The Nation Newspaper

Category: Southwest

  • Rain storm wreaks havoc in Ondo communities

    Rain storm wreaks havoc in Ondo communities

    The people of Iju in Akure North and Ifira-Akoko in Akoko South East Local Government areas of Ondo State are counting their losses after a devastating rainstorm wreaked havoc in their communities. DAMISI OJO reports.

    Residents of Iju, Ita Ogbolu and Ifira-Akoko communities in Ondo State are not very happy at the moment following a recent rainstorm in the areas that has rendered many of them homeless.

    No fewer than 300 buildings were ravaged by the devastating storm leaving those affected in serious distress.

    The rainstorm swept through Iju and Itaogbolu communities in Akure North and Ifira-Akoko in Akoko South East Local Government Areas of the State.

    The people who had thought that the rain was going to fall gently as usual were shocked when the heavens opened up and the shower accompanied by windstorm that blew off their roofs.

    Private and public school buildings in the area were also damaged by the storm which equally

    affected the wall of  a health centre in Iju community.

    The vice Principal of Elu Iju Grammar School, Mr.Isaac Oke whose school was affected, described the incident as unfortunate.

    He urged government to urgently come to their aid.

    WINDSTORM DESTROY 200 HOUSES IN ONDO OCPKG.mp4.Still006Meanwhile, government officials had visited the communities affected to assess the extent of damage.

    The lawmaker representing Akure North State Constituency, Akin Adeniyi also described the development as disturbing.

    He however assured that Governor Olusegun would assist his people on their plight.

    In Ifira-Akoko,the first rain that should have brought joy to the people turned sour as rainstorm destroyed several houses.

    Eye witness said the rain came with heavy storm which lasted for only 30 minutes but so was disastrous to the extent that two Churches and a private secondary school were badly damaged.

    A spokesman for the community, Chief Boboye Ojomo noted that property worth millions of naira were destroyed as the affected house owners could not rebuild the houses again because of abject poverty.

    The Monarch of the town, Olufira of Ifira, Oba Olu Olugbeja called on the state government and the National Emergency Management Agency(NEMA) to come to the aid of his subjects as the economic situation in the country was not conducive to warrant the reconstruction of new houses.

    Those affected by the rainstorm in the areas are now either squatting with friends or relation or living in rented apartments.

  • ‘Why Ajimobi ’ll be re-elected’

    ‘Why Ajimobi ’ll be re-elected’

    Notwithstanding the incessant blackmail by opposition parties in Oyo State against Governor Abiola Ajimobi, A Chieftain of All Progressives Congress in the State, Mr Ladi Oluokun has stated that situation will not affect the chances of Governor Ajimobi from been re-elected.

    “In Oyo State, we should be looking at the performance and achievements of elected public officers. The governor has done very well in almost four years. He has restored peace and security to the state. People can now go about their lawful activities without fear of molestation. This is why investors have been flocking to the state to create jobs and make life meaningful for the people.

    “Investment inflow has grown by about 69 per cent. People are beginning to realise the difference between a good government and a government that promoted brigandage and let loose dogs of war on the citizens’’. He went further that:”quite a number of industries and companies are springing up as a result of the conducive environment that Ajimobi has provided. More than 10 industries have been established and nobody will come and invest where he will not make profit. That has led to massive employment for the people and all those that are now engaged in thuggery  have shunned the unruly behaviour because they are engaged. So, there is peace, there is work, there is clean environment, there is infrastructural development and mass transit now operates . So, I don’t see why Ajimobi will not continue as the governor of Oyo State after the election”, he said

    Oluokun, who is also the council boss of Ibadan North East Local Government, while Commenting on the APC rally in the state,explained that the rally was a huge success and it is an indication that the APC is the party to beat in Oyo State.

    According to him,  Contrary to the speculations in certain quarters that our party is not in contention at all, the rally has rested such speculations and we are glad that all eyes are on our party and its candidates, particularly Governor Abiola Ajimobi, who will be re-elected by the grace of the Almighty by the good people of the state.

    Oluokun noted that what Ajimobi has done in terms of infrastructural development of the state, restoration of peace and the cleanliness of the environment, are unprecedented in the history of the state.

    “Artisans got interest free loans to re-capitalise their business and they are quite happy for this. Ajimobi’s victory in the coming polls is not in doubt.?” he said

    The council boss further said:”How many of his predecessors performed like him? How many politicians can pray that if they will not perform God should not allow them win, but Governor Ajimobi has said it openly that if he will not perform God should not allow him win.”

    Oluokun listed some of his own achievements over the last 10 months as:” construction of drains, earthwork asphaltic paving of Idera street yidi/ Agugu ,Akerele layout, Idi-Orogbo/Idi-Ibepe and Ayo Craig road. construction of pedestrian bridge at Labiran area of phase 1 and 2, sinking of Solar system borehole at Labiran areas and Construction ofa double cell box culvert at Ajegede and Onipasan areas. Construction of Olusegun Obasanjo road, Gerado road “

    The council boss also stated that he has impacted positively on the lives of the people of thecouncil through people-oriented empowerment programs. He said his administration will continue carry out a robust and all involving empowerment programme for the people of the council.

    He credited all his achievements to the financial and moral support he received from the governor.

    Oluoukn said though he might not be able to do all, but said all the people in the council area should vote for Ajimobi in order to ensure continuity in governance, adding the he would build on what he has done and provide more dividends of democracy to the people in each of the wards that make up the council.

  • Bouquet of projects for Lagos rural communities

    Bouquet of projects for Lagos rural communities

    No fewer than 18 riverside communities and four rural ones scattered along Epe and Ikorodu areas were last Wednesday presented with electrification and water projects in the bid by the Lagos State government to improve the standard of living of rural folks, writes ADEYINKA ADERIBIGBE.

    For generations, residents of Oriba a riverside community in Epe Local Government Area of Lagos State had lived without electricity. The only electricity enjoyed by a few, comes from the generating sets owned by the rich for whom it was an economic source rather than for domestic use.

    In a megacity state like Lagos, many of them grew up into adulthood not knowing how an electric switch looked like and only got to see an incandescent bulb in movies and on televisions or when they moved to the urban centre.

    Majority of them, for whom electricity was a luxury lived without it, resigning to fate that set them as indigenes of such backward settlements.

    But that helpless resignation gave way last Wednesday. Few minutes after mid day, with a switch of a button, their lives changed permanently and for the better. Gone perhaps forever, were the days of darkness.

    Electricity known to the locals as light seeped into the communities to the joy of the children, youths and elders of the affected areas. The babies jumped and pranced about, the adults danced, even the masquerades venerated by the locals as the spirit of the dead, were not left out in the jubilation.

    The electrification project was part of the better life activities of the Lagos State Ministry of Rural Development for the rural and riverside dwellers.

    And for the Baale of Oriba Chief Nurudeen Olowolayemo, the community would forever cherish the project.

    According to him, the community which has been in existence since the 17th century and without electricity, got its first ray of hope over 18years ago, through the Federal Rural Electrification Board (FREB), but the project was abandoned until the Lagos State Government came to its rescue last year.

    Handing over the eight kilometer rural electrification project to the people on behalf of the government, the Commissioner for Rural Development Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi described the project as part of its rural electrification activity, covering Elerangbe and Oriba, an area spanning 24 kilometres.

    Ojelabi who described the project as the ministry’s longest rural electrification project, said the electricity would serve over 18 communities. It was also accomplished in phases due to paucity of funds.

