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Tag: Alaafin

  • Rights abuse: Alaafin’s sons sue police for N10.5m

    Rights abuse: Alaafin’s sons sue police for N10.5m

    Four sons of the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, have sued the police in  Oyo State.

    They are claiming N10.5 million as damages for abuse of their fundamental human rights.

    The plaintiffs – Totoola, Jelili, Mkaila and Tella   Adeyemi – filed the suit through their counsel, Adewale Omoloye.

    The suit followed an alleged midnight invasion of homes and arrests of some residents of Oyo town, including the Alaafin’s sons, by a group of policemen from the state Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Iyaganku, Ibadan on August 5.

    The action of the police arose from a dispute over a plot of land in the Elere area of Sabo, Oyo, said to belong to the Alaafin, which was allegedly trespassed on by a man.

    The policemen were said to have organised themselves into four groups to carry out the raids on the residences of the princes located at Sabo, Oranyan, Oko-Oba, Alaka Estate behind Alliance and Sanga, Iyaji quarters.

    An Islamic scholar, Dawood Abimbara’s residence at Sabo was also invaded where N1.4 million was allegedly carted away by the policemen.

    The princes, in the suit, accused the police of maliciously invading their residences at midnight, assaulting their families and ransacking their homes.

    They claimed that they were later arrested and handcuffed.

    The plaintiffs added that they were detained for two days at the CID without any allegations levelled against them and prevented from writing any statements.

    They said they remained in the cell with handcuffs along with hardened criminals.

    Hearing in the suit has been fixed for the September 4.

    The police authorities have begun investigation into the midnight invasion to   bring perpetrators to justice.

    The Nation gathered that the policemen involved in the operation had been arrested and being interrogated at the Police Command headquarters, Eleiyele, Ibadan.

    A team of detectives have visited the areas invaded by the policemen and spoke with the residents, who narrated their ordeals.

  • Alaafin’s son endorsed for House of Reps

    Oyo Traditional Council and four local councils constituting Oyo Federal Constituency have endorsed the Alaafin’s son, Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, for the House of Representatives’ seat in 2015.

    The endorsement from Oyo-Mesi, Baales and community leaders from the four local governments of Afijio, Atiba, Oyo-East and Oyo-West, was confirmed yesterday at a joint meeting in Oyo town.

    About 200 Baales and chiefs from villages across the constituency were also present.

    The Prime Minister and Basorun of Oyo, High Chief Yussuf Akinade, announced the support to reporters at the end of a meeting.

    He said the decision was in appreciation of Adeniyi, who is also the incumbent caretaker chairman of Atiba Local Government, for his generosity and performance since he assumed office.

    He added that no politician from Oyo town had been committed to people’s welfare like the monarch’s son.

    He said: “Since the creation of Atiba Local Government, the people never had it so good until Prince Adeniyi came on board. Many chairmen had come and gone before him, but their impacts were not felt. Apart from the fact that he is a Prince, his humble character coupled with unique style of governance is inspiring and worthy of emulation.”

  • Alaafin tasks Yoruba in diaspora on cultural promotion

    Alaafin tasks Yoruba in diaspora on cultural promotion

    The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III has tasked Yoruba in the diaspora to promote their cultural heritage.

    Oba Adeyemi made this appeal while receiving the newly elected president of a Yoruba group based in Texas, United State in America, Mr. Bolu Omodele in his palace over the weekend.

    He thanked Yorubas in diaspora for their continued solidarity visit to show support to their cultural heritage.

    “God did not make mistake by making us blacks and of all the black Africans, Yoruba, sons and daughters of Oodua are most impressive” An Anglican missionary came up with a write-up in which he said Yoruba have been modest in practicing cabinet method of separation of power even before whiteman came.

    “The choice of Oyomesi can otherwise be called a cabinet system of government which gives room for separation of power that made Oyo empire to thrive and a reason we are called pace-setter”, the imperial majesty declared.

    Oba Adeyemi however expressed sadness with the  abysmal use of Yoruba language by some traditional rulers in Yoruba land.

    “What is most saddening is that some kings are castings aspersion on their religions and culture, even as some call themselves Christian and Muslims monarchs, but Oyo kingdom has not undermined the culture to show to the world that we are the real custodian of Yoruba cultural heritage” he said

    In his own speech, Omodele,  thanked Oba Adeyemi for his good role in promoting Yoruba culture.

     

  • Alaafin sad

    Alaafin sad

    The Alaafin Of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, expressed concern yesterday on Federal Government’s delay to rescue the over 200 schoolgirls abducted from the Government Girls Secondary School in Chibok, Borno State three weeks ago.

    The monarch urged the military to expedite action on their rescue operation for the girls.

