The Nation Newspaper

Category: Southwest

  • Ijebu–Igbo: Long wait for Orimolusi

    Ijebu–Igbo: Long wait for Orimolusi

    Home to prominent Nigerians that have distinguished themselves in various fields of human endeavours including business and politics, Ijebu-Igbo has been without a monarch for 20 years following the death of Oba Samuel Adetayo, Ikupakude IV, the Orimolusi, in 1994. The unusual interregnum which could end in a matter of weeks from now is causing unease in the agrarian community, writes ERNEST NWOKOLO

    In a couple of weeks from now, specifically on February 12, two days to Valentine, sons and daughters – as well as residents of the ancient town of Ijebu-Igbo in Ijebu North Local Government Area of Ogun State, would know their fate – whether genuine love, unity, progress and trust that had eluded the populous town would once again reign supreme.

    On that day, the entire people of the town would literally focus their gaze on the Supreme Court in Abuja where the controversy over who should be the right person to ascend the exalted stool of the Orimolusi of Ijebu-Igbo among candidates vying for the throne of the town’s traditional ruler would be put to rest.

    For over two decades, Ijebu-Igbo and its people had been contending with acrimony, mutual mistrust, stunted development, dashed hopes, tortuous litigation and routine youth violence in their long quest for a new Oba.

    In June 14, 2012, a ray of hope swept through the faces of the residents and they thought the long wait was over when the Appeal Court sitting in Ibadan upheld the judgment of an Ijebu-Igbo High Court which had earlier favoured Prince Saliu Adebisi Sadiku as the person to mount the throne of their forebears.

    While those that went to Appeal Court in Ibadan in 2012 for the judgment were yet to return, the town erupted into spontaneous jubilation, hoping that in a matter of days from the date of that verdict, a new Oba would formally be put in place, but the joy and victory songs were rather short-lived as one of the parties in the legal battle over Orimolusi stool approached the Supreme for another round of Appeal.

    And for the litigation – weary indigenes, some of them began to blame the relatively new government of Governor Ibikunle Amosun.

    In their estimation, had the government not dilly-dallied a new Oba would have been installed with the backing of the Appeal Court verdict and there would have been no opportunity for the case going to the Supreme Court on Appeal but the government cleverly pushed the blame back to them.

    Amosun, who visited the town shortly after the birth of his administration, told the townsfolk demanding for Oba to tell contenders to the throne to resolve their differences amicably and to also withdraw all pending court cases in respect of the Orimolusi stool as the state government would neither impose an Oba on the town nor install one in defiance of pending legal dispute over the throne.

    Also, giving insight into the government’s position, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Basorun Muyiwa Oladipo, said the pending appeal on the matter tied the hands of the Amosun’s administration which would not take any step in contravention of the Rules of Law.

    Oladipo said: “There was a judgment at the Court of Appeal in Ibadan that favoured one of the contestants sometime last year (2012). But that judgment had been appealed against at the Supreme Court and until after the determination of the case, we can’t do anything about the installation of the new Orimolusi.

    “We have no any other interest but that of the rule of law; I can boldly assure you that we will not waste any time after the Supreme Court judgment. No one should blame a government that had spent less than two years in office for a stool that has been vacant for over 18 years.”

    But with the Supreme Court being the final temple to seek justice, it is expected that the forthcoming verdict of the highest court in the land whichever way it tilts to, the town would accept it and move on.

    Ijebu-Igbo has been without a central traditional ruler for 20 years now following the demise of Oba Samuel Adetayo (Ikupakude 1V) in 1994 and attempt by the town’s kingmakers to fill the vacant stool has seared the once mutual love, brotherly feelings and unity that characterised members of the two prescribed Ruling Houses – Ojuromi and Ikupakude. Rivalry and suspicion are now common place among them.

    Two weeks ago, the youth in their hundreds took to the streets and roads that criss-crossed Ijebu-Igbo, the administrative headquarters of Ijebu North Local Government of Ogun State, peacefully demanding the installation of an Oba for the stool of Orimolusi with a call on the feuding royal families to sheath their daggers.

    They said a central Oba is needed to provide the leadership and drive required to wake the ancient town up from its socio-economic doldrums and position her on the path of peace, unity and progress given its human and natural potentials.

    Ijebu-Igbo is classified into five clans. The Olori-Ebi of the Ojuromi Ruling House, Mr Sefiu Shittu, who is popularly called Jawesola in the town, gave the names of the clans/quarters as Oke-Sopen, Oke-Agbo, Ojowo, Atikori, and Japara.

    The Nation gathered that on the advice the Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, the Awujale of Ijebuland, the prescribing authority, an Oba is enthroned to govern each of these clans to maintain peace in their respective quarters and they are typically seen as lesser monarchs who can’t speak for the whole Ijebu-Igbo town as they all submit to the authority of the Orimolusi.

    The Orimolusi of Ijebu–Igbo is a first-class Oba in Ogun State and also the supreme head of Ijebu-Igbo and the last Orimolusi was late Oba Samuel Adetayo (Ikupakude IV), who joined his forebears in 1994 and in the absence of a Regent, coupled with the rivalry over who become the next Orimolusi, the people rarely had achieved unanimity on important issues  affecting them.

    On why there has not been a Regent all this while to stand in the gab and coordinate the affairs of the town pending the emergence of the next Orimolusi, a reticent indigene who would loved to be left out in the matter told The Nation that there is no known history or culture of Regency in Ijebu-Igbo and said this informed why everyone appeared to be on his own on issues that affect the town generally.

    Also, Shittu said successive governments in the state have capitalised on the prevailing discordant tunes among the people to deny the town of the much needed government attention despite its contributions to the economic development of Ogun State.

    He said Ijebu-Igbo perhaps has the largest land mass in Ijebuland and shares three important boundary points with Ibadan (Oyo State), Ikire (Osun) and Ondo (Ondo) and also boasts of mineral resources like Iron ore, diamonds and silver underneath her soil.

    It is home to many saw mills, Apoje Farms established by late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Cassava Farms, Cocoa and abattoir that are revenue sources to the state and local governments. It is equally home to Molusi College where the late social critic, Dr Tai Solarin, once taught before leaving to found the Mayflower School, Ikenne.

    Legend has it that the founder of the town Onayelu was a prince in Ijebu-Ode. A great hunter, Onayelu migrated from Ijebu-Ode to found what is today known as Ijebu–Igbo following his annoyance over the way his younger brother Prince Ofiranoye ascended the throne in Ijebu-Ode following the sudden death of their father while he, Onayelu was away on hunting expedition.