    Ojelabi noted that the first phase of the project from Elerangbe junction to Ajegbenwa in Ibeju-Lekki covering nine kilometres commenced in 2012, and was completed and inaugurated in November of the same year, while the second phase covering five kilometres was approved and executed in 2013 by direct labour from Ajegbenwa to Arapagi. The last phase of nine kilometres from Arapagi to Oribawais what the ministry handed over.

    Ojelabi maintained that the electrification project was the second project the ministry would be handing over in Oriba, having handed over a Modified Type A water scheme earlier.

    He said the ministry would begin the construction of the community’s jetty next month.

    The member of the State House of Assembly representing Epe Constituency 1, Abiodun Tobun, while thanking the state government for the gesture commended the commissioner for the great work he is doing in developing rural areas. He noted that if not for the conviction and commitment of the commissioner, the project will not see the light of day.

    Tobun however urged the ministry to assist with the only road that can link the community to the rest of the state to make for easy commuting to and from the area.

    Earlier the commissioner had been at Iba Oloja another riverside community in Ibeju Lekki Local Government Area, to hand over another rural electrification project where he charged members of the community to protect the project from vandalisation and theft.

    Present at the ceremonies were the Obas, Baales from the areas, the executive secretaries of Epe and Ibeju Lekki, Permanent Secretary in the ministry Mr. Jafar Sanuth and management staff of the ministry.

    Ojelabi also handed over four newly constructed Solar Powered Modified Type A Water Schemes to four communities: Ariya, Sapele Onovbo, Efunlaroja (Ajose Close) and Musade Idi-Orogbo (Ori field) in the newly emerging densely populated Oriokuta Community in Ikorodu West Area of the State.

    Handing over the water schemes to the community leaders, Baales, CDAs and Chiefs the Commissioner for Rural Development said the water projects were given to the communities in fulfillment of the Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola’s pledge to make life comfortable for the citizens of the State irrespective of the where they live, their religion or tribe.

    He noted that since they were the ones that asked for the water projects, they should constitute themselves into management committee and ensure that the projects are well managed and maintained for sustainability.

    The Head of Water and Sanitation Department in the Ministry, Mr. Adisa Yinusa said the ministry decided to give Oriokuta four water schemes because the place is densely populated and opted for Solar Powered Water Scheme because of the incessant and erratic power supply in the country so that the people can have water at all times.

    He noted that with solar power they don’t need to spend additional money on diesel to fuel generators for the water plants and even when it rains the solar power will still work with little lighting.

    Yinusa, an engineer, disclosed that the water is potable and very safe for consumption because they are treated to World Health Organisation (WHO) standard with treatment plants attached to each scheme.

    The member of the State House of Assembly representing the area, Hon. Sanni Agunbiade while thanking the State Government and his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), for always responding promptly to the yearnings of the people, urged the community members to cooperate with the government in the implementation of other projects requested for.

    The Chairman of all the CDAs in Oriokuta, Mr.Tunde Gbewesa while appreciating the government said the four water schemes will go a long way in alleviating the sufferings of the people of the area.

    He praised the Fashola administration for being a listening one, adding that it set in motion machineries to address all the issues the community discussed with him when leaders within the communities met with him last year.

    “All the issues raised with the governor at our last meeting are already receiving attention among which is the water projects being handed over. Like Oliver Twist we however requested for more water projects to serve the over 2.5 million people living in Oriokuta,” Gbewesa said.

    He listed other challenges of the community that needed prompt attention to include dredging of the blocked canals, transformers to boost electricity supply and the early commencement of the school project for their children.

    Also around to give support and appreciate the good work of the government in the area was the Executive Secretary of the Ikorodu West LCDA, Princess Adunni Oyefusi who charged the people to guide jealously their PVC and come out en masse on the 28 of March and 11th of April and vote for the APC in other to continue to witness more of programmes and projects like the ones being handed over.

  • Ekiti police command tightens noose on criminals

    Ekiti police command tightens noose on criminals

    The Ekiti State Police Command appears to be winning the battle against armed robbery and other criminal activities with arrest of no fewer than 50 suspects in the last three weeks the highpoint of which was the killing of Ado-Ekiti robbery kingpin, Gbenga Matthew popularly known as Orimeji omo Bose. ODUNAYO OGUNMOLA reports.

    The last three weeks have been busy, momentous and tumultuous for the officers and men of the Ekiti State Police Command in their resolve to rid the state of criminal activities.

    The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Frederick Taiwo Lakanu, hardly sleeps now to make sure that the command is positioned to fulfill its constitutional duties of protecting lives and property, detection and prevention of crimes and making the state safe for its inhabitants.

    Lakanu who arrives office at about 10.00 am each day sometimes stays there till 4 o’ clock the following morning after he might have joined his men on operational duties combing the nooks and crannies of the state in search of robbers and other criminals.

    He is always locked in strategy meetings with senior officers of the command like the Deputy Commissioner, Assistant Commissioners/Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers (DPOs), heads of department and other officers that matter.

    Lakanu also holds meetings with interest groups, community leaders, traditional rulers, ethnic-based associations, faith-based organizations, non-governmental organizations, political parties, among others in his belief that security is everybody’s business.

    What features on top of the agenda is how to make Ekiti safe for residents, visitors, investors and ensure that criminals are given a wide berth for the state to maintain its reputation as one of the most peaceful in the federation.

    The efforts of the Ekiti number one cop is already yielding results with the arrests of no fewer than 50 robbery suspects in the last three to four weeks. Many suspected criminals have been nabbed for various offences and are keeping dates with the law.

    The highpoint of the success was the killing last Thursday of a notorious Ado-Ekiti robbery kingpin, Gbenga Matthew popularly known as “Orimeji omo Bose” by men of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the state command.

    In security circles, Ado-Ekiti is believed to have three robbery syndicates and one of them is led by Orimeji.

    With the smashing of the Orimeji-led robbery syndicate, hopes are high that it is just a matter of time before the other two are smashed

    Orimeji was shot dead at about 3.00 am after he and his five-man gang engaged the SARS team in a protracted gun duel at Akodi-Edemo community in Odo Ado area of Ado-Ekiti.

    His body which was tattooed with his nickname and other signs was paraded at the police headquarters before it was taken to the mortuary after the command spokesman, Mr. Alberto Adeyemi, addressed a news conference on the development.

    The deceased had been terrorizing Ado-Ekiti and its environs for over twelve years and was believed to have masterminded many robbery operations before he met his Waterloo in the early morning encounter with the SARS men.

    Orimeji had been arrested several times in the past and charged to court only to come back and unleash more terror. He was among the escapees from the Ado-Ekiti prisons on November 30, last year.

    Acting on a tip-off, the policemen swooped on the area within few minutes after being informed of the arrival of the robbers as staccato of gunshots rent the air.

    Orimeji and his gang who were robbing the neighborhood at the time the SARS men arrived fired at the policemen who responded with superior firepower in which the robbery kingpin and his gang received gunshot wounds.

    Police spokesman Adeyemi described the killing of Orimeji as a “big breakthrough” urging members of the public to cooperate with the command by volunteering information that could lead to the arrest of more criminals.

    He explained that the Police in the state are motivated to fight robbery and other criminal activities saying Ekiti is now a no-go area for men of the underworld.

