The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Ado-Ekiti

  • Traditional worshippers seek recognition, public holiday

    Traditional worshippers seek recognition, public holiday

    The Federal Government has been urged to recognise traditional religions by declaring some days as public holidays for its adherents.

    The Obanisoro Obatala (chief priest of Obatala worshippers), Chief Oladotun Okanlawon Dada, who made the call in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State capital, insisted that traditional religion be accorded recognition as accorded Christianity and Islam.

    He urged the government to declare some days of the year as public holidays as a mark of respect for traditional religions.

    Dada noted that the foreign religions have negatively affected Nigerians in terms of dressing, language and behaviour; thus putting on the back burner societal norms and practices.

    According to him, without culture, language and tradition, Nigeria cannot move forward. He commended Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola for recognising African traditional religions.

    He said: “Only Governor Aregbesola has recognised African traditional religions by approving two-day public holidays for us every year; from August 20 to 21. The Federal Government should also exhibit such gesture.”

    Dada also urged Nigerian youths to believe in themselves and stay at home to develop their country rather than travelling through the deserts and shark-infested seas to foreign countries.

    He said the Europeans, Americans and citizens of other advanced countries work hard to make their countries attractive to Nigerians and other Africans.

    Dada said: “We must find a way of working for this country, our children should be discouraged  from going to overseas for nothing.

    “Many of our children are in overseas roaming the streets and doing nothing. You find thousands of Nigerian youths washing cars, sweeping roads, doing what they find difficult to do at home.”

    The Obatala priest also advocated regional government, saying it will allow preservation of natural endowments in each region.

    He revealed that Obatala Temple said Nigeria would be great in 2018, but should be cautious and consistent for a landmark achievement.

    He said it is the custom of the temple to confer chieftaincy titles on its members who have distinguished themselves in their various fields as far as African culture and traditions are concerned.

    One of such distinguished persons in this year’s festival is the famous Ise-Ekiti-born traditionalist, Chief Olajide Oluwatoyin who was conferred with the title of Obalokun of Ekiti land.

    The priest said ‘the primary duty of Obalokun is to take care of Olokun worshippers in his domain (Ekiti State), cater for their interests. If he goes astray, we have every right to correct him.

    While receiving the chieftaincy title, Chief Olajide expressed his appreciation to the World Obatala Temple for the honour it bestowed on him.

    He also commended Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi for his eminent role in the improving the culture, tourism and tradition.

    Chief Obalokun of Ekiti land therefore promised to work for the improvement and preservation of African culture and tradition in Ekiti State.

  • Court dissolves 12-year-old marriage over lack of care

    Court dissolves 12-year-old marriage over lack of care

    An Ado-Ekiti Customary Court has dissolved the  12-year-old marriage between Mrs Toyin Adaraloye, and her husband, Ifeoluwa Adaraloye, over lack of adequate care for their children and ‎constant fighting.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the marriage is blessed with three children, namely: Opeyemi, 11, Joy, 8, and Posi,6.

    Toyin, 34, an hairdresser, who resides at No. 5, Acuna St., Ekute Quarters, Ado-Ekiti, in her petition, said after their traditional engagement, they had three children.

    Toyin said that she was no longer interested in the marriage because her husband refused to take care of the children.

    She also said that she no longer love Adaraloye because they fight frequently over his refusal to adequately take care of the children.

    Toyin told the court to dissolve the marriage because she was already pregnant for another man.

    She also prayed the court to award the custody of the children to her to enable her take good care of them.

    Read Also:Court sentences man to death for killing wife

    Toyin requested for N10,000 as monthly upkeep for each of the children, adding that  Adaraloye should also be responsible for the education of the children at all levels.

    Adaraloye, 38, a furniture maker, who resides at No. 7, Igirigiri area of Ado-Ekiti, denied all the allegations leveled against him.

    He told the court that he paid N5,000 as dowry which had since been returned to him, adding that since then he did not know the where about of the petitioner and his three children.

    Adaraloye requested for the custody of the three children, assuring the court that he would remarry in April because he already had a lady that he wished to marry.

    The respondent said if he was eventually denied the custody of the children, he would pay N2,500 for each of the children as their monthly upkeep.

    He also assured that he would be responsible for the education of the children at all levels.

