The Nation Newspaper

Category: Southwest

Thank you for job well done’

It was celebration time for the clergy, workers and members of the Gospel Faith Mission International (GOFAMINT), Ikere District in Ekiti State on October 4 when a special church service was held to mark the retirement of Pastor Joseph Akinduntire as the district pastor and the installation of his successor, Pastor Olumide Akinrotohun. ODUNAYO OGUNMOLA reports

On Sunday, October 4, Ikere-Ekiti, Ekiti State was in festive mood. It was a day of celebration and jubilation. Ministers, workers and members of the Gospel Faith Mission International (GOFAMINT), Ikere District held a special service to herald a change of guard in the church’s leadership.

They celebrated a new dawn, a new beginning and a new era which they hoped would take the district to greater heights among its peers in GOFAMINT, which prides itself as “the church with the word for the world.”

Pastor Joseph Ade Akinduntire, who had been the district pastor for the past six years voluntarily retired after serving in the lord’s vineyard for over 35 years, was celebrated with an impressive service to appreciate his efforts in the spread of the gospel.

He was succeeded by the erstwhile Assistant District Pastor, Pastor Olumide Frederick Akinrotohun, who was also formally installed as the new district pastor at a service attended by a huge crowd of worshippers, members of families and guests from far and near.

The entire neighbourhood was throbbing as the teeming faithful and guests kept thronging the worship arena while cars struggled for spaces.

The service was held at the GOFAMINT Hephzibah Cathedral, Kajola, Ikere-Ekiti where the congregation praised God for the successes recorded spiritually and physically during the six-year period the two men worked together for the development of the district.

It was all joy when the outgoing district pastor and his wife, Deaconess Florence Folake Akinduntire and their children sauntered in and were ushered to the special seats reserved for them in the front row.

The high point of the appreciation service was the presentation of a new car, a Nissan Primera, and other gifts to Akinduntire in appreciation of his service in the district in particular and GOFAMINT in general in a ministerial career that lasted 35 years.

The most significant achievement recorded during his tenure was the purchase and development of district campground, a three-acres land, along Ikere-Akure Road which has so far gulped over N10 million.

In an admonition to mark the retirement, Regional Pastor Ojuolape said Akinduntire had laboured to serve God and humanity and deserved to be celebrated.

Expressing his appreciation for the retirement service held in his honour and the gifts showered on him, Akinduntire prayed that the district would move forward after his exit, assuring that he was handing over to a capable, trusted and tested successor.

Akinduntire explained that he and Akinrotohun recorded the achievements together by virtue of love, understanding and co-operation, urging the church to co-operate with his successor.

He also pleaded for forgiveness from anybody he might have offended in the line of duty, saying whatever disagreement that could have occurred was in a bid to achieve success in the work of God.

Akinrotohun said: “I can’t do it alone, I need your support. In this district, I am sure God will lead us, direct us and show us the way. There may be challenges ahead of us but we shall overcome.

“I have the assurance that God is with us because the confidence that a man has depends on the person backing him. It is a great privilege to be a servant in the vineyard of God because I am not worthy of it but God has called me to do the work of this ministry.

“With God, we shall do the impossible. What we need is commitment. We must put self interest aside must focus on achieving the mandate given to us by God.

“We must focus on achieving the great commission and to be diligent in the work of soul winning and prepare the people for end-time harvest. With the grace of God, your support and prayers, these are achievable.”

Akinrotohun was also instrumental to the establishment of Hephzibah Cathedral which he built from scratch and is now reputed to be the biggest GOFAMINT auditorium in entire Ekiti State.

He had also served as zonal pastor before he was appointed as the Assistant District Pastor, the last office he held before his elevation to his new office.

Even after the service was concluded, the celebration still continued as many people who attended the event sang and danced to music of the youth choir, even as there was plenty to eat and drink.

October 14, 2015
Ooni: Despair as litigations becloud selection

With the web of litigations beclouding the process, many indigenes and observers are beginning to despair over the selection of a new man for the stool of the Ooni of Ife. BISI OLADELE examines the suits filed by individuals and ruling houses to make kingmakers and government to toe their paths

When will a new Ooni of Ife emerge? This has become a recurrent question going by the number of court cases clouding the process of selecting the right candidate for the vacant stool.

Since the Osun State Government wrote a letter to the kingmakers early September, instructing them to ask Giesi Ruling House to present candidates for the stool, two other ruling houses-Lafogido and Osinkola-as well as some individuals in the two ruling houses have filed a number of suits challenging the propriety of government’s decision to restrict right to present candidates to only Giesi.