    Adeyemi said: “Early this morning (on Thursday, March 12), the Officer in Charge of SARS got a tip-off that some robbers were robbing in Akodi Edemo community, so he swung into action with his men and got to the area and met about five robbers in operation and the robbers opened fire on the SARS team but the team did their best to arrest them alive.

    “Two of the officials of our SARS team were wounded in the gun battle. Orimeji jumped down from the house and was trying to reload his rifle and shoot the SARS men, it was at that point that our men were left with no choice than to shoot him.

    “The other members of the robbery gang had escaped with bullet wounds. We are appealing to members of the public and the hospitals, if they see anybody with bullet wounds, they should not move close to them but call the nearest police station. So that we can come and arrest them.

    “The leader of the gang that was shot dead is Gbenga Mattew, alias Orimeji, he was a very notorious armed robber with a track record of armed robbery of about 12 years.

    “We have arrested him on many occasions and charged him to court. He was among the escapees in the last prison break in Ekiti, they call him Orimeji Omo Bose.

    “We understand that Ekiti has three notoriuos armed robbery gangs, so we have smashed one by the killing of Orimeji. We have intensified efforts to get the other two.

    “We have already mapped out strategies to get them and I cannot disclose such strategies to you here. But I can tell you that in the next two days, we will have another breakthrough that would be bigger than this.

    “About N120,000 and three U.S Dollars were recovered from him. His riffle, a locally made one, is also there with him.

    “I am sure the residents of the Akodi Edemo area would tell you that they have never seen the kind of massive gun fight between the police and the robbers that occurred around 3:15am early this morning in the area.”

    The command also arrested 37 suspects including four of those who carried out robbery attacks on the residents of Adekunle Fajuyi Estate, Ado-Ekiti in the early hours of Sunday, March 8.

    They were rounded up in a raid carried out Monday night last week in their hideouts in Atikankan, Sabo and Lekeleke areas of Ado-Ekiti.

    A robbery suspect, Michael Adams, who was one of the escapees of the Ado-Ekiti Prisons jail break led the operatives of SARS to arrest other members of the gang in their hideouts.

    Some of the suspects arrested in connection with the Fajuyi Estate robbery include Abdulsalam Kabir, Ayeni Ojo, Albert Ayodeji and Adebiyi Seun.

    Kabiru and Ayodeji were also among the fleeing escapees from Ado-Ekiti Prisons who were involved in armed robbery after their escape from prisons.

    One of the suspects paraded, Michael Adams, has confessed to armed robbery and murder.

    Another suspect paraded, Do-Good Owoeye was arrested with cut-to-size single barrel gun and an Army camouflage uniform which he claimed belong to his father whom he claimed had retired from service.

    During the raid, weapons including two cut-to-size locally-made single barrel guns were recovered from the suspects.

    One of the suspects, 24-year-old Kabir a native of Kano who was born in Ado-Ekiti said his friend was celebrating his birthday and he went there to mark the day with him.

    He claimed that after they finished the birthday bash and was about to go, his friend asked him not to go because they were going somewhere which turned out to be a robbery operation.

    •Bukola Ogidiolu, who allegedly roasted her husband in Ekiti being paraded by the police
    •Bukola Ogidiolu, who allegedly roasted her husband in Ekiti being paraded by the police

    Kabir revealed that he was among the escapees from the Ado-Ekiti Prison which was attacked by unknown gunmen on November 30 last year saying he was remanded in prison custody for armed robbery and murder.

    Adams, an Ebira from Kogi State who denied involvement in robbery claimed that he was arrested by policemen on patrol.

    He said: “I did not rob, I was arrested by policemen on patrol when I was coming from the place of my elder brother whose name is Joe, an officer of the Federal Road Safety Corps.

    “I was arrested in front of CAC Secondary School, Ilawe Road. I am a bricklayer, my family don’t know that I am here. I am one of those who escapaded from prison”.

    Ayodeji said his problem started when he joined bad gang from where he graduated into big-time robbery. He is also one of the escapees from the Ado-Ekiti prison.

    He said:”When I was growing up, nobody took care of me and I followed bad gang. I was sent to Lagos to learn pasting tiles and I was released from my apprenticeship having completed my term to prepare for graduation.

    “Anytime my friends said they were going for operations, I declined their request that I should follow them.

    “On coming from Lagos on Monday, I alighted from the vehicle and policemen from Okesa who were on patrol arrested me and two girls and brought us to the station.

    “My friends and I were taken to the prison. I confessed to the police that I used to commit crimes before but I am no longer involved”.

    Speaking while parading the suspects, Lakanu said the suspects confessed to series of armed robbery attacks.

    The police boss explained that the arrest of the suspects was a breakthrough for the command urging members of the public to cooperate with the Police to nip crime in the bud.

    The state police chief said the command has redoubled its effort to tackle armed robbery and other acts of criminality in the state and would not relent until crime is reduced to the barest minimum.

    Lakanu said the command responds to distress calls within ten minutes as it was the case during the estate robbery in which the Police stopped robbery incursion into more homes.

    He disclosed that the Police has stationed patrol vehicles at Olorunda area of Ado-Ekiti, some big estates within the city and other flashpoints.

    The Police boss urged members of the public to always volunteer information to help curb crime in the state.

    Owoeye, 29, claimed that he was in his house in Ikere when he learnt that some members of the local vigilantes were pursuing robbers and he reached for his father’s gun to assist in combating the robbers.

    His words: “I was in my home in Ikere when I heard shouts of Ole, Ole, Ole and we pursued the robbers with OPC men and they came to my house.

    “My father used to be a soldier but he is no longer in service. I took his gun to assist the policemen to confront the robbers.”

    When asked where he got the Army camouflage that was found in his house on the day he was arrested, Owoeye claimed that it belonged to his father who had retired from service.

    He identified his father as Owoeye Peters who he claimed served in Lagos as a soldier.

    Exhibits found in his house included a cut-to-size single barrel gun and Indian hemp

    On Monday last week, the command paraded a woman, Bukola Ogidiolu, who allegedly poured petrol on her husband, Abimbola and set him ablaze destroying his private part in the process.

    Also paraded was a farmer, Moses Ofega, who shot a Fulani herdsman dead on his farm after they were locked in a scuffle.

    Speaking to reporters while being paraded, 36-year-old Bukola claimed that she had a disagreement with her husband over his alleged nonchalant attitude to her failure to conceive since their marriage over three years ago.

    She denied setting her husband on fire for refusing to take her out on the Valentine’s Day which happened to be her birthday. Bukola said she didn’t know how the attack happened.

    Bukola said: “We had disagreement over his nonchalant attitude to my barrenness that day and we were fighting. Our neighbours tried to plead with him but he never listened to them.

    “He later ran inside and destroyed all my property. But he had

    forgotten that we had petrol inside and when he was about lighting his cigarette, the keg that contained the petrol exploded and my

    husband caught fire immediately”.

    Abimbola who has burns all over his body with his manhood badly burnt is presently receiving treatment at Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH), Ado-Ekiti where doctors are battling to save his life.

    Ofega, 30, who hails from Benue State after killing the Fulani man was said to have poured charcoal on the corpse in a bid to cover up his track shortly after committing the crime in Iyemero-Ekiti in Ikole Local Government Area on March 4.

    He claimed that he shot at the Fulani man by mistake after they engaged in a bout over the destruction of his farm by the deceased’s cows.

    Police spokesman Adeyemi disclosed that members of the Fulani Community in the town reported the alleged murder at the Police Station before detectives took all the necessary actions to get Moses arrested .