    The court’s President, Mr Joseph Ogunsemi, said that the marriage had broken down irretrievably and consequently dissolved the union.

    He awarded the custody of the only male child of the marriage, Posi, to the respondent, while the custody of the other two female children Opeyemi and Joy was awarded to the petitioner.

    Ogunsemi ordered the respondent to pay N5,000 as monthly upkeep on each of the two female children, and that the payment should commence from February.

    The president also ordered the respondent to be responsible for the education of the three children at all levels and ordered that the parties should have unrestricted access to the children.

  • Divorce-seeking man tells court: ‘My wife is an adulteress, drunkard and dishonest’

    Divorce-seeking man tells court: ‘My wife is an adulteress, drunkard and dishonest’

    A husband, Mr Lamidi Adebayo on Thursday asked an Ado-Ekiti Customary Court to dissolve his 28-year-old marriage with his wife, Bose.

    The petitioner is accusing Bose of adultery, drunkenness and dishonesty.

    Adebayo, 48, a commercial driver and resident of No. 89, Isato Street, Ado-Ekiti, told the court that the couple had not conducted any marital rite, but they have four children.

    He further told the court that his neighbours had informed him several times that his wife and one of her friends were “touring the houses of men”, but never believed the information.

    The petitioner said the nature of his job as a driver made it difficult for him to be at home always.

    “I was shocked on Nov. 7, 2017 when my childhood friend, named Lateef, a herbalist, invited me to his house, and told me that I should forgive him that ‎he has been having secret affairs with my wife.

    “He told me that the respondent informed him that her husband had died long time ago, whereas am still very much alive,” he said.

    The petitioner also alleged that the respondent ‎was a drunkard who takes gin, assorted wines and palm wine to stupor every morning.

    Lamidi said he had tried every possible means ‎to stop his wife’s adulterous act and drunkenness but to no avail.

    The petitioner, therefore, urged the court to dissolve the marriage because of her behaviour and dishonesty.

    The plea of the woman was not immediately taken, but the ‎President of the Court, Mrs Olayinka Akomolede, after hearing the petitioner’s testimony adjourned the case to Feb.15, for further hearing.

    NAN

  • ABUAD seeks to end medical tourism

    • Signs MoU with Dubai hospital

    Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti (ABUAD), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Aster Group of Hospitals in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) to halt medical tourism by Nigerians abroad.

    ABUAD Founder, Aare Afe Babalola (SAN), said the partnership will see the Afe Babalola University Teaching Hospital (ABUADTH) and Aster collaborating in the areas of training, consultancy, and technical expertise and in medical administration.

    The MoU was signed on Tuesday, where it was agreed that Aster will offer short and long terms as well as permanent partnership for smooth take off of ABUADTH.

    Speaking after the signing, Dr. Navin Pascal, who spoke on behalf of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Aster, said Aster had subsidiaries in nine countries and had been receiving patients from over 90 countries across the world.

    He said it was sad that Nigeria loses over 35,000 doctors to advanced countries due to poor remuneration, saying the trend has been affecting healthcare service in the country.

    “Aster has become a referral centre in the middle East. Our partnership with ABUAD will be in the areas of training, technical and administration.

    “What we will do is to train the doctors here so that ABUAD can be self sufficient in having experts that can perform critical operations that can make the rich and middle class Nigerians to see the hospitals as a better alternative.

    “We appreciate the fact that ABUAD is working hard for humanity and Aster partnering with it will bring a paradigm shift in Nigeria’s health sector”, he said.

    ABUAD Founder disclosed that a delegation will leave for Dubai in January 26 to perfect the MoU for enforcement.

    Babalola said: “In this partnership, ABUADTH and Aster are equal partners. Though, we agreed for long and short terms, but the memorandum may be forever depending on its workability.

    “Nigerians can’t afford to be spending so much on medical tourism and I have faith that this partnership will make the country a leading nation in healthcare services”.

    He said the breakdown of medical equipment in critical areas like dialysis, oncology and cardiology was becoming embarrassing,  urging Aster to bring in experts in biomedical engineering to train the experts in ABUADTH to prevent such from occurring in the hospital.