No fewer than four suits have so far been filed in court against the process. The four ruling houses in the town are Lafogido, Ogboru, Osinkola and Giesi.

While Lafogido contends that Osinkola has been successfully divided into three – Osinkola, Ogboru and Giesi-to its own detriment, it should not be excluded from presenting candidates; Osinkola contends that all the four houses have the right to nominate candidates for the stool out of which only one prince will be chosen.

Lafogido insists that the 1980 Ife Chieftaincy Declaration used by the government to pick Giesi as the next ruling house was allegedly “lopsided, unjust, unfair and repugnant to natural justice, equity and good governance.”

It further posits that the complaint of lopsidedness had been presented before a judicial commission of inquiry in 1994, recalling that though the commission rejected its proposal to also split Lafogido to three, it (the commission) recommended that government should urgently convey a meeting of the four ruling houses to enable them to agree on whether or not to amend the declaration.

It added that although the commission submitted its report to the government, it did not act on it until the stool became vacant again following the death of Oba Okunade Sijuwade on July 28, this year.

Among others, Lafogido contends, in its statement of claim in the suit number HOS/16/2015, that “the 1980 Ooni of Ife Chieftaincy Declaration is fundamentally flawed in that it contradicts the culture, tradition and practice of Ife in the filling of Ooni of Ife vacant stool, in that it attempts to split Osinkola Ruling House into three namely Osinkola, Ogboru and Giesi ruling houses while the plaintiffs ruling house remained only one.”

Consequently, Lafogido prayed the court for “a declaration that the 1980 Ooni of Ife Chieftaincy Declaration is lopsided, unjust, repugnant to natural justice, equity and good conscience;”

It further prayed the court for an order setting aside the declaration, an injunction restraining Osun State and kingmakers from selecting the new Ooni using the 1980 declaration and an order directing the government and kingmakers “to revert to the old and ancient tradition of selecting the Ooni through the Ifa Oracle.”

The court has since granted an order of injunction restraining the defendants from going on with its plan to select candidates from the Giesi Ruling House pending the determination of the suit.

In another suit marked HOS/19/2015 by Lafogido Princes, the plaintiffs seek, in addition to the above prayers, inclusion of Lafogido and other ruling houses in the selection process and “a declaration that a press release by the kingmakers wherein they asked all other ruling houses to wait for their turn is not in tandem with the spirit and tenor of the 1980 Ooni of Ife Chieftaincy Declaration.”

Relying on section three of the said declaration, Lafogido added that by the press release, the kingmakers “have become biased and acted against the spirit, tenor and proper interpretation of the 1980 Ooni of Ife Chieftaincy Declaration in shutting out other ruling houses from the race.”

According to the 1980 gazette, the four ruling houses are arranged in the following order: Osinkola (then ruling), Ogboru, Giesi and Lafogido. Clearly, the arrangement took cognisance of the then incumbent Ooni, Oba Aderemi, who hailed from Osinkola Ruling House.

The gazette, however, stated that in the event of the death of an incumbent, the next houses on the line should produce the next Ooni but that the second next can produce the king if the candidate of the immediate next ruling house is not acceptable.

As for Osinkola Ruling House, its contention is that rotational ascension to the throne is alien to the history and culture of the people. It claims that there is only one ruling house for the throne. The ruling house, according to Osinkola, is the Ooni Ruling House, which it insists, belongs to one family known as the Ooni of Ife family. This family, Osinkola claims, has four branches known as the four ruling houses in Ile-Ife today. They are Osinkola, Lafogido, Giesi and Ogboru.

For this reason, Osinkola posits that princes in the four branches are entitled to vie for the vacant stool instead of restricting it to only one branch as done by the government in its September letter to Ife kingmakers.

The ruling house is seeking, among others, a declaration that the four ruling houses are branches of the sole ruling house of the Ooni of Ife; and a declaration that governor Rauf Aregbesola’s instruction to Giesi Ruling House to nominate candidates for the throne for kingmakers’ consideration is “discriminatory, inequitable, sacrilegious, untraditional, not in tune with the people’s custom, illegal, unconstitutional, ultra cures, null and void and of no effect.” It is also seeking the declaration of the 1980 Chieftaincy Declaration in the above terms. The suit is marked HOS/18/2015.

There is another suit filed in the Ile-Ife judicial division by some members of the Lafogido Ruling House.

The Chief Judge of Osun State, Justice Adepele Ojo, is hearing the two cases filed in Oshogbo. The judge expressed desire to consolidate all the cases since they are on the same selection of a new Ooni but it is not yet clear if all the parties and their lawyers want to accept the proposal.

