Oduduwa News

OONI CELEBRATES INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY WITH PEOPLE WITH DISABILITY, TRAINS 100 WOMEN IN TIE & DYE FABRICS

The Arole Oduduwa & Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, on Monday in his unique gesture spent the day which was for the commemoration of the International Women’s Day, 2021 with persons with disability, during which he gave them moral and material supports.

The persons who have different challenges including those who could not see, walk and hear among others stormed the ancient Ile Oodua Palace of Ile-Ife to attend the event tagged ‘Ability in Disability’ which the Ooni executed THROUGH a Toronto Canada based NGO, Hope4Sure Foundation.

During the day-long event, several activities including talent displays during which the persons showcased their potentials which included singing, dancing, choreography, graphics designs, paintings and many more to the admiration of the hosting Ooni and the happy crowd.

Addressing the audience, Ooni Ogunwusi who is Co-chairman, National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria(NCTRN) thanked the women particularly mothers of physically challenged children for the works towards the proper upbringing and upkeep of their children.

“These children and special, not disabled in any form they are special persons who should be accorded with necessary care and not sympathy.

“I wish to tell our wothers and women globally who have these children to keep considering them as God’s gift and God’s gifts will continue to multiply in their lives.” The Ooni said.

Similarly, the convener of Hope4Sure Foundation, Peju Oke, explained that the potentials of persons with physical challenges is the motivation behind the dedication of the programme to them.

“This is not the first time Hope4Sure Foundation will be holding a humanitarian event in collaboration with the Ooni of Ife, we have paid hospital bills and school fees of of the poor and other vulnerable persons in our society but we chose to do this for our children who have physical challenges to show them love.

“I sincerely thank our father the Ooni for making this a reality and all those who supported us. We won’t stop with this, we shall continue in humanitarian activities like this towards making life better for all.” Peju Oke stated.

Earlier in the day, about one hundred women were trained freely in tie and dye better known as Adire fabrics aimed by the Ooni to give them financial independence.

Speaking on behalf of during during the start of the training program held at the Adire African Textile Hub, located inside the Ife Grand Resorts, Ile-Ife, CEO of the textile hub, Princess Ronke Ademiluyi, explained that the one-day training was structured by the Ooni to expose women and young girls to opportunities in the textile industry commemorating the International Women’s Day.

“We designed this to inform and train them because the Arole Oduduwa Olofin Adimula Olofin Adimula believes that information is power. They are going to learn basics that with which they can start up something to support their families while they can also apply to learn further after today to know more.” Princess Ronke said.

It will be recalled that Ooni Ogunwusi, who is the natural leader of the entire Oodua Race worldwide had during the last Aje festival launched the Adire textile production hub; a cultural centre built on a 30,000 square meters of land with a vision to empower the youths through the revival of local fabrics.

Some Philadelphic Nigerians were given awards of excellence while prizes were won by outstanding talented women in disability who participated in the he event at the Ile Oodua Palace of The Ooni of Ife on Monday.

Oyo State former deputy governor and former Nigeria’s Ambassador to Jordan and Iraq, Chief Taofeek Oladejo Arapaja, while speaking with news men on the states of happenings in the the South-West chapter of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) and his nomination as the zonal chairman has made it cleared that he is very qualified to lead the party in the region.

The former governor hinted that his loyalty to the party is hundred percent and that as a member of the PDP he has been contributing his own quota to the party. Answering questions regarding the power tussle between one Ekiti state former governor and the current Oyo state governor, Arapaja hinted that the traditionally, the current governor who is also the face of the party in the southwest region is automatically the leader of the party stating that the leadership fight of Mr. Ayodele Fayose is needless and just a chase after the find.

In his words; “I was just doing my own for the party; because whenever I am in a party, I am in a party hundred percent and the face of the party is the governor of Oyo state. That is the tradition of any political party. So, I will not go out and malign my governor and my leader. As far as Oyo State is concerned, the number one man is Engineer Seyi Makinde and that is how God wants it. So, anybody that is going against him is just like fighting God.”

“Based on that, I can be called upon to contribute my own quota, to contribute my service, to the development of my party. I will be ready and I am ready to take up any responsibility as bestowed on my personality by the governor of Oyo state who’s the leader of the party in this state and in South-West. That is the tradition anywhere. So, I am happy that the leader of the party finds me worthy of serving the party. I am available and I will do my utmost best to reposition the party in the South-West and you know that will affect the whole country because there used to be a time when we have like five to six governors in the South-West. Today, we have one. There was a time that the country was in the hand of PDP; it is no more the case. We want to go back to that. If we compare the performance of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governor and the PDP governor, you will see that it’s all lies and deceit in the former.”

The Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) has challenged former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, to produce the real Fulani warlord terrorising the people of Ayete, Igangan and Ibarapa area of Oyo state.

Its Oyo chairman, Comrade Rotimi Oguntade, said the claim of the former Minister that the person arrested by the men of the OPC was not the Isikiku Wakili is not only untrue, misleading but misinformation taken too far.

The OPC chieftain described the former Minister as a spoiler, agent of destruction and political feather weight reputed for changing narratives and misinforming the public.

According to OPC, Fani-Kayode utterances merited no response but because it came at a time when the chief tormentor of Ibarapa people is still in custody, it is reasonable to respond and clear the air on the issue.

Oguntade said: “Fani- Kayode has a reputation for using his social media page to foment trouble and cause disunity in Yorubaland. He had once said that Yoruba language was Anago. How can you take such a person too serious?

“I remembered former President Olusegun Obasanjo had said it once that Fani-Kayode can do anything for money and survival.

“He lives in Abuja, romancing with the North, yet he was the first to refute the claim that the kidnaper was not Wakili. Where did he get his information?

“With his untenable claim, I know and I am sure that the former minister is doing the bid of his paymasters, who are majorly from the North. He is the undisputed spokesperson of any politician that is ready to feather his nest.

“He should be warned to stop drumming the beat of disunity in Yorubaland. Fani-Kayode was one of the few people that called and congratulated our leader, the Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams on Monday, on the success of the operation of the OPC, and the following day, he twisted the story refuting the claim that the man apprehended wasn’t Wakili.”

…Says govt committed to building Osun on equity, justice

The Governor of the State of Osun, Adegboyega Oyetola, on Wednesday swore in five High Court Justices.

The new Justices are Adeniji Adedapo Olugbenga, Ganiyat Omobola Lawal, Akande Babafemi Abimbola, Okediya Maurice Olufisayo and Olokede-Obadina Christiana.

He said appointment of more Judges was part of efforts to further strengthen the administration of justice and fortify the State’s strong and viable Bench that has superintended prompt and quality dispensation of justice.

This is even as the Governor said the administration was committed to building the State on the pedestal of equity, fairness and justice as a deliberate strategy to sustain its status as a peaceful State and to ensure that justice reigns in the face of prevailing crises in the nation.

Recall that barely 24 hours after the inauguration of the State Executive Council in 2019, the State government swore in four Justices of the High Court after which other Judges and Justices were equally sworn in in other layers of the State’s courts.

Speaking further during the swearing-in ceremony held at the Multi-purpose Hall, Local Government Service Commission, Abere, Osogbo, Oyetola said the quest to fill the vacant positions was in line with the administration’s resolve to build a Judiciary that would build a just and peaceful society and ensure the socio-economic development of the State.

He said the Administration would continue to seek best hands to build the capacity and efficiency of its judicial officers, stressing that no sacrifice was too great to strengthen the Judiciary.

“Osun Judiciary has proved itself as a friend of the people and a principal player in the provision of good governance to the people through delivery of people- and development-oriented verdicts, and cordial but uncompromising relationship with the Executive and the Legislature.

“As a government that rode into office on the strength of the people, we are committed to providing an enabling environment for the Judiciary, including improving their welfare and ensuring their independence to enable them to perform their duties effectively and efficiently as the last hope of the common man.

“It is our resolve to build Osun on equity and justice as a deliberate strategy to sustain its status as a peaceful State and to ensure that justice reigns in the face of prevailing crises in the nation. We are therefore positioning the Judiciary to join other arms of government to perform this role.

“The Judiciary has a duty to continue to build capacity to enable them to function effectively and efficiently in the new normal imposed on their profession by the Covid-19 pandemic,” he added.

The Governor who commended the judiciary for strengthening the Constitution through justice dispensation, expressed satisfaction at the thorough screening process that produced the newly-sworn-in Judges who are no doubt some of the best officers of the law in the state.

He noted that the new Justices brought an aggregate of about 90 years of rich and extensive legal practice in varied areas of the law in the private sector and the public service to their assignments.

According to him, the judges carry along with them results orientation and private sector efficiency to the established quick and impartial administration of justice in the State, saying “I am confident that, by their experience, pedigree and exposure, the new Justices are well equipped to operate efficiently in the new normal required to operate in the post-Covid-19 era.”

