The Nation Newspaper

Category: Southwest

  • Female genital mutilation: NGOs seek end to the cutting tradition

    Female genital mutilation: NGOs seek end to the cutting tradition

    Despite efforts by the Federal Government, the World Health Organisation (WHO), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and other stakeholders in ensuring that female genital mutilation is eradicated, the trend continues to thrive in some Southwestern states of Nigeria, writes JEREMIAH OKE.

    Bothered about the prevailing cases of female genital mutilation (FGM) in Nigeria, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), Onelife Initiative for Human Development (OIHD), has urged the federal and state governments to ensure proper enforcement of the existing laws against the ignoble act.

    Quoting the World Health Organisation (WHO), the NGO described female genital mutilation as all procedures that involve partial or total removal of the external female genitalia, or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons, adding that it is recognised as a violation against human rights of women and girls.

    The NGO also challenged the three tiers of government to wage ‘severe’ war against FGM so as to reduce the rate of hazards and violence against female children.

    The Coordinator of OIHD, Mr. Sola Fagorusi, noted that the rate of FGM was alarming and called for more proactive efforts by the government to prevent the act.

    He enjoined the Federal Government to enforce the existing laws promulgated against FGM at both medical and traditional centres.

    According to him, proper punishments should henceforth be meted out to violators of the law. Regretting the increasing rate of FGM in some states despite sensitisation and awareness by different organisations, Fagorusi blamed the government for the high rate of the act.

    Mr Fagorusi noted that in December 2012, the United Nations General Assembly unanimously voted to work for the elimination of FGM throughout the world because it usually affects the female gender, saying that despite all the efforts, many parents still engage in mutilating their female children.

    The Southwest Report gathered that the practice of female genital mutilation still thrives as a result of some cultural beliefs of the people to the effect that female genital mutilation helps in preventing the would-be grown up lady from being promiscuous and to ensure that a woman remains a virgin until marriage.

    However, some cultural fundamentalists also believe that it is part of the rituals ladies must go through to be considered as real women as it increases their sexual pleasure.

    According to recent report by WHO, 100 million girls have been mutilated globally and 10 per cent of them are from Nigeria.

    Also, a report by Onelife Initiative for Human Development, five states with the highest prevalence of female genital mutilation in Nigeria are Osun with 76.6 per cent of girl-child, Ekiti 72.3 per cent, Oyo 65.6 per cent; Ebonyi 74 per cent and Imo 68 per cent.

    The act mostly prevalent in some Southwest states is being carried out by local practitioners called “Alabede or Oloola” which literally means a person who performs circumcision.

    According to one of the prominent practitioners in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital who pleaded not to be named because of the sensitive nature of the issue, the business can only be inherited and practised by a male member of the family.

    He said the trend will be difficult to eradicate in the family in particular and the society in general, no matter the threat and intimidation by government.

    He said: “I am currently the head of this family and I can tell you it is real. Though government had said we should stop it, we cannot allow our female children to become subjects of ridicule in the society. No amount of threat or intimidation can stop us from performing circumcision on our female children.

    “Let me tell you why it is very important. First, Yoruba people believe that if a female child refuses to accept circumcision, it will affect her when she is ready to give birth and that was why stillborn was rampant. The head of the infant must not touch the woman’s clitoris.

    “Second, many underage are being molested as a result of their hot urge for sex. There is a little jam we normally remove from clitoris of the girl-child which is always responsible for probable tendency for promiscuity. We cannot allow our children to be subject of ridicule and abuse, which is the reason we cannot stop performing circumcision on our female children.

    “I know the government must have noticed the cruel ways our brothers from the South-eastern part of the country are performing it and that was why government always kicks against it.

    “For instance; in the South eastern part of Nigeria, they usually cut off the clitoris completely and as a result of that, the child may bleed to death if they could not manage it well. I guess that is why government is against female circumcision.”

    However, government agencies, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), lawyers and medical doctors have severally joined voices against this inhuman cultural belief.

    The former Medical Director of Adeoyo State Hospital, Ring Road Ibadan Dr. Diran Olabisi said it is medically wrong to mutilate a girl-child.

    He said there was no medical proof that those who are not mutilated could be promiscuous as speculated or believed by many people.

    “No medical research proves that the girl-child should be mutilated,” he said.

    Mr. Fagorusi, who has been advocating for total eradication of female genital mutilation practice in the country, revealed that no medical school in the universe is teaching how to mutilate the girl-child. As such, he said, people should consider it as violence against the female gender.

    He stated this at a workshop organised to educate secondary school students, teachers and young parents on the risk of female genital mutilation. The event was held at the International Conference Centre of the University of Ibadan.

    Speaking on the effects of this primordial cultural practice, he said: “Medical experts have conducted numerous researches that indicate that the horrifying practice results in great suffering for the female gender as they experience shock which may lead to death. It could also cause obstruction during labour resulting in difficulty in delivery.

    It has psycho-social effect as well. That means a situation in which the woman has hard feelings about sexual relationship with her husband. This, often results in broken homes.”

    Refuting the presumption that the girl-child would be promiscuous if she doesn’t undergo female genital mutilation, Fagorusi said: “Promiscuity has nothing to do with mutilation. We are talking about character and value system. If parents bring up their children properly, we won’t hold the clitoris or any part of the female body as reason for indulging in female genital mutilation.”

    He also faulted the belief that if a child’s head touches the clitoris during delivery, the child will die.

    “They also claim that it is part of our religions as instructed in the Qur’an and the Bible. We go out with clerics and Imams on our advocacy campaigns. No part of the Holy Books that says a female must be mutilated.”