     

  • Court remands pastor in prison for alleged murder

    Court remands pastor in prison for alleged murder

    An Ado Ekiti Chief Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday ordered that a 40-year-old pastor, Olakanye Oni, accused of killing a 39-year-old woman, be remanded in prison.

    Oni, whose address was not provided at the court, pleaded not guilty to a charge of murder.

    The prosecutor, Insp. Johnson Okunade, told the court that the murder suspect committed the offence ‎on or about Dec. 13, 2017 at Ado Ekiti.

    Read Also; Court remands man caught with Indian hemp

    He alleged that Oni committed the offence through diabolical means because something strange was found in the private part of the murdered woman.

    According to the prosecutor, the offence contravenes Sections ‎325 of the Criminal Code Cap C16 Law of Ekiti,2012.

    The chief magistrate, Mr Aderopo Adegboye, thereafter ordered that Oni be remanded in prison until the next adjourned date of Jan. 15 for mention.

  • Two arraigned over theft of church property

    Two arraigned over theft of church property

    Two men, who allegedly burgled a cleric’s residence and stole church property, on Thursday appeared before an Ado-Ekiti Chief Magistrates’ Court on a three-count charge.

    Aladejare Adekunle, 29, and Agbetiloye Olaoluwa, 24, whose addresses were unknown, were charged with conspiracy, burglary and stealing.

    According to the prosecutor, Insp. Johnson Okunade, the accused and others at large burgled the residence of Rev. Michael Olukayode on July 19 and December 1 and stole church property worth N221, 500.

    He said that the accused committed the offences at the Christ Shekinah Ministries premises, Igbaletoro, Oke-Ila in Ado-Ekiti.

    The prosecutor said stolen items had been recovered from the accused.

    According to him, the offences contravened Sections 411, 145 and 390 (9) of the Criminal Code, Laws of Ekiti State, 2012.

    The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty.

    The Chief Magistrate, Mr Adesoji Adegboye, granted them bail in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties each.

    Adegboye ordered that one of the sureties must be a senior civil servant.

    He adjourned the case until January 17, 2018, for substantive hearing.

    NAN

    Read Also: Court docks man for allegedly defiling teenager

  • Christ’s School old students donate laundry house

    The Christ’s School, Ado-Ekiti old students of 79 to 84 set, have donated an ultra-modern laundry house to their alma mater.

    The building, which was named after their former Principal, Chief Samuel Omotayo Agbebi, was constructed by the set to bring relief to school pupils.

    The facility, christened ‘S.O. Agbebi Laundry House, has a reception room; a standby soundproof generator; six automatic washing machines; two automatic/manual washing  machines; washing bay; two overhead tanks; six lines; two big ironing boards and two big pressing irons.

    The event was a special reunion for the 79/84 set members, who exchanged banters and relived the memories of their studentship with nostalgia.

    The president of the set, Mr. Bode James Faluyi, said the project was a result of request from the school authorities, which considered it a priority.

    Faluyi said the set’s mission was to help advance the interest of its alma mater, hence the need to give back to the school.

    He added: “This further presents better chances for us as a set, group and individuals to seize any opportunity to develop and, or redevelop the premises.

    “I have no doubt of the potential and practical abilities of our set or any of us, to bring to a speedy conclusion any similar programmes and ventures.

    “We, the 1979/1984 set of Christ’s School, Ado-Ekiti, will be due to sponsor an all home coming reunion by 2024 when it will be our 40th anniversary.”

    Project Committee Chairman, Mr. Sola Fasanmi, who gave an overview on how the facility was executed, urged the school management to make the best use of it.

    The Principal, Mr. Christopher Abe, thanked the old students, and  promised that management would employ a dry cleaner to manage the laundry.

    He said the set made a great sacrifice to ensure the execution of the project despite the economic recession in the country.

    In like manner, Principal, Kwara State Polytechnic Secondary School, Ilorin, Alhaji Moshood Al-Imam, has praised the school old students for donating computers to their alma mater.

    Al-Imam said the old students of the 1999 set donated three sets of computers to the school.

    “I am really proud of the set and I pray that God will continue to be with them. They have done a wonderful act this morning because ICT (information communication technology) is the thing in vogue worldwide, and it cannot be successfully done without computer sets.

