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  • Osinbajo, Ajimobi, Oyetola attend Health Minister’s son’s wedding

    MINISTER of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, yesterday in Ibadan, played host to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Gov. Abiola Ajimobi and his Osun State counterpart, Gboyega Oyetola at the wedding ceremony of his (Adewole) son.

    According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the solemnisation of holy matrimony between Adedayo Adewole, the minister’s son, and Ebunoluwa Oyedele, was held at Agbala Daniel Cathedral, Ojoo, Ibadan.

    The wedding reception of the colourful ceremony, which attracted several prominent dignitaries, was held at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan.

    In her message, founder and prophetess of the church, Archbishop Dorcas Olaniyi, urged the couple to embrace the Christian modest way of life.

    Olaniyi, who prayed for the couple, counselled them on sincere love, maturity and godliness in dealing with each other.

    Ajimobi, who was the chairman at the reception, urged the couple to be faithful to each other and live with sincere love.

    The governor commended the parents for giving their best in nurturing the newly wedded in becoming responsible stakeholders in the society.

    Oyetola in his remarks, reiterated that it was important for the couple to embrace godliness, urging them to avoid discussing their issues with friends or third parties.

    He urged them to always explore amicable resolution of differences within their home.

    Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Boss Mustapha, said the business of marriage was about companionship.

    Mustapha urged them to always embrace patience, tolerance and godliness in their dealings, praying that the couple live long and peacefully.

    Among dignitaries at the occasion were Minister of Communications, Mr Adebayo Shittu,  former governor of Osun State, Chief Bisi Akande,  Sen. Olusola Adeyeye and an aide of the President, Mr Babafemi Ojudu.

    Others were Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) boss, Mr Boboye Oyeyemi, Oyo State Commissioner of Police,  Mr Abiodun Odude,  Owa Obokun of Ijeshaland, Oba Adekunle Aromolaran, and Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdur-Rasheed Akanbi, among others.

     

  • His death a painful exit, says Ajimobi

    OYO State Governor Abiola Ajimobi has described the death of Second Republic President Alhaji Shehu Shagari as a painful exit of a selfless statesman, whose simple lifestyle is worthy of emulation.

    Ajimobi, who said the ex-President ruled the country when the economy could be said to be relatively buoyant, added that Shagari shunned ostentatious standard of living and ruled the country with the fear of God.

    In a statement by his Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy, Bolaji Tunji, the governor said the death of the former president would rob the country of his robust contribution to nation-building and democratic norms.

    Ajimobi said: “No doubt, the late president was an example in simplicity and modesty. As a president, he lived by example by not amassing wealth or living large despite the oil boom of the early period of his administration.

    “His sterling democratic credentials and patriotism are noteworthy. Throughout his political career, during when he served as minister and federal commissioner, as well as a member of the Federal House of Representatives before becoming president, he distinguished himself.

    “The low-cost housing estate constructed across the country during the regime of Alhaji Shagari remains the template, which successive administrations built upon to reduce the country’s huge housing deficit.

    “The operation green revolution launched during his tenure, buoyed by mechanised farming and distribution of seeds and fertilisers to farmers nationwide inspired a boom in agricultural production during his regime.”

    The governor also prayed for the repose of his soul.

  • Ajimobi: I’m grateful to Oyo residents for successful tenure

    •Governor seeks support for APC candidate Adelabu

    Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi has expressed gratitude to the people of the state for standing by his administration during its low and high times.

    The governor’s historical two-term tenure will end on May 28, next year.

    In his address at this year’s Christmas Carol and the thanksgiving service for his 69th birthday held simultaneously at the Agodi Gardens, Ibadan, on Sunday, the governor also said he had enjoyed the grace and mercy of God.

    Emphasising the need for the residents to love and sacrifice for one another beyond the festive season, the governor said these were the virtues that the life and times of the symbol of the season, Jesus Christ, epitomised.

    He urged the people to always be thankful to God for witnessing this year’s festive season, irrespective of their economic or social status.

    Ajimobi thanked his wife, Florence, for her regular support and especially for showing kindness and care to orphans, widows, the less-privileged and other vulnerable citizens of the state through several social safety nets.