    On the claim that it is part of our cultural heritage, Fagorusi said: “Culture is dynamic and changes with civilisation. This is not to discountenance the quality and importance of culture but we are saying that in this particular instance, culture does not stand, especially when there is no medical verification.”

    Contributing, Coordinator of Value Re-orientation and Community Enhancement, another non-governmental organisation (NGO) in Oshogbo Osun State, Ademola Adebisi said the trend is common in Yoruba land with 55 per cent in the Southwest and 45 per cent in the Southeast and South-south geo-political zones while the practice is almost extinct in the North.

    Adebisi said many children have died in the course of carrying out genital mutilation, urging people to join voices against the inhuman act.

    “It is the responsibility of everybody in the society to end female genital mutilation. The men should take it upon themselves and ladies should raise their voices against the callous act. The female gender cannot carry out wage war against the act alone. We need to support them. In Osun State, I approached a community where a woman told me she can’t be sure if any of their female children has not been mutilated. This is wrong,” he said.

    Aderonke Ige, a lawyer said it is a crime to remove part of any child’s body.

    Urging other states in Nigeria to emulate Oyo State in enacting a law prohibiting female genital mutilation, she said there is a constitutional provision for the girl-child to defend herself.

    She said: “Under Violence against Women Prohibition (VAW) Law of Oyo State 2016, a person who carries out harmful traditional practices on another commits an offense and is liable, on conviction, to a term of imprisonment not exceeding four years or to a fine not exceeding N500,000 or both.

    “The 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, cap IV Section 34 (1) (a) of 1999 indicates that no person shall be subjected to torture, to inhuman or degrading treatment.”

  • Ogun community protests poor power supply, high tariff

    Residents of Ado-Odo Community Development Association, in Ado- Odo Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Ogun State have protested what they described as unjustifiable poor power supply in the area.

    The peaceful protest, which was held at the head office of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC), Ring Road Ibadan, was embarked upon by community leaders and members of the community.

    The protesters said the current economic hardship experienced in the country is being compounded by epileptic power supply, as many small businesses in the area have been crippled due to lack of electricity supply.

    They claimed that the tariff, which is largely based on estimation, is unjustifiable as it is not commensurate with services rendered.

    Speaking on behalf of the community, the chairman of community development association for power distribution in Ado-Odo, Mr. Abayomi Aina, said the company has not been fair to residents of the community in terms of power supply.

    He said: “We are here to protest the poor power supply in our area. The manager in our local government, Mrs. Falusi purposely drops our light without justifiable reason.

    “We hardly have light a day in a week. When we complained about the abnormality, the manager becomes angry. As a result of this poor power supply, our cables are always stolen. The bills they bring to our people are always outrageous.

    “We have severally presented our case to the IBEDC office in Sango Ota but nothing was done about it. We want you to come to our rescue for our people to enjoy more power supply. We are ready to pay if they give us light.”

    The Chairman of the community association, Alhaji Rahaman Balogun, said the community is ready to pay, provided the company is supplying power to them steadily.

    When contacted, the manager, Mrs. Falusi said members of the community were not paying their bills and that was why the company is not supplying them light regularly.

    The customers care officer in charge of Sango axis for IBEDC Mr. Akinbodunse Shedrach promised to intervene in the matter.

    He compelled the community leaders to ensure prompt payment of their bills in order to enjoy improved power supply in the area.

  • Celebrating Tinubu at 65

    Celebrating Tinubu at 65

    Ojo Ibukun Foundation has celebrated All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu at 65, OLATUNDE ODEBIYI reports.

    It was a gathering of the high and the mighty at PAYM Event Centre in Naforija, Epe, on Friday. They dignitaries had gathered to honour the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu at 65.

    The programme was organised by Ojo Ibukun Foundation in collaboration with Hassmowun Foundation. Tinubu was represented by a member of the Editorial Board of The Nation Newspapers, Mr Kunle Abimbola.

    A cultural dance group Oyo Egiri youth ladies, thrilled guests with their scintillating dance steps.

    The APC women decked in green ankara with orange head gear; sang the praises of dignitaries as they arrived at the venue.

    The event, the second of its kind had as its theme “Indigent Pupils Adoption Programme”. It was designed to identify with very indigent pupils in public primary schools in Eredo Local Council Development Area (LCDA) by providing them with school items not covered by the free education policy of the Lagos State Government. 300 pupils received items such as books, school bags, uniforms, scandals, socks and writing materials.

    Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr Idiat Oluranti Adebule said the gesture was one to complement the free education initiative of the state government, adding that it was also a way to give back to the society.

    “The event demonstrates commitment to philanthropy and love for the less-privileged families. It also shows the volume of dedication and passion for child development.

    “The hearts of these 300 pupils that have been selected to benefit in this year’s programme are delighted. The hearts of their parents are filled with joy that their wards will have a good start in life in acquiring quality basic education.”

    Adebule, represented by the Tutor-General/Permanent Secretary in the State Ministry of Education District III, Mrs Magret Solarin, noted that there was a limit to what government could do, given the limited resources available to the government to meet various contending needs of the education sector, while also providing enabling environment that is expected to provide quality and effective education for children irrespective of their backgrounds and most especially those who are indigent.

    She urged well-meaning individuals, corporate entities and other philanthropic organisations to emulate the initiative and come up with similar or more innovative ways to complement the efforts of the administration in the education sector.

    “We can come together to identify ways of helping those families and children who are indigent in order to give them better and quality education,” she said.