    “As I speak to you now, in Kwara State Polytechnic Secondary School, we have only one functioning computer, though we have a back-up that our students are using. But supplying us three unexpectedly is highly appreciative.

    “It is my advice to all other sets that came out from this school that they should emulate this 1999 academic set of Kwara State polytechnic secondary school,” he said.

    Earlier, Chairman Governing Board of the school, Dr O.O Ajibade, said the gesture was borne out of the love the ex-students have for their school.

    Presenting the materials, the coordinator of the group of 14 ex-students, Daniel Edeimu, who was represented by John Ohunojuri, said they planned to approach the state government for assistance.

    Edeimu said: “We are urging every other old student of this school, both home and abroad, to come and lend their support to what we termed operation ‘remember your root project.’

    “The school and all that it stands for will forever remain a part of our stories. Determined to give back to this great school and show our teachers that we really appreciate their work on us, it became inevitable to meet one of the major needs of the school.

    “Within our strength, among other challenges, we squeezed out funds sufficient enough to provide the systems and UPS for the computer room. We decided on the computers because of the pivotal role they now play in our day to day life. No student should be ignorant of the full potential of the computer age. Just three systems, you might ask? We can assure you that it is just the beginning of other good things to come.”

  • Appeal Court affirms Olafeso as S’West PDP boss

    Appeal Court affirms Olafeso as S’West PDP boss

    The Court of Appeal sitting in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, on Monday granted an Interim Order staying execution of all orders granted by the Federal High Court, Ado-Ekiti restraining the Dr. Eddy Olafeso-led Southwest Zonal Executive from functioning.

    The three-man panel led by Justice Ahmad Belgore stopped all proceedings at the Federal High Court presided over by Justice Taiwo Taiwo pending the determination of the appeal.

    In granting the application for stay of execution of Justice Taiwo’s orders, the appellate court took cognizance of the pending application to commit Olafeso and his exco to prison for contempt scheduled to be heard at the Ado-Ekiti Federal High Court on 6th December.

    The court frowned at a letter dated 30th November, 2017 addressed to the Presiding Judge for the Ado-Ekiti Division, Justice Belgore, written by a factional Zonal Chairman, Chief Makanjuola Ogundipe, seeking the postponement of the hearing of the motion for a stay of execution brought by Olafeso.

    While Olafeso belongs to the Senator Ahmed Makarfi’s National Caretaker Committee, Ogundipe belongs to the sacked Senator Ali Modu Sheriff-led faction.

    The Supreme Court had on 12th July affirmed Makarfi-led exco as the authentic leadership of the party and removed Sheriff from office as the national chairman.

    Justice Belgore ruled: “All the orders and rulings of the lower court delivered on October 17, October 23, November 8 and November 27, 2017 have been stayed in the interim, meaning that those orders and rulings are of no value as from now and cannot be used anywhere having been rendered null and void and that all the proceedings at the Federal High Court have been stayed pending the interlocutory appeal that is before the Appeal Court.”

    The court, subsequently, adjourned further hearing on the appeal till 15th January, 2017.

    Ogundipe had in a suit number FHC/AD/CS/18/2017 averred that the Supreme Court judgment did not invalidate his executive claiming the verdict only affected the national body led by Sheriff.

  • Penalty for rioting

    Penalty for rioting

    The Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti (ADO POLY) management has asked students to pay N20,000 reparation fee for the properties vandalised during a riot that engulfed the school last month. ODUNAYO OGUNMOLA reports.

    Preparation fee of N20,000 has been charged each student of the Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti (ADO POLY), as a condition for assessment returning to school. The campus was shut last month following a rampage by students, who were protesting the death of their colleague, Oluwafemi Vincent Taiwo, in the school’s clinic.

    The rioters burnt down the clinic and smashed windshields of vehicles. They also looted eggs and chickens from the school’s poultry.

    The management set up an administrative panel to investigate the immediate cause of the violence. The Governing Council also set up an investigative panel of inquiry into the riot.

    Based on the assessment of the destruction, the administrative panel initially recommended that students be made to pay between N40,000 and N50,000 as reparation fee. The Council’s panel recommended a N21,000 reparation fee.

    But, at a joint meeting of the Council, management and Academic Board members held earlier this month, the recommendations of all the panels were considered. The national leadership of National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS) and National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS) intervened in the matter, pleading on behalf of students.