    When The Nation visited Ijebu-Igbo  at the weekend, it observed a community developing at a snail speed even though the town has all the potentials for greatness; having sired great sons like late Afenifere Leader, Senator Abraham Adesanya,  Senator Biyi Durojaiye, the owner of Globacom, Dr Mike Adenuga, Senator Lekan Mustapha, serving Senator Gbenga Kaka (a one-time deputy governor of the state), billionaire hotelier, Prince Buruji Kashamu, the Kazeem brothers (of Shokas and Ibukun Orisun Iye fame) among others.

    The level of mistrust, suspic-ion and animosity is so palpable that some of the people the reporter met were unwilling to talk about the Orimolusi stool apparently for fear of being attacked or scorned for taking a position either in support or against any of the parties in the rivalry over the stool.

    Nothing better depicts the division, gloom and apathy in the town than the hitherto magnificent palace of the Orimolusi that was abandoned and left to the elements.

    It has now become a huge eye sore. The over 70 years old palace that once drew the envy of other Ijebu towns look forlorn, bland and deserted and harbours reptiles, rodents, wild birds that roost there even as weed covered a section of the surrounding.

    In place of its once beautiful wall are creeping weeds and wild plants that grow unchallenged on it while the passages have almost turned to an animal pen where all sundry animals – goats and dogs, go to sleep at night.

    A peep into the halls, rooms and chambers revealed decrepit chairs, tables, clutter of old and faded papers, animals’ droppings and a maze of cobwebs while the walls inside remain scene of bizarre political graffiti.

    The doors and window panes are all broken, underneath the staircase leading to the one storey palace serves as refuse dump and the massive gate leading to it has fallen apart, thus giving people of all hues unrestrained access to its hitherto hallowed chambers.

    The Nation sighted some youths in the afternoon loafing inside one of the unkempt halls, and a guide that led reporter to the decaying edifice rue that it has become a meeting point for commercial motorcycle riders and miscreants.

    Shittu ascribed the town’s stunted development to lack of a central figure head to unite the people in the last 20 years coupled with the intrigues and crises that had continued to plague all efforts towards installing the next Orimolusi.

    Shittu said: ”There is no peace in the town, no development. Criminals abound among the youth, robbery, thuggery and Indian hemp smoking go on here and people behave the way they deemed fit because there is no central Oba who could put measures in place to check youth vices.

    ”We suffered a lot of setbacks since this period of interregnum on the vacant stool. The last time we felt government attention was in the era of the first civilian governor of the state, late Olabisi Onabanjo. Since 1994, we have been struggling and grappling with things and not allowed to take our fair share or benefits from the government. No Oba to interact with the government on behalf of the town that is why we have been losing a lot.”

    On how Ijebu-Igbo ran into a cul-de-sac over Orimolusi stool, Shittu said someone who hails from a female Royal line was chosen to become the Oba contrary to established custom and tradition of the town, a development that compelled one of the contenders to throne to approach the court for redress and thus the tortuous legal battle began.

    The Nation gathered that about two years after the demise of the last monarch, late Oba Adetayo, a meeting of the two Ruling Houses – Ojuromi and Ikupakude, was held where it was resolved that Ojuromi Ruling House should produce the next Orimolusi since the last two Obas (Adeboye – who died in a plane crash in Tripoli, Libya many decades ago, and Adetayo) hailed from Ikupakude Royal House.

    So, the Ojuromi family then met apparently in search of a successor Oba. A total of eight persons including Saliu Adebisi Sadiku, Wale Kazeem and Lawrence Adebajo expressed their interest in the vacant stool.

    It was equally gathered that during time of late Oba Adetayo, it was documented as matter of tradition that a prince from a female Royal line could ascend the throne of Orimolusi provided no eligible person was found among the princes from the male Royal family.

    At the time the search for the successor to the late Oba Adetayo began around 1996, there were about 13 kingmakers alive then and out of the eight contestants, two – Sadiku and Lawrence Adebajo came from male Royal line while the rest sprang from the female lineage.

    The contest was then left for the duo of Sadiku and Adebajo to slug it out, but Adebajo voluntarily stepped down for Sadiku and just as the townsfolk were deliberating on the process that would lead to the crowning of Prince Sadiku, others from the female line rekindled their interest in the stool and by curious twist of fate, nine of the town’s 13 kingmakers sat down, deliberated and chose Prince Wale Kazeem from the female lineage instead of a prince from the male lineage in accordance with the tradition of Ijebu–Igbo.

    So, Sadiku from the male lineage went to court and the decision of the kingmakers was nullified at the state High Court Ijebu-Igbo.  The other party went on appeal at the Court of Appeal in Ibadan but lost. Dissatisfied, they headed to the Supreme Court in Abuja on yet another appeal which is now to be decided on February 12, 2014.

    And during the long period of the legal battle and the attendant adjournments, all the kingmakers died one after the other. Today, there is none living but the case lingers at the Supreme Court.

    It is hoped that when the highest court delivers its verdict in a matter of weeks from now, it would bring lasting solution and peace to the 20 years interregnum over Orimolusi vacant stool. Would that also bring genuine unity and progress that have become elusive in Ijebu-Igbo? Only time will tell.

     

  • A budget for more

    A budget for more

    Oba Local Council Development Area, Lagos, has passed a budget of over N2 billion, which council chairman, Hon Ramota Adeyeri Oseni said is aimed at providing more infrastructure and welfare for residents of the area.

    The Oseni administration has tackled pressing challenges, some of which are roads, health facilities and school infrastructure among others. The council leadership rehabilitated the once problematic Oba Ayoka Road in Iba town as well as the Iba Estate Road. Drainages and culverts have been built in water-logged places, just as flood plain areas have been landscaped for appropriate infrastructural remedies. The health profile of the area was also boosted with the completion of public health centres at Ijagemo and Kemberi in addition to the provision of first aid boxes in all public schools in the development area.

    The administration equally moved to enhance sanitation and healthy living by building prototype public toilets in the area, with a borehole attached.

    Pupils are regularly assisted with free aids, including uniforms and classroom furniture in all 14 primary schools in the area. Every year, free GCE and JAMB forms are given to candidates who perform excellently in their school certificate exams. Also, four plots of land have been acquired for the building of a secondary school in the council.

    But, Hon. Oseni said that the “budget of consolidation”, as she called it, will be her financial instrument to further improve the living standards of the people in the LCDA in the 2014 fiscal year.

    Part of the expenditure estimates, she said, will be devoted to recruitment bills, overheads, personnel wages and school salaries, among others, but the LCDA chairman added that her administration is determined to do more for the people this year.