    She noted that quality education remains the bedrock of any society, adding that it also remains the tool for the eradication of poverty, hunger and disease.

    “Our administration will continue to be focused on the provision of quality, functional and effective education for all our children. We will continue to implement laudable projects and strengthen the free education programme and policies that will enhance the full development of our children irrespective of class, gender or social background,” she said.

    Wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs Omobolanle Ambode said the foundation has imparted the lives of the less-privileged and shown commitment to the welfare of the indigent at this challenging time.

    Represented by the State’s former Commissioner for Education, Mrs Olayinka Oladunjoye Mrs. Ambode commended the foundation for giving back to the society and contributing its quota to the service of humanity.

    “Some less-privileged children within this community who never thought of seeing the four walls of the elementary school have been presented with a life-time opportunity to better their lives through the programme of the foundation,” she said.

    She noted that the items given to the children will embolden their desire to go to school; they will be able to concentrate, learn in class and do well.”

    The convener, Ojo Ibukun Foundation and a former Secretary of Eredo Local Council Development Area, Hon Adeniyi Adekunle Shamsideen said the gesture was not aimed at just helping children that are financially disadvantaged, but also to secure the future of our own children.

    “You cannot bring up a child in isolation. Most of the children of the affluent are getting inducted into deadly cults by the children who never had a chance to live decently due to their challenging background.

    “With this programme, each pupil will receive this benefit till he or she leaves the primary school.

    “This edition was designed to honour Asiwaju, a leader, mentor and philanthropist per excellence for creating Eredo LCDA. His boldness in creating Eredo LCDA gave me the opportunity to serve my people and opened my eyes to their challenges, one of which triggered the initiation of the programme. Many have, through his name, activities and benevolence, become prominent people,” he said.

    He said the foundation was set up to create a platform for joint philanthropy where individuals come together to contribute towards a good cause.

    Chairman, House Committee on Heath, Epe State Constituency II, Hon Olusegun Olulade described Asiwaju as a mentor, a leader that has produced leaders and a hero to the entire black race.

    “Asiwaju is different things to different people. He is a man that transformed Lagos; he made all his successors. He is a philanthropist, an organiser; a strategist-he knows who is fit for every position. He is a man that you can trust his judgment any day any time.

    “He is a mentor to many, even those that have not met him; many people are following him and they believe in his vision. He is a man of no race, religion and tribe, but he is a man of the world. “To some, he is Jagaban, to others he is of the different chieftaincy titles that he had received. He has received so many awards.

    “When he was born, he was not known, but when he started making impact and touching lives, he became known. He believes in everybody’s vision, he is a dogged fighter; he is committed and he is a success. Anybody that comes in contact with him will go back joyfully, because he will have something to give to you- it may be money or strategy,” he said.

    Chief Host and founder of Hassmowum Foundation, Hon Wasiu Odeyemi, described Asiwaju as a man that many people desire to be like.

    “He has gone through many challenges, but he is still standing firm. He has been knocked down, but he stands and keeps fighting. He is a man that believes in others,” he said.

    He noted that the gesture of the convener is a spirit that propels development and leads to nation-building, saying that life is worth living for others.

    “The items donated would ensure that future of the children will be better tomorrow. The gesture is to address some of the challenges that we experience in the educational system, which will give birth to education, liberation, freedom and security.

    “It is time to see the children as our responsibility and make a better life for them by taking them out of any situation that brings them sorrow,” he said.

    Chairman, Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), represented by Mrs Abosede Omobolanle Adelaja described the gesture of the convener as one that brings great joy to both the pupils, teachers and parents, adding that it had also supported the present administration’s aim in the educational sector.

    According to her, education is a big project that government cannot carry out alone.

    “We need people to collaborate with us to take education to higher levels. Today’s gesture will encourage students to study hard and take education seriously,” she said.

    She urged parents not to leave the entire responsibility of education to teachers. “Teachers cannot do it alone. Parents must support their children, play their role as parents and take care of them.

    She urged them to ensure that the items donated to the pupils are properly used and well kept.

    She called for more partnership to support the education sector.

     

  • Charity walk for the poor

    The maiden Charity Walk for the poor, by the Lagos chapter of Couples for Christ (CFC) will take place on Saturday, April 1.

    Head of the chapter, Mr. Bob Onwuliri who revealed this at Idimu, a surburb of Lagos, said the walk will begin from the premises of the SS Mulumba and David Church at Lawanson to the National Stadium, Surulere.

    He further explained that the walk was organised by “Answering the Cry of the Poor (ANCOP)”, which was established by the Couples for Christ International Catholic Society, to serve the poor regardless of religion, race or ethnicity.

    Mr. Onwuliri further said that the walk for the poor was aimed at creating awareness in education and health care for the poor.

    He further revealed that the walk had the support of the Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, the Most Rev. Dr. Alfred Adewale Martins.

    He further said: “Our goal is to raise enough fund to put about 30 children in schools at various levels in the next academic year.

    On the various grades of sponsorship, Mr. Onwuliri said platinum attracts N1,500,000; gold category attracts N1,000,000; silver N500,000; while sponsorship for bronze attracts N200,000.

    For product sponsorship, Mr. Onwuliri said benefits will be discussed and agreed in each case, while individual sponsors will be listed in the “Banner of Honour” to be hoisted at the VIP/Hospitality booth”.

    He explained that all cheque payments should be made payable to “Couples for Christ, Lagos”, while Direct payment should be made to “Couples for Christ – Lagos, Account Number 6060108925, Fidelity Bank.