Charging the new Judges to discharge their duties faithfully and diligently, Oyetola said it is incumbent on them to use their experience, exposure and pedigree to effect a change in the judicial system in general and administration of justice in particular.

Speaking on behalf of other new judges, Justice Akande Babafemi Abimbola, appreciated Governor Oyetola for counting them worthy to serve the State in high capacity as Justices of the High Court.

He pledged his commitment and those of his colleagues to discharge their duties in accordance with the Constitution without fear or favour, saying, “we shall uphold our oath to the best of our ability.

“We thank Mr. Governor for approving the appointment. This is a testimony to the love that the Governor has for us as he approved the appointment despite the economic circumstance that would have delayed the process.

“So, by filling the existing vacant positions through our appointment, then, Mr Governor has once again displayed his commitment to the welfare of judicial officers and dispensation of justice, ” he added.

The occasion was attended by the First Lady, Mrs Kafayat Oyetola; Deputy Governor, Mr. Benedict Alabi; Speaker, Osun House of Assembly, Timothy Owoeye, Chief Judge of Osun, Justice Adepele Ojo; Secretary to the State Government, Prince Wole Oyebamiji; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Dr. Charles ‘Diji Akinola; Deputy Chief of Staff, Prince Abdulah Binuyo; some members of the State Executive Council; legal practitioners; top government functionaries, among others.

The federal government has revealed plan to reduce petrol price below N100 per litre.

The Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Niger Delta Affairs, Ita Enang, disclosed this at a news conference in Abuja.

According to Enang, the federal government has also concluded plans to hold a national conference on integrating artisanal/modular petroleum refinery operations to improve the capacity of the products and bring down prices of petroleum products.

In collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning, the Presidency will hold the conference on March 16 and 17.

Mr. Enang noted that the summit’s outcome would help to crash the country’s prices of petroleum products. According to him, the conference will mobilise all Nigerian assets, including technologists, engineers, and other relevant disciplines, including those producing petroleum products at the creeks.

As the cost of crude goes higher, the price of refined petroleum products goes higher, but if we refine these petroleum products in Nigeria, the cost will be very low.

The intendment of the conference is to mobilise these resources so that we can bring the prices of refined petroleum products down to below N100 per litre.”

Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi has just been reported to have taken first dose of the Astro Zeneca vaccine today.

The governor having flagged off the vaccination in Ekiti State said he had not experienced any side effect and that he would encouraged Ekiti people to take the vaccine. Details later.

The electoral committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which monitored the local government primaries in Oyo State, has declared that the process was free, fair and credible.