  • Pope installs archbishop for Ibadan as Alaba Job bows out after 43 years

    Pope installs archbishop for Ibadan as Alaba Job bows out after 43 years

    The crème de la crème of the Catholic Church in Nigeria converged on Ibadan for the installation of a new archbishop for Ibadan Metropolitan Archdiocese. It was an experience of a life time for most faithful. BISI OLADELE writes on the thrills and frills of the epoch event.

    It was the first time in the history of the Catholic Church in Ibadan that an Archbishop was being installed on home soil and not a few faithful turned up at the SS Peter and Paul Seminary at Bodija in the ancient city to witness the ceremony.

    “By the mandate given to me by the Apostolic See, I hereby invite Most Rev. Gabriel Leke Abegunrin to be installed as the Archbishop of Ibadan.” The representative of the Pope, Archbishop Gabriel Kasujja, announced to the large crowd of Catholic faithful who gathered at the expansive premises of the seminary last Friday.

    Most of them had never witnessed an event like it before, at least not in Ibadan, as the first and immediate past archbishop, Felix Alaba Job was installed by the Pope in Rome 1994.

    The announcement was followed by the blast of the trumpet, the bell rang, balloons released and the choir rendered Zadok the priest.

    In this traditional tumultuous but organised sound, with leaders and members reeling in ecstasy, Gabriel Abegunrin was handed over the crosier or staff of office, becoming the latest His Grace, the archbishop of Ibadan. With the installation, he took over the role of overseeing the affairs of the Ibadan and five other dioceses.

    It was a major event heralding a new era in the history of the Catholic Church in Nigeria. So was it an epoch event that all old and young priests in the archdiocese looked forward to as a once-in-a-lifetime experience because the retiring archbishop, Felix Alaba Job, mounted the saddle as Auxiliary Bishop in 1971. He was appointed Bishop in 1974 and became an archbishop in 1994 when the diocese became so large that it was elevated to an archdiocese. Job went to receive his crosier from the Pope in Rome in 1994. Hence, the normal elaborate installation ceremony such as the one held on Friday was not done.

    The Ibadan Archdiocese comprises six diocese – Ibadan, Osogbo, Ondo, Ilorin, Oyo and Ekiti.

    For the Catholic Church in Nigeria, priests and members of the Ibadan Archdiocese, the installation of the new archbishop, Gabriel Abegunrin, was an experience none among them desired to miss.

    The representative of the Pope in Nigeria, Archbishop Gabriel Kasujji, who performed the installation, had arrived in Ibadan on Friday for the ceremony. He led a team of five archbishops and 14 bishops to Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi, on a courtesy visit.

    He commended the governor for improving the state. “We thank you for what you have done for the state and we urge you to continue.” Kasujji said in his speech to the governor and members of his cabinet.

    Emphasising the reason the Pope performs installation of Archbishops, Kasujji said, the installation of archbishops is so important in the Catholic Church because an archbishop shoulders the responsibilities of overseeing a group of dioceses.

    He also described the installation as a very important occasion which is different from others adding that the archbishop installs bishops in the province.

    He commended the retiring archbishop Job, stressing that he has done “a wonderful job” over the years.

    “Archbishop Alaba Job told us you have a good collaboration with the Catholic community. The church will continue to give its contribution to the development of the state,” Kasujji promised on behalf of the Pope.

    Governor Ajimobi while pledging the continued support of his administration to the Church in general also pledged to improve on the work done so far by the government, promising that the Church leaders would see a better Oyo State when next they visit the state.

    By sunrise last Friday, the expansive compound of the SS Peter & Paul Seminary had started receiving guests. The premises had been well decorated the previous day in preparation for the programme. By 8:00 am, groups started streaming into the compound with members of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and private security guards directing motorists for effective vehicular movements.

    On the field where the ceremony was held, ushers were on ground to ensure that sitting arrangements, parking and related plans were not disrupted.

    Male and female groups in the dioceses from Osogbo, Oyo, Ekiti, Ondo and Ilorin, who appeared in different uniform started taking their seat as from 8:30am. The choir and other church workers also took their seats before 9:00am.

    Dignitaries including, Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, traditional rulers and politicians came after the programme had started at 10:00am. All the tents were filled to capacity with hymns and other praise songs filling the air.

    The procession of priests was led by the cup bearers. They were followed by altar servers, priests, monsignors, about 40 bishops and about 10 archbishops as well as Kasujji and Cardinal Olubunmi Okogie.

    After the introductory rite of the mass by the celebrant, Archbishop Emeritus of Ibadan, Alaba Job, was called for his farewell address.

    Job, in his address entitled: “Feeding the Flock of God – The Journey of My Life,” took his audience through the lane of history on his servanthood to Christ. He thanked God for choosing him, as the youngest Nigerian bishop ever and the longest serving bishop. He became a bishop five years after he became a priest.

    He described the journey of 48 years of his service in the Lord’s vineyard as long but fruitful, tedious but rewarding.

    According to him, “The journey has been long but fruitful; tedious but rewarding. I marvel at what The Lord has done, the wonders He has accomplished through me, an unworthy servant! Like David, the youngest ‘son’ of Archbishop J.K.A. Aggrey; the youngest Nigerian ever to be appointed a Bishop; it has pleased Him to make of me the longest serving bishop.”

    Job prayed God to grant his successor the Wisdom of Solomon “to build our God a temple that David could not build.”

    He recalled that he rejected the offer of appointment as bishop 43 years ago but that God had His way in his life. “After one and a half months, I finally succumbed to the Lord’s call to feed His flock, and this I have done with all my heart and strength for the past 43 years,” he said.

    Job expressed his gratitude to his predecessor, the late Bishop Richard Finn who he said, started the diocese on a good foundation in 1953. He said: “He began the task I have tried to develop over the past four decades. Today, as I look back, I remember with nostalgia taking over with just two diocesan priests and now leaving behind 87, apart from the five who have gone before us marked with the sign of faith.

    “We have tried to keep pace with the physical expansion of Ibadan, so that from about 15 parishes, the archdiocese now has 43 parishes, countless outstations with numerous religious houses offering our Catholics opportunities to attend mass regularly.”

    He spoke on various apostates (departments) under his leadership including the health, education, social development programmes youth and other lay apostates and pastoral initiatives and the successes recorded as well as the yet-to-be-archived goals for them.

    Having worked for 47 years without a holiday, Job indicated his intention to proceed on a long holiday and return to become “a Curate to the Parish Priest of St Joseph, Oke-Ado and an unofficial Auxiliary to Archbishop Abegunrin,” expressing hope that his services would be granted.

    The newly installed archbishop performed his first assignment in a prayer: “O God, shepherd and ruler of all the faithful, look favourably on me, your servant, whom you have set at the head of your church as her shepherd; grant, we pray, that by word and example I may be of service to those over whom I preside, so that, together with the flock entrusted to my care, I may come to everlasting life. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.”