Given this web of litigations by the ruling houses, Ife kingmakers have their hands tied in continuing with the process of selecting a new Ooni.

At the resumed hearing of two of the suits in High Court One, Oshogbo on Tuesday last week, some of the kingmakers in attendance expressed anger. While ruminating over the ongoing suits, some of them wondered why some princes and the ruling houses chose to stall the process through the channel of the court.

But as the legal fireworks take shape, Southwest Report gathered that elders in the town were already mulling intervention to prevent an interregnum because of the importance of the stool to the Yoruba all over the world. If the elders successfully intervene, the ruling houses may end up shifting ground for a ruling house to nominate candidates for the stool. Otherwise, litigations may create a long period of interregnum.

For now, indigenes of the town who are only expecting a succession may already be in despair as the news of much litigation surrounding the selection process fill the air daily.

October 14, 2015
‘Rotary committed to selfless service’

Members of Rotary International, District 9110, comprising Lagos and Ogun states, friends and well-wishers across the country converged on Lagos to identify with Rotarian Idowu Afelogun, on his emergence as the 12th President of Rotary Club of Omole Golden at a colourful investiture ceremony held in his honour recently.

Apart from being the President of Rotary Club of Omole, Rotarian Afelogun is also the captain of Presidents of the over 83 Rotary Clubs covering both Lagos and Ogun states and will pilot the affairs of the clubs for the 2015/2016 Rotary Year.

He succeeded Rotarian Chris Alabi. He was installed at a colourful ceremony held at the Anchor Event Centre, Lagos.

Shortly after he was handed over the mantle of leadership of the club by the immediate past president, Afelogun praised his predecessor for a job well done in the 2013/2014 Rotary Year. He pledged to consolidate his achievement in the New Year.

He said his predecessor recorded some invaluable achievements during his tenure. Noting that Rotary Club Omole Golden will continue to give thanks to Almighty God each Rotary year for his kindness, grace and protection for every member, he said rendering services to humanity and alleviating the suffering of the downtrodden in the society will form the crux of proposed projects during his tenure.

He said: “I will inspire and motivate members of the club to collectively and individually maximise their potential in mitigating the plight of the downtrodden.

“Members of Rotary Club Omole-Golden have always been alleviating the suffering of the less-privileged persons. All projects and programmes to be executed in this Rotary year will be primarily for humanitarian and selfless services to enable the club to continue in its quest to enhance the living condition of the people.”

Afelogun solicited maximum support and encouragement of all members of the club He urged interested philanthropic organisations and individuals to partner with the club to enable it to fulfil its objectives.

He also appealed to other Nigerians to emulate the giving spirit of Rotary Club as a way of complementing the efforts of the government in making life meaningful for all citizens.

He pledged that his tenure will be transparency and accountable to enable him and his team to move the club to an enviable height.

While handing over to the new President, the immediate past President, Mr. Alabi, noted that Rotary Club is not only an avenue to socialise, but also an opportunity to serve others.

He said the enormous support given to him by members of the club during his tenure was the foundation of the laudable achievements the club was able to attain during his reign. He, therefore, urged members to also give such maximum support to the new team.

He also advised the new President to have good relationship, accountability and transparency as his fundamental focus to enable him to achieve success.

The chairman on the occasion, Group Treasurer, Heritage Bank Limited, Mr Abidemi Oluwagbemiga Sonoiki, urged the Rotarians to continue the pursuit of the ideals of the club which centres on “rendering services to humanity” in diverse ways and aiding the peaceful co-existence all over the world.

He said Rotary Club had been championing a great course and as history beckons at each time, saying the club will always be remembered for its great impact on the lives of the less-privileged people in the society.

He urged all Rotarians to continue to improve on the means through which people could contribute to the service of humanity in terms of talent, treasure, time and thinking. No one is indispensable, everybody has something to offer.

The District Governor, Bolaji Olugbenga Onabadejo, praised members of Omole-Golden Club for their great contributions towards advancing the public good. He described the club as the best in his district.

He, therefore, urged the members to continue building on the legacies of Rotary Clubs the world over and always embark on projects that would be beneficial to the less-privileged persons.

Dignitaries that attended the event included a member of the Nigerian Guild of Editors and Chairman/Editor-in-Chief, Gaskia Media Limited, Mr Dare Babarinsa, among others.