    On child programme sponsorship, Mr. Onwuliri appealed to potential sponsors to be magnanimous in their sponsorship which is designed to provide education and health care to the poorest of the poor.

    Harping on the proposed cost, he said primary school level will attract N100,000 per annum; Junior Secondary School 1- 3, N160,000; Senior Secondary School or Vocation N200,000 per year; while the or tertiary level will cost N300,000 per year.

    Mr. Onwuliri assured that the students would be encouraged to write ‘you regularly and if you wish to keep your identity, we will undertake the exchange of letters without compromising photo as well as updates on his or her activities’.

    The Couples for Christ International Catholic Society (CFC) which was founded in 1981 and was established in Nigeria at St. Mary’s Catholic Church Isolo Lagos 16 years ago.

     

    • Louis Chuke is chapter head of CFC, Holy Family Catholic Church, 22 Road, FESTAC Town Lagos.
  • Man, 34, needs N5m for heart surgery

    Man, 34, needs N5m for heart surgery

    Thirty-Four-year-old Joshua Adekoya is currently at the precipice of life. Though blind from childhood, Joshua is currently on admission in the Main Ward of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) for a congestive cardiac failure. As a result, he urgently needs to undergo a heart surgery (cardiac aortic root surgery), to stay alive.

    Hitherto a vibrant young man, full of hope, Joshua used to be very active in sports and in 2012, he won silver medal for Lagos State in the para-athletic event of the National Sports Festival. He has however been in coma since January 20 and placed on oxygen because he has not been responding to drugs. His legs and stomach are swollen as a result of the illness and his wife has even left him to his fate, making his situation more precarious.

    To stay alive and pursue his hopes and aspiration, Joshua is requesting help and generous donation from well-meaning Nigerians and foreigners alike. Doctors say he needs N5m to undergo the surgery. Efforts have been made to reach the Lagos State Government but help has so far not come.

    Joshua’s friends and family are hereby calling on the Lagos State Governor, prominent Nigerians and everybody who may be moved to pity. For confirmation, interested donors should visit the Main Ward of LASUTH.

    Joshua’s account details are: Joshua Adekoya, GT Bank 0012757629. For enquiry, you can call 07036602682 or his 08140293592.

  • Customers get free meters in Ekiti

    Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) has begun distribution of free prepaid meters to customers in its resolve to eliminate the problem of estimated billings.

    BEDC Chief State Head for Ondo and Ekiti states, Mrs. Kunbi Labiyi, who revealed this in Ado-Ekiti during Customers’ Consultative Forum, said the company was working hard to ensure better service delivery.

    She stated that the company was giving out 9,000 prepaid meters in Ekiti State out of which 1,000 have been released for the month of January for customers in Ado-Ekiti alone.

    Mrs. Labiyi was responding to questions from customers on non-availability of prepaid meters, estimated billings, poor services and high tariffs, among others.

    She explained that the processes of power generation, transmission and distribution have become problematic because only 3,000 megawatts is currently generated for 160 million Nigerians.

    Mrs. Labiyi noted that 10,000 megawatts was required to adequately serve one million people, adding that shortfall in megawatts generated was the major problem distribution companies (DISCOs) were experiencing.

    She further revealed that BEDC gets just nine per cent of energy allocation which it distributes to about 800,000 customers in four catchment states of Edo, Delta, Ondo and Ekiti.

    According to her, the distribution of free meters to customers was delayed due to rise in foreign exchange which had affected the unit price of the product.

    While urging customers to always pay their bills, the BEDC boss stressed that energy theft is a serious crime and sabotage to the economy which attracts strong sanctions.

    Mrs. Labiyi said: “Whenever your bills come, ensure that you pay; you are free to lodge your complaints concerning any error in our services and the bills will be rectified. Energy theft is a serious crime, therefore pay your bills.

    “BEDC has taken the right step by distributing meters free to eliminate the problem of estimated billings. Estimated billing is not in anybody’s interest. Therefore, we are working hard to ensure that you enjoy value for your money.”

     

  • How Lagos widow retrieved land from Omo Onile

    How Lagos widow retrieved land from Omo Onile

    Resulting from a report on the menace of land grabbing in Lagos State, Mrs Nneka Okoli, who was reported to have been deprived of her six plots of land, retrieved them after an intervention by the Lagos State government. KEMI BUSARI reports.

    Six plots of land located at the Isheri Osun area of Alimosho Local Governmnet Area of Lagos State was initially owned by the Idowu Asho family in Adeojo Area, Lagos.

    But, sometime in 2014, the family sold the land to Mr. and Mrs. Okoli at the rate of N2, 650, 000 and an additional N800, 000 was paid for family receipt and another sum of N400, 000 was paid for survey.

    However, the family refused to transfer possession of the land; a development which prompted a publication in The Nation Newspaper in December last year.

    Five months after the publication, Mrs Okoli has finally regained possession of her land.

    Reacting to the development, Mrs Okoli said: “We had no services of any lawyer; it was just the grace of God.”

    The retrieval process began in August last year when Mrs. Okoli wrote a petition to the State Governor Akinwumi Ambode. But the drab and procrastinating attitude portrayed at the Governor’s Office was enough discouragement.

    Three months after issuance of the letter, she finally got the audience. She recalled the experiences.

    ‘’I wrote the letter and I submitted it at the Governor’s Office. After some months, they directed me to the Ministry of Justice. The case was taken up by the Lagos Task Force on Land Grabbers.

