
On Tuesday, the Federation of Ibadan Students Union, National Council Team paid a visit to Oyo State College of Health Science, Eleyele.
The team headed by their National President, Aare Fakolade Anuoluwapo were received by Chief Mrs Awotunde H.A.T, the Head of Department of Community Health Department of the Institution.
The visiting team with Chief Mrs Awotunde
The President and members of the team appreciated Chief Mrs Awotunde for her support to the administration since the inception of this administration, and seek for further collaboration.
National President & Provost
The team also paid a courtesy visit to the Provost of the College, Mr. Muritala Ayansiji Ganiyu, where issues that concerns Ibadan Indigenes were discussed.
National President & Mr Chukwuemeka
The Team also visited Lord Smith Chukwuemeka Eze, Chief Operating Officer of Tech Hub, and were able to secured training slots for their members on Website Designing, Graphics Designing and ICT.
Law, constitution, edict and decree are all pointers to one direction. They all connote rules and regulations. They are ethics, norms, customs and ethos that dictate direction of governance. Every law has an element of cultural background of the people. The major intent of laws is to guide against excesses and instil decorum. Where laws are elusive, anarchy prevails. The entire globe is a product of rules and regulations. Even in sports, rules are inevitable. The absence of constitution in a nation is akin to a football match without goalposts.
Be that as it may, laws are made for people and not otherwise. However, every law made is in tandem with the existing practice which are susceptible to change in conformity with current trend. Change is inevitable. A law that is imuned against change becomes controversial, ambiguous and conservative.
Review is the process of editing a law or ordinance. It is against the backdrop of flaws and irrelevances. Ordinances that look obsolete and aquake are also proned to review. It is a matter of expunging the clauses, minus and plus to give it a facelift or human face.
Traditional institutions in Yorubaland are the constituted authorities in the ancient days. The royal fathers are the custodians of culture and heritage.Then, they were the executive arm and wielded enormous power over their subjects.Civilization has however eroded the power hitherto confered on the royal fathers by culture. As presently constituted, little or no regard is attached to royalty. The executive governor of the states have become the deciders of the fates of the obas. Nigeria’s constitution places the governors above the kings. From nomination to installation and to salary, governors dictate the pace. Woe betides any oba that embarks on a journey outside his jurisdiction without the express permission of the governors. Any royal father that trespasses does so at the detriment of his status. Such a king would incur the wrath of the governor through various sanctions such as: relegation of status in the comity of Obas, deposition and banishment. His salary could be withheld and other entitlements could be suspended.
Recently, the review of ordinances that established chieftaincy matter in Oyo state; especially Ibadan, led to serious controversies. For the first time, the traditional method of ascension to the throne of Olubadan was contested and challenged. This was consequent upon the demise of Oba Saliu Adetunji. The age-long method of ascendancy which was globally adjudged to be the most peaceful was brought to disrepute. The simmering crisis was at the instance of the elevation of the high chiefs to the position of obas. To an average Ibadan man, the elevation was implemented to settle innuendos, vendetta and for political witch-hunt.
There are two schools of thought on this matter. A school was of the conviction that the governor then, Late Ajimobi had the right to effect the promotion while the other school of thought was of the opinion that it was sacrilegious to tamper with the existing order. This dilemma led to litigations which almost marred the selection of the next oba until the current governor of Oyo state, Engineer Seyi Makinde intervened. The brouhaha that trailed the review assented to by the late governor was unprecedented and that is why a cursory look at similar exercise is essential. Hence, the comparative assessment of the reviews of chieftaincy issue in Oyo state and her neighbouring state, Ogun.
Monday 17th of January, 2022 , Governor Dapo Abiodun signed the Ogun State Chieftaincy Bill into law. The bill was titled; ‘Obas, Chiefs, Council of Obas and Traditional Council law of Ogun State, Bill 2021, is aimed at “respecting human dignity and promotion of modernity” in the installation of new Oba. It also aimed at curbing fetish practices in the process of installing and burying traditional rulers in the state and finally, upgrading of Baale to Oba. From the term of reference, the review in Ogun state had wider scope and more cumbersome than Oyo state. Yet, there was no wahala !
In the case of Ogun state, the bill emanated from the traditional council which was passed to the State House of Assembly, where a public hearing was held. On the other hand, Oyo state was purely an executive bill although, some apologists strived to give it a colouration of people’s will. There was an argument that it was the work of previous governments who were not bold to implement it. Three basic facts are logical from the process adopted by Ogun state Viz; initiated by traditional council, subjected to public opinion and debated by house of assembly.
Review is procedural. It must follow certain rudiments. Any law that is passed without the inputs of the populace is seen as a decree; characterized by order and draconian tendencies. Such law is despotic, an effort in futility from conception and bound to fail.
Let me make a clarification. Bill could be initiated by anybody. The late governor of Oyo state had the right to initiate a bill but such bill must follow sequence without any parochial sentiment. The fact that the elevation in contention did not follow due process; despite the germane nature of the exercise made it suspicious and so; was misconstrued as a unilateral decision shrouded with sinister and political motive.
