The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Akure

  • Deji of Akure sees better days ahead

    Deji of Akure sees better days ahead

    Akure, the Ondo State capital, was agog last Wednesday as the new traditional ruler of the ancient town,Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladesulu entered into the palace, reports DAMISI OJO.

    It was an exciting moment for the indigenes and residents of Akure,the Ondo State capital trooped out to witness the triumphant entry of their new monarch,Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladesulu, to the palace .

    The occasion came after the traditional ruler observed the mandatory traditional rites following his installation by the state government.

    Oba Aladesulu was accompanied  into the palace by traditional Chiefs, traditionalists, religious leaders, government officials and his wife.

    The entry into the palace signalled  the assumption of office of any Deji of Akure, as the rite climaxed the installation rites of thetraditional ruler.

    The monarch was later taken round the various sections of the palace by chiefs and various traditional rites were performed at each section of the palace.

    Major roads in Akure were blocked as a result of the ceremony, while traffic congestion was experienced in many parts of the city.

    Residents and indigenes of the city from all parts of the country and those in the Diaspora all gathered at the palace where they all pledged their loyalty to the monarch.

    Speaking at a reception held in his honour, Oba Aladesulu expressed gratitude to the state government, the kingmakers and all indigenes of

    Akure, promising to ensure rapid development of the city during his reign.

    Oba Aladesulu, who is the 47th Deji of Akure, enjoined his subjects to co-operate with him in the task of developing the city.

    The new monarch is from Osupa ruling House.He emerged the Akure’s king after he was nominated by the ruling house and approved by the kingmakers before he was presented with the staff of office by Governor Olusegun Mimiko.

    His coming into the throne has afforded the Regent,Princess Adetutu Adesida to return to her base after serving Akure  by occupying the vacuum created by his father, the late Deji Oba Adebiyi Adesida who died on December 1,2003.

  • Former FUTA VC kidnapped in Akure

    Former FUTA VC kidnapped in Akure

    A former Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA), Prof. Albert Adeoye Ilemobade, has been kidnapped.

    The septuagenarian was reportedly abducted yesterday with his guard at his residence at Ijapo in Akure, the Ondo State capital.

    A source said a maid discovered that the former VC was not in the house.

    The abductors, who went with his car, abandoned it on Ijare Road, in Ifedore Local Government Area.

    Family members, friends and acquaintances have besieged Ilemobade’s residence.

    His abductors are yet to contact the family. Police spokesman Wole Ogodo said security operatives have begun investigation. Prof. Ilemobade was Vice-Chancellor between 1987 and 1995.

     

  • Protest rocks Akure over Deji’s appointment

    Protest rocks Akure over Deji’s appointment

    •Regent ‘not aware of any process’  •Aladetoyinbo to get staff today

    Residents of Akure, the Ondo State capital, yesterday marched on the Governor’s Office to protest the kingmakers’ choice of Kole Aladetoyinbo as the  Deji of Akure.

    Kingmakers, led by the Lisa of Akure, High Chief James Olusoga, on Sunday picked Aladetoyinbo.

    He emerged the best of the 13 contestants from the Osupa ruling house.

    As early as 8am, the protesters walked from Akure City Hall to the Governor’s Office, calling for the reinstatement of the deposed Deji, Oluwadare Adesina Adepoju.

    They said the installation  should be discontinued to prevent undue instability in the town.

    The placard-carrying protesters stormed the Governor’s Office, shouting invectives against the Deji-elect.

    Some of the placards read “Mimiko: bring back our Kabiyesi”; “Kole Aladetoyinbo is a bald headed man: he can’t become Deji”; “Iroko save Akure from Fasonranti, Falae, kingmakers”, among others.

    One of the protesters, Mrs Adero Adebayo, said market women would not accept anybody except Adesina.

    The spokesman of Osupa ruling house, Prince Dapo Adepoju, lamented that the selection violated Akure culture and tradition.

    He said: “We want Mimiko to temper justice with mercy because we believe that Adesina’s sin is pardonable, considering that such happened in Owo when the late Olagbegi was deposed and Oba Ogunoye was enthroned as king.