October 14, 2015
Ajimobi’s wife makes case for the needy

Wife of Oyo State Governor, Mrs Florence Ajimobi has appealed to wealthy Nigerians to help the less-privileged persons in the society. She made the appeal while donating food items and beverages worth thousands of naira to different orphanage homes in the state.

In her address, Mrs. Ajimobi said any organisation or individual that supports charity homes and organisations does a great job for humanity.

“I urge well-meaning Nigerians, philanthropists as well the organised private sector to join in the task of making life better for the less-privileged ones in our society,” Mrs. Ajimobi said.

She commended the management of charity homes and religious bodies that have formed partnerships in providing succour for the less-privileged in Nigeria.

Mrs. Ajimobi stated that the level of suffering among the poor informed her resolve to go the extra mile in assisting the less-privileged.

She appealed to Nigerians to be patient with President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Ajimobi, even as she assured that better days were ahead for Nigeria and Nigerians.

October 14, 2015
Lagos begins massive road repairs

Several roads in Lagos, including those built by the Federal Government, have been in bad condition due to several factors. The state of the roads has resulted in undue hardship for road users and other commuters who spend hours in gridlocks. But bad roads may soon be a thing of the past as the state government has launched a massive road maintenance project following a directive by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode. JOSEPH JIBUEZE reports.

Residents of Ikotun/Ejigbo area of Lagos State will not forget in a hurry the hardship they had to endure for years passing through the Ikotun-Ejigbo-Isolo Road. Those who live in Okota area also have similar sad tales to tell. Protracted gridlocks caused by bad roads were common, but road users in those areas are beginning to heave a sigh of relief.

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode paid an unscheduled visit to the area, describing the state of the roads as unacceptable. He assured residents of a face lift.

The result of his promise is that the deplorable portions from Egbe Bridge to Ikotun have disappeared, while work is ongoing on the remaining bad portions, most of which have been levelled to make movement easier.

On the Ago Palace Way in Okota, the General Manager, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), Li Bing, said the rehabilitation will be completed in three months.

He spoke when the road was inspected by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, Mr Ajibade Bade-Adebowale.

During the inspection, Governor Ambode said he received distress calls on the roads’ condition. He said he went “to see things for myself”.

“The road is too strategic as it serves as a major link road connecting several local government areas. Hence, it cannot be left at the state it is currently,” he said of the Ikotun-Ejigbo Road.

•LSPWC men at work

He said the Lagos State Public Works Corporation (LSPWC) had been mobilised to provide palliatives to ease gridlocks often experienced along the corridor.

Ambode added that the state government would provide some degree of respite and succour for the people, adding that his administration “will never take people and any part of the state for granted.”

In line with that directive, the LSPWC, on Wednesday last week, formally launched what it called “Operation Fix the Potholes” project.

It will involve repairing bad spots on major roads within the metropolis. The project, which is already ongoing in various parts of the state, was officially inaugurated at Berger with road repairs around the axis.

General Manager of LSPWC, Ayotunde Sodeinde said Governor Ambode directed that all roads in Lagos, including those belonging to the Federal Government, must be fixed.

•Sodeinde

According to Sodeinde, repairs will be done at night in areas with heavy traffic. Roads with light traffic will be fixed during the day to ease vehicular movement.

Sodeinde took journalists on a tour of some roads undergoing major reconstruction, such as Metalbox Road, which connects Wemco and Acme roads in Ikeja.

He said: “We’ve been waiting for a favourable weather, although we’ve done a lot of roads already. By the time we finish the operation, we would have touched 192 roads.

“A lot of our roads have pot holes but we’ll fix them. We’re going to do it across Lagos. Where we discover that we cannot use asphalt, such as water-logged areas that won’t allow asphalt to stay, we’ll use paving stones.

“We want to guarantee residents of Lagos that we won’t stop until all pot holes are covered. It’s what we’ll be doing everyday and you will be seeing the results soon. We’re working in areas with light traffic during the day. But where there is usually heavy traffic during the day, the work will be done at night.

“We’ve been doing federal roads. To our governor, all roads being plied by lagosians must be fixed. There is no distinction between federal, state or local government roads. He asked us to “attack” all the roads because he wants to ensure that he alleviates the suffering of lagosians,” Sodeinde said.

Asked to name some of the roads to be repaired, Sodeinde said virtually every road in Lagos with pot holes or bad spots that restrict free flow of traffic will be touched.

“Hardly will you see a road in Lagos without a pot hole. So, we’re going to visit everywhere and ensure that we erase all the pot holes,” he said.

The LSPWC boss called for the co-operation of all residents, saying: “we can’t see everything. Although we have people who inspect or monitor the roads, road users can also contact us.”