    He said: “My message this year is just gratitude, gratitude and gratitude. First, let me thank God for the opportunity given me to govern this state for an unprecedented two consecutive terms. Secondly, I thank the people of Oyo State for their support.

    “I must thank God for His kindness and mercy, which made it possible for us to achieve all we were able to achieve. In governance key performance index, we have performed excellently. In education, health, agriculture, social infrastructure and others, we have done well.

    “But, I must especially thank my wife publicly for her support. She has taught me more about kindness and Godliness. My wife is a devout Christian who derives pleasure in putting smiles on the faces of the downtrodden.

    “She took many children, especially orphans, off the streets and she is nurturing them the same way she nurtures our children.

    “I thank the Muslim and Christian religious bodies for their prayers and support for my administration. I make bold to say that no governor in the history of this state promoted and celebrated both faith as we did since the inception of my administration.”

    The governor solicited the people’s for the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in next year’s election, Chief Adebayo Adelabu.

    He said he would be a worthy successor.

    Read also: Leaders to Nigerians: pray for successful 2019 elections

    Ajimobi described the APC candidate as courageous, bold and pious.

    These virtues, the governor stressed, are what some people erroneously misconstrue for arrogance.

    He said: “Like me, Adelabu is humble and he has the fear of God. I don’t suffer fools gladly; that is why some people have the erroneous impression that I’m arrogant. I’m not, but I don’t condone nonsense. I’m confident that Adelabu will build on what we have achieved so far.

    “I want to thank members of the State Executive Council (Exco) for tolerating my perfectionist stance. I must also thank the opposition for their strident criticisms at all times and for allowing us to show that we are far ahead of them.”

  • Lanlate stool: Oguntayi, Adio Ruling House appeals to Ajimobi

    Following the ruling of Justice Bayo Taiwo of the High Court of Justice of Oyo State, Eruwa division, two ruling houses, the Oguntayi and Adio, in Lanlate area of Oyo State, have appealed to Governor Abiola Ajimobi, the State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matter as well as the Ibarapa East council area to implement the court judgment that favours them over the legal tussle of Onilala stool of Lanlate.

    The judgement which was delivered on October 5,  2018 brings to a close, the matter that been dragging in the last six years over the rightful traditional ruler of the ancient town.

    The first claimant, Sunday BolawaleOladejo Oguntayi II was removed as the Onilala of Lanlate in 2012 while AbdulLateef Olagoke Olawuyi who is the first defendant in the suit was installed in his place.

    The case with suit number HER/6/2012 between the claimants; Sunday Olusegun Bolawale Oladejo, Olagoke Atunwa, Prince Oyeleke  Jolaoso, Raufu Adelowo, for themselves and on behalf of Oguntayi and Adio ruling house Lanlate and seven defendants listed as Abdulateef Olawuyi Olagoke, Alhaji K.M. Olaosegba, Alhaji Makanjuola Aderoju (for themselves and on behalf of Bioku Ruling House of Lanlate), Governor of Oyo State, Attorney General of Oyo State, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy for Local Government, Oyo State and Ibarapa East Local Government.

    Addressing journalists in the Ibadan, the representatives of the two families, Mr. Mufutau Eyitayo who spoke on behalf of the family said the families decided to call on the governor who had allowed fair hearing during the six years legal tussle to use his office and ensure that the judgment of His Lordship, Justice Taiwo be implemented.

    Other members of the two ruling houses that were present at the briefing include: Prince OsuOlagboye, Prince Oyeleke Jolaoso, Alhaji Lawal Gbadegesin, Bamidele Akeem and Prince Raufu Adelowo.

    Eyitayo said since 14 of their prayers had been granted, the family cannot wait endlessly after judgment and thereby expressed their appreciation to “the Oyo State government for allowing fair hearing during the legal tussle over the Onilala stool. We sincerely appreciate Senator Abiola Ajimobi for giving the judiciary a free hand to operate in delivery of justice to the common man.

    “We are using this medium to appeal to the Oyo State Government led by the Executive Governor of the State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters as well as the Ibarapa East Local Government to implement the judgment of the 5th day October, 2018 delivered by Justice BayoTaiwo in favour of the Oguntayi and Adio ruling house.