    In his address, Abegunrin adopted the words of St Augustine, which he said applied to him in truth: “With you I am a Christian. For you I am a bishop.” He said he took over as the archbishop after serving in Osogbo Diocese for 18 years. He stressed that the common identity as Christian matters more than any position in relationship with Christ.

    He acknowledged that coming to Ibadan would be a different experience and a new challenge but he quipped: ”I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

    Abegunrin called on members of the archdiocese to cooperate with him to work for the building of the kingdom of God in Ibadan. “As Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI told the laity on August 12, 2012, you are co-responsible for the building up of the church of God.” There is a lot of work to be done surely. With all of you, in this common journey, I would like to reach the heart of everyone in this archdiocese, not just Catholics, but everyone. Together, let us sow the seed of faith in our neighbours so that Ibadan may truly become another city of God.”

    The archbishop promised to anchor his leadership and service on love because love conquers all things.  He also pledged to build on the successes of his predecessor.

    He described Archbishop Job as “a great man who has accomplished a lot for God and the church,” and thanked him immensely for his service.

    The Pope, in his message to the retiring archbishop expressed “sincere gratitude and appreciation of the wonderful and faithful long pastoral witness and service you have rendered,” adding: “It is not only as priest but especially as pastor of his large territory of Ibadan which now counts more than six million people of whom about 350,000 are Catholic Christians. In the words of the prefect of the congregation for the evangelisation of peoples, Your Grace, your contribution has been immense.”

    To the new archbishop, the Pope said: “In the decree of your transfer from Osogbo to Ibadan after the resignation of Archbishop Felix Alaba Job, I am convinced that endowed with necessary qualities and highly experienced in pastoral matters, you are worthy to take over the care of this metropolitan archdiocese which is a prestigious and historical centre of education and formation. It is here that you find the first federal university of Nigeria. Ibadan has also a large number of different religious congregations. We, bishops should understand that consecrated people are not just material, but are gifts that enrich the dioceses.

    “With efforts of cooperation and constructive dialogue at all levels, in this era of new evangelisation with your assiduous pastoral care, the light of faith will surely continue to shine even brighter in Ibadan.

    As we have had in the decree of Archbishop Abegunrin’s appointment I exhort all the faithful of Ibadan to remain joyfully united with their new pastor.”

    In his sermon, the retired Bishop of Ekiti Diocese, Michael Fagun, likened Abegunrin’s acceptance of the elevation to Angel Gabriel’s declaration to Mary which she accepted and believed.

    He urged Abegunrin to face the new task of the entire archdiocese and evangelise Ibadan. He advised him to make the archdiocese a model to Lagos.

    He also advised him not to use leadership for dominance but to truly serve Christ and His flock.

    “Leadership is not an easy task. It requires sacrifice. Be a good shepherd. Anyone who wants to be the greatest must be a servant, according to Matt 20:26-28 Jesus washed the feet of His disciples. Christ-like approach to sinners, make us oppose death penalty. Power and position are not ends but a means to show kindness and bring good tidings to the led,” he said.

    A young priest, Rev. Father Anthony Omodunbi of the Osogbo Diocese, said he felt so elated that for the first time, he would witness installation of an archbishop. “I felt so elated, so happy because this is one of the great things we always look forward to in our lifetime. I am so glad for witnessing it. Going through the planning and execution, it is a great joy that I am alive to see this. Maybe, if God wills we can see some more.”

    He said young priests do not aim to become an archbishop because it is what happens to one person in perhaps a generation. “Once you are privileged enough to be ordained a priest, that is the utmost that is needed. To be minister of God is enough. Any other thing is additional. It is not something one is ambitious to become. Being a priest is sufficient for every young priest. Work hard and be fulfilled in what God has called you to.”

    A 43-year-old faithful from Ekiti Diocese, Mr Sam Nwaoko, expressed fulfillment at witnessing the ceremony. I have never heard of any other bishop in Ibadan Archdiocese except Alaba Job. So, for 43 years, all my life, I have known Felix. This is a new thing: something that has never happened in our lifetime. I am witnessing, in my 43 years of existence, the installation of an archbishop in Ibadan which many of us have never seen. Many of us were not yet born or did not know the time Felix became bishop. Now, we came to see what it is like. That is why some of us came.”

    At the ceremony were Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi, his Ekiti State counterpart Dr Kayode Fayemi, Osun State Deputy Governor, Mrs Titilayo Laoye-Tomori, Senator Iyiola Omisore, traditional rulers and other dignitaries.

  • Ibadan indigenes rise for a befitting palace for Olubadan

    Ibadan indigenes rise for a befitting palace for Olubadan

    Ibadan, the largest city in Africa south of the Sahara and the political capital of Southwest, Nigeria has perhaps the highest number of palaces of all the towns and cities in Yoruba land, no thanks to the absence of a central and befitting home for the city’s monarch-the Olubadan of Ibadan land.

    Until the early 1980’s Baales of Ibadan and later, those who ascended the throne of the Olubadan of Ibadan land used their residences as the palace. Even when the Olubadan palace was built later on Mapo Hills, only one monarch reigned from there and his successors had to revert to the tradition of ruling from their private home/palace. The incumbent, Oba Samuel Odulana, Odugade I, lives at his house at Monatan area of the city.

    The palace at Mapo was considered in adequate and unbefitting of the ruler of a kingdom of no fewer than four million subjects, especially as it was located within the precinct of the popular and riotous Oba’s market (Oja’ba).

    But that is about to change as prominent indigenes of the ancient city rose up at the weekend for the construction of a modern and befitting Olubadan palace, obviously to end the reign of multiple palaces for the same throne.

    The venue was the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba and champions and initiators of the project was the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), the umbrella body for indigenes of the city.

    In his opening address, the CCII President, Chief Bayo Oyero who also doubles as the Chairman, Olubadan Palace Fund Raising Committee explained that the launch was expected to give Ibadan a palace of good aesthetics and splendour that befits the status and stature of a monarch ruling over a city with the largest concentration of black people in the world.

    Although Oyero stated that the Olubadan once had a palace at Oja’ba he explained that the former palace on Mapo Hill  is rather choky for present day usage and has no room for expansion, among others challenges.

    “The (new palace) project itself has been broken into three phases, the first phase consist of the living area for Olubadan, royal guest house, ceremonial pavilion, reception block, main gate house, festivities ground, car parks, palace transport pool, power house, police post, fire station, wood land, existing Ibadan house, Olubadan Market, future development, and the gate houses” Oyero said.