Chairman of the panel, Senator Abdul Ningi, who spoke at the Government House, Agodi, Ibadan, the state capital, when his committee presented its report to Governor ‘Seyi Makinde, said that the committee was impressed by the conduct of the primaries.
Senator Ningi, who led members of the panel to the Government House, said that the electioneering procedure was satisfactory to the committee.
A statement by Mr. Taiwo Adisa, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Makinde, quoted the governor as saying in his response that the good job done by the Ningi-led committee has set the tone for the deepening of democracy in Oyo State.
The governor equally urged party leaders to unite all members of the party, especially those not satisfied with the outcome of the primary exercise, stating that there are many positions left to be filled and that everyone would be carried along.
Governor Makinde, who stated that the PDP is back for good in the state and the the government would consolidate on the good works it has been doing, maintained that the government has begun the process for the conduct of local government elections less than two years after it got office, whereas the previous government did not conduct local government election in seven years.
Speaking while presenting the report of the committee, Ningi said: “So far, so good, the electioneering process is satisfactory to us as a committee. This is among the very best local government primaries that I have attended. I am satisfied, especially with the openness of the state government and the party.
“We discovered there was a free and fair election because we went round the metropolis. We went to the outskirts of the city to witness the local council election and we are satisfied with what we have seen.”
He added that Governor Makinde allowed them to do their work without any hindrance, while also thanking the national headquarters of the PDP for sending them to conduct the primaries in the state.
He also urged party members to eschew violence and desperation that can affect the oneness of the party.
“Your emergence as the governor and a leader in the PDP, is a testimony to the services you have rendered to this state. Your Excellency, we are happy that you have accorded us reasonable hospitality.
“We thank you and the party for giving us access to all the discussions. We thank the national headquarters for sending us to come to Oyo to conduct the primaries. Our party members should eschew violence and desperation.”
He equally stated that PDP views Oyo State as very strategic in the South-West and that the party wanted to create opportunities for people to make sure there is a sense of belonging, hence the local government election.
He maintained that his committee ensured that all those that need to know are aware that it was around for the assignment.
“We partook in the consultation between the committee set up by the state and the party and we are satisfied.
“Where we discovered gaps, we called the attention of the leadership of the party to it and it did the needful. Truth is, we cannot satisfy everybody. There will always be losers and winners.” Ningi said.
Similarly, the secretary of the committee, Chief Afolabi Akanni, said the party wanted harmony, oneness and the spirit of give and take, while also commending the developmental strides of the governor in the areas of urbanization, rural development and road construction as trail-blazing.
He equally appealled to members, stakeholders, and leaders to come together and see the party as their own.
While recieving the report, Governor Makinde thanked the committee members for their commitment and dedication to duty.
He said: “I just want to say thank you on behalf of our party and also the government and good people of Oyo State. We want to say thank you for being with us for one week. I am sure you planned for two or three days but you saw what was on ground and decided to do a thorough job, not minding other commitments that you may have had. So, we say thank you to your team for your commitment and dedication to duty.”
The governor appealed to aggrieved members of the party to eschew violence and come together to strengthen the party.
He explained that what the electoral committee has done was to set the foundation to deepen democracy in the state and set PDP on the path of consolidation particularly in Oyo State and South-West in general.
“Incidentally, the governor recounted, “exactly this date, two years ago, 9th of March 2019, was the exact date we had the election that brought PDP back into Oyo State. And prior to March 2019, there was no PDP government in the Southwestern part of Nigeria.
“But on this date, history was made. And on this date, today, you presented the report of the electoral committee to us and what you have done is to, again, set the foundation to deepen democracy in our state and set PDP on the path of consolidation, in Oyo State in particular and South West in general.”
Governor Makinde then appealed to PDP members to accept the outcome of the elections with open minds, while also charging the leaders to find means of reconciling the aggrieved members, saying there are various positions to be occupied.
The governor said: “For some of our people that are aggrieved because of the outcome of this process, yes, it is only God that can give power to anybody. If it is not your turn today, it may be your turn tomorrow. But one thing we must not do is to pollute the well in which we may want to drink water from in the future.
“So, please it is time for us to begin the process of reconciliation. We must bring everyone together and ensure there are no victors nor losers.”
He asked party leaders to appeal to those that are dissatisfied because, according to him, only God gives power.
“To those our leaders that have not been satisfied, I want to say it is the same family. We all worked to bring this party together to bring about this government. We may have disagreements on certain issues but we should find those things that unite us. You may be dissatisfied with certain things but we can, at least, discuss.”
He explained that the previous administration in the state did not conduct local government elections for seven years, adding, however, that the present administration has started the process of conducting election in less than two years.
He stated : “To the entire state, we are saying to you that PDP is back for good. Whereas, the previous administration could not conduct LG election in this state for more than seven years. But we have been here for less than two years and have set the ball rolling.
He equally added that his administration has funded OYSIEC very well and ensured it is independent.
He said, “we funded OYSIEC. We ensured it is independent. The OYSIEC chairman is not a card-carrying member of any political party. If they have any information to the contrary, let them bring it out. Truth is, this government is above board.
“So, we are here to consolidate on the achievements we have recorded so far and we solicit for your support as we move towards the conduct of state-wide LG election on the 15th of May 2021. So, I thank the National Chairman for giving us support and for sending this team. We could not have asked for a better team.”
Signed
Taiwo Adisa
Chief Press Secretary to Governor Seyi Makinde
March 10, 2021.

Governor of Ondo State Oluwarotimi Akeredolu and the Deputy Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa have received the 1st jab of the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines in Akure. Details later.

The Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board, in collaboration with the Universal Basic Education Commission, has commenced a five-day residential training for teachers in the inclusive units/special schools on effective teaching and learning towards achieving functional inclusive education in the State.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Executive Chairman of LASUBEB, Mr. Wahab Alawiye-King, said that the education transformation agenda of the present administration is the responsibility of all, stressing that to achieve inclusive education in the basic education sector, collaboration, motivation and partnership are required.

“As a State, we are very much concerned about human development, capacity building and teachers impact”, he added.

Alawiye-King also pointed out that in order to enhance equity in learning and promote inclusiveness, the Board will continue to empower the teachers.

While commending teachers’ efforts in the education sector, particularly those who facilitate knowledge in the special education units, the Executive Chairman applauded women in the teaching profession for their contributions to education in the State in commemoration of International Women’s Day, noting that women make up to 60% of the workforce.

He implored participants to take advantage of the workshop in order to achieve positive learning outcomes in the classroom.