He said residents can contact LSPWC with information on roads in need of urgent repairs via its email: enquiries@lspwc-ng.com or his phone number: 08023131820. Road users can also submit complaints via its website: www.lspwc-ng.com.

Sodeinde urged residents to avoid pouring water, washing vehicles, servicing cars, or burning firewood or charcoal on tarred roads.

He said: “Water and petroleum products are not friendly to asphalt. People who sell roasted plantain, maize, akara (bean cake) should not do it on the road because fire is not good for asphalt.”

He said the agency has received several complaints regarding the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, and that work was already ongoing on the road.

“Even though it is a federal road, I can assure you that we have moved into that road,” he said.

Already, people are beginning to appreciate the governor’s intervention. Residents of Ejigbo and Ikotun areas of Lagos have commended Ambode on the commencement of repair works of Ikotun-Ejigbo-Isolo and Okota roads, which had been a nightmare for motorists.

The Ekerin of Isolo, Chief Samina Lawal, praised the governor for the action and appealed for speedy execution of the project.

An Igbo leader in Lagos, Kanayo Osondu urged the government to consider a total rehabilitation of the road, while admitting that the palliative work has reduced travel time from Ago Roundabout to Cele-Express.

Osondu said: “Before this palliative work, we usually spend about one hour to move from ago roundabout to Cele bus stop, but since the road was repaired, it takes just about five minutes to get to Cele Express. It is a good measure for traffic to flow.

“You know that people going to Ikotun-Egbe, Jakande Estate and Ijegun all ply through Cele and the traffic is always heavy. We thank the governor for this quick intervention.

“But then, if nothing concrete is done, by the time rain comes again, it would wash away the palliative measure taken. It is better the contract is awarded so that a permanent solution can be put in place,” he said.

The immediate past chairman of Ejigbo Local Council Development Area, Kehinde Bamigbetan, said people of the area are excited that within months of Ambode’s administration, he could promptly come to their aid.

He pointed out that the road could not cater for the high population living in the area, which makes its repair and maintenance imperative.

LSPWC has vowed to ensure that the governor’s vision is realised. Sodeinde said: “The LSPWC is an agency charged with the primary responsibility of maintaining and rehabilitating state roads.

“Having creditably done this for almost 30 years, evidence of the corporation’s work is all over various communities in the city and suburbs of the state.

“Lagos State’s peculiar topography, population and general environmental characteristics make the task of making all roads motorable a daunting one. However, members of staff of the corporation are ready, willing and able to give all it takes to succeed against all odds,” he said.

October 14, 2015
Association tackles water pollution

The Association of Water Drillers and Rig-owners Practitioners (AWDROP) has announced its resolve to monitor government projects across the country to raise the quality of water being produced for consumption.

The association’s National President, Mr. Michael Ale, revealed this during a press conference organised for borehole drillers at Kakanfo Inn, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

“Many boreholes drilled in Nigeria by non-professionals have contaminated our most precious underground resources, thus resulting in illness for many innocent Nigerians.

“Failure to coordinate activities of borehole drilling in Nigeria through non-implementation of regulatory instrument, encouraged uncoordinated pricing and use of substandard materials to the disadvantage of unsuspecting and ill-informed customers, Ale said.

He continued: “The Federal Ministry of Water Resources, with the assistance of many stakeholders, including Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), has put up code of practice for borehole drilling in Nigeria and the document remains the valid guiding code for drilling companies in Nigeria.

“AWDROP accepted the adoption of the implementation of the code for drilling companies, thus setting standard for their operation.’’

Ale emphasised the need to implement the practice to avoid unnecessary waste of scarce resources over several moribund boreholes lingering the country, noting that “several government’s borehole projects have failed because of weak supervision and non-implementation of the code of practice by the contracting agent”.

The AWDROP President noted: “The implementation of code of practice for all borehole operators was important for sustainable quality water provision in Nigeria. There is the need to partner with all stakeholders involved in drilling practices to imbibe the culture and practice of good design and safety during operation.”

He reiterated that all boreholes being contracted out by the development partners and government alike would, henceforth, be monitored by AWDROP task force on code of practice for efficient and effective supervision, as borehole is not only about drilling or contracting but designed for good safety and health impact and proper handing over.

Ale maintained that several borehole projects by the development partners and government alike have failed in the past but with the implementation of the code of practice document, borehole projects are set to come alive again.ý

In view of this, two new buses have been donated by the association to strengthen the national task force as ratified by the national council of water resources during the last council meeting in Kaduna.

