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Tag: Alaafin

  • Alaafin: Nigeria must restructure

    Alaafin: Nigeria must restructure

    The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi II, yesterday supported the calls for the restructuring of the nation’s polity.

    The monarch warned that the present arrangement will not allow the nation’s components to develop at their pace.

    Oba Adeyemi spoke in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, at the launch of a book, titled: Samuel Ladoke Akintola In the Eyes of History.

    The first-class monarch traced the first Federal Government’s interference in state affairs to the dispute between the late Akintola and the late Obafemi Awolowo, two prominent Yoruba politicians.

    He said the interference snowballed into the crisis that occurred in the Southwest and ultimately in the death of Akintola.

    The book, written by Femi Kehinde, is a biography and postscript on the late Akintola.

    The launch was attended by eminent personalities from the Southwest and other parts of the country, including former Oyo State Governors Omololu Olunloyo and Adebayo Alao-Akala.

    Others were: the Orangun of Oke Ila, Oba Adedokun Abolarin, Justice Ladiran Akintola, Prof Bolanle Awe, late Bola Ige’s daughter, Mrs. Funso Adegbola, an ex-police officer who witnessed the killing of S. L. A. Akintola, Chief Olabode as well as his Personal Assistant (PA), Pa. R. A Obaleke.

    The publisher of Ovation magazine, Otunba Dele Momodu, delivered the lecture, while Governor Abiola Ajimobi’s former Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Festus Adedayo, reviewed the book.

    On why restructuring is imperative, Oba Adeyemi said the North was favoured with revenue allocation while more states and local government areas were created in the region.

    The monarch said other regions did not enjoy similar opportunity, despite being federating units in the same country.

    He said: “The first time the Federal Government interfered in a state’s affairs began when the government at the centre interfered in the feud between Akintola and Awolowo. The government, in support of Akintola, declared a state of emergency in the old Western Region, snowballing into a serious crisis.

     

     

  • Ajimobi appeases Alaafin

    Ajimobi appeases Alaafin

    After many years of neglect by former Oyo State governors, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, the executive Governor of Oyo State, finally put a smile on the face of the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi. As a powerful monarch who loves his people deeply and is always anxious about their welfare, the monarch has piled pressure on the state government to revisit some abandoned projects in Oyo town for some time. Now his efforts have started bearing fruits.

    Seeing the miserable and wretched state of some of the roads his people had to ply daily as they went about their businesses, the Alaafin felt he had to do something to lessen the sufferings of the people. Together with some prominent individuals from Oyo town, they reminded the government of the need to complete work on the roads which had been abandoned for years, while other roads in other parts of the state were completed and commissioned.

    Their efforts have finally paid off as the state government a few days ago mobilised the contractor, Still Earth Construction and Realties, to site for the dualisation of the Owode-Afin and Owode-Iseyin roads. Elated by this development, the people have already started showering praises on Governor Ajimobi and Oba Adeyemi for their efforts.

  • Oyo 2019: Akintola deserves our total support – Alaafin

    Alaafin  of Oyo , Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi, has appealed to leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress, (APC) to ensure that the governorship ambition of Chief Adeniyi Akintola, (SAN) received their blessings.

    Speaking when paid him a courtesy visit, the monarch, who described Chief Akintola as a formidable pillar in legal practice, recalled that  the aspirant  had applied sheer legal prowess to save situations for the progressives on many occasions, especially in south western part of the country.

    He said: ‘’If Niyi (Akintola) does not come out, someone else will. When those who are wise and intelligent refuse to contest elections, fools will take over. When the party chooses you, we know the next move. You have come to work. No rest till the last day.”

    He commended the incumbent governor, Abiola Ajimobi for what he called  his ‘’socio-infrastructural renewal across the state,’’ noting that those who ensured a second term mandate for Governor  Ajimobi have no cause to regret their action.

    “Perhaps if we have not voted Ajimobi, we would today have remained under thugs and brigands, with touts taking over garages, tormenting and harassing innocent people with cutlasses.”

    Earlier, in his remarks, the aspirant  pleaded for the support of the monarch whom he referred to as a father. He said his interest in the governorship race was informed by the need to sustain the enviable legacies of the incumbent governor, Abiola Ajimobi.