    “They called them Omo Onile and they responded. After our first interviews and meetings, the Lagos Land Grabbers Task Force decided we should settle it amicably and gave seven days to do that. They called me to a meeting with their lawyer and offered another piece of land in a different location, I rejected it. Later, they offered money which I declined; I told them I want my land.

    “I went back to the ministry and complained but to my surprise, everything started changing. They stopped giving me audience like before.’’

    According to Mrs. Okoli’s account, the change in attitude cannot be unconnected with the involvement of a prominent king who is said to be backing the Omo Onile in the whole “business.”

    “Anytime I got to the ministry, they kept telling me to come back and they did nothing,’’ she recalled.

    However, the story changed when the publication entitled “We die so Omo Onile may live” appeared on the pages of this newspaper.

    “I was so downcast and there was nothing I could do until the day the reporter called to inform me that the story has been published. I called the chairman of the task force and he told me he has seen the publication. They summoned another meeting immediately and to my surprise, the said Oba who didn’t show up for any of the previous meetings was in attendance.

    “At the meeting, a lawyer in the ministry came with one of the publications and told them to stop the hiding game. At this point, they gave up and the ministry assigned a surveyor who followed me to survey the land.

    “Weeks later, the result of the survey emerged and it supported my claim on the land. A final meeting was called on March 9 and the ministry ruled that the land belongs to me.’’

    Even though Mrs Okoli had, in early stages, employed the services of three lawyers, the actual process of retrieving the land did not involve a lawyer.

    “All through the journey, there was no lawyer; it was God and the Ministry of Justice, the task force and the publications. I wrote the petition on my own without the help of a lawyer.

    “The publications really shook them. It was a turning point and without it, I don’t think it would all have happened the way it did. When I tried to show them that it has been published, they told me they have already seen it. At the same time, people who read it started calling me and some even offered assistance. The publication exposed the matter. Before, the issue was handled in secrecy but having it published dealt the needed blow and I owe the retrieval to the publication in this paper.”

     

    ‘How we intervened’ – Lagos Task Force

    In a resolution marked LSSTF/LG/2016/324 issued on March 17, this year, the Lagos State Special Task Force on Land Grabbers noted that after due investigation, the land has been discovered to belong to Mrs. Okoli.

    The resolution indicates that “the office resolved that the petitioner should go and take possession of her land and nobody should disturb her possession. If anyone disturbs her possession of the land, she should report to the Task Force for further action.’’

    Reacting to this, Alternate Chairman of the Lagos State Special Task Force on Land Grabbers, Mr. Jide Akinpelu said the retrieval process though tedious did not involve aggressiveness.

    He recounted: “When we received her petition, we invited the two parties and through our meetings with them, we discovered that she and her husband truly bought the land. We were able to establish that the people who sold the land to her kept saying the land sold to her is different from where she is claiming.

    “We also found out that they gave her survey plan upon payment and with this, we started work. We sent the survey to the Surveyor-General and we also instructed him to follow both parties to the location of the land.

    “The Surveyor-General submitted his report and it established that she is right about the location of the land. We confronted the Omo Onile and told them that where they are pointing to be her land is not hers. We issued a resolution that she should go and take possession of her land and report to us should there be a case of disturbance.”

    Akinpelu also praised The Nation Newspapers on publishing the story while debunking claims of connivance with the Omo Onile while the retrieval process lasted.

    “We are quite encouraged by your work and it spurred us to put more effort. We also encourage other media houses to do same.

    “Apart from your publication, there was another where she alleged that we have compromised. The general opinion in the office was to allow the powers that be investigate whether we have compromised or not but I quite understood the state of her mind having lost her husband. We decided to forge on hoping that the outcome of our investigation will vindicate us and that is exactly what happened.”

     

    ‘She must take possession immediately’ – Lagos lawyer

    Commenting on the development, Legal practitioner, Lekan Alabi described Mrs. Okoli’s victory as a good development in the annals of the State Government and admonishes her to take full possession immediately.

    “Now that case has been settled, the first thing for her is to take full possession of the land and if she doesn’t need it, she should sell it and invest the money.

    “There is scarcity of land in Lagos, you cannot just say you have six plots of land and do nothing on it. Even the government can take over the land for public use and she won’t get enough as compensation.

    He also praised the State Government on the development while noting that any further trespass on the land becomes a criminal offence.

    “If the Omo Onile goes there again to disturb her, it has become a criminal offence because the state has determined the owner of the land.

    “The state government has performed its responsibility under the 2016 Property Protection Law and I think this is a welcome development. I commend the effort of the Attorney-General who sponsored the bill and the courage of Governor Ambode to give his assent,” Mr Alabi said.

    With this development, the Lagos State Government has demonstrated its readiness to check the extortionist and criminal tendencies of land grabbers. However, more is still expected of the Akinwumi Ambode-led government in bringing solace to other victims of land grabbing in Lagos State.

  • Tussle over Akarigbo Remo stool

    Tussle over Akarigbo Remo stool

    Eight months after the death of the Akarigbo of Remo, Oba Michael Sonariwo, the race to pick a new king has begun amid rumour of imposition. The youth, who want a younger person as Akarigbo, have vowed to reject any selection not in tune with established tradition of the kingdom. WALE AJETUNMOBI reports

    Who becomes the next Akarigbo of Remo land? This is a question begging for an answer as residents of this sprawling kingdom eagerly await the coronation of new monarch, eight months after the demise of its paramount traditional ruler, Oba Michael Sonariwo.