    “But after Ogunoye’s death, Olagbegi was reinstated by former Governor Bamidele Olumilua.

    “The Osupa ruling house has a pending case in the Court of Appeal, Akure, challenging his deposition and banishment.”

    No government official was available to address the protesters but the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of A Division, Adekimi Ojo, appealed to them to return home and promised to deliver their message to the governor.

    The spokesman of Akure kingmakers and Asamo of Akure, Chief Rotimi Olusanya, insisted that nothing could stop the installation and performance of traditional rites for the new Deji.

    The deposed Deji, at the weekend, sought a court injunction to restrain the kingmakers from selecting a new Deji.

    He claimed that he was still entitled to contest for the stool, as according to him, he was wrongly removed by the government.

    The government dethroned Adepoju on June 10, 2010 for allegedly battering his wife, the late Mrs. Bolanle Adepoju

    Mrs. Adepoju, who died in 2012, said the incident that led to her husband’s banishment was exaggerated.

    The development led to the installation of the late Oba Adebiyi Adesida from Ojijigogun ruling house, who was installed in 2010 as the 46th Deji of Akure.

    He died on December 1, 2013.

    His daughter, Princess Adetutu Adesida, was installed the Regent of Akure kingdom.

    Princess Adesida has said she was not aware of the selection.

    She said it would not be in the interest of peace and tradition to be caught unawares by the installation process being embarked upon by the kingmakers and the government.

    Princess Adesida said the kingmakers should have informed her about the process so that she could be psychologically prepared for her exit from the palace.

    She said traditionally it would be a taboo for the new monarch to meet her in the palace.

    Although she admitted that the regent has no role to play in the selection and installation of the monarch, she however said she deserves the right to be carried along as a critical stakeholder in the town.

    Princess Adesida said: “The process, to me, is vague. I was not informed initially. Of all that has been done so far I am not aware of anything.

    “The kingmakers did not carry me along. I am a major stakeholder and I should be informed. I want due process to be followed. Things should be done in a proper manner.”

    The State Executive Council has approved Aladetoyinbo’s appointment.

    In a statement by the Commissioner for Information, Kayode Akinmade, the Council gave the approval yesterday at its meeting.

    He said the approval followed the unanimous decision of the kingmakers.

    Aladetoyinbo will be presented with the staff of office today.

  • Taxi drivers protest fuel scarcity in Akure ‎

    Following the prevailing fuel scarcity nationwide, members of the Taxi drivers’ union in Akure, Ondo State, staged a protest round the city on Monday morning.

    Already, fuel is now being sold at the rate of N200 and N250 per litre at the few filling stations that opened for business.

    Mobile policemen have been deployed to the streets of the state capital to prevent break down of law and order.

    Details later….

  • Akure hosts tourism conference

    A tourism conference to look into the prospects in the industry tagged “Tourism Innovation and Business Conference” will hold in Akure from April 22 to 24. The conference is organized by the Vision and Focus International, International Federation of IT and Travel and Tourism and also National Creative Tourism Associates to serve as a connective platform for innovative concept developers and investors in travel, leisure and tourism.

    The three-day event is powered with trendy innovative tourism concepts for next generation tourism enthusiasts and investors. Project prototypes and concepts will be showcased for investments and partnerships that will bring them to fruition. States with sporting facilities and growing tourism infrastructure can send their representatives to learn how they can attract international goodwill for global events with opportunities for tourist visits to the state.

    This event will showcase the impact of ICT in travel and tourism industry, providing tested and proven IT solutions for the sector. Major industry leaders in information and communications technology will make keynote presentations, hold executive workshops and product demostrations to drive home the functions and solutions ICT has brought to the travel & tourism sector. Participants will be taken through specific areas such as e-marketing analytics, contextual information systems for tourism destinations, technology assimilation, cultural heritage digital cataloguing, recommender systems, tourism distribution strategies, travel meta search, big data and cloud computing. Opportunities are available for supporting new start-ups and SMEs in tourism sub-sectors.

