Category: South West

Ayedun community in Oke-Ero local government area of Kwara state has absolved the state government of interference in the chieftaincy dispute rocking the community.

A section of the community known as Iwoye Stakeholders had accused some officials in the state ministry of justice of siding with the Ayedun community.

They urged Goverrnor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq to wade into the alleged lingering chieftaincy dispute between two parties in the community.

Iwoye people also decried the alleged injustice being meted out to some of its members by a certain group as a result of the chieftaincy dispute.

Addressing reporters in Ilorin, Kwara state capital, Secretary, Ayedun Oba-in-Council Chief Adeyemi Dada described the accusation leveled against some government functionaries as malicious.

Chief Dada added that “it is against this backdrop that I am addressing this press conference on behalf of Ayedun community to dispel the falsehood being dished out by those elements of disunity that the state government is meddling with the internal affairs of our community and on the fake status of Iwoye ward, all in an attempt to mislead the general public.

“Contrary to insinuations, the state government never interfered either directly or indirectly in the affairs of any community unless there is the likelihood of breakdown of law and order which may invariably lead to loss of lives and property.’’

President of Dangote Industries, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, and the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN), Godwin Emefiele have hailed the Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, for turning the state into an investment-friendly zone.

The business magnates made this remark during the commissioning of the 42-kilometer Sagamu Interchange–Abeokuta dual carriageway by the President, Muhammadu Buhari.

Dangote hinted at the giant strides of the governor, his style of governance, and his private-sector imprint on governance in the state.

“Prince Dapo Abiodun is coming with a lot of private sector experience and we as industrialists in the state don’t even have to tell him what we need; he is one of us,” he emphasised.

According to Dangote, Abiodun swung into action and fixed the abandoned road linking Ogun State from Epe side of Lagos. “That road has been abandoned for many years. You can see how he quickly moved into action to fix that road.”

He further described the governor’s emergence as a breath of fresh air for so many investors currently investing in the state.

“I think having Prince Dapo Abiodun there as the Governor is attracting a lot of investors to the state. Any serious investor doesn’t have to think about it. They should just move there and invest,” he added.

In his remarks, Emefiele recalled that upon assumption of office, Abiodun approached CBN with his development blueprint for his state.

He listed that it straddled agriculture, infrastructure, and improving the ease of doing business in the state would encourage more manufacturing companies to establish their businesses in Ogun State.

An Ondo-based lawyer, Sir Adeyinka Adeyosoye has donated chapels, a guest house, and a mosque to students of the state-owned University of Medical Science (Bolorunduro campus) and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Ondo East chapter.

The donations were in commemoration of the 30th anniversary of his wedding to his wife, Lady Adeyinka Adeyosoye.

The chapels, Olanisimi Adeyosoye Memorial Chapel, Reverend I.F Ayoola Ecunemical Memorial Chapel, and Alhaji Yusuf Falohun Memorial Mosque were inaugurated on December 18 at the Ondo East Local Government headquarters in Bolorunduro.

Adeyosoye said: ‘’ The projects were donated in commemoration of my 30th wedding anniversary to my namesake, Lady Adeyinka and to appreciate the fullness of God in our togetherness.’’

‘’These projects include Olanisimi Adeyosoye Memorial Chapel, built in memory of my late father, Alhaji Yusuf Falohun Memorial Mosque, built in memory of my father-in-law, are donated for the use of Unimed Students (Bolorunduro campus) and the Community.

‘’Also, the Reverend .I.F.Ayoola Ecumenical Centre built and donated for the use of Christian Association of Nigeria, Ondo East Local Government chapter as secretariat) and Reverend (Dr) B.F Adeniji Manse was built and donated for the use of visiting Ministers of God as a guest house.’’

Heavy gunshots rained on Idumota, Lagos Island, Thursday night through yesterday morning as rival groups of hoodlums in the area engaged in a bloody clash.

The hoodlums also carried and fought with cutlasses and other dangerous weapons.

Residents and shop owners feared some people were killed in the gun battle which left Idumota, Kosoko, Oluwole, Martins, and Balogun largely deserted.

Footage seen on Twitter showed residents running for their lives while the combatants went after one another.

Sporadic gunshots were heard in the background.

Security personnel were later deployed in and around the conflict areas to restore peace.

A Federal High Court sitting in Osogbo, Osun State on Friday adjourned ruling on preliminary objections raised by the All Progressives Congress (APC) against a suit filed before it by 2,517 aggrieved members of the party in Osun against the party ward congress to Wednesday, January 26, 2022.