October 14, 2015
‘Eschew religious discrimination’

The National Coordinator of the O’odua People’s Congress (OPC), Otunba Gani Adams has urged the Yoruba to be wary of crises in the northern Nigeria. He also advised them to shun religious discrimination to avert similar crisis in Yoruba land.

Adams said this while speaking with journalists shortly after delivering a speech at the Oro-ebedi Festival at Iseyin, Oyo State.

According to him, there was the need to identify with our culture and heritage instead of demonising them. He added that there must be mutual respect among religions, especially Islam, Christianity and traditional religion.

He said: “We should not discriminate against any religion on the basis of being holy or not. You can consider your religion to be the best, but do not demonise others. If we are not careful about religion, what happened in the north may re-occur in Yoruba land.”

He appealed to religious leaders eschew incisive comments that are capable of dividing Nigerians along religious lines, saying tradition is different from religion.

He also revealed that he has, through the efforts of other Yoruba men and women across the globe, established O’odua Progressive Union (OPU) in no fewer than 61 countries.

While educating the audience on the difference between OPC and OPU, the chief promoter of the Olokun Festival explained that the OPU was formed to unite Yoruba men and women in the Diaspora and to create a link between them and those at home, while OPC was formed to represent the interest of Yoruba nation in general.

He said: “We have launched OPU in 61 countries. The last was in Togo. This month, we are planning to launch OPU in Gambia and Zambia. This organisation was formed to unite Nigerians in the Diaspora because it is during the elections that the government recognises Nigerians in the Diaspora.

“OPU is different from OPC. OPU is an organisation that emphasises on our culture and heritage to unite Nigerians all over the world.”

Adams, who revealed that members of his team in the OPC are promoting festivals to boost tourism, declared that fiestas such as the Oro-Ebedi, Oke-Ibadan, Olokun and Osun Oshogbo, among others, should be strengthened and developed for socio-cultural and economic development.

He noted that “the festivals are being organised to boost tourism thereby promoting the economy.

“the celebration of festivals in honour and homage to Yoruba gods is the foundation’s way of contributing to the growth and development of our tourism potential.

“It is unexplored alternative revenue earner that can accentuate our common quest for the economic development of Yoruba land and Nigeria.

While speaking on the importance of Oro Festival, Adams declared that “Oro Cult is an outstanding institution that performs political, judicial and religious functions among the natives. It is used for social purposes and to preserve order in private and community life.

In his speech, the Aseyin of Iseyin land, Oba Abdulganiyu Ologunebi Ajinanse 1 praised Adams and his colleagues for promoting Yoruba culture. The monarch implored members of the OPC to ensure that they continued to rebrand the group from the militia status to a well-cultured group.

October 14, 2015
Church holds programme

THE Church of God Mission (CGM), Lagos State has held an event titled: The Burning Bush at its Mafoluku headquarters.

Its state Bishop Egwowa Matthew said: “This is one of the programmes God gave to me through the late founder of the church, Archbishop Benson Idahosa. I discovered that people become busy at the expense of their spiritual lives. At this time of the year, there is an increase in vehicular activities. These are done without preparations. As a result, there is an increase in casualties.’’

The programme, which ended penultimate Sunday, was aimed at reexamining people’s lives to withstand satanic attacks. He warned that when people do things without spiritual preparations, then there would be problems.

He dispelled the notion that the three months of the year are dangerous. “There is nothing dangerous about them. It’s people’s imagination. Activities increase but people do not prepare for them,’’ the senior cleric said, adding: “Since the programme started, we have been seeing results.’’

The event, which coincided with the country’s 55th Independence anniversary, also coincided with the Bishop Egwowa’s 55th birthday. In a message, the Bishop said: “Pray that God blesses our leaders with a revolutionary spirit of change. The quickest way to bring out what we need in the country is: “If you want to serve, you must be prepared to respect people’s rights.’’

The event, which drew participants from far and wide was kicked off with a parade. It featured distribution of books, songs, prayers and cutting of the Bishop’s birthday cake, among others. One of the guest speakers was Dr Lesile Eden from Cameroun.

October 14, 2015
Family petitions IG over member’s death

The family of the late Mrs. Rachael Oladejo, a health officer in Igbara-Oke, Ifedore Local Government Area of Ondo State has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase over the woman’s death.

In a petition through their lawyer, Henry Adegbemile, dated September 2, the deceased was allegedly knocked down by a truck driver attached to the Dangote firm at Adebayo Junction, Igbara-Oke headquarters of the local government on her way to church.