    Furthermore, the conference will feature new approaches to destination tourism repositioning through creative tourism strategy that immerse tourists with cherished cultures, unique products and events of the local community of tourism destination. Creative tourism is recognized by UNESCO and other international bodies as key strategy that reaches below the ladder and lift local populace into the tourism ecosystem in more creative and economically viable methods.

    With Nigeria’s growing creative industry, robust telecom sector, big transport market and a strong banking system, the recent re-based GDP has shown significant contributions and growth potentials of Nigeria’s growing travel, leisure, entertainment and tourism sub-sectors. As the country gears for diversification of the economy, a strong tourism sector can have a tickle-down effect across the value chain, creating jobs and generating wealth for the local economy.

    Organisers say the event will feature amazing opportunities for strategic business alliances, idea sharing, financing opportunities and numerous investment options for some mind-blowing tourism concepts. More than 300 delegates and 2000 expo visitors are expected at this game changing event. With the presence of local and international media representatives, tourism destinations in attendance are given opportunities and prominence as emerging tourist-friendly destination with good value for investors. Participants are expected from State Tourism boards, Hotel brands, Travel agencies, Tour operators, Destination managers, Travel technology providers, Tourism project financiers, Venue & Convention Bureaus, Investors, and policy makers. Registration is open till 31st March for early bird.

    Tourism is a sector of the economy that holds a lot of growth opportunities for Nigeria, given the market size of the economy, array of natural masterpieces, highly mobile young population, favourable climate conditions, varied cultural heritage, hospitable people and mouth-watering cuisines.

  • First Bank BC shifts camp to Akure

    First Bank BC shifts camp to Akure

    Zenith Bank Women Basketball  League champions, First Bank BC arrived in Akure, Ondo State, yesterday to continue preparation for the opening phase of the league, which begins on March 30 in Abuja.

    Assistant coach of the team, Taiye Adeniyi, who disclosed this to SportingLife yesterday, stated that 20 players would continue preparation for the league at the sports hall of the Akure Stadium. According to her, the move is to ensure that the players are not distracted and boost the team’s chances of retaining the title it reclaimed last season.

    Adeniyi stated that the players were in top shape and would continue the good work they started in Lagos in the build up to the new season. “The essence of shifting camp to Akure is to ensure that the team is not distracted. We have a bunch of players who are willing to do well this season and the technical crew headed by Coach Adewunmi Aderemi is committed to impart the latest basketball skill on the players.”

    The team started preparation last month and Adeniyi stated that the training in Akure would be a continuation of what the players started in Lagos. “The players will be taken through the basics of the game because without it they cannot do well in the league. And I am sure the head coach is ready to show the players the way forward.”

    Aderemi also said that the team would have about 10 new players to fill up the positions vacated by players who left the team for greener pastures after the FIBA African Club Championship for Women in Sfax, Tunisia, last year.

    Aderemi stated that the recruitment became necessary to enable the Elephant Girls, as the team is fondly called, become strong again and have the capacity to retain the title it reclaimed last year after missing out for four years.

    “What we intend to do is to get players that fit into our team and also share our aspiration of maintaining our stronghold on the league. We are not just looking for players, but quality players that can make our team better. We have lost players to foreign clubs, so we need to bolster our team, “ Aderemi added.

    Having finished fourth at the FIBA Africa Championship, Aderemi noted that the target this year is to win the title despite the strong presence of Angolan teams – Inter club and Primero D’Agosto.  “It is definitely a big task, but my target this year is to win the African Championship. The team has achieved the feat twice and I hope it can repeat it this year.”

    He said the team’s parent company, First Bank Nigeria PLC have been very supportive and said such is also needed to enable the team realise its ambition this year.

  • Body found in Akure market

    The body of a 28-year-old lady was found yesterday near Erekesan market, Akure, the Ondo State capital.

    The victim was identified as Bose.

    Some traders said they saw her on Tuesday morning hale and hearty.

    A trader said: “We saw her on Tuesday in the market full of life, assisting some traders with their goods.

    It was gathered that her mother sells vegetables in the market.

    A source said: “At first, she was sick, but got better. She refused to stay in her parents’ house and was sleeping outside.”