    Read also: Budget presentation: NANS wants NASS to apologise to Nigerians

    “We believe that this government works hand in hand with the judiciary and so we appeal that the Oyo state government should implement the prayer of the claimant granted by Justice Taiwo”, promising that the ruling house which had kept and lived by the honour of rule of law while the case lasted will continue to be law abiding in the belief that the judiciary is the last hope of the common man.”

    He stated that “the prayers granted by Justice B.A. Taiwo include prayer 3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,12,13,14,15,16 and 17.”

    A  copy of CTC of the judgment signed by Honourable Justice Taiwo and made available to journalists stated the approved 15 declaration of claimants prayers as ‘succeeds’.

    He stated that “The first claimant got appointed as the Baale of Lanlate because the 2006 declaration was used as the law when he was appointed. The applicable law to be used to fill the vacant stool of the Baale of Lanlate as at 2008 when the vacancy was filed is the 2006 which is currently the law and not the 1958 law that existed when the last Baale died.

    “In view of the above, 3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,12,13,14,15,16 and 17 succeeds.” Continued from page 8

    In the copy of the judgment, order 12, 13, 14, 15,16 and 17 granted by Justice Taiwo states that “order of court nullifying the instrument of office to ruling house chieftaincy dated the 12th day of January, 2013 issued to the first defendant by the fourth defendant approving the appointment of the said first defendant; order of injunction restraining the fourth to seventh defendants from recognizing or further recognizing the first defendants as the Baale of Lanlate also known as the Onilala of Lanlate, Order of injunction restraining the first defendant from parading himself as the Baale of Lanlate.”

    Also, “order of injunction restraining the fourth to seventh defendants from abrogating repealing, amending or in any manner altering the 2006 Baale of Lanlate declaration so as to prejudice the claimants; order of court restoring the first claimant to his position as the Baale of Lanlate also known as the Onilala of Lanlate and restoring to him all the rights, privileges and entitlement attached to the office” and “order of court directing the fourth to seventh defendants to pay to the first claimant all his salaries, emoluments, stipends and entitlements howsoever called as the Baale of Lanlate from the time of his deposition to the time of his restoration to office.”

  • Ajimobi and his Adelabu choice

    GOVERNOR Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State is an enigma. Speaking to the press last Monday, he disclosed that his mind was not quickly made up on which aspirant to support for the 2019 governorship race. The indecision was so acute, he volunteered, that 12 hours before the crucial primary election, he still did not know who to back. Many of his detractors do not believe him. They suggested that he was either paid to throw his weight behind Adebayo Adelabu, the eventual winner, or cajoled by external forces to embrace that predetermined outcome. Nonsense. Mr Ajimobi is quite believable, especially for those who know him very well. If he says he did not make up his mind 12 hours before the primary vote, he is probably telling the truth.

    In any case, here is how he painted his dilemma. “I asked various groups of people, traditional rulers, elders, but they said it was difficult for them to chose for me, that they will support whoever I choose. At a point, I withdrew from everybody. I then asked my wife to meet with Christians, and she returned with the name of a Christian. Similarly, I asked someone to meet with the Muslims to give me their choice of candidate and he also returned with the name of a Muslim. So, the confusion remained. I looked at their credentials, I saw that three had First Class, one in accountancy, the other in engineering and another in economics. In terms of stature, I looked at the candidates, several of them looked well fed, even pot-bellied in like manner. So, I remained undecided on whom to support. About 12 hours before the primaries, I went to God for direction in my room and something hit me that Adelabu was the right choice. He will become the next governor.”

    Those who know the governor fairly well know him to be quite forthright and simple. Lying is not his forte. You may not agree with him, as his recent quarrel with the Olubadan showed, and you may even sneer at his religiosity and other pretensions, but when he disagreed with the Olubadan, he gave the public and the president his own simple and truthful though disagreeable account. And when he duelled with musician Yinka Ayefele, he also gave his own side of the story, a side many, including this columnist, found indefensible. So, why would anyone think Mr Ajimobi was lying over the governorship primary?

    Is it not true that he looked at the impressive CVs of the aspirants, all of them first class brains? Did he not ask his wife what her take was, and what came out of her consultations with Christians? Perhaps observers laughed at the governor’s claim to have prayed. But leaders do pray, whether they are religious or not. It is likely that “something (actually) hit him”, and he described the event most colourfully. He and the Oyo people must hope that whatever it was that hit him would serve the people well and take Oyo to greater heights. If only Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State and Rochas Okorocha of Imo State had prayed or craved a similar epiphanic encounter.