    He disclosed that the entire project would cost about N2.5 billion, but that the first phase would gulp about N850 million. Oyero appealed to all Ibadan and non-Ibadan indigenes to donate generously towards the quick completion of the project.

    In his speech, business mogul, Chief Bode Amoo, who was the Chairman of the occasion, recalled that in 1993 when a similar project was launched on behalf of the monarch, only N1 million was realized out of the budgeted N166 million.

    Amoo noted that there was need to build a world-class palace for the Olubadan and urged all and sundry to support the project.

    In his welcome address, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Samuel Odulana Odugade 1, tasked the Oyo State Governor, Sen. Abiola Ajimobi and all the eleven local government Councils that make up of Ibadanland to contribute to the proposed building of a permanent Olubadan Palace.

    The monarch, who was represented by the Otun Olubadan  Chief Omowale Kuye, also urged the indigenes, non-indigenes and well-wishers alike to support the project in order to protect the traditional heritage of Ibadan.

    “I will be 100 years on years on Monday, April 14, 2014. Today is therefore a momentous and unique occasion for me to witness the whole world gathering here, raising funds for Olubadan’s permanent palace, one of my dream projects in this land” he said

    The monarch called the attention of indigenes to the fact that the owner of a load ought to carry the load where it is heaviest.

    He recalled that when he was installed as the Olubadan seven years ago he pledged to ensure the building of a new permanent and befitting palace for the throne as well as the creation of Ibadan state.

    To this end, he said the need for a new palace was recognised over a decade ago when the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) approached the late Governor of Oyo State, Chief Kolapo Ishola who graciously allocated an extpansive parcel of land at the foot of the Agala forest for the development of the palace.

    Odulana stated that the palace belongs to every Ibadan indigene, stressing that Ibadan is a republican city of warriors and for which any of the sons could be the occupant of the palace in future.

    Responding to the challenge, Governor Abiola Ajimobi, an Ibadan indigene, said the building of the palace is what all the sons and daughters of Ibadan must contribute towards.

    Ajimobi noted that different people from different tribes have gained from the hospitable and accommodating spirit of Ibadanland, adding that all should support the gesture.

    “The urban beatification project of our government will not be completed without the building of a befitting modern palace for the revered Ibadan monarch.

    “This is a reflection of the pride of place in which Ibadan represents in the History of this nation. Ibadan is the home of all the landmark projects of the first republic, therefore it is a quest that we must assist Ibadan to fulfill the goal of modernity”

    In his remark, the former governor of Lagos State and Leader of All Progressives Congress (APC),Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu stated that Yoruba tradition and culture must be respected as it sets us apart from the world and has been earning us respect.

    Tinubu, who was represented by former Minister of Defence, Chief Ademola Seriki described Olubadan as a pride to the Yoruba and Nigeria as well as an achiever who marches on against all odds.

    He went further:” Those who have been claiming that Yoruba have no leaders are hypocrites, mischief makers and rabble rousers who know nothing about Yoruba land and Yoruba people.

    “Under Olubadan’s reign, your people have enjoyed peace and development, and your support for democratic governance and progressivism is highly commendable. We are proud of you and shall continue to support you.”

    During the launching of the project, Ajimobi donated N25 million on behalf of the state government and N20 million from his personal purse, also Olubadan and his Council contributed N20 million. The Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) gave N10 million while the chairman of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) in Oyo State, Otunba Salimon Oladiti also donated N4million.

    Others are Sen. Olufemi Lanlehin who donated N5 million, the former governor of Oyo State, Chief Omololu Olunloyo  who gave N1million, Splash FM Radio gave N1 million, the 11 local government traditional councils in Ibadan donated N11 million while Ambassador Olusola Saanu N500,000.

    At the end of the fund raising over N150 million was realized.

    Other dignitaries present at the event include Prof. Oladipo Akinkugbe: Oloye Lekan Alabi; Oyo State Head of Service, Alhaji Tajudeen Aremu; Prof Akinwumi Ishola; Iyalode of Ibadanland, Chief Aminat Abiodun; Chief Adebayo Akande and Prof Adeniyi Osuntogun.

    Others include Chief Tunde Aboderin, Mr Areoye Oyebola, former Secretary to the Oyo State Government, Alhaji Sarafadeen Alli, commissioners in Oyo State and the 11 local government chairmen in Ibadan.

  • Women urged to be agents of change

    Women urged to be agents of change

    The Awesome Treasures Foundation, a non-governmental organisation held its first summit of the year at the weekend. The event featured women from across the country who gathered at the Shell Hall of the Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos, to get inspiration from each other and also to pray their way into the New Year.

    They were women from all over the Southsouth and Southwest regions of the country, who were encouraged to have the courage to pursue their dreams, even while raising transformational leaders.

    The quarterly event, which began six-years ago, has been one of the numerous gatherings of women, with a bid to have positive impacts on their families and society. The meeting is now a platform for women to contribute their quota to the the development of the country. It was an avenue for them to join other people of faith in prayer to secure new heights of greatness in the year.

    The theme for the January summit was “Metamorphosis II: Becoming all you are born to be.” It was done in partnership with cosmetics giant L’Oreal West Africa.

    Convener/founder of the foundation, Mrs Jumoke Adenowo admonished women to always profitably apply knowledge, which has been known to always be the secret of victory. The women were told that they are the only ones who can either make or break the year.

    To her, being female is not a disease, thus the need to rise about the disadvantage, focus on what we want to do and see ourselves as agents of change.

    “We must take personal responsibility for our own successes and for ourselves; that is the message for the beginning of this year.

    Awesome treasures have over the years supported initiatives by empowering women who are abused or less privileged in the society.

    “There is so much, things are going the way we want it to go finally. The women are taken initiative and doing things themselves. More and more, it is informing of vivid leaders who are doing something on their own individual platform to make things happen. The things we do are just to set examples to our women to go and do likewise in communities around them.

    Present were the General Manager of the Consumer Products Division of L’Oreal West Africa, Mr Sekou Coulibaly. Other prominent Nigerians who have graced the foundation’s meetings are Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi; First Lady of Lagos Dame Abimbola Fashola and former Deputy Governor Princess Sarah Sosan among other women from all walks of life.

    Awesome Treasures also partners with women in Nollywood and popular figures in the society to reach to those in the grassroots.

    The foundation has employed tools of advocacy and intervention to help Nigerians achieve their Millennium Development Goals (MDG) by assisting in the socio-economic growth of the people.

    The next summit will hold on April 5.

     

  • Reinstated Ondo lawmaker narrates ‘suspension’ ordeal

    Reinstated Ondo lawmaker narrates ‘suspension’ ordeal

    •I’ve been vindicated

    After six months at home following her suspension by her colleagues in the Ondo State House of Assembly, the member representing Ose Constituency, Hon. (Mrs) Funmi Olaseinde Vincente, has returned to her legislative duties in the hallowed chambers.