    Adeyemi said detectives from the State Criminal Investigations Department, had to trace Ofega , who had fled into the bush after committing the offence before he was apprehended.

    Ofega said: “I didn’t kill him intentionally. I went to the farm that day because I am a hunter.

    “When I saw that my farm had been destroyed, I had to challenge him and in the course of wrestling with him, my gun fired and hit him”.

    Police spokesman said the duo would be charged to court as soon as possible.

    The killing of the Fulani herdsman heightened tension in Iyemero and other communities in Oye and Ikole local government areas which bordered Kwara and Kogi States.

    Clashes between local farmers and Fulani pastoralists are very common in these remote communities as the farmers always complain that their crops and other farm produce are destroyed by herds of cattle.

    The locals also complain that their wives and daughters are raped by the herdsmen whom they accuse of unleashing terror on their communities.

    The communities involved are Iyemero, Itapaji, Oke Ako, Irele, Ipao, Oloje, Ilemeso, Oke Ayedun, Odo Ayedun and Orin Farm Settlement on the northern fringes of Ekiti State.

    In a bid to ensure peace among the parties, Police Commissioner Lakanu summoned a peace meeting to prevent the issue on ground from snowballing into an intractable ethno religious crisis.

    The communities were led by their traditional rulers and chiefs who were resplendent in their royal regalia and beads.

    •A cross-section of traditional rulers and other community leaders at the peace meeting.
    •A cross-section of traditional rulers and other community leaders at the peace meeting.

    Traditional rulers at the meeting included the Obaloja of Oloje, Oba Peter Falade; Olu of Itapaji, Oba Azeez Adebanjo; Olu of Iyemero, Oba Agboola Ogungbemi; the Regent of Oke Ako, Princess Tinuade Ogunbiyi; the Olu of Irele, Oba G.D. Adesogan.

    Other stakeholders invited to partake in the meeting are officials of the Ministry of Agriculture, the State Agricultural Development Project (ADP), Youths in Commercial Agricultural Development (YCAD), Farm Settlements and the Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti.

    The rest include the Igede Community, the Fulani Community, the Hausa Community, the Tiv Community, the Ebira Community, the Independent Farmers, among others.

    One of the thorny issues that caused heated debates at the interactive session was the question of whether the Fulanis and the Bororos are the same.

    This was because the local communities said the Bororos are responsible for the attacks.

    While some stakeholders believe that the Bororos and the Fulanis are the same, others believe that they are different.

    But Lakanu urged the parties not to dissipate energy on the controversy but should look for ways to solve the problem and ensure a lasting peace.

    He vowed to prosecute farmers and Fulani herdsmen fomenting trouble in the state, urging them to live peacefully with one another.

    Lakanu said the murder of the Fulani herdsman allegedly committed by Ofega which has caused tension in the communities must not be allowed to set the state on fire.

    Lamenting the incessant problems between farmers and herdsmen, the Police boss said the meeting was to broker peace.

    He said, “The essence of the meeting was to address the incursion of Fulani herdsmen into farmlands. It has been a serious problem in the state.

    “We have people who have been granted permission to farm and the cattles will destroy the farms.

    “We have had death occurring from this where Ebira farmers attacked the herdsmen and killed them. It is a tripartite meeting between farmers, herdsmen and government officials.”

    Lakanu urged the warring factions to eschew violence and brigandage.

    “We will go to the extreme to protect live and properties. We will raise a task force to look into the problems and will be meeting regularly,” he added.

    All the parties resolved to cooperate with the Police to ensure a peaceful coexistence and collaborate with the law enforcers to contain the spread of criminalities.

    With these efforts, the Police in Ekiti State are setting the pace for residents to do everything possible to fight crime and maintain peace to make the state safe for all to live in.

     

  • Governorship candidates in Lagos sign gender pact

    Four of the candidates in the April 11, 2015 gubernatorial election in Lagos State, Messrs. Jimi Agbaje of the People Democratic Party (PDP); Ayodele Akele, National Conscience Party (NCP); Adeniji Adedoyega, KOWA Party and; Bolaji Ogunseye of the Alliance for Democracy (AD), have signed a gender pact with  Civil Society Groups to  promote women related issues in the state if elected.

    The pact contains the 12- point demands adopted at the Lagos gender dialogue held recently with the candidates.

    The demands cover issues such as health, education, economic and poverty alleviation, vulnerable groups, decision making, environment, agriculture, road network, water supply, people with disability, child abuse and violence against women and security.

    The programme was organised by the Vanguard Newspapers, Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC) and Silverbird Television in partnership with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Lagos.

    The gubernatorial candidates signed the gender pact after a session of dialogue with the electorate. The four agreed to involve women in their administration as a result of the issues of gender and women in particular, receiving very limited attention from political actors during electoral processes over the years.

    The programme held at Sheraton Hotel in Ikeja, Lagos.

    Agbaje assured women in the state of a minimum of 25% appointive slots in his administration.

    He said the problem with women is that the qualified ones hardly want to join politics. He urged them to move from political activism to real politics, saying that is the only way by which more women can participate in politics.

    He challenged women entrepreneurs and professionals to step into politics so there can be more women in the system.

    Akele noted that if women are given 35% appointive position without impact in their lives and that of the vulnerable citizens in the state, then it is meaningless.

    Adeniji and Ogunseye both promised to reserve 50% appointive seats for women in the state.

    Adeniji said: KOWA Party was formed in 2009 to specially take care of women and all vulnerable persons in Nigeria.

    Ogunseye said he cannot give 35% of appointive positions to women because that will be going against the actual demand of the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women, CEDAW, which states that 50% slots should be reserved for women to ensure gender equality.

    Earlier, Executive Director, WARDC, Dr Abiola Akiyode Afolabi said WARDC is a nongovernmental, human rights organisation dedicated to the promotion and protection of women’s rights, gender equality and social justice in Nigeria.

    She said the initiative was borne out of the concern on the limited attention that gender and women issues received from political actors, during the electoral process especially the fact that few women candidates emerged during this electoral dispensation.

    “Historically, people in political offices do not prioritise gender and women empowerment issues for reasons best linked to ignorance, patriarchy, lack of political will and general apathy towards women’s issues. This has continued to retard world progress and development.”

    She said the Lagos gender dialogue was an opportunity to bring women issues to the front burner, making it the most critical debate.

    “A 2012 report on gender in Nigeria concludes that the estimated 80.2 million women and girls in Nigeria have significantly worse life chances than men in relation to employment and livelihoods, education and health, political representation, and violence. According to the report, Nigeria ranks 118 out of 134 countries in the Gender Equality Index; women are politically unrepresentative with only seven out of the 109 senators and 25 out of the 360 representatives as women elected in the 2011 election process. In relation to maternal health, each day, 144 Nigerian women die in child birth, which is equivalent to one death every 10 minutes,” Akiyode said.

    A child right activist, Mrs Yemisi Ransome-Kuti spoke on the need to educate the young ones. “We the women brought children to the world, both male and female. It is up to the women to ensure that our young men grow up respecting women, and see themselves as equal partner, at home, school and work. They do not aspire to get to the position where they are the Lord and master of their situation. It is by ensuring that there is that balance, emotionally, mentally and intellectually between the male and the female child right from young,” she said.

    Woman Editor, Vanguard Newspapers, Mrs Morenike Taire, said that the initiative was in line with the newspaer’s commitment towards ensuring a better life for the entire nation, particularly women and children.