    The Akarigbo stool is a first-class title in Sagamu Local Government Area of Ogun State. Its occupant is the paramount ruler of all towns and villages that fall within the sphere of the Remo Kingdom, which extends to 40 major towns, including Sagamu, Ilisan, Iperu, Ikenne, Akaka, Isara and Ode, among others.

    Also, there are about 150 igberikos (villages) that fall under the authority of the Akarigbo whose palace is situated in the heart of Sagamu town. The two largest clans in Sagamu, where the Akarigbo palace sits, are Makun and Offin. But, only the people of the Offin clan have the traditional right to the Akarigbo stool.

    Months after the completion of the funeral rites for the late Oba Sonariwo, the palace has been quiet. The only visitors to the palace are the seven kingmakers, who hold regular meetings and traditional procedures while they await the government’s directive on the date for the selection of new king.

    The Akarigbo stool became vacant on July 23, last year, after the  death of Oba Michael Sonariwo, who reigned for 26 years.

    Last Friday, Sagamu Local Government Area transmitted a letter directing to the kingmakers to pick the late Oba Sonariwo’s successor; this officially set the process of selecting the Akarigbo in motion.

    The traditional horse-trading to pick the new king has begun in earnest. The socio-cultural groups of all shades of opinion within the kingdom have been expressing their views on the qualities the new Akarigbo must possess.

    There are about nine contenders vying for the Akarigbo stool. But the selection process may take another couple of weeks, within which candidates are expected to be formally nominated and screened by the kingmakers, using physical and traditional methods.

    While the kingmakers rely on the guidance of Ifa (oracle) to pick the new Akarigbo, majority of residents, including the youth, are looking forward to welcoming a “young energetic king” whose character and worldview would be in tune with what they call “modern-age royalty”.

    The opinions of the populace seem to be in consonance with the traditional method of selection to be used by the kingmakers, which is said to be “learn as you grow”.

    But, there has been intense disquiet in Sagamu, as rumours spread that the selection process may be hijacked by some moneybags. The town is agog with an insinuation that the kingmakers may have been compromised to pick an unpopular candidate as the new king.

    The youth have vowed to reject selection of any candidate whose emergence is bankrolled by moneybags. They urged the kingmakers to discharge their assignment in line with the wishes of the populace.

     

    Politics of candidates’ selection

     

    There are five ruling houses within the Offin clan that are eligible to nominate candidates for the Akarigbo throne. But, the ascendancy to the throne, from time immemorial, has been based on rotation among the royal families to make the contest for the stool rancour-free. The late Oba Sonariwo was nominated from Erinjugbo Royal Family.

    After waiting for more than a century after the other ruling houses had produced the Akarigbo, it is now the turn of the Torungbuwa Royal Family to produce the next Akarigbo. Oba Oyebajo, who reigned between 1898 and 1914, was the last member of the Torungbuwa Ruling House who occupied the Akarigbo stool.

    When it was clear Torungbuwa Ruling House would produce the next king, there were about 15 princes from all the three lineages that make up the royal family–Oluyomade, Oguntade and Famolu–who showed interests in the contest.

    Southwest Report gathered that Oluyomade lineage presented nine candidates, while Famolu lineage presented five candidates. The Oguntade lineage, it was gathered, did not nominate any candidate, but agreed to support any candidate who emerges the new Akarigbo from the other two lineages.

    During several family meetings presided over by the Acting Head of the Torungbuwa Ruling House, Alhaji Dauda Awosanya, Southwest Report learnt that majority of the family members in attendance settled for Oluyomade lineage to produce the next Akarigbo, since the last person who occupied the stool in the family-the late Oba Oyebajo-was from the Famolu lineage.

    Of the nine aspirants from Oluyomade lineage who showed interest in the contest, six had been screened out during previous family meetings. Southwest Report gathered that fight broke out among aspirants from the Famolu lineage over who should be presented to the kingmakers from the lineage.

    But the Secretary of Torungbuwa Ruling House, Alhaji Nurudeen Kazeem, told Southwest Report that only the shortlisted nominees from the Oluyomade lineage would be presented for the contest. This, he said, is the agreement reached by members of the family.

    The shortlisted candidates from Oluyomade lineage are Prince Tunde Ajayi, Prince Akeebu Kazeem and Prince Mutiu Adebayo. According to the secretary of Torungbuwa Ruling House, the kingmakers will pick the new Akarigbo from the three nominees.

     

    ‘Why we want a youth as Akarigbo’

     

    Southwest Report gathered that for many years during his reign, there was no love lost between the late Oba Sonariwo and Remo youths, a development that created a wide gap between the royal council and youths.

    The late Akarigbo’s strained relationship with the youth was said to have been caused by the action of some miscreants, who burnt down Akarigbo’s palace in 2002 over the death of a young man allegedly killed by a vigilance group. The action, it was gathered, bred interminable animosity between youth groups and the palace during the reign of the late Oba Sonariwo, who vowed not to forgive them.

    President of Sagamu Youths’ Congress, Comrade Kayode Segun-Okeowo, believes the palace’s animosity for young people robbed them of socio-economic opportunities and development programmes, thereby putting Remo land at disadvantage.

    Segun-Okeowo said the Remo Kingdom would have witnessed tremendous socio-cultural development and flourished as the new hub for youth innovation. The coordinator of Remo Youth Leaders’ Forum said Remo lagged behind in youth employment because the palace scorned the youth and denied them opportunities to contribute to the socio-economic growth of the kingdom.

    The youth leader said it would be counter-productive if the kingmakers pick an old man as Akarigbo.