     

  • Tinubu never imposed Adelabu on me, Ajimobi insists

    GOVERNOR Abiola Ajimobi has said that the National Leader of the ruling All Progressive Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu did not impose the party governorship flagbearer in the 2019 election, Mr Adebayo Adelabu,on him or the state.

    Reiterating that it was God’s guidance and leading that resulted in the emergence of the party’s choice, Governor Ajimobi said the opposition party’s flagbearer making the insinuation should be more worried about a non-Yoruba in the person of the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who chooses and determined the party’s choice for the election.

    This is coming even after the governor also debunked media reports alleging that he got a whopping sum of $10million from the APC governorship candidate as gratis before handing him the party ticket.

    The governor spoke at flag-off of the governorship campaign rally at an event which held at the Oke Ado state party secretariat, Ibadan.

    The event was largely attended by party leaders, elders, party faithful and candidates for all elective positions, including the governorship flagbearer and his running mate, the three senatorial candidates, 14 House of Representatives candidates and the 33 House of Assembly candidates. The governor also handed over the party’svflag to Adelabu and his running mate, Mr Samuel Egunjobi.

    While explaining how the choice of Adelabu was made, the governor insisted that it was God who already predestined the former CBN deputy governor to succeed him but only used him (Ajimobi) and the party leaders to achieve it.

    He called on the people to give him the needed support to ensure his emergence, noting that the party’s choice has the required knowledge and wherewithal to take the state to the next level of development.

    He also appealed to all other aspirants, who jostled for the ticket with the flagbearer to forgive him and embrace him to achieve success at the polls. He assured them that the party’s flagbearer will deliver and take the state higher.

    The governor also stressed that one of the signs that worked in favour of the choice is God’s directive for him to go for the youngest of

    all the aspirants when he was in dilemma about who to support for the ticket.

    He said: “Before I said Adelabu would be the governor, God spoke to me. And some people said it was Tinubu who told me. Please is Tinubu living in Ibadan with us? Even if Tinubu had even told me, is it not better than Secondus, who is an Igbo man, to tell them who should be their flagbearer?

    “You all should know that with all these that we are doing, God is really with us because when we started, what we asked God was that if we will do well, God should help us to get there and if we won’t do well, he shouldn’t allow us to get there. How many politicians can say that? It is almost eight years and you all can see how well we have done.

    “Before we came into power, when they tell you someone is an NURTW member, do you stay close to him? How well do you pass through Iwo road and other places around town? Is it not in fear and anxiety? But the story has changed. There is peace and even the NURTW members are now peaceful and gentle people.

    “God sees my heart. It is God who made us choose Adelabu. All those who aspired for the ticket, there was nobody among them who was not qualified. We had people with first class and second class in various fields, but the scripture must be fulfilled.

    “Among all those who contested for the ticket, God told me that I should pick the youngest person in age and when you look at the bible for the story of David, you will understand better.

    “Please, the remaining of you that you contested for the post, I beg you to forgive me. Adelabu did not put himself there, God put him there. He only used us to get there and I assure you, he will not misuse it.”

    While assuring on the party’s victory at the forthcoming polls, Governor Ajimobi said the signs had been there for all to see.

    Earlier in his address, the state party chairman, Chief Akin Oke, said the party had begun another journey, like “we began in 2011 and at the end of the journey, it was a victory for all our candidates. Today, we are beginning another journey for all our candidates and this journey will also end in victory for all our candidates in 2019. We are sure we will win.”

  • Post-primaries disaffection in APC not intractable, says Ajimobi

    •Governor schedules reconciliation meeting for Tues, Wed in Kaduna

    CHAIRMAN of North-West National Peace and Reconciliation Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Governor Abiola Ajimobi has said that the post-primaries disaffection among the party’s members is not intractable.

    Ajimobi, who is Oyo State governor, stated this yesterday in a statement by his Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy Mr. Bolaji Tunji.

    He, therefore, appealed to the aggrieved party members in the Northwest zone to take advantage of the committee’s reconciliation meeting scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday in Kaduna, Kaduna State.