According to the speaker of Ogun state house of assembly, the bill passed through a very rigourous exercise and subjected to inputs from the public and scrutiny before it became law. There was a public seating which attracted more attention than any public seating that the Assembly has had in the recent times. This is due process.
I was engrossed in an intellectual discourse on this issue with some friends penultimate weekend. They posited that Ogbomoso town has four Obas despite the fact that the town is smaller than Ibadan. Another was of the opinion that there are other Obas in ife aside Oonirisa. Yoruba cradle for that matter. Obalufe..oba ni. Obaloran..oba ni. They were right but where they erred was their inability to take cognisance of Ibadan’s peculiarity. What am I saying !
The high chiefs lineage of Olubadan-in-council is different from the various obas at various suburbs in Ibadan. There are traditional obas at the various hitherto independent towns before the amalgamation . Yes, I make bold to say that Ibadan is an amalgamation of various towns that were captured and coerced into the cosmopolitan city. There were Ijaye, Ikereku, Onidundu, Moniya, Lalupon, Ejioku, Akanran, Pade and a host of others. All these ancient towns had their Obas but ironically, they are currently under the high chiefs who collect royalty from these Obas till date.
Progressive modernity further altered the status of the villages. This is evident in the evolution of cultures and civilisations that are considered fluid and dynamic. Review is all about transformation. Suffice to say that the title; Olubadan was a transformation from Bale. A change of nomenclature which helped to further strengthen the system in the face of the changing realities of the period. From its’ formation around 1829, leadership of Ibadan bore the title of Bale. There were Bale Apampa in Isale – Osi, Bale this and Bale that.
In truth, the review was not bad but if the then governor had not allowed ego to dictate his action, there would not have been any uproar.
Aside this, the firmer governor should have exhausted all amicable options to bring everybody on board. He should have gauged the opinion of the volatile public and above all, he should have allowed the reigning kabiesi crown the high chiefs.
The former governor has come, served and gone like everyone before him. And so will everyone at his own time. Whatever we do become history and that is why we all need to be wary of our actions. He was a peace-loving and an outstanding custodian of ingenuity who held on strictly to the principles of excellent leadership. He would forever be remembered for his consistency and tenacity of purpose in whatever he believed would advance the course of Ibadanland. But he was a mortal, susceptible to errors.
The lesson from this is the need to thread the path of honour and respect majority view. No matter the necessity of a change, it must not be made to look as a way of harbouring malice. Hence, the scepticism.
Comrade Lekan Badmus is a Columnist with Oduduwa News and a public opinion analyst.
For comments: lekanbadmuscolumn@gmail.com Mobile No: 08060002439
The Alagodo of Agodo in Ewekoro Local Government Area of Ogun State, Oba Ayinde Odetola, was on Monday murdered by yet to be identified hoodlums.
According to Tribune, three other persons said to be friends of the traditional ruler were burnt to ashes.
Information had it that there had been crisis over chieftaincy title of Alagodo vased on who occupies the seat between Ake and Owu people of Egbaland.
The traditional ruler, it was gathered, was from the Ake section of Egba while there had been crisis that an Ake person cannot administer the town said to be mainly dominated by Owu people.
It was learnt that a brother to the traditional ruler was murdered some time ago.
Oba Odetola was reportedly killed at about 11.00 a.m. alongside his friends when they got to the town from an outing, according to a source.
One of the siblings of the traditional ruler, who identified herself as Chief (Mrs) Adenike Akintade, confirmed the death of her brother.
She said: “I had just been discharged from hospital early this morning only to start mourning the killing of my brother.
“Kabiesi called me on Saturday, urging me to reduce my activities, saying stress could contribute to my illness.
“Oba Odetola lost his younger brother to the imbroglio some months ago; the young man was killed by hoodlums. Today, Kabiyesi is no more, what a world.”
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Ogun State Command, Abimbola Oyeyemi, also confirmed the incident.
Oyeyemi said the Commissioner of Police, Lanre Bankole and the Special Security Adviser to Governor Dapo Abiodun, Mr. Olusola Subair, were in the town for an assessment of the situation.
The PPRO stated that the whole town had been deserted at the time of the visit.
He, however, disclosed that the police boss had directed that the homicide unit of the Criminal Investigation Department of the Police Command commence investigation into to matter.
On Monday, The Lagos State Rapid Response Squad announced the arrests of two factional leaders of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, Abdulazeez Lawal, aka Kunle Poly, and Adekunle Mustapha, aka Sego, over a clash in the Idumota area of the state.
The arrest was confirmed on the Facebook page of The RRS in a post posted on Monday.
The post read, “The Lagos Rapid Response Squad, led by its Commander, CSP Olayinka Egbeyemi, this evening (Monday), arrested the two principal suspects in the constant clashes in Idumota and its environs, which has intermittently crippled commercial activities in the area.
“The arrest was effected today at a meeting where the two NURTW members, along with some other stakeholders, converged.
“The latest clash, which occurred last Thursday, reportedly led to the death of a victim, while commercial activities were paralysed in the area for some time until a joint team of police officers were deployed in the area to restore peace.
“Kunle Poly and Sego are presently being transferred to Zone II, Onikan, Lagos State.”
According to Punch correspondent, two persons lost their lives during the clash, which involved factional members of the transport union in Idumota.