    Be diligent in their rescue operation’s strategies for positive result, stressing that “all Nigerians are eagerly waiting for the safe return of the girls”

    The Alaafin who gave the advice when he visited Gov. Isa Yuguda of

    Bauchi state, who is also the Obasayero of Oyo, at Government House Bauchi, was on a three-day royal visit to Bauchi state.

    The Royal father explained that he was in Bauchi “to commiserate with Gov. Yuguda over the death of his father-in-law, and to witness his turbaning as the “Dan-Isan” Misau which took place on Saturday, May 3, at the palace of the Emir of Misau.

    He registered his deep sincere sympathy to the people of the Northeast, the entire people of Nigeria, most especially parents and the families of the 273 girls abducted from their school hostel”.

  • Alaafin’s son battles incumbent for Oyo Reps seat

    Alaafin’s son battles incumbent for Oyo Reps seat

    Barely seven months to the National Assembly elections, the battle of who picks the ticket to represent Oyo Federal Constituency in the lower chamber in the All Progressives Congress (APC)  is getting hotter, with a son of the Alaafin of Oyo gaining the upper hand.

    Oyo Federal Constituency consists of four local governments namely, Afijio, Atiba, Oyo-East and Oyo-West.

    The contest is between the incumbent Honourable Kamil Akinlabi, who is serving his second term in office and Prince  Hakeem Adeniyi Adeyemi, who is the current caretaker  chairman, Atiba Local Government.

    Within the constituency chapter  of the party and even the oppositions, Prince Adeyemi is daily turning into a formidable force ahead of the race not because of his link to the palace and the rumour that his father could swing the votes in his favour but his passion for the grassroots which cuts across all the four council areas.

    Besides, there is no ward in the constituency that has not benefitted from the unprecedented gestures of the monarch’s son, in terms of assistance to indigent pupils, provision of non-refundable funds to farmers, provision of potable water supply, development of young talents in soccer and empowerment of over 7,000 in vocational skills.

    Chances of the monarch’s son to make a reasonable impact in the lower chamber in Abuja got a boost at the just concluded wards and local governments’ congresses of the party respectively.

    At the congresses witnessed by APC National Monitoring Team leader, who is also former commissioner in Lagos State, Honourable Lanre Balogun, security agencies and the Independent National Electoral Commission as observers, candidates loyal to Prince Adeyemi faction cleared majority of the seats, including the delegates.

    At both Wards 8 and 9 in the Atiba council area where there was chaos, the monarch’s son floored his closest rival, Kamil, who is from ward 8. Prince Adeyemi is from ward 3.

    There were allegations of rigging levied against Prince Adeyemi’s faction, but these were dismissed by both national and state monitoring teams, security agencies  as well as INEC officials who  unanimously affirmed the successful conduct of elections in eight of the ten wards in Atiba.

    In Oyo-East, having agreed to settle for harmonisation, faction sympathetic to Prince Adeyemi, led by the Speaker, State House of Assembly, Alhaja Monsurat Sunmonu had over seventy-percent  of wards and local party executives.

    Commenting on the outcome of the congresses, Balogun expressed satisfaction on the impressive turn-out of party members and orderly conduct of the congresses.

  • ‘Making Alaafin’s dress brought me fame’

    ‘Making Alaafin’s dress brought me fame’

    Alhaji Rafiu Adekunle has gained reputation for turning African fabrics into designs that put Yoruba, rich cultural heritage on the world map.

    The volume of native attires he designs for notable Nigerians – traditional rulers, politicians, top public officers reflect his ingenuity.

    Yet, Adekunle is not lettered.

    Among the notable Nigerians he designs for, is the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III. He has been in charge of the Alaafin’s wardrobe, designing the paramount ruler’s regalia, to meet the finesse of the stool, since 1974.

    But, designing the Alaafin’s clothes for forty years has not been easy because of the custom, he said. Adekunle’s journey to the palace started when the Alaafin saw one of his designs for Elder Yakubu Jos, in 1973.

    The Alaafin, who fell in love with the design, summoned the 60-year-old designer to the palace.

    Recalling when he met the Alaafin, Adekunle said: “On that day, I took my tape to measure the Oba but it was not possible because you cannot take the Oba’s measurement. So, they brought his clothes which I took the measurement from and since then I don’t have to repeat it.”

    When he presented his first design to Oba at the palace, the Alaafin was impressed and since then it has been his lot to ensure that Kabiyesi’s wardrobe is equipped from time to time.

    The fame he attained from designing Alaafin’s clothes exposed him to other Nigerians. “I have come in contact with other notable Nigerians and other traditional rulers, who I have equally been designing clothes for.”

    Adekunle has founded Adekunle School of Fashion Designing to teach the young ones how to do the job.

    He said: “Though I have not travelled outside the country, I have my various designs in different parts of the world because Nigerians in the Diaspora patronise me to sew their clothes.”