    Police spokesman Wole Ogodo confirmed the incident but said he had not been properly briefed.

  • 14 months after, Akure waits for new Deji

    14 months after, Akure waits for new Deji

    Amidst agitations in Akure by the indigenes for the installation of a new Oba for their kingdom, DAMISI OJO examines why it is taking rather long for the kingmakers to choose another Deji of Akure, following the death of Oba Adebiyi Adesida (Afunbiowo II) in December 2013.

    The hope of Akure indigenes at home and in the Diaspora to have a new king to rule over their kingdom may not be fulfilled any time soon, 14 months after the immediate past Deji of Akure, Oba Adebiyi Adesida (Afunbiowo II) joined his ancestors.

    Deji-of-AkureAlthough 13 princes from Osupa Ruling House, whose turn it is to produce the next Deji had signified their intention to occupy the throne, a court case instituted by a former occupant Oludare Adepoju Adesina, who was deposed on June 10, 2010 by the Ondo State government is stalling the selection of the new king.

    Former Oba Adepoju Adesina was dethroned and banished from the kingdom by the state government for allegedly assaulting his wife, late Olori Mojisola Adesina in public. Now sojourning in the United Kingdom, the deposed Deji was kept incommunicado for several months after he lost his position before being allowed to leave the country. Adesina is from Osupa ruling house.

    Following his removal and in line with Akure custom and tradition which abhors vacuum in the palace, a new Deji had to be appointed and late Oba Adebiyi Adesida from Ojijigogun royal family who ruled for only three years was installed. He died on December 1, 2013. With his exit, it is customary that the first daughter of the departed Deji must ascend the throne.

    Asa result, Princess Adetutu Adesida was mandated to leave her job in United States of America [USA] to answer the call of her people to become the regent of Akure Kingdom following the death of her father, Oba Adebiyi Adesida.

    The Regent,  a licensed Pharmacist in Huston, Texas, United States during her installation on January 4, 2014 said she was ready to continue from where her late father, Oba Adesida stopped.

    She expressed her commitment to working with the Ondo State Government in developing the state capital.

    According to her “by the special grace of God, we will continue to develop Akure, to build up the people of Akure kingdom and bring advancement to all and for Akure to be known worldwide”.

    The Regent equally advised the kingmakers to be meticulous in choosing a new king for the town, saying “I will plead with the kingmakers to seek for God intervention first before embarking on the selection of a new monarch for the ancient community.

    “With the help of God, the kingmakers will be able to choose the right person that will be the next Deji for Akure”.

    When asked during her installation if she knew the time the new king will be installed, the regent said it is only God who could determine the time when a new king would emerge.

    But she said “the regency cannot disturb my role as a mother, wife and as a career woman. I have taken a leave of absence from my place of work in U.S, my husband knows that I am a princess before he agreed to marry me and he also knows that anytime my father died as a king, I have to assume this position, so there won’t be any problem.

    “I know this is a duty I have to perform, so I have called on my God to help me to succeed in this journey. I also pray that God should help the kingmakers to choose the right person to be the next king of the town.”

    It is more than one year that Princess Adetutu Adesida has been on the throne as regent and nobody knows when she would vacate the throne for the next Deji of Akure who by rotation must come from Osupa Ruling House.

    According to the Secretary of the Osupa Ruling House, Prince Olu Adegboro in a chat with ‘The Nation, the State government had initially mandated the ruling house to nominate aspirants for the throne for screening by the kingmakers.

    According to him, “we had already made necessary arrangements to screen about 13 aspirants who have shown interests.

    “We have made them to fill bio-data form that would enable the screening committee to know about their credentials and have sufficient information about their pedigrees.

    Adesina-foto“As we are about starting the process, we received another letter from the state government asking us to put on hold the earlier arrangement because the deposed Deji, Adepoju Adesina had gone to court to file a notice of injunction against the commencement of the selection process”.

    The secretary who is a former commissioner for information in the state however said they were confident that within the shortest time possible, the court would vacate the injunction.