  • Alaafin, Ooni, others honour Aregbesola at 60

    Alaafin, Ooni, others honour Aregbesola at 60

    Eminent Nigerians yesterday eulogised Governor Rauf Aregbesola at a colloquium in Osogbo, the state capital, to mark his 60th birthday.

    Speakers at the event tagged: “Good Governance and Challenges of Leadership”, include Nigerian Bar Association President Abubakar Balarabe Mahmoud, Prof. Niyi Akinnaso, Prof. Akin Oyebode  and Dr. Charles Akinola.

    Their conclusion is that in his six years in office, Aregbesola has raised the bar of good governance.

    Oyebode, who was the guest lecturer, said nothing was comparable to democracy and no right-thinking Nigerian would want the military to truncate the nation’s democracy again.

    He described the governor as an epitome of democracy and good governance, judging from the growth the state had recorded since he came into office.

    The former Vice Chancellor of University of Ado-Ekiti said Aregbesola’s transformational policies permeated education, youth empowerment, agriculture, health, rural development, security and other social infrastructure.

    Oyebode said: “In sum, this was an administration that was not afraid to confront head on problems engendered by socio-political transformation and which was ready, willing and able to share confidence with the people that put it in office.

    “While the jury is still out regarding his scorecard, even the most virulent critics would agree that he has changed the Osun landscape and the rules of engagement such as to rekindle hope and confidence among the people.

    “A review of the administration of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola thus far, would reveal no diminution of resolve and commitment to better the lot of the masses and underprivileged, even in the face of dwindling financial resources.”

    The NBA President said every leader must possess certain qualities for him to succeed among, which are honesty, humility, forgiving spirit, confidence and commitment to the cause of the people.

    Mahmoud said Aregbesola possessed all these qualities, which made it possible for him to achieve what he has achieved in Osun.

    The NBA President listed the newly constructed school buildings, road construction networks, innovative e-learning tablet and the various welfare intervention programmes.

    Mahmoud continued: “Aregbesola has demonstrated what it takes to be called a hero by his sterling performance.

    “I commend him for obviously raising the bar of governance in the country today. I have been to Osun and I have seen the phenomenal performance.

    “Is it the quality of the schools? Is it the architecture of the schools? The infrastructural facilities scattered across the state? All these certainly cannot be by accident.”

    In his goodwill message, Minister of Health Prof.Isaac  Adewole, also an Ijesa like the governor, said Aregbesola had done well in all aspects of human life.

    “No government has ever invested in education as being done by Aregbesola’s administration in the history of Nigeria.

    “When I went round some of the ultra-modern schools built by Aregbesola’s administration, in fact I was very amazed because I couldn’t believe that a government could be so passionate about education to the extent of investing on education to that extent.

    “Your achievements in the last six years have qualified you to be an unusual being, whose passion for development seems to be incomparable by all strata.

    “With the achievements recorded in education, there is no doubt that you are wiping off ignorance, poverty, unemployment and other societal vices in our state and Nigeria as a whole.

    “You are representing the future of this country as you have brought a drastic change to governance.”

    Those who attended the event were Aregbesola’s wife Serifat, Deputy Governor Mrs. Grace Titi Laoye-Tomori, former governor Chief Bisi Akande, Aregbesola’s immediate predecessor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, representative of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Hon. James Faleke, Secretary to the State Government Alhaji Moshood Adeoti, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola among others.

    Ooni of Ife Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, the Alaafin of Oyo Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, Akirun of Ikirun Oba Rauf Olayiwola, Oluwo of Iwo Oba Adewale Akanbi, and other monarchs also attended.

    Oba Ogunwusi hailed Aregbesola’s passion for growth.

    The Alaafin said: “Aregbesola is the first Omoluabi of Yorubaland. He bagged this title through his commitment to human development. “

    Senator Sola Adeyeye said: “Aregbesola has proved to the people of Osun what good governance stands for.”

    Osun House of Assembly Speaker  Najeem Salam said: “Aregbesola is a man who has never found it difficult to help, even if the circumstances seem to be difficult to do so.”

  • It’s abominable to wish Buhari dead, says Alaafin

    It’s abominable to wish Buhari dead, says Alaafin

    The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, has urged Nigerians to pray for the speedy recovery of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    He said it was abominable to wish him dead.

    The Alaafin, who said he had been following the debate over the president’s health, noted that it was against African culture to “speculate the death of the sick.”