  • Indian hemp ‘warehouse’ discovered in Ondo

    Indian hemp ‘warehouse’ discovered in Ondo

    THE Ondo state command of the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has discovered a building where Cannabis Sativa, popularly called “Indian Hemp” was allegedly being stored and sold in Akure, the state capital.

    Officials of the agency who went to raid the “hemp warehouse’ said the command was reliably informed by residents of the area that Indian hemp was being stored and sold in the building.

    The building located on Ogunleye lane, off Kolawole Estate, Olu foam area in Akure, was said to be a meeting point for drug offenders in Akure and its environs.

    The State Commandant of the NDLEA, Mr. Ibrahim Abdul who led officials of the agency to the area disclosed that ýtwo middle aged men were arrested in the building with Indian hemp in their custody.

    The operation was the first major one to be carried out by the new commandant of the agency, since his assumption of office at the command.

    Abdul hinted that two suspects, Chibozor Godday and Collins Nmo who were arrested inside the building would be prosecuted after conclusion of investigation.

    The Commandant disclosed that over 800 bags of Indian hemp were secretly kept inside the ceiling of the building.

    He urged members of the public to always furnish the agency with necessary information whenever they noticed strange developments in their environment.

  • Ekiti monarch, subjects clash over power outage

    Ekiti monarch, subjects clash over power outage

    Emure-Ekiti, one of the major towns in Ekiti State, was last week’s Monday thrown into chaos as the youth of the community staged a protest against what they called “epileptic power supply” from the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC).

    The angry youths also demonstrated against non-availability of banking services in the town which has caused them untold hardship as they had to travel down to Ado-Ekiti, Ise-Ekiti, Akungba-Akoko and Ikare-Akoko (both in  Ondo State) to carry out banking transactions.

    The protesters said the people in the town have been afflicted with electricity and banking problems for over seven months. They claimed that BEDC still distributes what they called “crazy bills” despite the poor power supply.

    They are also angry that despite the fact that the only bank in the community is not open officially to the public, some tradition chiefs and other influential indigenes are attended to “underground”.

    Following the violent nature the March 9 protest assumed, about 30 Emure youths were arrested by the Police following their alleged attacks on the palace of the Elemure, Oba Emmanuel Adebayo and the police station in the town.

    The youth are accusing the traditional ruler who is a retired Commissioner of Police of masterminding their arrest and have declared war on the monarch.

    Their arrest has however, triggered a protest by old women of the community who protested half-naked calling on Oba Adebayo to ensure the release of the young men

    The protest was dramatic as the youth engaged their Oba in a game of wits. The royal father who did not approve of the protest made attempts to frustrate the youth from carrying out public demonstration.

    Oba Adebayo, who at various times during his service career served as Commissioner of Police in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Lagos, Edo and Nasarawa Commands personally confronted the youth and demanded them to stop their protest.

    According to a youth leader in Emure and one of the organizers of the protest, Olaoye Olayinka, Oba Adebayo was upset with the development and went to confront the youth and demanded that they stop.

    He said the youth continued the protest and blockage until their demands were met.

    Olayinka revealed that the monarch made attempt to remove the blockages himself but the youth prevented him, taking off his hands after which the royal father left in anger.

    Olayinka said: “What called for the youth’s protest is the epileptic power supply from the electricity firm, Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC), for the past seven months, we hardly have light 5 times in a month, and when they bring it, it was only in the mid-night when we would be asleep.

    “Why this bad treatment from the electricity firm is so painful is because, of all Ekiti communities, Emure pays the highest bill, you can go and find out about this. But still we are not enjoying the benefits, instead we are getting crazy bills for a very bad service.

    “The electricity firm slams us with N8, 000, N6,000, N7,000 bills for each household, and for the artisans who are just welders, each of them get N15,000 a month. It’s ridiculous.

    “And we have warned the boys coming to cut the power supply anytime they feel like.

    “This had really angered the youth, the matter reached a climax when on February 21, the staff of the electricity firm came to cut the power supply to the community and the youth decided to stop them.

    “The youth insisted that they should allow the community to enjoy the power till end of February and see how regular the light is before payment of their bills is made but the officials refused and would have cut the light had the youth not threatened to be violent with them.

    “Meanwhile, the BEDC engineers had secretly removed the switch of one of the transformers supplying power to the community and we only got to know this when there was power supply and we discovered we didn’t have light.

    “The angry youth rushed to their (BEDC) office demanding for the switch to be re-installed but the officials denied removing the switch. This angered the youth more because they know that an untrained person could not have removed the switch.

    “The youth then decided to capture some of the officials but the men ran off, unfortunately while they were running, one of them was caught and it was that one who eventually called others to restore the switch and we immediately had light.

    “But the second day, we discovered to our chagrin that the officials have gone to cut off our community from the central unit at Ise, a neighbouring town. That has been almost a month now and we have been in blackout since. We have written countless letters and attended several meetings all to no avail, before we staged the protest.

    “The second issue that made the youths to protest is the refusal for the only bank here, to offer service to ordinary members of the community while they give service to the chiefs and other highly placed people through the back door.

    “The bank started that partial treatment since the Ikere Bank robbery incident, seven months ago. Those of us who are just ordinary people have to travel to Ado, Ikere or Akoko area of Ondo State to get our money from the banks and some fell into the hands of the robbers on their way.

    “This is why the youth protested, but instead of the Oba to appeal to them, he rather fueled the crisis by ordering them about and even bringing police to clamp down on everyone.

    It wasn’t up to 40 minutes that the Oba left the scene of protest that day, when heavily armed policemen with about 15 patrol vans stormed the scene and began clubbing everyone and arresting anyone in sight.

    “One of us was shot in the leg and the policemen took him off, they also seized motorbikes parked near the scene of the protest. Many were injured.  This infuriated our people and many of them marched to the monarch’s palace to protest the brutality. Over 60 of our young men have been arrested now, “he said.

    BEDC officials who spoke newsmen and asked not to be named because they were not authorized to speak said that the failure of the community to pay electricity bills as at when due was responsible for the power cut.

    Some women in the community expressed anger at the action of the monarch warning him to release their children from police custody or they could be forced to carry out traditional rites that could lead to his removal from the throne..

    One of them who spoke on condition of anonymity said: “Look we are very angry! The women are very angry! Why would Oba Adebayo order his police boys to detain our young men just because theyweare protesting and demanding for their rights?

    “Let me tell you something, we women know what to do to put an end to the reign of this monarch, it’s just that the elderly men have been appealing to us.

    “There is a market which we gather for only when the monarch passes on, we would not hesitate to gather for this market in order to invoke ancestral and traditional powers against the Oba if the ultimatum we have given the monarch to bring back our youth elapses and he failed to do so”.

    The Elemure’s Palace is still being guarded by stern-looking armed policemen since the crisis began while efforts to speak with the traditional ruler have proved abortive.

    Calls made to his phone lines were not answered and neither did he reply text messages sent to him.

    When reporters visited his palace last Thursday, the secretary to the monarch and other traditional chiefs who never hid their hostility refused to comment on the crisis.

    The secretary who refused to give his name said the monarch was not at home and that he (Oba Adebayo) was not favourably disposed to speaking to journalists on the matter.

    The secretary said: “The palace would henceforth, not entertain any journalist coming to ask His Royal Majesty questions and on no account should any reporter record his voice”.

    The state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Taiwo Lakanu, revealed that about 33 persons were arrested in connection with the mayhem.