The aggrieved members in 26 local governments of the State had challenged the ward congress conducted by the party on July 31st, 2021 alleging that they were denied participation in the congress despite fulfilling their financial obligations.

The suit has as defendants/objectors, the National Secretariat of the APC, Chairman of Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Committee of the APC, Governor Mai Mala Buni, Chairman of the Ward Congress Committee, Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye, Chairman of Ward Congress Appeal Committee in the state, Amb. Obed Wadzani, the State of Osun chapter of the party and Independent Electoral Commission (INEC).

The objectors argued that the court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the case because it is a party matter, stating that the court should excuse itself from meddling in party affairs.

Lead counsel to APC and Governor Mai Mala-Buni, Dr. Mubaraq Adekilekun argued that the suit does not worth being heard because the litigants do not have the right to challenge the directive of the National Caretaker and Extraordinary Convention Committee of the party.

Adekilekun submitted that the plaintiffs’ complaint against the consensus method of the ward congress lacked substance because no party member has the legal right to challenge the national leadership of the party.

He added that Governor Buni cannot be joined in the suit since he has immunity from prosecution, adding that the suit, since it involved over 2000 persons, cannot be filed by proxy.

Responding to the argument of the respondents, the lead counsel of the aggrieved APC members, Mahmud Adesina, SAN, argued that the court has jurisdiction to entertain the case because it has to do with noncompliance with the guidelines on the ward congress of the party.

While noting that only the litigants applied, paid, and obtained forms to contest party offices in the congress, he argued that the congress conducted by the plaintiffs was the only legal exercise and submitted that the congress organised by the defendants/objectors is null and void, illegal and of no effect.

A socio-cultural group Ogbomosoland Consultative Council (OCC) has described the death of Soun of Ogbomoso Oba Jimoh Oyewumi Ajagungbade 111; former Oyo Governor Otunba Adebayo Alao Akala; Professor Alex Gboyega and Professor Taibat Danmole (Nee Oyewumi) as a collective loss with phycological impact on the people of Ogbomoso

The non- political body of prominent Ogbomoso Indigenes constituted by the late Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Oyewumi, said this in a condolence message during a visits to the family of Otunba Adebayo Alao Akala.

They were received by the familes and associates of the late Bobagunwa of Ogbomoso who was alao a member of the group.

In a message read by Dr Saka Balogun one of the group’s coordinators, the group commiserated with the families of the deceased and the entire Ogbomoso and prayed God to grant them the fortitude to bear the loss.

While urging the deceased families to be courageous, the group promised to galvanise its strength unity and faith in Almighty to ensure the development and progress of the land .

Read Also: To Soun Ajagungbade III, a tribute

“Until his death, he was a member of the triumvirate at the leadership of the OCC. Other members of the leadership of the OCC are General Oladayo Popoola and Dr. Saka Balogun.”

“The message we are sending to all our people, the traditional, religious, community leaders, women and the youths, therefore, is a message of hope, unity, peace, purposeful leadership and progress.

“In the days and weeks following the transition of our revered Soun, the OCC has stood in the gap for coordination of affairs and consultation, while supporting the Palace Council of Chiefs, the royal family members and ensuring that the peace and security of the community is sustained.

“The OCC shall continue to play these roles in a most apolitical manner and in the best interest of Ogbomoso”

While urging Ogbomoso people to always remain peaceful, law abiding and vigilant, OCC assured every Ogbomoso indigene that there will never be a vacuum in the protection of their interests.

“We also urge our citizens to steadfastly pray for the safety, security and progress of Ogbomoso, the State and the nation. They should also pray for the success of all processes that will eventually produce the next Soun of Ogbomoso. God bless Ogbomosoland, keep us all safe and grant us good health. Amen”

While urging Ogbomoso people to always remain peaceful, law abiding and vigilant, OCC reassured every Ogbomoso indigene that there will never be a vacuum in the protection of their interests.

“We also urge our citizens to steadfastly pray for the safety, security and progress of Ogbomoso, the State and the nation.

“They should also pray for the success of all processes that will eventually produce the next Soun of Ogbomoso. God bless Ogbomosoland, keep us all safe and grant us good health. Amen”

Still shocked on the death of Akala,OCC Public relations Officer, Ambassador Akintola Oyateru said Akala still chaired a virtual meeting the Monday preceding his death where he assigned roles on the befitting funeral plans for the late Soun of Ogbomosoland.

He identified the deceased as a man who was keen about Ogbomoso,saying he was unashamedly passionately in love with his ancestral home.