    In a statement, he encouraged Nigerians to support the “unity and cohesion” between the President and Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, saying it was not Yoruba practice or tradition to benefit from other’s misfortune.

    The monarch said: “I have been following with great interest, although mixed feeling, comments that have been generated on social and conventional media on the state of health of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Muhammadu Buhari.

    “Let me state very clearly and unambiguously that in African culture, it is not proper to speculate the death of the sick. In Yoruba culture in particular, it is abomination not only to speculate but to wish a fellow mortal dead. Neither is it proper to mock the sick because only God determines the future of everybody.

    “In the custom, belief and tradition of the Yoruba, death is not age determinant. That is why in Yoruba tradition, we always pray for the recovery of the sick, no matter his age.”

    He noted that although President Buhari, like any mortal, may be physically sick, “that sickness is not in any way transferred to the style and level of governance in the country. In other words, the President might have been delegating some responsibilities to the Vice- President; he is still much in charge of the government.

    “This is why recent insinuations and interpretations including some political hypothesis on the state of the President’s health is not only uncalled for, but also unwarranted.

    “It is both uncharitable and untenable for the state of the health of the President to be given any ethnic insinuation of any form. Let me state with every sense of clarity and candour that it is not the practice and tradition of the Yoruba to benefit from the misfortune of others.”

    The Alaafin warned that nothing should be done “by any form of political insinuation to break the wall of unity and cohesion in the Presidency, especially between the President and his very loyal deputy, Yemi Osinbajo (SAN).

    “It is on this note that I am appealing to Nigerians, irrespective of religious or ethnic differences, to remain focused and united in their prayer for the quick recovery of Mr. President.

    “The President has remained faithful to the Nigerian cause. He deserves reciprocity from Nigerians by being faithful to him too in a united prayer for his quick recovery.”

  • Alaafin, Aregbesola give antidote to relative peace, stability

    Alaafin, Aregbesola give antidote to relative peace, stability

    Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola has urged Nigerians to be optimistic about the future of their fatherland.

    The governor advised them to face the future with confidence, discipline, patriotism and honesty.

    He said with discipline, hard work, selflessness, patriotism and dedication, the Nigerian ship will sail safely to the shores to the surprise of everyone across the world.

    Aregbesola addressed reporters yesterday at the Government House in Osogbo, the state capital, after held a closed-door meeting with some traditional rulers, led by the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III.

    The governor noted that since security is the first order of a nation, no nation can survive without it, while peace, law and order as well as all other functions of the country cannot be effectively carried out.

    He said: “There can be no national development without relative peace and stability. Since security is the duty of all Nigerians, all of us must have the courage and honesty to get to the root causes of our current state of insecurity, underpinned by criminality and insurgency/terrorism.

    “The present administration has been taking steps – short and long–term – to consciously respond to current threats by architectonically designing and building a security system which will create a stable and relatively peaceful environment, conducive for national development.”

    Oba Adeyemi cautioned Nigerian leaders against manipulating ethnic and religious identities for their selfish ends.

    Leadership, the monarch said, is not all about privileges to loot public treasury or push personal interests to the disadvantage of the public, but a responsibility and an obligation to demonstrate commitment, integrity, honesty and decency in handling the affairs of a heterogeneous groups.

    He said: “Nigeria’s ethnic, sectional and religious diversities ought to serve as sources of national unity, cohesion and integration. But unfortunately, these have, over the years, constituted serious threats to peace, security and national development because the elites have always tended to manipulate these identities for their parochial interests.

    “It should be noted that with a population of over 140 million people, over 400 ethnic nationalities and adherents of the two most populous religions in the world – Christianity and Islam – Nigeria is obviously one of the most diverse countries in the world.”

  • Alaafin calls for true federalism

    Alaafin calls for true federalism

    The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi 111, has called for true federalism to foster what he described as unity in diversity. He also enjoined the Federal Government to ensure that the reports of Commissions of Enquiry into civil disturbances and violent conflicts are sincerely implemented, with a view to bringing the perpetrators to justice.

    The monarch called for discipline, hard work, selflessness, patriotism, dedication and unalloyed support for the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration.

    Oba Adeyemi gave the admonitions in Lagos at an award ceremony organised by the World Peace and Diplomacy Organisation, in collaboration with KEISIE International University, South-Korea.