    Lakanu revealed that the youth invaded the Elemure’s Palace and threatened to set it ablaze while they also threatened to set police station on fire

    The Police chief disclosed that he had to lead anti-riot policemen to the community to restore peace saying the town is calm and promised to ensure that there is no breakdown of law and order.

     

     

     

  • TRACE holds retreat for senior staff

    TRACE holds retreat for senior staff

    The Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE) has held a retreat for its senior officers with the aim of reviewing road safety strategies to improve on their performances.

    The one-day event, tagged, “The journey so far” was organised by the Corps to mark its 10th anniversary and to rebuild officers on ways of tackling road lawlessness, leading to crashes within the state.

    The Retreat Anniversary Committee Chairman, Commander Omonayajo Elias Adedayo, quoting the United Nation (UN), said 1.24 million people die yearly from road crashes while 50 millions are injured . He said 90 per cent of road deaths occur in low and middle income countries, adding that road  injuries are among the leading causes of deaths in the world.

    According to him, TRACE, which was established by the State House of Assembly on March 9, 2005 and amended Law of September 25, 2007, has the responsibility to provide solutions to the incessant crashes with the three levels of road safety management to the citizens of the state.

    The Corps Commander/Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr Ayo Sangofadeji, said the retreat was aimed at building a reliable framework for the Corps’ on public education and communication management. He noted that it was also a capacity building exercise for the senior officers to ensure the effective control and management of the public.

    The event, according to Sangofadeji, as a training opportunity for the officers, adding that TRACE is not about enforcement alone, but also to take stock of qualitative advocacy to prevent tragic occurrences on our roads.

    He urged the officers to improve on public enlightenment, rescue activities, staff training/performances and operations. He said this would enhance the Corps’ achievement in its strategic goals.

    Sangofadeji appealed to senior officers to lead well and create good working relationship among their subordinates. He said every officer must ensure they work harder with high level of discipline, passion driven, integrity and maintain both internal and external  espirit-de-corps.

  • Seven-year old hole-in-the-heart patient needs N2.5m for surgery

    Seven-year old hole-in-the-heart patient needs N2.5m for surgery

    When Abiola Isaiah Babalola was born seven years ago, his parents did not have an inkling that as the child grew in age, so would his pain grow. He was born on August 23, 2008. But only four months after his birth, the journey to a painful life started for the little baby.

    The parents noticed that his growth was stunted as he was not growing exactly like other babies. It was later discovered that little Isaiah had a hole in his heart, causing the stunted growth and other serious health conditions.

    Since then, the family has not remained the same. The parent’s pain hit the peak when the doctors at the University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan declared to them that the little boy would need a sum of N2.5 million for surgery to correct the heart.

    According to Dr. Tosin Majekodunmi, an adult congenital and interventional cardiologist of the Tristate Cardiovascular Institute at the UCH, Isaiah, if not operated soon, may suffer hormonary hypertension, the implication of which, he said, is a short term life expectancy.

    Isaiah is the last of three children in the family. The eldest, who is an 18-years old boy, lives with one of their family members while the second one, a female, 15, lives with them.

    As The Nation correspondent walked in to his father’s uncompleted three-bedroom flat at Lakoto area of Apete, Ibadan, Isaiah extended his hand to greet, speaking incoherently. His parents wore mournful look as they ushered our correspondent into their dusty sitting room which is yet to be plastered.

    Still, the boy will not leave the visitor. With a slow voice, his father, Mr. Jacob Babalola, who is a native of Ilero community in Kajola Local Government area of Oyo State, narrated how they discovered Isaiah’s ailment.

    His parents had decided not to have another baby after the arrival of their second child. The decision, which they attributed to their weak financial strength, was jettisoned when family, friends and neighbours, citing cultural reasons as Africans, persuaded them to bear more children. Eventually, the mother was delivered of a baby boy, Isaiah, on August 23, 2008, eight years after the second child. They were happy it was a boy but their happiness did not last.

    Recalling the events, Mr Babalola said: “We just noticed that his growth was retarded; he was not developing rapidly like his peers. It was one of my sisters who first alerted us. We were told to pray over it, for healing, because they have had such cases before. His retarded growth also slowed down his education as he just started nursery school late last year. And that has changed him a bit. He is a sharp boy naturally,” the father said.

    “I had prayed God to direct me; to be able to give him the best a father can give his child or children. I just love him. In as much as I am alive, I have thought, I would finance their education to the highest level. I love education,

    “Lately, we decided to take him to the hospital and it was revealed that the hole has widened. He was diagnosed with an arterial septal defect on January 22, 2015 at the Tristate Cardiovascular Institute at the University College Hospital, Ibadan. And that was the point we were told to go for surgical operation,”

    Speaking on how the medical bills have affected their living, Mr. Babalola, who worked as a transport supervisor at a firm in Ibadan until late last year, said he has spent over N300, 000 on medication alone “not to talk of the hospital bills at UCH.  The medication is on hourly basis. It is only God that has kept him thus far.”

    A government licenced electrical contractor, Mr. Babalola noted that Isaiah’s ill-health has made them lose their sources of income as they cannot go to work frequently again. He explained that he resigned voluntarily for him to be able “to take care of the boy with the hope that i was going to be working as an electrical contractor. I took that decision because there is no how my work as an employee will not deny him first-hand attention.”

    His family, friends and church members, he explained, have been trying. “The church gave us N56, 000. At first, I felt reluctant to collect the money because what I wanted was for them to advise me on what next to do to save my boy.

    “There was a day a test that should have cost N120, 000 was done for us at UCH at the cost of N50, 000 because of the magnanimity of one of our church members who works there. I have another debt of N15, 000 to pay. They are too numerous to mention.

    “The medication has affected our feeding. We cannot buy all the prescribed drugs. The mother cannot work anymore; she has a sewing machine but the condition of her baby hinders her. She was a nanny in a daycare centre but she had to leave when the doctor advised her that it is either she leaves her job or risk losing her baby”.

    Shivering and rubbing his palms against each other, the mother. Mrs. Folake said that she was not happy as a mother. The stress, she admitted, has affected her own health too. “I was not like this; the stress is too much. Whenever I think about it, I am not happy.”

    They appealed to well-meaning Nigerians, government and corporate organisations to come to their aid by donating to the following bank account.  Account name: Tristate Cardiovascular Institute. Bank:Stanbic/IBTC Bank; Account number: 0009560650:Sort Code: 221190825.

  • Ibadan: A city of 100 masqueraders

    Ibadan: A city of 100 masqueraders

    As the masqueraders’ season in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, draws nearer, TAYO JOHNSON takes a look at a tradition that is as old as the ancient city itself and presents some of the 100 or so masquerades that make Ibadan tick. 

    In Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, devotees of masquerades or Egungun in Yoruba are getting set for their annual festival, a socio-cultural event that captures the essence of this ancient city of over three million people.

    The festival which takes place throughout the month of June and part of July, kicks off later this month when the Oloolu, the most revered of the 100 or so masquerades in Ibadan carries a pot full of ritual ‘sacrifice’ round some designated areas in the city to ward off calamities and cleanse the land to usher in peace and prosperity.

    The Oloolu is expected to take the ‘sacrifice’ from its ancestral home at Ode Aje in the heart of the city by 1 pm to Idi Ape, Beere, Oja’ba down to the Olubadan of Ibadan palace before depositing it at Idi Ape by midnight.