Members of the group in the entourage include Gen Oladayo Popoola (Rtd) Chief Bayo Bankole, Amb Akintola Oyateru, Senator Abdulfatai Buhari, Senator Ayoade Adeseun ,Hon Wumi Oladeji, Dr Akin Onigbinde SAN, Chief Sunday Adegoke, Professor Adepoju DG FRIN, among others.

IFELODUN Local Council Development Area (LCDA) Chairman, Olufemi Okeowo, has said his vision is to touch the lives of his people.

He said since he assumed duties, he had been executing a human development programme that would change the face of the area and keep it in tandem with the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s T.H.E.M.E.S agenda.

He said he had awarded over four contracts, promoting sports among youths, enumerated the aged and vulnerable for the state Single Social Register for cash transfers and free feeding by the local government.

Others, he said, were the skills acquisition, health support and youth development programmes. The objectives, he said, include refocusing the youth from vices and making them useful to themselves and contributing to nation building.

Okeowo said while cleaning the streets and reconstructing some major roundabouts, the secretariat would wear a new look.

The era of seeing Amukoko, a major part of Ajegunle, as a filthy place, was gone, he said. He added that before he would leave office, the LCDA would not remain the same.

On insecurity, Okeowo said he had put a team in place working with the police to reduce the crime rate.

He appealed to the state government to increase the LCDA’s statutory allocation to enable it to do more work.

“We wish we get more allocation. However, we will try on our part to increase our revenue drive,” he said.

The Lagos Government will sponsor State and Divisional Youth Ambassadors, as well as cross section of youths in the state on a Leadership and Capacity Building Trip to Chicago in the United States.

Commissioner for Youth and Social Development Olusegun Dawodu in a statement, said 10 youth leaders would go for the programme.

Dawodu noted that the programme is organised by World Chicago in conjunction with SILEC Initiatives Nigeria, to offer young leaders, the opportunity to participate in diverse activities on international exchange including volunteer activities, participating in international conferences, events and forums.

According to him, one of the activities of the trip would be Programme Orientation and Overview of the workings of the United States Government, and also Communication workshops with international experts and the YMCA Youth Safety and Violence Prevention Programme.

“The platform will enable participants broaden their horizon, increase their experiences and foster international citizenships, thereby, promoting and exchange values, traditions and cultural diversity with a view to attaining global leadership. The Commissioner explained that the participants have been thoroughly trained at the 2021/2022 IBILE Youth Academy as well as the Transformational Leadership Programmes, organized by the Ministry of Youth and Social Development, where they were taken through different leadership topics and tasks.”

“The Chicago Exchange Programme is one of the commitments of the State Government to further build their capabilities of our Youth and transform them from local champions to global citizens that can compete favourably with their peers from any part of the world,” he added.

The Owu chiefs in Abeokuta, Ogun State, have said their culture does not allow mutilation of body of an Oba, as such despicable practice, if condoned, can bring embarrassment to the kingdom.

The head of kingmakers for the stool of Olowu of Owu kingdom, Chief Isola Akinsipo, made this known while fielding questions from reporters at a news briefing to announce the activities marking the rite of passage for the late Olowu of Owu kingdom, Oba Adegboyega Dosunmu.

Oba Dosunmu, who hailed from Amororo ruling family, joined his ancestors on December 12, 2021 at the age of 89 after 15 years of meritorious reign.

Akinsipo, the Akogun of Owuland, said after the celebration of life of the late monarch, a process of selecting the next Olowu would be kick-started.

He hoped that Oba Dosunmu’s successor would emerge this year.

The Nation gathered that the Otileta ruling house is the one to produce the next Olowu of Owu and the search for the successor has begun.

Owu is ruled by princes selected from six ruling houses, namely Amororo, Otileta, Ayoloye, Akinjobi, Akinoso and Lagbedu.

The Jagunmolu-Owu,  Rotimi Olasode – Martins, said the Balogun-Owu, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, had approved activities lined up to mark the rite of passage for the late Oba Dosunmu.

He said they include night of tributes today and interdenominational and interfaith service tomorrow.

Some persons in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), who indicated interest to contest the Akure North/Akure South Federal Constituency seat, have begun to step down from the race.

More than 15 aspirants began subtle campaign before the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) fixed February 26 as the date for the poll.

The APC, however, fixed February 1 as the date for its Akure by-election primary.

It was gathered that the aspirants opted to step down after a meeting with Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.

At the meeting, the governor told the aspirants that the government was not ready to provide funding for the election.

Sources at the meeting noted that the governor said any candidate that emerged should be prepared to fund the election by over 80 per cent.

The sources said Akeredolu reminded the aspirants that another election into the National Assembly would hold next year.

One of the aspirants, who pleaded anonymity, said he stepped down to enable him prepare for the general election.