    This prompted the school to take a unanimous decision and recommend a reparation fee of N20,000 for each student.

    Mixed reactions trailed the fee’s introduction. While some students rejected the fee, The Nation gathered that majority of students complied with the directive and paid the money online.

    Students who paid took the payment evidence, sworn affidavit and letter of indemnity to the school in order to be cleared for resumption.

    It was learnt that an interim report detailing the names of the violence perpetrators was submitted to the Council. The indicted students, it was gathered, will be made to face the Students’ Disciplinary Committee. The Director of Academic Affairs, George Oyawoye, said: “We hope to identify the perpetrators and give them fair hearing. If need be, those involved in criminal activities will be handed over to the police.”

    A source in the management told The Nation that the school would fix the property destroyed immediately. It was gathered that plans were being made to create a temporary health facility to enable members of the polytechnic community have access to medical care. A building has been identified to serve as temporary Health Centre.

    “As soon as students pay the reparation fees, we will intensify efforts to restore the destroyed facilities because the polytechnic cannot operate without Health Centre,” the source said.

    Students have been reacting to the payment of the reparation fee. Bridget Ikponwosa, a Higher National Diploma (HND) 1 student, said he did not join the violent protest, saying it would be unfair on him to be made to pay the money.

    He said: “What pains me most about the N20,000 reparation fee was that, I was nowhere near the campus on that day of the incident. Now, I am being made to pay for a sin I never committed. I have relocated to an off-campus residence with a friend and I have already called my parents who promised to send the money next week. I think it is unfair.”

    Segun Ayegbusi, another HND student, said: “The destruction of the school property by students is condemnable, but the management is not fair to have imposed N20,000 on each of us. I have not even fully paid my school fees; I am asked to be paying the reparation fee.”

    Favour Adumati said his civil servant parents had not been paid salaries by the state government. “What worries me the most is that, examination has been scheduled to start on November 27 and we have been running around to get the money.”

    Iyanuoluwa Ogunsola, another student, described the fee as “exorbitant”, saying: “We have no reason not to pay the money. I strongly disagree with tying it to registration for examination because I am afraid, it is not all students that will pay before examination starts.”

  • School marks 40th anniversary

    It was celebrations galore over the weekend as old students, teachers and students of Ado Community High School, Ado-Ekiti, threw a big party to celebrate the school’s 40th anniversary.

    The school was established on September 19, 1977 by the then Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Daniel Anirare Aladesanmi II,  to mark his 40th coronation anniversary.

    Old students of the school inaugurated the main gate they refurbished and also a borehole water project and two new signposts.

    The school’s alumni association was also also inaugurated to bring together old students at home and the diaspora for further development and assistance to their alma mater.

    Executives of Ado Community High School Alumni Association are: Mr. Agboola Falua (president); Mr. Ayotunde Amodu (1st vice); Mr. Femi Adedipe (2nd vice); Mr. Wale Ajibade (secretary); Mrs. Yemisi Ipinlaye (PRO); and Mr. Temitope Amodu (Assistant PRO).

    The rest are: Mrs Foluso Afe (treasurer); Pastor Joseph Adeyanju (financial secretary); Mrs. Titi Adetula (legal adviser); and Mr. Joseph Akinola (welfare officer).

    The school choir and cultural dancers added colour to the occasion.

    The event of the day started at the school hall where the alumni gave motivational talks to students on how to attain success in their education.

    The national president of Ado-Ekiti Progressive Union (APU), Chief Obafemi Ojo, was honoured as the Life Patron of the alumni association.

    The school’s former teachers including 98-year-old Pa Ajayi Oluwatoyin Owolabi; Mr. Charles Apata; and Dr. Michael Osundare received meritorious award of service. The late former principal, Mr. Julius Ayodele, was given a posthumous meritorious award received on his behalf by his son, Dr. Siji Ayodele.

    Chief Ojo, praised the old students for giving back to the school which produced them, noting that 40 years in the life of any institution is a milestone.

    Ojo added: “I want to commend the old students for coming together to assist their alma mater because they have succeeded in their various fields. They have given this school a new gate and water project.

    “Your choice of water is important and that touches the lives of everybody in the school.”