    It is the belief among the locals that without the Oloolu carrying this sacrifice every year and depositing it at Idi Ape which is of spiritual importance to the city, Ibadan would not know peace and no Olubadan dares toy with this tradition.

    After the Oloolu must have cleansed the land with the sacrifice this month, the other masquerades take the stage one after the other in June before the Oloolu returns in July to close the masquerades’ festival.

    Who are the masquerades?

    Masquerades literarily and ordinarily depict grotesque figures that should be feared, but in our clime, the Yoruba race in particular, they represent a bevy of beauty and colourful costumes.

    Through drumming and dance, it is believed that these robed performers get possessed by the spirits of the ancestors, as manifested as a single entity. Their festivals are usually a huge destination for tourists and locals alike. As a matter of fact, some people travel home from far and near to behold the spectacle presented by the masquerades.

    However, their essence is believed to be more than the colours and glamour, singing and dancing. It is also believed that they spiritually clean the community. They also expose the strengths and weaknesses of the community to encourage behavior more befitting of their descendants.

    Ibadan, with no fewer than 100 masquerades being ‘worshipped’ by devotees so to speak, the head of the Egungun clan in the city Chief Soladoye Fadeyi, lends more voice to the essence of these masquerades.

    He said in the early years of Ibadan when the whole place was in disarray, scattered by war, crisis everywhere and nothing was working well in the land, “our forefathers consulted the oracle ýand the oracle said Ibadan will become famous and great only if the families can start worshipping masquerades. So that was how they started it at Ile-Lapapo at Ita Baale and each families in Ibadan contributed clothe for the outing of the first masquerade”

    According to Fadeyi, there are over 100 masquerades in Ibadan and all the families rooted in Ibadan have a link with these masquerades one way or another.

    Giving a brief background of the masquerades, Fadeyi said the first masquerade in the land was named Labala and it came out over 120 years ago. His coming, he said brought peace, progress, prosperity and goodwill to Ibadanland. And whenever that masquerade comes out, he said, no other masquerade or any other person crosses his path.

    He listed the other masquerades including Alagangan, Alapasapa, Ogundeji, Oloolu, Olunlade, Atipako, Abidi-Elege, Godogodo, Ferebiekun, Anikulapo, Lobanika, Telebiitan, Gbebolaja among others.

    These masquerades have different family backgrounds, costumes, rituals and taboos.

    Oloolu

    Recalling the history and importance of one of the greatest masquerades in Ibadanland, the head of Aje family where the Oloolu masquerade originated, Chief Raheem Oyerinde, disclosed that their ýgreat forefather, Ayorinde Aje, who was a warrior along with Ogunmola, Ogbori-efon, Ibikunle, Oderinde, Oderinlo went to fight in Ogbagi in Akoko, Ondo State and Oloolu was a great war masquerade in that town and was so powerful such that no one could confront him during the war.

    ”Nobody could defeat Oloolu during that war but it was our father, Ayorinde Aje that fought him and removed his regalia and costumes, before he was brought to Ibadan as a slave. During his stay in Ibadan, there was famine, ill-health and crisis in the land and all the elders and chiefs were looking for a way out, that was how Ayorinde Aje suggested that Oloolu should be used to carry the ritual to appease the gods, so immediately he carried the ritual, there was rain and everything got back to normal in Ibadan. Oloolu helped Ibadan to be what it is today. Since then anybody that is the head of the Aje family becomes the custodian of Oloolu masquerade.

    According to Chief Oyerinde, ”any area in Ibadan where the people ýtry to fight the Oloolu anytime he is out, such areas will continue to experience bloodshed, and that is what is happening in Opopoyeosa area till date, because they tried to beat Oloolu there sometimes ago. Oloolu is so great that he gives the barren children, he provides for the needy, he prospers business among other good things he can give to an individual who is ready to serve him”

    He further revealed that in time past and presently many politicians seeking elective positions have started coming to seek Oloolu’s assistance for victory at the polls, adding that their wishes are always granted once they can also fulfill their promises.

    Obadimeji

    According to Chief Ojetunde Asoleke, one of the two claimants to the title of Olori Alagbaa (Head of the masquerades) in Ibadan, Obadimeji masquerade is worshipped by the Opayinka, Opadiran and Ojesanmi family in Ibadan and any member of the family can ‘carry’ the during the festival, adding that any member of the family that

    abandoned the family tradition of worshipping the masquerade will be in trouble for the rest of his life.

    ”For instance, I once abandoned this masquerade but shortly after, I had series of problems. I lost all the wealth I had accumulated over the years and things were not going well for me until I returned back to worship him. Evil befalls anyone ýthat does such” he said

    Obadimeji masquerade according to Asoleke was one of the warriors deployed to the front by Ibadan during Kiriji war and assisted greatly in swinging victory in favour of Ibadan soldiers.

    And as part of the preparations for the outing of Obadimeji, the families concerned usually offer sacrifices to appease the masquerade using such items as He-goat, ram,  , corn meal, alcoholic drink, dry pepper, kolanut, and beans cake.

    Its costume or Eku is usually sown with such materials as red lace, damask, and other types of unique materials except white.

    Giving the taboo associated with this masquerade, Asoleke said;” during his outing, Obadimeji’s clothe must not be torn by anyone and there must not be any fighting behind him, or the persons that fought behind him will die.”

    Owolewa and Owolaake

    The two masquerades are under Obadimeji because in Ajia town where they are based, Obadimeji was worshipped before they came into being. Owolewa is a statue masquerade, while Owolaake is not. Their costumes are similar with red and black materials tidings.

    The ritual performed for the two are the same, as the worshipers use kolanut to enquire from the masquerade what he demands for the festival before he comes out.

    It was learnt that he may demand vegetable oil, ram, alcoholic drink, ýor more kolanut. This masquerade is used it to seek peace during any turbulent time in the land.

    Aladin-Osogbo

    Worshipped by the Aladin Osogbo family in Ita-ege, Olomi area of Ibadan, the masquerade is open to all members of the family to ‘carry’ the costume on the day of its festival. The Alaagba of Idi-Aro, Chief Ojelabi Aladi-Osogbo told The Nation that the masquerade bestows prosperity on its followers. “I have been carrying it for 35 years and it has brought prosperity to me.” He said.

    He explained that the masquerade was brought from Osogbo by their fore-fathers during a war to Ibadan.

    Before it can come out, he said the family will ýfirst worship the god of iron and devil and if he refused to come out that means there is danger on its way. “The only thing we do afterwards is to eat and drink and leave this masquerade alone” he said

    Aladi-Osogbo stated that it’s costume is unique with shades of red, yellow, and black.

    He explained that the taboo associated with the masquerade is that it forbids any member of the family from eating pounded yam and yam flour together at the same time. Aladi-Osogbo said anybody that does that would suffer terrible stomach ache that may take his life except the anti-dote was given to such a person.

    The Alaagba of Idi-Aro lamented that the masquerade festival would have been more glamorous and colourful if the families involved are given financial support by the government.

    “As bad as it remains, even if we request police escort during our outing, ýwe will be forced to pay them a token before they can accept. Our traditional religion is the first, as such it demands all the entitlement being given to the modern religion worshippers” he said

    Adaradoun

    The Alaagba of Oremeji, Chief Ojemuyiwa Olubuade said this masquerade is worshipped in Eesarun compound in Agugu area of Ibadan, adding that the masquerade determines who among the family members wears its costume during the festival.  If anyone stubbornly carries it without its approval, he said there will be problem for such a person and the masquerade only be appeased with alcoholic drinks.

