Oduduwa News

The Ogun State House of Assembly has disclosed plans to pass a bill that will bar traditional rulers in the state from attending political rallies.

The Speaker, Olakunle Oluomo, said this on Wednesday during a public hearing on the Traditional Council Bill 2021.

The bill seeking to regulate burial and installation rites of traditional rulers has generated controversy in the state.

But the Speaker said the proposed legislative framework goes beyond the burial rites of the monarchs.

Oluomo insisted that any politicians that need the support of a king should go to his palace to solicit for it rather than inviting them to rallies.
The Speaker, who lamented that the Yoruba traditional institution had been abused by some intruders, noted that it is “a disgrace for traditional rulers to be attending rallies with politicians.”
The Speaker however stressed that it was important to bar traditional rulers from attending political rallies so as to return the institution to its pride of place and honour.
He added; “they now turn our king to politicians; when they want to do a campaign, it is a must for a king to follow them which is not proper.
“You will see some kings in Ogun State following a governor to rallies; they will be following the governor to anywhere he is going.
“We call them kings and a king must be at his palace. When the governor or president wants to campaign, they should go and meet them at the palace.”

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, has congratulated the governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for emerging as the Vanguard Newspaper’s Personality of the Year 2019/2020.

Gbajabiamila said he was not surprised at Sanwo-Olu’s choice by the Vanguard Newspaper as the governor’s superlative performance in office speaks for itself.

In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Lanre Lasisi, the Speaker said Sanwo-Olu would go down as one of the most dedicated and committed leaders Lagos State has ever produced.

Gbajabiamila congratulated the people of Lagos State for having Sanwo-Olu as their governor at this time and thanked the Vanguard Newspaper for giving honour to whom it is due.

The Speaker said he believed the award of Personality of the Year would spur the Lagos State governor to do more for Lagosians.

The Arole Oduduwa & Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, on Friday pledged that the multimillion naira worth Ife Grand Resort and Industrial Park, was established for youth development and capacity building.

Ooni Ogunwusi who made the position known at the official opening of the facility along Ife/Ibadan expressway, Ile-Ife, explained that direct employment has been created for over one hundred youths while indirect employment opportunities have equally been created for over five hundred others.

In his address through a former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, Ooni Ogunwusi urged stakeholders especially those in leadership capacities to create platforms capable of engaging the youths productively, to discourage them from involving in criminal acts.

“Our father the Ooni is sending a strong message through Ife Grand Resort and Industrial Park to all of us here that we should engage our youths and offer them dependable mentorship. This is one among several activities of the Arole Oduduwa and I want us all to emulate this enviable gesture.”

Delivering his address, the Executive Governor of Osun State, Alhaji Adegboyega Oyetola, lauded ‘Ooni’s exemplary passion for socioeconomic development’.

Governor Oyetola said the initiative is in tandem with his administration’s development agenda which is focused on revitalising the economy and stimulating the local socioeconomic indices for maximum growth.

“For anyone familiar with Kabiyesi’s trajectory and passion for youth and socioeconomic development, this indeed would not come as a surprise.

“In 2019, he organised a Summit on Addressing Growing Youth Unemployment in Nigeria: The Significance of Made in Nigeria and Buy Nigeria, to rally Nigerians to patronise made-in-Nigeria goods.

“Ooni Ogunwusi donated motorised Local Fumigators to States across Nigeria during the Covid-19 pandemic. He also partnered with Afe Babalola on clinical research to develop drugs and vaccines to combat the Coronavirus pandemic.

“As a Government, we are immensely proud of your achievements since your assumption of the throne of your forefathers. This sprawling edifice is another worthy feather in this regard.

“I must note that this resort, no doubt, is in tandem with our Administration’s Development Agenda, which is focused on revitalising our economy and stimulating the local economy for maximum growth. This we are doing by leveraging, in the first instance, our comparative advantage in tourism and culture, mining and agriculture.

“Our infrastructure development plan is also carefully targeted at ensuring that we open up the latent economic potential of our towns by ensuring that our people are supported with the requisite social amenities for a decent living.

“Therefore, we are immensely grateful to Kabiyesi for joining forces with us to strengthen our economy. I urge other royal fathers to take a cue from Kabiyesi by using their influence and instrument of office to support the development of our State.

“Let me employ this medium to stress that initiatives such as Ooni is creating and attracting to Ile-Ife will only thrive and be sustainable in an atmosphere of peace. I therefore appeal to our youths and people to continue to allow peace to reign so that they can enjoy the dividends of the enterprise,” he added.

The same vein, the Vice-President, ARM Africa; an internatiional firm partnering the Ooni on the project, Mr. mark Tampoya, said, “We at ARM Africa are proud to have you as our Chairman and we assure you of efficient service delivery.”

The event which was heavily attended by top dignitaries including the Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, ex governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Ife-born former Deputy Governor of Osun, Senator Iyiola Omisore, ex Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs.) Erelu Olusola Obada, Reverend Mother Esther Ajayi, also had traditional rulers, business tycoons and other top dignitaries in attendance.

The Ife Grand Resort and Industrial Park is spread on over 1,000 acres of land, consisting of facilities for lodging/accommodation, a 3, 000 seating capacity Meeting Incentives Conference and Event (MICE) Centre branded ‘Ojaja Arena’ and multiple industrial parks.

Governor of the State of Osun, Adegboyega Oyetola, has again appealed to Muslims and Traditional worshipers in the State to give peace a chance and allow the ongoing judicial process run its full course.

Oyetola had in the wake of the clash between a group of traditional worshippers and Muslims in a part of Osogbo, the State capital, condemned the development and directed the Police to get to the root of the matter and ensure that justice was served.

In a press statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Ismail Omipidan, on Friday, the Governor noted that Osun and her people were known for peace and urged all to avoid acts that could tarnish the enviable recognition.

He further asserted that religious intolerance was injurious to the unity and collective peace of Osun, stressing that residents and citizens must respect the State’s unique diversity.

While appealing to both parties involved in the court case to allow the judicial process run its full course, the Governor also said that government would not tolerate any act of criminality or violence in any part of the State under any guise, including religion.

“I appeal to both parties to sheathe their swords and toe the line of peace and the law.

“Since the matter is already in court, both parties should remain calm and allow the process to run its full course. We are known for peace as a people. We should all do all in our powers to sustain that recognition in our collective interest,” the Governor said.