    Asked about the chances of the deposed Deji to return to the throne, Prince Adegboro said “truly, we are from the same Osupa Ruling House (Odundun Descendants inclusive) but we are not comfortable with Adesina’s action since he had the opportunity to go to court before the other ruling house (Ojijigogun) presented the last Deji, late Oba Adebiyi Adesida.

    “What he did then according to reliable sources was to appeal to state government to lift his banishment and gave an assurance that he would abide with the decision of the government”.

  • Akure students give ultimatum to council on bursary

    The National Association of Akure Students (NAAS) has expressed its displeasure over the non-payment of its members’ bursary in the last two years by the Akure South Local Government Area of Ondo State.

    The students said the money had been long overdue.

    In a statement by its Public Relations Officer (PRO), Ifeoluwa Orimoloye, the association said the council’s management had subjected its members to untold hardship in the last two years, urging Governor Olusegun Mimiko to prevail on the council to release the funds.

    Ifeoluwa said: “We condemned the action of the local government for the non-payment of our bursaries which serve as aids to relieve the burden on our parents. It is sad to say that students of Akure origin in tertiary institutions nationwide have not been getting bursary for two years.

    “Students have exhibited maturity by maintaining a high level of understanding with the local government but they must not take our patience for cowardice. We are peace-loving people and we must the council to do the needful.”

    The association gave the council an ultimatum on the payment of the bursary. Ifeoluwa said his colleagues would, block the road leading to the council, if the council fails to pay.

  • We are being marginalised, Akure indigenes cry out

    the Lisa of Akureland, High Chief James Olusoga has urged Akure indigenes to downplay partisanship and search for credible candidates to represent the community in various public offices.

    Chief Olusoga, who is the second-in-command to Deji of Akure spoke at a programme tagged “Akure Development talk” held at Royal Bird Hotel &Towers, Alagbaka-Akure.

    The programme was hosted by a World Bank Consultant and Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Mr Sola Ojo to create political awareness in Akureland.

    The Community leader decried what he termed “political marginalisation” of the ancient town by successive administrations in Ondo State despite its status as the state capital.

    He noted that the development started at the tail end of military administration in Nigeria whereby Akure with its size and population was retained as only one Local Government while Abeokuta, Osogbo, Ilorin and other state capitals of comparable size and population were divided into two or more local government areas.

    Delivering his lecture at the forum, a University don, Prof. Olu Aboluwoye said Akure and its people have never been fairly treated in the scheme of things despite the prime of place it occupies in the State.

    He noted that Akure people are friendly, peace loving, accommodative and politically conscious.

    Prof. Aboluwoye urged Akure community leaders to start paying special attention to the political development of the town and urged them to put a stop to the divide and rule tactics that Ondo State politicians have often employed to retard the progress of Akure.

    His words:”Sadly, Akure politicians have often allowed themselves to be used to frustrate the appointments and elections of fellow Akure politicians in all the major political parties since the beginning of this third republic in 1999.

    “Only Akure division has never produced a democratically elected governor of Ondo State, and Akure is also the only division that has not produced a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in this democratic dispensation.

    “It is therefore the turn of Akure division to produce the minister and the governor of Ondo State and Akure town as the doyen of this division is eminently placed to seize this golden opportunity.”

    The academic however said the only solution to the persistent marginalisation of Akure was for a consensus candidate of Akure origin to become the governor of Ondo State

    Also speaking, another prominent Akure son and former Provost, College of Education, Ikere-Ekiti, Prof.Olu Aderounmu advised Akure community leaders to create  a clearing house that would screen all prospective aspirants to any elective post with a view to pick the best that would give robust representation to Akure kingdom.

    Prof Aderounmu lamented that Akure has not been so lucky to have good representatives to lift up Akure Kingom.

    He however urged the citizenry to shun partisanship and put their heads together to select credible people that would serve Akure kingdom diligently.

    The host, Sola Ojo promised to work assiduously for his people if he finally gets the ticket to represent them at the lower chamber of the National Assembly.

    He passionately appealed to people in Akure North/South federal constituency to support his mission and ensure his endorsement to enable him offer the best to his constituency.