    He said: “We don’t have any choice candidate among the contenders for the Akarigbo stool, but the youth don’t want an old man to be the king. The reason is that, we don’t want the repeat of what happened during the reign of the late Oba Sonariwo. The late king’s relationship with the youth did more harm than good in Remo land. This is why we said the next king must be young, youth-friendly, energetic, educated and have 21st Century leadership traits to drive socio-economic development.

    “We believe the youth are the future of any society. Young people are the heartbeat and engine room of any nation. If we have a young man as king, there would naturally be a bond between the traditional council and the youth to promote development.”

    Segun-Okeowo said the preference for a young person as Akarigbo was in tune with practice of time, citing Ooni of Ife and Elegushi of Ikate Kingdom as examples. He said the days of old men becoming kings had ended.

    He said: “We want someone as energetic as Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, and Elegushi of Ikate Kingdom, Oba Saheed Elegushi. We are witnesses to the exploit of these youthful kings in their domains and how they are deploying their energy to drive massive development. They have shown that royalty requires 21st Century leadership style to turn around the condition of their subjects for good. We, too, deserve to have such energetic persons as Akarigbo to drive socio-economic development in Remo land.”

     

    Furore over imposition

     

    Although the authentic list of the nominees for the throne is yet to be submitted to the kingmakers, the town is agog with the rumours of imposition. A Lagos-based businessman from Iperu Remo is being fingered in a covert attempt to induce the kingmakers with cash to soften the ground for a contender who had been screened out by the royal family.

    It was learnt that the businessman vowed he would deploy his “huge wealth” to ensure the government and the kingmakers pick his candidate, a professor, for the throne.

    Some residents wondered why the selection process was delayed for more than six months if there was no plan to compromise the procedure for Akarigbo selection.

    Youth leaders from the major towns said they would reject any selection that did not go in consonance with the established traditional procedure.

    The youth leaders said they had been meeting to sensitise the residents to the next line of action should an attempt be made to manipulate the rituals of Akarigbo selection to favour the candidate of any moneybag.

    Segun-Okeowo, who spoke on behalf of the youth leaders, said: “We are aware that the selection process is being delayed till this time, because of possible imposition. We have been hearing rumours that the process has been hijacked and compromised by some moneybags. This will not be acceptable to the populace and the youth, because we can’t allow certain people to mortgage our collective destiny. We will resist any attempt to manipulate the process in favour of anyone.”

     

    ‘Everything is wrong with old man becoming Akarigbo’

     

    A high chief from Erinjugbo Royal Family, who did not want his name in print because of the sensitive nature of the selection process, threw his weight behind those calling for selection of a young person as Akarigbo. He advised the kingmakers not to succumb to pressure of picking an unpopular person to be the next king.

    The 72-year-old chief said the overall development of the Remo Kingdom should be the focus of the kingmakers in selecting the Akarigbo, adding that preference should be given to young contenders who have zeal to drive development.

    He said: “Everybody is free to push their agenda, but I can tell you that people who want an old man to become the new king are short-sighted. Those are the people who are not in tune with realities of time.

    “Let us take a cue from Ooni of Ife. People have started feeling his impact in terms of infrastructural renewal in the Ife town barely a year after he was installed. Some people who initially felt Oba Ogunwusi was too young to become the Ooni are the ones praising him now.

    “We have seen the likes of former President Olusegun Obasanjo and old generations showering praises on the Ooni for his exploit in Ile-Ife. Who says we cannot have such energetic man to lead the Remo land? It would be very wrong for anyone to try imposing an old man on the town. Remo land should not be left behind in this age of rapid development driven by young people.

    “There is much benefit to gain when a younger person becomes the Akarigbo, than having an old man sitting on the stool to dish out proverbs. Remo is a vast kingdom with several villages. There is nothing stopping us from having a king that would open these small villages up for development. This would have lasting impact on generations coming after us.”

     

    ‘How Akarigbo will emerge’ – Kingmaker

     

    Academic qualifications and certificates are irrelevant in picking the Remo paramount traditional ruler, Olisa Ofin-Lisa Akarigbo of Remo land, Chief Abdulrasak Salami, said in a chat with Southwest Report.

    He said the government’s gazette and traditional declaration are clear on the procedure to follow in choosing the king. There is no age requirement and qualification, Chief Salami said, adding that the kingmakers would follow the established traditional method.

    He said: “The Awujale of Ijebu and Alaafin of Oyo were young when they ascended the thrones of their forebears. They learned as they were growing up. Now, they have become authorities and nobody can beat them on any issue that borders on tradition.

    “When we are to pick the new Akarigbo, we will consult Ifa for guidance. Before then, we would have conducted assessment on each contender in terms of who they are in the society and their family backgrounds. We will check if any of them had been convicted by the court for any crime.

    “We will also ask residents to give us information about each candidate. When we are satisfied with those feedbacks, we will then consult Ifa to assess them spiritually to know the suitable one. It is from Ifa’s revelation that we will use our discretion through voting system to pick the best among the candidates.”

     

    ‘We’ll follow tradition, not age’

     

    Chief Salami dismissed the allegation of imposition and inducement, saying the traditional process could not be compromised.

    He said: “As kingmakers, we are also considering opinions of residents. What we are after is who is capable of doing the job? We don’t care whether it is an old man or younger person. There is no need for anyone to bring money or anything to us to perform our task in line with tradition. I can confirm there is nothing like people inducing us with money.

    “As I speak to you, we don’t know who the candidates are. We only see some people who are showing interest in the throne. We are waiting for the formal nomination of the candidates by the Torungbuwa Ruling House. Only the seven kingmakers will pick the new king within the next two month.”