The truck, with registration number Benue XA 336 BKB allegedly skidded off the road and hit the victim.

Adegbemile said the driver; Umar Abubakar was subsequently arrested by the police in Igbara-Oke division and dragged to the Chief Magistrate’s Court in Igbara-Oke.

However, the petitioner said after Mrs. Oladejo spent almost four months in the hospital, she died on April 23 as a result of injuries she sustained in the incident.

The lawyer alleged that neither Dangote Group nor the driver has shown any concern on the incident and eventual death of the late public health officer.

According to him, the driver, despite being charged for reckless driving, on hearing the death of his victim, disappeared since then.

The petitioner also said his clients, Dr Busuyi Mekusi and Miss Adebukola Faloyo believed that the driver’s employer, Dangote Group of Companies knew his whereabouts and were of the opinion that the accused was being shielded from justice.

He lamented that since the death of Mrs. Oladejo, her children have been in distress and living from hand to mouth.

Adegbemile said: “The Inspector-General of Police should order thorough investigation into the disappearance of the driver from court and ensure that he is re-arrested for prosecution over the death of the deceased.

The lawyer pleaded that Mrs. Oladejo’s case should not be one of the many unresolved deaths of “negligent” driving on the part of those in the employ of Dangote Group across Nigerian roads.

He said his clients have also petitioned the chairman, Dangote Group demanding a compensation of N500 million.

October 14, 2015
Cultural splendour at Igbo New Yam Festival

The rich cultural heritage of the Igbo was on display on October 10 as Igbo community in Lagos celebrated this year’s New Yam Festival. CHINAKA OKORO was there.

For several hours on Saturday, October 10, guests from far and near joined Ndigbo in Lagos to celebrate this year’s New Yam Festival.

The Nwachukwu Drive, venue of the event, was literally shut as huge crowd made their way to the Lagos State Igbo Community Centre to behold a cultural spectacle and catch some fun usually experienced once in a year.

There was heavy drumming, singing, trumpeting and breathtaking dance steps by cultural dancers who thrilled guests who had seated before the arrival of the dignitaries.

It was all glamour and show of opulence, as an estimated crowd of 10,000 that included members of Ndigbo in Lagos, friends, well-wishers and some prominent indigenes of Lagos State, participated in the celebration of the long-standing cultural carnival for which the Igbo are known. The weather was clement as the sun shone brightly out of the azure sky.

As early as noon that day, the spacious Igbo Community Centre which was built primarily for the festival and where Eze Christian Uchechukwu Nwachukwu hold-sway had begun to witness massive influx of spectators.

There was a spontaneous jubilation and a loud ovation rent the air as Eze Ndigbo Gburugburu and leader of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), Chief Ralph Uwazuruike made his way into the arena with a retinue of his unarmed security men who wore all-black attire.

The roomy Igbo Centre was largely suffused with beautifully coloured masquerades and traditional dancers who entertained the people. Gaily dressed Igbo women known for their panache and active social lifestyle were a marvel to behold. The men equally in their beautiful Igbo attire swirled to the suiting rhythm of drums and other musical instruments in that somewhat balmy afternoon. It was a gathering of who is who in Igbo land.

Commenting on the significance of the day and the place of yam in Igbo culture and tradition, the chairman on the occasion, His Excellency Cliff Nzeruem went down memory lane on how the festival began.

Chief Nzeruem, who is the Managing Director and Chief Executive of Hotel Ibis Royale, said: “An old Igbo myth records that during a severe famine, Igbo (from whom the tribe takes its name) was told that he must sacrifice his son, Ahiajoku, and his daughter, Ada, in order to save his other children. Obeying the instruction, he sacrificed his first son (Opara) and his first daughter (Ada).

“After they were killed, their flesh was cut into pieces and buried in several different mounds. A few days later, yams sprouted from the flesh of Ahiajoku, while coco yams sprouted from the flesh of Ada. Igbo and his other children survived the famine by eating them. Since then, the spirit of Ahiajoku became the god of yam.

The myth of Ahiajoku is re-enacted during the New Yam Festival each year. Each household places four or eight new yams on the ground near a shrine. After saying some prayers, he cuts small portions off from each end of the yams to symbolise the sacrifice of Ahiajoku.

“The yams are then cooked with palm oil, water, and chicken to make a dish that symbolises the body and blood of Ahiajoku. The Igbo people consider the yam to be so sacred that at one time, anyone caught stealing it would be put to death. Today, such thieves are banished.”