    She was all smiles last Thursday unlike her pensive mood on June 18, 2013, when she was suspended by the leadership of the assembly over alleged misconduct

    Hon. Olaseinde-Vincente was accused of her keeping fetish objects in her rented apartment which she vehemently denied. The development led to the setting up of a five-man panel headed by Mr. Fatai Olotu to probe into the matter and report back in two-weeks.

    However, when the time frame lapsed and the matter still had not been resolved but instead was dragging for too long, the lawmaker approached the Court to seek redress.

    An Akure High Court presided over by Justice Olaseinde Kumuyi after listening to both parties struck out her case for lack of merit. The lawmaker was dissatisfied and was in the process of going on appeal when her colleagues reconsidered her case and she was recalled by the leadership of the Assembly.

    The Nation investigations revealed that there was more to her suspension than the stated offence of keeping fetish objects. Sources said her ordeal had political undertone and might not be unconnected to her rumoured closeness to one of the governors in the Southwest which did not go down well with some powerful forces in the corridors of power in Ondo State.

    The forces collaborated to get her suspended for six months an action that denied her constituents representation in the Assembly for that period.

    According to the Deputy Speaker of the House, Dare Emiola, the Assembly took the decision to reinstate her after the ad-hoc committee set up submitted its report and recommended that the suspension be lifted.

    He said: “Following the submission of the Committee’s report, the House has pardoned her all that should have been done concerning her recall has been done at parliamentary level.

    “She is back in the House to perform her duty and everything that transpired is within us.”

    The majority leader, Ifedayo Akinsoyinu said, the House recalled Olaseinde Vincente after she tendered an apology letter, adding that the lawmaker had also withdrawn the suit she instituted against the Assembly over the suspension.

    The reinstated lawmaker recalled that on June 18, 2013, a letter suspending her from the Ondo State House of Assembly was handed to her. The suspension she said was hinged on a trumped-up story that fetish objects were found in her apartment.

    This apartment, the legislator said she had vacated and handed over the keys to the owners long before the story which was well-dressed to paint her black in the eyes of the people of her constituency and the entire global audience

    In her speech, on the floor of the Assembly, Olaseinde-Vincente said, “despite denial to free and equitable hearing I was suspended as a law abiding citizen, lawyer and representative of the people of Ose constituency, I went to court to seek redress.

    “I approached the court because I have always believed in the potency of the rule of law to right the orchestrated politics of mudslinging that was targeted at my person.

    “While the court process continues, the leadership and members of the House of Assembly absolved me of the wicked story, lifted the suspension and reinstated me.

    “According to the letter of reinstatement authored by the leadership of the State House of Assembly, it took effect from December 1, 2013.

    “I am therefore glad to inform you that I have been vindicated by my colleagues with all my benefits attached.

    “I am grateful to God Almighty whose name is above every other name and under whose grace we the ordinary mortals enjoy the gift of free will and abundant life.

    “It takes the special grace of God for a widow like me to go through a torrential flow of emotional torture on a matter that was premised on falsehood and still came out strong and resolute.

    “I thank my colleagues in the House for upholding the truth and speaking truth to the power that be. They searched for the truth, found and stuck to it.

    “Ours is indeed an Assembly of hope and truth in pursuit of the mandates of our people given to us legitimately.

    “Also, I humbly wish to thank the people of my constituency for the support given to me throughout the period.

    “I am aware of the poignant grief and denial of representation my suspension brought to you. The fortitude with which you sailed through the period is incredible.

    “I know God that we serve will continue to fight our course and bring that development that we all crave to Ose constituency.”

    She also appreciated the women who according to never ceased from interceding for her and offered penetrating words of encouragement which made her cut through the thick cloud of intrigues of politics and attempt to despise her family name.

    The lawmaker said: “I further thank my leaders who stood by me, religious and opinion leaders of note for their prayers and words of wisdom, gentlemen of the press, print, electronic and social media for constant reportage of all sides.

    “I appreciate my friends who never compromised truth on the altars of propaganda and wicked politics designed to carve another image for a friend you have known for years. Those who know me right from my elementary school to University of Ife know who I am and what I stand for.

    “For those that conspired to bring me down, I leave you in the hand of God, for I take solace in the word of God that admonishes forgiveness.

    “I give glory to God Almighty and promise to serve humanity and continue to contribute to the growth and development of the state.”

    The lawyer noted that the last six months had been full of challenges, but said she was ready to continue to work for the people of Ose constituency despite that they were deprived the representation for six months.

  • Group calls for cultural revival

    Irked by the unbridled abysmal descent of the country’s culture in general and that of Lagos State in particular, Ominitiwa Club (Eko Forum), a socio-cultural group has advocated drastic measures aimed at halting the trend. President of the group, Mr. Babatunde Ali-Balogun, who spoke during the annual general meeting (AGM) of the organisation, noted that total revamping of the cultures and traditions of the Nigerian people is the only antidote to the unsavoury situation.

    He also added that giving a face-lift to the mores of the land is a sure way to secure the future of the young ones and generations yet unborn.

    Mr Ali-Balogun stated that the culture of the state is fading out gradually, a situation, he said needs urgent attention.

    He stressed that no country will experience progress without taking into consideration its cultural heritage. He said his association is working hard to revive the almost-forgotten cultures of the state.

    “To a large extent the cultures of the state are dying and may go into extinction. We are trying, to a large extent, to build what our forefathers passed down to us.

    “If you look around, you will see people playing gbedu drum and that is a drum for royalty. You will understand that it is different from the hip-hop thing we all know. This is pure tradition and we will continue to promote it,” he said.

    Also speaking, the chairman of the occasion, Mr Fatai Oluwole, a retired local government service administrator, said the culture of the state is eroding. He further stated that the Ominitiwa Club is working towards the promotion and revamping of the culture of the people.

    “The existence of Eko Forum is to promote the culture and tradition of the people that is gradually eroding as a result of the influx of western tradition. But with the association which is now complementing the efforts of other socio-cultural groups in Lagos State, is doing enough to ensure that our culture and tradition do not disappear with the coming of the western culture,” he said.

    Mr Oluwole said if the influx of western culture is not checked, there is the possibility of total extinction of the culture. He praised the state government and traditional rulers in their efforts to sustain the culture of the state, even as he believes that more are still needs to be done.

    “The government is trying and the traditional rulers are also trying to restore the culture of our people. But the influx of different socio-cultural groups into Lagos results in the erosion of the cultural heritage of Lagos State. If care is not taken, the heritage may disappear,” he said.