  • NGO for women’s, girls’ empowerment unveiled

    NGO for women’s, girls’ empowerment unveiled

    As a fall-out of global events commemorating the ‘International Women’s Day’, indigent women and girls in Nigeria now have a cause to smile. A new non-governmental organisation (NGO) has been established to ameliorate their sufferings.

    The new non-governmental organisation known as Save Our Women and Girls Foundation (SOW & G) is the brainchild of writer, entrepreneur and philanthropist, Ambassador Unyime- Ivy King, a volunteer for the United Nations.

    The unveiling of the organisation took place on March 10 at Oakwood Park Hotels, Lekki Lagos and attracted numerous people from various spheres of life.

    The event, organised by her media and communication consultancy company, HTT Communications also marked the IWD with the theme “I Am the Change”, derived from the IWD’s global theme of “e Bold for Change”.

    For many of the participants, it was an occasion when they came face-to-face with the reality of the current mass suffering in the country, especially among women and girls in impoverished communities. It was a time to be inspired for action.

    Husband of the organiser, Mr. Ubon King, a businessman/motivational speaker and chairman of Protection Plus Services Limited, was also present to give support for his wife and encourage the women folk to keep dreaming and accomplishing, and lending helping hands to one another.

    For Mrs. Unyime-Ivy, SOW & G was borne out of the need to serve as a structural support for work she has been doing informally for many years.

    According to her, it is a not-for-profit organisation, which was incorporated late last year and is focused on creating social developmental awareness on issues that concern women and girls. It will focus on training, mentoring, educating and building the capacity of women and girls in Nigeria and also raising funds to support credible NGOs that are into gender advocacy, by deploying the method of crowd-funding and strategic partnerships, with a team of respectable men and women to oversee its activities.

    Last year, over a 100 women received two-week training in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, via a project tagged Women Empowerment Skills Training (WEST). It was borne out of her belief that individuals must be the change they hope to see in our society. The Women and girls were empowered with soft skills in different areas such as catering, ankara bags/ankara accessories, soap making/house cleaning products, makeup/gele, and jewellery making.

    As a result of the success of the pilot event, a lot of women and young girls were able to set up their own cottage businesses, which are still running today. Second and third editions of Project WEST are being planned for this year.

  • ‘I’ll give priority to welfare of the poor’

    I feel uncomfortable with the unpleasant look on many faces. An  unhappy, hungry  or unemployed man  or woman can be  vulnerable to devil’s devices which we  should guard against  as leaders .So, I would love to start  my ministry  from that point.’’

    That was the solemn declaration of the new leader of the Melototah Church of Zion, Baba Aladura Olusegun Oladokun after his installation in Lagos.

    He described his call to lead as his “greatest surprise” as there are people that are more qualified than him in the fold. His first reaction, therefore, was to reject the offer. He accepted the offer after much persuasion from the congregation.

    The event was colourful as dignitaries from all walks of life and different ethnic backgrounds were present. The weather was clement and a feeling of friendliness filled the air.

    The event began with soul–lifting songs from the church choir led by Superior Senior Apostle Adebowale Daisi Nejo. Opening prayer by the Most Rev Apostle S. O. Ayodele set the pace for the programme. Congregational prayers and announcements followed in quick succession.

    The Chairman of the occasion, Engr Maliki Wopa Kamila, Registrar, Council for the Regulation of Engineering   in Nigeria (COREN), spoke glowingly about the leadership qualities of the new Baba Aladura, who is the Director of Finance of the council. He said he was happy to see his seriousness at work replicated in his commitment to God’s vineyard.

    He pledged to encourage him further by allowing him more time for his spiritual assignment. He also promised, on behalf of the council, to donate items such as 24 channels mixer, equalizer, comb engine and ready–made speakers.

    Several encomiums were showered on him for what he did to lift them in their difficult periods. Specifically, his generosity and philanthropy to the church and the late Baba Aladura A.B.G. Durojaiye were mentioned.

    He was later installed, an exercise performed by the Most Rev Apostle S.O. Ayodele.

    In his inauguration speech, Baba Aladura Oladokun thanked the congregation and the guests for their support. He said he accepted the fact that his call was an act of God.

    He said: “It has shown clearly that God has the final say in the affairs of man. He is supreme and He is the final arbiter. I was just like Jona running from spiritual assignment and in my so-called wisdom, God arrested me. I have therefore surrendered everything to Him.

    “My special thanks go to my wife for her immense support. I promise to be diligent and seek the guidance of God in running the affairs of the church’’

    He had his primary education at the Methodist Primary School, Idepe-Okitipupa, Catholic Primary School, Idepe –Okitippupa, Local Authority Primary School, Igbekebo and Local Authority Primary School, Okitipupa.

    He attended Methodist High School, Okitipupa and the Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti.

    Among dignitaries  at the  occasion were Mrs  Honeybell   Ogunye ,Mrs  D.F. Awala ,Mrs  Elizabeth  Ikuomola , Baale Israel Kayode Okuinlola, the Akeresebierin 11of Ibafon Town, Bishop Elliot  Akinjinrin, Dr  Funso Esan, Pa  A.B. Awala, Mr  T.O. Akintimehin , Mr Jide  Ogundele ,Mr Babatunde  Oladokun , Mr Segun Alogba, Mr S. O. Abudu ,Most Rev  Pastor  A. A. O. Kunlere, His Eminence, Prophet Aseph  Oyetakin (JP) and leader M,I.D. Etajuwa.