Continuing, he said: “We are here today to give thanks to God for giving us a bountiful harvest this year. The harvest is not only in terms of farm yields, but also in terms of life, good health and progress. As we gather to celebrate today, peace and celebration of good things will be the portion of Ndigbo in particular and Nigerians in general.

Congratulating the Igbo community in Lagos on the event of their New Yam Festival, Senator Oluremi Tinubu said she will always identify with the Igbo because of their industry.

Represented by the Executive Secretary of Lagos Mainland Local Government Area, Mrs. Omolola Essien, Senator Tinubu said the celebration of new yam festival by the Igbo in Lagos indicates that they are rooted in the culture and tradition of their society.

She noted that the Igbo exhibit the spirit of oneness and unity which Nigeria needs by making anywhere they find themselves their homes and contribute immensely to the socio-economic and political development of their host communities. She enjoined every Nigerian to embrace unity for peace and harmony to reign in our country.

This, she said, will engender the much-needed united Nigeria in which everywhere is home for all despite where one comes from.

Senator Tinubu, who holds the traditional title of Ezinne Ndigbo, urged all Nigerians to pray for President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to succeed in giving Nigerians and Lagosians good governance.

Speaker after speaker described Senator Tinubu as a detribalised Nigerian who loves Ndigbo and renders assistance to them when necessary. Chief Nzeruem narrated how Senator Tinubu was of assistance to stranded air travellers at Abuja Airport whose flights were cancelled. “She”, he said, “walked into the Departure Hall and invited those going to Lagos to join her in her private jet; without minding who you are or where you come from. It takes a mother and a humble person to do that.”

In his speech, Dim Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, the Ijele Ndigbo and Eze Igbo Gburugburu expressed his happiness identifying with his people. He said celebration of new yam was a tradition handed over to us by our forefathers. It is a festival that unites all Igbo.

Urging Ndigbo not to be afraid wherever they are, he said they should ensure they are law-abiding and respect constituted authority of their host communities.

Differing from Chief Nzeruem’s position that an Igbo appointed into the cabinet of any government outside Igbo land is a privilege and not a right, the MASSOB leader noted that “the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria does not recognise indigeneship. Every Nigerian has a right wherever he or she resides. That is what is in the constitution.”

He urged Ndigbo to strive to be at peace with their neighbours wherever they reside, adding that they should not be afraid of anybody as far as they are law-abiding citizens of Nigeria.

He said: “I love to come and identify with you in order to give you courage, the confidence that nothing will happen to you. Nigeria cannot do without the Igbo. In each state of Nigeria, the Igbo are the second largest group in every city.

“It may not be possible for the Igbo to speak with one voice because they are from a great tribe, what matters is the voice of the majority.”

Earlier, Eze Ndigbo of Lagos State and Co-ordinator/Igbo Mobilise in APC, Eze Christian Uchechukwu Nwachukwu said the new yam festival or Iri ji is one of the significant cultural events in Igbo land. He added that the event provides the Igbo man the opportunity to thank God for bumper harvest in yam and other farm varieties.

“In Igbo land, men plant yam while women plant cassava and cocoa-yam and so on. As man is the head of the family, so is yam the head of everything in the farm in Igbo land.

“For the Igbo man, the new yam festival day is symbolic in the sense that it is a day of enjoyment after the cultivation season, and the plenty is shared with friends and well-wishers. A variety of festivities mark the eating of new yam. Folk dances, masquerades, parades and parties create some joyful experiences for the participants,” he said.

High point of the event was the cutting and eating of tubers of roasted yam by participants.

•Representative of Senator Tinubu, Mrs Omolola Essien, eats the new yam.

Dignitaries at the event were Executive Secretary of Isolo Local Council Development Area, Alhaji Segun Jubril; the Ideh of Ite-Owerri, Prince A. W. Lams Nwizu; Chief Cliff Nzeruem; MASSOB leader, Chief Ralph Uwazuruike; ministerial nomiee Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, who was represented by Hon. Chief Ajayi Nicholas; Apostle Chris Ezegbu; Chairman Igbo Community Oshodi/Isolo Local Government, Hon. Tony Ofoegbu; Chief Anslem Udoka; Pastor Ndubuisi Nwachukwu; Peter Osuji; First President Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos State, Chief John Uche; National Coordinator Greenfield Traders of Nigeria, Mrs Evelyn Okere; President-General Market women and men Association of Nigeria, Chief (Mrs) Folashade Tinubu-Ojo who was represented by a group of Iyalojas and the Executive Secretary, Lagos Mainland Local Government Area Mrs Omolola Essien who represented Senator (Mrs) Tinubu.

October 14, 2015