    He said the traditions and cultures of the state should be in the forefront. We should make sure that they are not destroyed by the influence of western civilisation.

    “The government should fund cultural development which should be part of the curricula of primary and secondary schools in order to make sure the culture does not get extinct,” he added.

  • Varsity student stab colleague to death

    Varsity student stab colleague to death

    •Remanded in prison

    A student of Lead City University, Ibadan, Oyo State, Moshood Owolabi has been remanded in prison on the orders of a Magistrate for his alleged stabbing to death of another student of the institution Mr. Kolade Oluwaseun.

    Oluwaseun woke up a healthy boy on Sunday, January 12, full of life as he donned his dress and made for a shopping complex near his school to make photocopies of some documents in preparation for the semester examination that was to begin later that week.

    At the shopping complex, Oluwaseun, a 400-level student of Mass Communication decided to join a group of students in a restaurant when he discovered that the business centre he wanted to use was yet to open, a decision that later turned tragic as he became a dead person a few minutes after joining his friend.

    He was engaged in a hot argument and later fracas with a 200-level student of Physical and Health Education at the university, Moshood Owolabi  a.k.a. Essential (28), who allegedly stabbed him to death with a broken bottle.

    The Nation investigation revealed that fracas broke out among a group of students, which included the duo, at the restaurant at Toll Gate area of Ibadan, at about 10:30am on the fateful day. The students were said to be taking soft drinks when the argument led into a brawl.

    Before anyone knew what was happening, Owolabi was said to have stabbed the deceased. Though he was rushed to Adeoyo State Hospital, Ring Road, Ibadan, Oluwaseun was confirmed dead on arrival and his body deposited at the morgue.

    Owolabi was promptly arrested, but he denied stabbing Oluwaseun, alleging that it was his friends that hit him with bottles when they saw that the deceased had injured him with a broken bottle.

    Owolabi, whose face was also sutured by the side of his left eye following injuries he received, told The Nation that it was a slang uttered by Oluwaseun that brought about the fracas.

    Giving account of how it ensued, he said: “Kehinde Oladimeji, a 400-level student of Accountancy, who is my friend came to me on Sunday morning that I should follow him to do photocopy of some documents and smoke jedi. We were joined by Emmanuel Harrison (400-level Mass Communication) and Obayomi Obabukoye Franklyn (100-level Business Administration). The photocopy shop was not yet opened so we went into a shop to take soft drinks.

    “While taking the drink, two guys joined us. Later, Seun came and said ‘you guys are enjoying, but you are inviting pile.’ He, however, said he would take the drink because it was cold. We asked him to pick a glass cup.

    “On his way back to the table, he started uttering slangs and shouting: ‘who dey suffocate?’ Franklyn a.k.a. Da Grin then said: ‘Seun, you have come o. Before you came, everywhere was calm, why are you shouting? Don’t you have exams on Friday?’ Seun said he had papers and Franklyn asked him again ‘Then why are you shouting?’ Seun became angry with that and gave Franklyn a punch.

    “We all stood up and challenged him for doing that, asking him whether it was because he was in 400-level and Franklyn was in 100-level. He kept quiet. I stood up and also challenged him on why he punched Franklyn and he smashed the cup in his hand and started ‘jabbing’ me with it because he felt I was siding with Franklyn.

    “Others stood up when they saw blood gushing from my face and started beating him. By then, I was looking for water to clean my face. I eventually removed my shirt to clean the blood. By the time I went back inside the shop, I saw Seun on the floor; everybody had ran away. Some women started shouting that he should be rushed to the hospital.

    “I tried getting a cab but due to the blood running all over me, the driver refused to answer. The sales girl also ran away but when she came back, she met only me. She was advised to hold me responsible since I was the only one left. I was not the one who stabbed Seun. Kenny, Franklyn, Harrison and others were the ones who descended on Seun when they saw my bloodied face. They picked bottles and started using it on him.”

    When asked why they should react to ‘who dey suffocate’, a phrase he claimed he didn’t know its meaning, Moshood said “that is the work of the devil.”

    Moshood admitted to the police that he used to smoke Indian hemp because it helped him to read very well had a strange picture of an axe, gun, hammer and other weapons in a box found on his phone. And when asked why he had such a picture he said he copied it from the display picture of a friend called Bobby, also a student of the same institution.

    Both Harrison and Kehinde, who were witnesses to what happened on that Sunday have, however, punctured Moshood’s argument in their explanations.

    Narrating his own side of the story, Harrison said: “Seun came and greeted everybody. He went to buy Pepsi and came to us, uttering some slangs. Franklyn now told him not to shout as he was not the only one in the shop.  He turned to castigate Franklyn for talking to him and gave him a punch. The duo started fighting and Moshood joined in defending Franklyn.

    “While all these were happening, we ran outside and came back inside. I was even shouting and pulling Moshood off. Before we knew what was happening, we started hearing breaking of bottles. Moshood and Seun came outside and Moshood stabbed Seun on the neck.

    “Kehinde and I ran to the school gate to alert the security there. I also ran back to the toll gate to get the ambulance there so that we could rush Seun to the hospital. By the time I came back, Seun was bleeding. Kehinde used his shirt to bind the neck.

    “Even, when Moshood was trying to get a cab, he beat up an old man; he was beating up everybody on his way. Blood was flowing all over him and everyone was scared seeing him like that. When we got to the hospital, we were told that Seun was B.I.D. (Brought In Dead).”

    The sales girl who spoke in confidence also confirmed that it was Moshood who stabbed Seun contrary to the acussed claim, stressing that Moshood was apprehended when he was about to escape on a motorcycle.

    In a telephone chat with the Director of Corporate Affairs of the Lead City University, Dr Ayobami Owolabi said the incident has thrown both the institution and the family of the deceased into mourning. He said being a police case the institution would take appropriate action against Moshood after the police must have concluded their investigation

    When contacted, the police spokesperson in Oyo State, Olabisi Okuwobi-Ilobanafor, confirmed the incident and said that the case had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Iyaganku, for further investigations.

    Meanwhile, Moshood on Monday, January 20 appeared before Magistrates’ Court 2, Iyaganku, Ibadan, on a two-count charge of conspiracy and murder. The sitting magistrate, Alhaja Sefia Oyediran, remanded him in prison custody and adjourned the case till February 3, for further hearing.

  • Four robbers shot dead by police in Ibadan

    Four robbers shot dead by police in Ibadan

    •As victim recount ordeal

    When Mr Abiodun Adeniran a lecturer at The Polytechnic, Ibadan was returning home from work that fateful day, all he had in mind was to have a peaceful rest after a hard day’s work, but this was not to be.