    He said tailoring job has opened opportunity for him to earn a decent living and coming in contact with people he could not have met ordinarily. “Through what I am doing, I have been able to give my children education, take care of my family needs and also employ many people who would have been out of job.”

    Adekunle explained that his design schools in Nnewi, Onitsha, have been embraced by the Igbo, who now wear his clothes.

    According to him, his designs have stood out because they cannot be imitated. “We have gone for various designers’ competitions within Yorubaland and have emerged the best in many instances because our designs are unique at all times.”

    He said tailoring would contribute to arresting the social dislocation in the country if government assists those who are interested in the vocation. He advised the youths to look in the direction instead of searching for non available jobs.

  • Alaafin, 10 other monarchs for UK award

    Alaafin, 10 other monarchs for UK award

    No fewer than 10 traditional rulers in Oyo State will accompany the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi 111 to the United Kingdom to receive the award to be presented to him by the Oyo State Council (OSC) in the Queen’s land next month.

    The award, according to the letter signed by Femi Durudola, the Secretary, Coordinating Committee, is in recognition of Alaafin’s contribution to the socio-economic and political development of the entire Yoruba nation, Nigeria and indeed African continent.

    He explained that special events and programmes had been put in place in honour of Oba Adeyemi , noting that the award ceremony holding at Oasis:6-8 Thames Road, Barking Essex, IG11 0HZ on the 13th of April would climax the event.

    The programmes, according to Durodola, include Jumat Service which Alaafin will observe with the Muslim community and the appearance of the monarch on a live television programme, among others.

    Describing the occasion as one that will undoubtedly leave a lasting foot print on the sands of time, he said: “Members of Yoruba Community in the UK are looking forward to this historical and monumental event.”

    On the preparation for the event, the Caretaker Committee Chairman of Atiba Local Government and Oyo Prince, Akeem Adeyemi, said the state governor, Abiola Ajimobi, would be the Special Guest of Honour.

    Similarly, Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, AbdulAzeez Arisekola Alao, will be the chairman while the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Monsurat Sunmonu will lead other dignitaries , including all the four local government caretaker committee chairmen in Oyo Federal Constituency and others to the event.

  • 2015: Jonathan holds secret meetings with Ooni, Alaafin, Emir of Kano

    2015: Jonathan holds secret meetings with Ooni, Alaafin, Emir of Kano

    President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday crisscrossed Oyo, Osun and Kano States for curious ‘private’ meetings with three of the nation’s top traditional rulers – the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade and the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero.

    Officials gave no details of the meetings other than calling them “private”.

    Although, Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State was on hand to personally welcome the president to Oyo State, and even accompanied him to Oyo Town, Governors Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State and Rabiu Kwankwaso of Kano did not show up to receive him.

    Only their deputies – Mrs. Titi Laoye-Tomori (Osun) and Alhaji Abdullahi Ganduje- received the president.

    The president’s helicopter landed at the Ibadan Airport around mid-day.

    On hand to receive him with Gov Ajimobi were the Oyo State deputy governor, Chief Moses Alake-Adeyemo, speaker of the House of Assembly, Monaurat Sunmonu and the Minister of State for Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Oloye Jumoke Akinjide.

    From Ibadan, the President flew to Ile-Ife for an appointment with the Ooni.

    After a brief introduction of the eminent personalities who had gathered at the palace to receive the president, he and his host, Oba Sijuwade, retired into an inner room for discussion.

    It lasted for about 30 minutes.

    He was accompanied to the palace by the Osun State deputy governor, Mrs. Laoye-Tomori.

    Among the people at the Ooni’s palace was a PDP governorship aspirant in the state and a native of Ife, Chief Iyiola Omisore, who said that the president’s visit was a demonstration of his love and respect for the traditional institution.

    The visitor departed the palace at 3.45 pm, declining to state his mission in the ancient town.

    His next port of call was Oyo Town where he met with the Alaafin for 50 minutes.

    Again, he did not tell reporters why he was in the town.

    He merely said that it was a private visit which he did not expect to be reported.

    But he also acknowledged that he is a public figure whose activities cannot be hidden.

    The president lauded Oba Adeyemi for the peace reigning in the state and the country at large.

    He told the crowd who had gathered in the reception hall for his arrival that he was at home to visit his father.

    Jonathan said he also came to thank the people of the state and the entire Southwest people for the support given him and the PDP in the 2011 election.

    He, however, refrained from making political statements, saying it could be interpreted as campaigning.

    He said: “I thank not only the people of the state but the entire Southwest for the support we received in 2011. I have come to reciprocate the gesture with the hope that things will continue as well. We are one, I remain your own.”

    Oba Adeyemi initially declined comments, saying his guest was on a private visit.

    But, when asked about the possible effect of the visit on Oyo politics in 2015, the monarch said President Jonathan did not discuss politics with him and that he was only thankful for the peace reigning in the state and the country.