    Olubuade gave part of the ritual materials for the worshipping of the masquerade to include ram, fowl, corn meal, beans cake and vegetable oil.

    Adaradoun’s significance to Ibadanland according to him, was that it gives barren women children but the mother and child must worship it forever.

    Speaking on its taboo, he said:” In a year, if the family refused to carry the masquerade and worship him, there will be thunder strike on us. Also, we must all agree in unison for the masquerade to go out, or else his outing will not be successful”

    Olubuade stated that his costume is reddish, along with all colours except white.

    Adinimado-Ire

    The Adinimado-Ire masquerade is the responsibility of the Korukoru family in Oje area of Ibadan. Speaking with The Nation, the Alaagba of Oje Chief Aderinto Ojeyemi said he was in charge of leading the masquerade out every year for 24 years before he became the Alaagba.

    “Before we could ascertain the next person to carry it, we used kolanut to consult the masquerade and he chose Ifasina after me but if he is not around, it’s Oluwagbemiga that carries it.

    “Anyone in our family who abandons this masquerade for another religion will have problem” he said

    It is forbidden for any member of the family to eat a parrot, and any member that does that will writ in pain and would only be relieved after consultation with the masquerade to know the antidote.

    On its significance to Ibadan land, Ojeyemi stated that it’s a war masquerade that was brought from Owu kingdom to fight and win many wars for Ibadan. It’s costume is barely the same with other masquerades.

    Areweyo

    It is worshipped by Olosa-Oko family in Idi-Aro area of Ibadan.  According to the Chief Security guard of all ýmasquerades in Ibadan, Chief Ojetokun Areweyo, it’s a he-goat that is used to appease the gods to decide whom to carry the masquerade.

    “I have been carrying this masquerade for over 16 years. It was nine of us that wished to carry him but I was the youngest among them all and I was later chosen to carry it. Its significance is that it gives the barren children and they usually come back the next year for thanksgiving. The materials used for ritual before its outing includes; vegetable oil, beans cake, corn meal, kolanut, he-goat, dry pepper among others” he said

    Areweyo disclosed that it is forbidden for any woman to move closer to the masquerade or hug him, if not she will be barren forever.

    Sodo

    It is a dancing masquerade worshipped by the Oro family of Ita-Ege area of |Ibadan. Any member of the family chosen by the gods is allowed to lead the masquerade out during its annual festival.

    Giving an insight into the masquerade, a member of the family Mr Ojeyemi Sodo said the elders consult the masquerade with a kolanut to decide who to carry it, and if they do otherwise and chose anyone themselves, the person will die.

    Sodo stated that it is a taboo for anyone on the entourage of the masquerade to fight with a whip or cutlass during its outing stressing that if they do the person will die immediately.

    “We use He-goat, fowl, beans cake, kolanut, dry pepper, and alcoholic drink to appease the masquerade before he comes out. Its significance to Ibadanland is that it blesses people in need and boost the socio-economic condition of the town. If he doesn’t come out in a year there will be hardship for the people.

    ”Its costume is the same with red damask, lace, Ankara and guinea, but white is not part of its clothes. None of the members of the family must abandon it, if not there will be calamity for such a person” ýhe said

    Sihaba

    It was brought to Ibadan from Ighoho during the war and it is worshipped by the Olodo family in Oja-Igbo area of the city.

    According to the Secretary of the masquerades in Ibadan, Chief Ifayemi Awodele the custodian of the masquerade uses kolanut to consult him to decide who to carries it during its outing.

    “It is a taboo for anyone who is not from our family to stand in front of this masquerade for 30 minutes, if anyone does that the person’s blood will drain off immediately. Its significance is that anyone that needs a child comes to him to beg for one and he answers their prayer immediately and it’s mandatory that they come back the next year for thanksgiving.

    “The costume is same with other masquerades and there must be red colour among the clothe he will put on except white. The ritual performed is done with he-goat, corn meal, beans cake, alcoholic drink, vegetable oil, moin moin among others.” he said

    On the festivals, he said: “We do celebrate our masquerade festival in June of every year and during this period there will be six strokes at the top of the palm tree instead of normal three. It is the blood of the ram, cow or fowl that is used for the sacrifice along with eko, cake beans, moin- moin among others.

    According to him, during the masquerade’s outing, the custodian known as “Atokun” controls his movement and directs him. He is the one that curbs him from causing trouble anytime he gets annoyed.

    He also stated that the ‘Alagbaa’ý was responsible for the upkeep of the masquerade’s regalia and clothes, adding that he is the  one in charge anywhere he goes with his supporters.

    Alapansanpa

    Speaking on the features, and importance of ýthe Alapansanpa masquerade, its former custodian Asimiyu Ogundeji stated that the Ogundeji family is responsible for the worship of the masquerade.

    According to him, the Alapansanpa masquerade was used in the past to fight and win many wars in and outside Ibadan.

    “This masquerade is a renowned one and it’s importance to Ibadan cannot be over emphasised. It comes out once in a year, June to be precise, and it must go to the Olubadan palace where he whips the Olubadan with his whip three times before the Monarch will now bless him with gift and other items. If he doesn’t go to the Olubadan Palace, there will not be peace and prosperity in the land and that means the Olubadan is a bad person” he said

    Ogundeji listed items that are used for its rituals to include Kolanut, bitter-kola, plam oil, salt, ram, cornmeal, among others.

    He said its costume is very unique because it is very smart on him and it’s full of shades of red and black.

    On the taboo attached to this masquerade, he said:” No woman must enter his power house and if any woman enters his power house during mentration, such woman may die or may be barren for life”

    Atipako

    This is a load carring masquerades, mostly followed by women. A family elder known either formally or informally as “Alaagba” presides over its ancestral rites. He may or may not be initiated into the local Egungun society.

    A priests and initiates who are trained in ancestral communication, ancestral elevation and funerary rites are assigned to invoke and bring out the ancestors through the pouring of alcoholic drinks with kolanut. They wear elaborate costumes for the masquerade masquerade.

    It comes out in June of every year, and it spiritually cleanses the community; through the dramatic acting and miming of the robed priests, they demonstrate both ethical and amoral behavior that have occurred since their last visit. In this way, they expose the strengths and weaknesses of the community to encourage behavior more befitting of their descendants. When this performance is completed, the Alaagba gives messages, warnings and blessings to the assembled spectators.

    Atipako masquerade always carry on his head stones, mortar and pestle  which portrays it’s significant for blessing the masses and the land.

    Attack on Oloolu

    Speaking on the attack on the Oloolu masquerade in 2012 at Gbodu junction, Popo-Yemoja, Ibadaný, the head of Aje family where the Oloolu masquerade was originated, Chief Raheem Oyerinde, explained that there was a fidau being held in honour of a late chief Imam, Rafiu Fasasi, a.k.a Lorisirisi, but the Oloolu needed to pass that route to pay homage to one of the traditional title holders in the area, popularly known as Kunmi.

    “We didn’t disturb their ceremony but only wanted to pass through that place ýto greet the Ibadan high chief before they pounced on us, beating the custodian to stupor and later died, while the Oloolu himself escaped in anger with minor injuries on the head’ he said

    On the effect this terrible act will have on Popo-Yemoja area, he said calamities, chaos and rancour will continue to ravage the community yearly until they appease and apologise to the masquerade.