    As he entered his compound at Akobo area of the city, little did he know that danger was lurking. He walked straight into the hands of a group of armed robbers who after disposing him and his wife of their precious wedding rings and other valuables also went away with his car..

    The academia, while narrating his ordeals in the hands of three armed robbers said it was his first experience meeting men of the underworld face to face.

    According to him, he had returned from work into the living room not knowing that the armed robbers had been keeping vigil inside the uncompleted building behind his residence.

    Adeniran said his mother in-law had gone out to pick some clothes hung to dry outside when she discovered that they had fallen to the other side of the fence.

    “As she was trying to look beyond the fence, suddenly three hefty men jumped the fence from their hideout and ordered her to lead them into the main building.

    “When they entered, they demanded for everything including money, handsets and other valuables in the house among which were our wedding rings.

    “They also demanded for the key of my car which was parked in the premises and they went away with it,” the lecturer recalled.

    Before the robbers left, he said his wife and himself were locked up in the bathroom while they gave the key to his mother in-law.

    Immediately they left, he said “people came to sympathise with us, and the incident was reported at the police station”.

    The robbery victim said the police swung into action immediately, sending radio messages to all police formations and this led to the killing of the three robbers.

    While drumming support for the police, the victim who commended them for a job well done, urged government to give Nigeria Police the necessary support to do more.

    Parading the dead suspects at the Police Headquarters, Eleyele, Ibadan, recently State Commissioner of Police, Abubakar Indabawa, disclosed to journalists that four armed robbers, including the three that robbed the Adenirans were killed during a gun battle with the policemen in Ibadan.

    He said the robbers were killed on Friday, January 17, 2014. The fourth robber was killed along the Lagos/Ibadan road, Seko area near Dominion University while attempting to evade a police checkpoint, while three others ran away.

    Indabawa also disclosed that a Honda Accord car with registration number TD 206 AAA, belonging to one Engineer Adeniran Ademola was reported stolen by robbers who also went away with some belongings of their victim.

    The police boss stated that the police manhunt for the robbers was helped by support from a popular hunter, Alhaji Kwara Azare, who joined the police in the search for the car which was trailed to a point on Oyo road.

    “When the three occupants (suspected robbers) discovered that they were being trailed, they diverted to Alaaka road where they opened fire on the police patrol team pursuing them. In the process, the three suspected robbers were fatally wounded while the vehicle was recovered from them.” The CP noted

    Indabawa disclosed that when police conducted search on the Honda Accord car, items such as the vehicle document and other documents found in the car indicated that the vehicle belonged to Engineer Ademola.

    Other items recovered from the killed robbers included, an A-K 47 rifle, one double barrel locally made pistol, one single barrel locally made cut-to-size shot-gun, 101 rounds of live ammunition, nine rounds of live cartridges, eight assorted mobile phones, one laptop and the sum of N17,170.00.

    The Commissioner of Police said the robber who was killed at Seko area was trying to evade a police checkpoint. He revealed that the occupants of the car, a Toyota Camry, with registration number ST 57 AAA refused to stop at the check point prompting the policemen to pursue them. But the occupants of the car, in order to evade arrest opened fire on the policemen chasing them and an exchange of gun fire ensued. In thye process, one of the occupants of the car was killed while the three others escaped into the bush.

    Indabawa explained that the vehicle was immediately recovered while on the spot search led to the recovery of two shot guns, 12 rounds of live cartridges, one knife, four assorted handsets and one cutlass.

    The CP disclosed that some of the particulars recovered from the car revealed the owner as Omowunmi Abubakar of Yinusa Balogun bust stop, Okota palace, Lagos.

  • WEMABOD Estates to deliver N4b Apapa Mall in June

    WEMABOD Estates to deliver N4b Apapa Mall in June

    WEMABOD Estates Limited a member of Odu’a Group is set to deliver a N4 billion shopping mall dubbed, at Park lane, Apapa GRA Apapa on a 13,000 square metre land. Barring challenges from the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) over imported containers expected through the Wharf, the massive project named Apapa Mall is billed to be delivered in June according to the developer and current president of African Union of Architects (AUA), Chief Tokunbo Omisore.

    Omisore said no fewer than 28 containers are being expected from the wharf to kick-start the mall in 6 months.

    He said the major anchor tenants are Shoprite, Pep store, Mr. Price among other South African companies. He observed the avalanche of South African companies in Nigeria which he said was being helped by the massive support they receive from their home government in terms of funding which is in the region of 5¹/² per cent for the investors. Omisore said that it does not however negate the presence of some local brands such as Ruff & Tumble, Casabela, Medplus and others as the space is only 90 per cent taken.

    Earlier Managing Director of WEMABOD estates Limited, Mr. Olumide Ologun said the development of the Apapa shopping mall was conceived to put into good use the derelict properties of the company in Park lane.

    He said the properties were not only underutilized with non paying tenants but the revenue base of the conglomerate was also dwindling.  Ologun said the company took the decision on the mall to raise the bar in the shopping experience of Lagosians. He said: “90 per cent of the spaces have been taken up though regretting that the company still have funding challenges making us to partner with developers and other private sector partners to deliver on some of the planned projects in order to  deliver  good return to our owners.”

    Apart from the shopping mall WEMABOD estate has also delivered 200 units of 3 bedroom flats in Ibafo Ogun state and other luxury estates in Lagos, he added.

    Chairman of the company, Dr. Adebayo Adewusi while addressing the Board of Odu’a Group who visited them at their corporate head quarters in Western House, said apart from the challenge of investible funding to execute projects and low level board approvals which is hampering their operations they have launched Real Estate Investment Trust (REITs) to execute certain projects.

    He also revealed that they have embarked on projects in Ibadan in conjunction with some private sector investors. On some of the projects, Adewusi reeled them out as, the Builders Mart in Ondo state, 200 housing units in Ogun state, Shopping mall in Ekiti and yet to be finalized housing project in Osun state.

    The Group Managing Director of Odu’a Investment Co. Limited, Dr Adebayo Jimoh commended the management of WEMABOD estates on their achievement so far in real estate development with all its challenges. He praised them on the launch of REIT which will help them raise fund to execute some of their projects.

    Finally the Chairman of Odu’a Group , Dr. Isaac Akintade encouraged the management  to always put forward their request  to the board, promising that they will always find ways of meeting their needs . He commended the judicious use of the available finance by the management as discovered from their personal findings and visits and pledged more assistance to them to succeed.

    He urged them to see the whole of South west as one in the distribution of projects and amenities. According to him the idea is to grow the prosperity of the region to bequeath a lasting legacy for the younger generation like the founding fathers did in establishing the company in the first instance.