    The Alaafin said: “There can be no national development without relative peace and stability.  Since May 1999, there have been greater challenges of security than at any point in time in our history, thus rendering our political stability fragile, democratic institutions and processes fluid, and our economy debilitated.

    “Government, political leaders and followers, and all of us, must have the courage and honesty to get to the root causes of our current state of insecurity, underpinned by criminality, and insurgency/terrorism; Our leaders and followers have taken the issues of security for granted; yet urgent and immediate steps (short and long–term) must be taken to consciously respond to current threats by architectonically designing and building a security system which would create a stable and relatively peaceful environment, conducive for national development’’.

    He added: “We must accept the reality that while it is necessary to create “unity in diversity”, we must identify and respect our differences – “diversity in unity”. Unless those in government are in a country different from ours, they should realise that the conditions of life are currently very hard for the average Nigerian. Having one, let alone three square meals daily, poses a real problem, not to talk of affording costs of medicals for members of families”.

    Oba Adeyemi called for the development of a national security strategy that is aligned with the anti-corruption and national development priorities.

    He added: “The present administration must be eulogized for investing massively in infrastructure, education, health,  job creation and youth programmes. There is also need to bolster the capacity and professional autonomy of anti-corruption institutions, identify institutional entry points in governance systems, such as access to information and social accountability and transparency, adopt an institution building approach to governance, and bolster the capacity of public institutions for effective service delivery’’.

    The monarch described corruption as multi-dimensional, adding that it does not only involve money, but also involves the abuse of trust, processes and institutions.

    He said: “It is my conviction that  we should concentrate on the prevention of corruption by establishing appropriate mechanisms for checking it.

    “This will reduce the number and cost of cases prosecuted. If we must rebrand Nigeria, Nigerians must shun primordial sentiments, but give total support to the present administration, as its determination to be exemplary should not be in doubt.’’

  • Alaafin advises ICAN on probity

    Alaafin advises ICAN on probity

    Alaafin of Oyo Oba Lamidi Adeyemi has called on the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) to support the Federal Government’s efforts in tackling corruption.
    Oba Adeyemi gave the advice yesterday in his palace at a reception for ICAN President Deacon Titus Alao Soetan and his entourage, who visited him.
    Alaafin decried the alarming rate of looting of public treasuries, which he said was caused by lack of fear of God, dishonesty and betrayal of trust.
    “Public funds stolen by top government officials and political office holders are worrisome and disturbing. Urgent steps must be taken to save the country from total collapse.’’
    The monarch described ICAN as barometer for public accountability, noting that effective and dynamic accounting systems that are manned by highly skilled professionals such as ICAN are essential to facilitating transparency and accountability in public administration

  • Council poll: Ajimobi, Alaafin seek out-of-court option

    Council poll: Ajimobi, Alaafin seek out-of-court option

    Alaafin of Oyo Oba Lamidi Adeyemi yesterday visited Governor Abiola Ajimobi to explore alternative dispute resolution in settling the crisis arising from the creation of 35 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs).
    The monarch , in a chat with reporters after a meeting with the governor in Ibadan, said the suit by some chiefs challenging the alleged ceding of parts of their domains to Ogbomoso would be resolved amicably.
    Chief Oladokun Abiola and 14 others from Oyo East Local Government sued the government, claiming that the creation of the LCDAs would ostracise them from their ancestral land.
    The Alaafin was joined as a respondent.
    Justice John Tsoho of an Abuja Federal High Court had on January 20 granted an interim injunction stopping the February 11 local government election in the 33 local governments and 35 LCDAs.
    The judge ordered that allocations to the 33 local governments from the Federation Account be suspended, until the substantive suit was determined.
    He adjourned till February 7.
    Adeyemi said stakeholders would settle the matter out of court, so as not to cause hardship to the people.
    The monarch said: “What I have come for is to try and resolve the issues.
    “Whatever problems that arise before or even after a war, you come back to the negotiation table to settle it.
    “So, instead of going to war that would be costly to both sides and injurious to the people, I have come to see the governor to find a way around it.
    “My position is that we must be careful not to undermine the legal restraint.”
    Adeyemi described the governor as a listening and responsive leader who can not be unsettled by such legal move.
    On whether he would prevail on the Baales to withdraw the case, Oba Adeyemi said he believed that deep understanding and reason would prevail in the end.
    He reiterated his commitment towards settling the issue out of court.
    Oba Adeyemi said: “We are not going to coarse anybody, but I can assure you that reason and understanding will prevail.
    “I won’t let the cat out of the bag now, but soon, peace will prevail.”