    Oba Adeyemi said that the president enjoined him and other traditional rulers in the country to ensure that Nigerians continue to live in peace with one another.

    A former governor of the state, Dr Omololu Olunloyo, who was present at the meeting told journalists that the president did the right thing by visiting the Alaafin and the Ooni of Ife.

    President Jonathan had earlier travelled to Kano and was accompanied to the palace of the Emir of Kano by the Kano State deputy governor, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje and the CBN governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi,.

    He lauded the Emir for restoring peace and stability to the metropolitan city of Kano.

    The visit lasted about 20 minutes, 10 of which he spent in private with the monarch.

    The President told the emir and his advisers: “We are on a private visit to Kano and to wish you good health. Let me use this opportunity to thank the Emirate Council for closely partnering with the government to ensure stable security in Kano.

    “We wish our Emir long life and good health. We need people like the Emir to guide and encourage the government for the good of the nation.”

    In his response, the emir, Alhaji Bayero reminded the president of the need to restore peace and economic stability to the country.

    The emir sued for an all inclusive participation in the running of government, saying: “Peace and unity of this country is very paramount to us. We urge the government to further work hard to improve economic stability in Nigeria, adding that he wants the government to carry everybody along and ensure equal sense of belonging.”

    He pledged that the emirate would continue to support the government to move the country forward.

    The emir prayed for continuous political stability and economic growth of the country.

  • Revival of values vital for nation’s growth, says Alaafin

    Revival of values vital for nation’s growth, says Alaafin

    The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi 111, has called for the revival of core values.

    He said though they may be traditional and old, values are cherished.

    Oba Adeyemi said values include concern for one’s brothers and neighbours, which is now lost due to people’s quest for material things.

    He spoke in his palace while hosting some traditional rulers from Lagos, including the Alaketu of Ketu, Oba Adegboyega Adefowora; the Elegushi of Ikateland, Oba Saheed Ademola Elegushi Kusenla 111; and the Obateru of Egbinkingdom, Oba Oriyomi Oyebo.

    The Alaafin said character is more important than the vigour of body and intellect, adding that it is the soil on which everything else must grow; otherwise, nothing can come to fruition.

    He said: “People must be faithful to their words, respect mutual obligations, be kind to one another and place the welfare of others above personal gains. The country’s unity and progress will continue to be threatened until the core values that should promote law and order, respect for elders, sanctity of human lives, brotherliness, honesty and tolerance are appreciated and adhered to.”

    Oba Adeyemi stressed the need to reassess the values of the Yoruba culture in order to preserve them, adding: “Oral tradition, for instance, has been operationally defined to include formal historical accounts recited by professionals or those handed down from one generation to another as informal narratives of past events within orally-literate societies. “Within the contrast of the rapid changes in techniques and methods of African historiography, oral traditions are increasingly no longer mere adjuncts to written documents. They are no longer looked upon as mere enrichment or compliments to archival materials.

    “However, today, our children take solace in Western-oriented cultures and music to the detriment, if not near extinction, of our rich and incomparable praise poetry and other delightful traditional music. Hip hop and other meaningless foreign music are now the order of the day in the name of globalisation. Rarely will you find Yoruba sons and daughters appreciating the praise poetry of their ancestral lineages.”

  • Alaafin, Arisekola endorse Ajimobi for second term

    Alaafin, Arisekola endorse Ajimobi for second term

    The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi 111, and the Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji AbdulAzeez Arisekola-Alao, endorsed yesterday Governor Abiola Ajimobi for a second term.

    They gave their support for Ajimobi’s re-election at an empowerment programme organised by the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Mrs. Monsurat Sunmonu, at the stadium in Ibadan, the state capital.

    The Speaker distributed items worth N26 million to over 700 members of her constituency. The items included freezers, electricity generating sets, tricycles, vulcanising machines, wheel chairs and a brand new Nissan bus. In attendance were Ajimobi; Interim Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Alhaji Lai Mohammed; APC State Chairman Chief Akin Oke and other party chieftains.

    Oba Adeyemi urged the people to re-elect Ajimobi, saying he (Ajimobi) listens to people, takes advice, honours elders, reveres the Yoruba tradition and has delivered on his campaign promises.

    The monarch listed some of the governor’s achievements as the construction of the Mokola flyover; beautification of the environment; restoration of peace and the construction of many roads.

    Arisekola-Alao said the governor has transformed Oyo within a short period, adding that it would be in the state’s interest to give Ajimobi another four-year mandate.

    He urged Mrs. Sunmonu to continue reaching out to the masses.

    Mohammed described Mrs. Sunmonu’s gesture as appropriate.

    Oke said political office holders from the APC would continue to make life easier for the masses.

    Defectors from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Accord were received into the APC.