    Ajimobi promised that the committee was coming with an open mind and would be prepared to listen to the grievances of party members with a view to resolving them amicably.

    Read also: Election 2019: Whose verdict?

    He said: “As in every human endeavour, there is bound to be disagreement within the APC family, especially in relation to the just-concluded primaries. Being the largest party in Africa, we had a large number of eminently qualified people who jostled for tickets.

    “But as in every contest, a winner must emerge and those who could not actualise their ambition were bound to feel embittered, no matter how transparent the process might be.

    “Let me use this opportunity to appeal to our members to explore the internal mechanism for seeking redress in the larger interest of the party. 2019 is around the corner and we cannot afford to the election as a divided house.”

     

  • Ajimobi: improved security has boosted business influx into Oyo

    Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi has attributed the influx of blue chip companies and other businesses to the state to the success of his administration’s huge investments in security since he assumed office in 2011.

    The governor spoke yesterday in Ibadan, the state capital, while inaugurating the first phase of Oyo State Safe City Control Centre at Onireke.

    Activities in some black spots and business districts in Ibadan, as captured by Close Circuit Televisions (CCTV) installed in the areas are monitored through the centre to curb criminal activities.

    The project, which is situated at the headquarters of OYSSTF, covers places like Idi-Arere, Beere, Oke-Ado, Ojoo, Sango, Dugbe and Mokola.

    Ajimobi said his administration had delivered good governance, which he attributed to the enabling environment occasioned by the prevailing peace as well as security of life and property across the state.

    He said: “I have always said that a good leader will take his people to where they want to be but a great leader will take them to where they ought to be, while he envisions the movement to another greater level.

    “Our immediate effort in 2011 at stopping crime and criminal activities yielded results as our special joint security outfit, which we codenamed: Operation Burst, had done a lot in restoring peace to our otherwise troubled state.

    “Today, Oyo is ranked among the most peaceful states in Nigeria and this has reflected in the upsurge of commercial activities in the state. This has led to Oyo being adjudged as one of the five states with ease of doing business in the country.”

    The governor reiterated his call for the establishment of state police as the panacea for crime reduction in Nigeria.

    He said he was the first governor to present the proposal for state police at a national security meeting in Abuja, the nation’s capital, where he gave the details of the advantages inherent in each state having its own police to fight crime.

    Ajimobi said: “Go round the world and see those advanced democracies; you will see that there is none of them without state police. All the states in the United States of America (U.S.A), France, Canada and other countries have their police.

    “The state police will be staffed with people from the local communities where they have deep knowledge about the terrain and the inhabitants therein. That is why no crime goes undiscovered in the Western world.

    “I once presented a proposal on the need for state police at a national security meeting in Abuja because I believed then and now that it is an arrangement that is germane to the enthronement and maintenance of peace at the grassroots.”

    The governor expressed appreciation to the security agencies for working assiduously to reduce crime, even in the face of inadequate logistics, lack of technology and database in the country.

    He assured the residents that the installation of the CCTV cameras at some black spots in and around Ibadan as well as other cities in the state was a fulfilment of his administration’s pledge to use technology in combating crime.

    Read also: Post-primaries disaffection in APC not intractable, says Ajimobi

    Police Commissioner Abiodun Odude lauded the Ajimobi administration for its tremendous support to the police and other security agencies to make their jobs easier.

    According to him, security apparatus will probably have been grounded in the state if not for the prompt intervention of the governor in the provision of logistics, such as operational vehicles, spare parts and other materials like Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs).

    Odude said: “No security can be achieved without the necessary logistics. Governor Ajimobi has helped refurbish three APC out of the 12 we have, and I can assure you that one APC is equal to 100 policemen. So we must show our gratitude to the governor for his supports at all time.

    “I can tell you that if not for the intervention of the governor in the area of security in the state, security arrangements would have been in shambles by now.”

    The Board of Trustees (BoT) Chairman of Oyo State Security Trust Fund Chief Adebayo Adelabu said the project was another landmark by the Ajimobi administration in its quest to improve the people’s wellbeing.

    He said: “Nobody will commit crime if he knows he will be apprehended. The realisation that you are being watched is a measure of deterrence to crime.”