  • How to achieve effective policing, by Alaafin

    How to achieve effective policing, by Alaafin

    The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, has said that the police must be adequately equipped and catered for if they would succeed in their quest to prevent crimes and criminal activities in the society.

    Oba Adeyemi stated this when former Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) for Zone 11, Dan Bature, visited his palace.

    The monarch said: “Our police are demoralised and yet they are the ones assigned the tedious and dangerous jobs of patrolling our highways, chasing armed robbers, fishing out criminals, as well as restoration of peace.

    “They are quick to be blamed once they perform below our expectation, even as we remain unmindful of the condition under which they have to operate. There is the need for commensurate motivation for the rank and file of the police”.

    Oba Adeyemi, who praised what he described as “gallant efforts” of officers and men of the four divisional  police commands in Oyo metropolis,  Oyo/Ogbomoso annex of the special anti-robbery squad and the area police command office in curbing crimes and criminal activities, assured the AIG and the Oyo State Commissioner of Police Command, Samuel Adegbuyi, continued support.

    In a chat with reporters, the paramount ruler harped on the role of family in maintaining a stable and crime-free society.

    “The rate at which marriages breakdown and their attendant effect on the children and society has become ticking time-bomb because it has encouraged criminal activities by children from broken homes. It is important that we recognise the role of families in building a strong society. “Children from broken homes are more likely to commit crimes than those from stable homes. Seven out of 10 offenders come from broken homes”.

    Family life, Alaafin said, affects all of us. What happens on our streets and in our communities? What you learn from a very early age has a great deal to say about the person you will eventually be and the life you lead.

    “Also the safety of lives and property is an issue of priority in any given society. Consequently, the government needs to increase its funding for the police so that modern and adequate equipment to combat crime could be acquired.

    “However, such funds are to be properly monitored to avoid diversion into private pockets and also rid the Nigeria police of its corrupt elements. It is also important that the police must be motivated through regular promotion, good salary and decent accommodation. There is need to strengthen the family institution as well as develop a welfare programme for children from broken homes, as well as unemployed youths as this will prevent them from being recruited into criminal gangs.

    “If crime is to be reduced to its barest, the government must take pro-active measures towards poverty alleviation”.

    Poverty, Oba Adeyemi said “readily offers a breeding and fertile ground for crime. As such, any effort made towards poverty alleviation translates to effort made towards crime prevention and

    control in the society. The police cannot fight crime alone.

    “Intelligence gathering is a veritable tool for crime prevention and control. This is why members of the public must assist the police in their functions. The public should be ready to give necessary information to the police. This is because, crime is a challenge that all must confront head-on for a stable and safe society.”

    Security experts have maintained that the security situation has grown from bad to worse and this has affected business organisations and sustainable national development.

    As a result of high level of unemployment and poverty among Nigerians, particularly the youth, they become attracted to violent crime.

    Some youths, out of frustration, indulge in crime and other societal vices. The rise of terror groups in some parts of the country is directly related to the neglect of social responsibility by some companies to either their members of staff or their host communities.

    Unemployed youths are readily available for criminal activities that undermine the stability of society.

    The rising rate of unemployment has further affected the effectiveness of the police to combat crime. Because unemployment readily creates a large army of potential criminals, effective

    policing has remained a mirage.

    However, observers say the police lack modern equipment to effectively combat crime.

    Vehicles, communication equipment, scientific tools for investigation and intelligence gathering control equipment are grossly inadequate.

    Motivation is a serious factor as far as efficiency in any endeavour is concerned. It goes a long way in encouraging hard work in any individual.

    There are policemen who have been on the same rank for more than 10 years. Investigation reveals that less than 25 per cent of policemen have official accommodation.

    Visits to some of the barracks revealed their sorry state, as some of them are in various states of dilapidation and squalor and are in dire need of renovation to make it habitable for policemen.

    Apart from the fact that they are underfunded and reduced to mere object of degradation with unattractive salaries, they also have to operate in less habitable places as offices.