     

  • Fasehun’s demise, big blow to Yoruba race – Ajimobi

    Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, has described the late founder of Odu’a Peoples Congress (OPC), Dr. Fredrick Fasehun, as a Yoruba irredentist who lived and died for the collective interest of the race.In a statement by his Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy, Bolaji Tunji, on Saturday, the governor said he received the news of the death of the elder statesman with utter disbelief.

    While describing the incident as unfortunate and disheartening, he said that it has left a vacuum within the Yoruba nation, which would be very difficult to fill. Ajimobi said, “Dr. Fasehun’s exit is indeed a monumental loss; not only to the Yoruba nation but to the country as a whole. He was a bridge builder and patriot who dedicated his entire life to the unity of Nigeria.

    “No doubt, his exit has created a vacuum which will be very difficult to fill. He lived and breathed his last for the unity of the Yoruba race and the promotion of an egalitarian society. As the Founder of OPC, the late elder statesman rallied his fellow compatriots for the emancipation of the Yoruba nation and ensured that the race was given its pride of place in the political matrix of the country.”

    For several years, Ajimobi said that Fasehun was an active member of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), an organization that was established in 1994 to lead a mass resistance against military rule. Together with the NADECO patriots, the governor said that Fasehun fought for the inauguration of Chief MKO Abiola, the presumed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, as the President of Nigeria.

     

     

     

  • Balance career successes with proper children’s upbringing, Ajimobi tells women

    Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi has urged career women to ensure a balance between their career successes and upholding proper family upbringing for their children.

    The governor said the society becomes better when mothers ensure proper upbringing for their children.

    Ajimobi spoke yesterday in his welcome address at the opening ceremony of this year’s three-day National Women’s Summit of the Oyo State Officials’ Wives Association (OYSOWA).

    This year’s is the seventh edition of the summit with the theme: Against All Odds.

    It is holding at the International Conference Centre of the University of Ibadan (UI) and being attended by women from across the 33 local government areas and 35 local council development areas (LCDAs) in the state, religious groups, professionals bodies, corporate bodies, trade groups, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), among others.

    Nigeria’s first woman Chief Justice of the Federation (CJN), Justice Aloma Mukhtar, governors’ wives Mrs. Edith Okowa (Delta), Mrs Bolanle Ambode (Lagos); Mrs Kafayat Oyetola (Osun) and wife of the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Dame Abimbola Fashola, were among delegates and participants at the event.

    Ajimobi urged women to be cognisant of the profound influence they bear on the success of the home and development of the nation.

    He said: “It is imperative for our womenfolk to remain committed to the course of building the family and the nation, particularly in the face of challenging times.

    “The future of a society starts and ends with the family. Women, historically, traditionally and religiously, play the most crucial roles in this regard. We must always remember that our greatest contribution to society may ultimately not be something we did but someone we raised.

    “Our government will continue to support the empowerment of women in our state and the country because we believe that when you empower a woman, you empower a generation.

    “I am confident that this year’s summit, like the previous ones, will succeed in its mandate of effecting favourable changes in the socio-economic, emotional and physical status of parents, families and communities through the empowerment of women in the state and all over the country.”

    Justice Mukhtar, who was the special guest of honour, urged women to take their rightful positions in the country.

    She said: “There is no limit to what they can achieve in life.”

    Expressing optimism that “one day, a woman would be governor in Nigeria and eventually President of the country”, the former CJN enjoined women to work hard, persevere, exercise patience and have the fear of God in whatever they do so that they can get to the top.

    Mrs Florence Ajimobi enjoined women to realise that “this is an era of women emancipation and liberation”.

    She added: “Now is the time to arise and take decisive actions for change against all odds. No longer must we be figure-heads; we must make our voices heard and our impact felt strongly against all odds.

    “I am glad that we have achieved several successes as a body in the last six years. We have institutionalised OYSOWA and built a new secretariat staffed with competent hands, equipped with modern facilities so that OYSOWA can continue to be a going concern.

    “My dear women, seven in the spiritual realm represents perfection and the theme of this years’ summit – my valedictory OYSOWA summit the grand finale, the mother of all OYSOWA summits and the very last I bow out as the chairperson – is Against All Odds.

    “The challenge we face cannot demoralise us because we are resilient; they are only tests of our superior ability and strength. We will overcome them and achieve our dreams and aspirations.”