The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Alaafin

  • Alaafin stresses true federalism

    The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi 111, has said the only thing that can save Nigeria and guarantee its future is to revert to a true federal system.

    The monarch, who spoke in his palace in Oyo town when breaking fast with members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo State Council, led by the Chairman, Mr. Gbenga Opadotun, urged President Goodluck Jonathan and members of the National Assembly to save the country from collapse.

    He said with too much power at the centre and the states going cap in hand every month for money, it would not engender development.

    Oba Adeyemi said if states are allowed to control their resources, they would grow at their own pace and this would ease tension among politicians, who are scrambling to take over power at the centre.

    He urged constitutional roles for traditional rulers to enable them contribute to the nation’s development as envisaged by its founding fathers.

  • Alaafin hails Fashola’s tax initiatives

    The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, has urged governments to educate the people that it is a crime not to pay tax.

    He spoke when the national executives of the Chartered Institute of Taxation (CITN) led by its National Vice-President, Dr. Teju Somorin, visited him in his palace.

    The monarch hailed Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola’s tax initiatives.

    He said: “Governor Fashola has been pursuing an aggressive and purposeful taxation campaign, which has been yielding positive results, as Lagosians now have access to better facilities.”

    He also lauded the effective parameters put in place by Governor Abiola Ajimobi Oyo State towards giving the people a new lease of life.

    The traditional ruler said every citizen must pay tax to enable government provide social amenities.

    “It is regrettable that the federal and state

    governments are losing billions of naira annually because of our refusal to pay tax,” he added.

    Alaafin, who was given a standing ovation for about 30 minutes by the visitors, praised the CITN for its efforts and urged it not to be cowed by the business conglomerates, which declare billions as profits, but pay peanuts as taxes.

    “In advanced countries, governments take 40 per cent of professional earnings as taxes to run essential services. Empirical evidence abounds that no matter your status in the society, refusal to pay tax will land you in jail. Whereas in Africa, especially Nigeria, we build multi-billion naira mansions, acquire expensive cars, as well as private jets, and nobody asks any question.”

    Dr. Somorin said they were in the palace to receive royal blessings before the beginning of

    their mandatory programmes in Ibadan.

     

  • Alaafin, Owa Obokun, others honour Third Eye publisher Akanni-Aluko at daugher’s wedding

    Alaafin, Owa Obokun, others honour Third Eye publisher Akanni-Aluko at daugher’s wedding

    Last Saturday, Adekemi, daughter of business mogul and publisher of the defunct Third Eye newspaper, Chief Akanni Aluko, exchanged marital vows with her heartthrob, Christopher Tolaore, son of the late Colonel (Dr) Atalabi. OSEHEYE OKWUOFU, who witnessed the event, reports. 

    Hundreds of eminent personalities within and outside the country thronged the home of famous publisher and businessman, Chief Akanni Aluko, last weekend in honour of newly married couple, Agnes Adekemi and Christopher Tolaore. The wedding programme, which commenced penultimate Thursday at the Ilesa, Osun State home of the bride’s father, Chief Akanni Aluko, saw hundreds of invited guests from Oyo, Lagos, Ekiti, Ondo, Ogun, Edo, Kwara, Kogi, Plateau and Kano states, as well as the Federal Capital Territory in attendance.

    The Thursday programme, christened the traditional engagement of the couple, included the acceptance of bride price and the consent of the bride’s parents to giving their daughter’s hand out in marriage. The scores of dignitaries who attended the event included the juju maestro, King Sunny Ade and members of his musical band, who entertained the guests. Others in attendance were the wife of former Oyo State Governor, Rashidi Ladoja, Alhaja Mutiat; wife of the late Ibadan politician, Chief Lamidi Adedibu, Alhaja Bose; Prof. Solomon Kadiri; Prof. Salako; Prof. and Mrs. Ogunbiyi; Chief Olusola Gilbert and wife; Chief Olu Abiola; Chief Martins Sesan; former Registrar, University of Ibadan, Chief Mrs. Moji Ladipo and the Ogiyan of Ejigboland, Oba Omowonuola Oyesosin and some of his chiefs.

    All the large canopies erected were filled to the tilt by guests. The bride’s parents, Chief Aluko and wife, Kofoworola, were in joyous mood as they obviously enjoyed every minute of the event. They sat in the front row opposite the groom’s family members. The bride price, which included a copy of the Holy Bible, was accepted before the audience with applause as they pronounced the relationship valid. There were traditional songs, accompanied with performance by dancers from Emure Ekiti, Ekiti State, the home of the groom’s parents, which ushered the groom and his friends to the stage. There was plenty of food and assorted drinks for guests.

    At the St. Mary’s Catholic Cathederal, Oke-Padre, Ibadan, where the marriage was solemnised last Saturday, the church building was filled to capacity. Among the dignitaries at the church were the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III; the Ogiyan of Ejigboland, Oba Omowonuola Oyesosin; the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Samuel Odulana represented by High Chief Eddy Oyewole; the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, Oba Adekunle Aromolaran; wife of former Governor Rashidi Ladoja, Alhaja Mutiat; wife of the late Chief Lamidi Adedibu, Alhaja Bose; the Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Azeez Arisekola Alao; the Deji of Akure, Oba Adebiyi Adesida; Chief Pery Aluko; members of the University of Ibadan community; the business community and politicians.

    The church service, presided over by the chief host, the Catholic Archbishop of Ibadan Diocese, Arcbishop Alaba Job, was full of counsel and admonition for the new couple. The premises of the church were filled with assorted cars. The couple was ushered in with praise songs provided by the choir. All eyes were on the couple who thrilled the congregation with their dance steps.

    In his sermon, Bishop Emmaneul Badejo of Oyo Catholic Diocese enjoined the bride and the groom to be faithful to each other in fulfillment of their marital vows. He reminded the husband to honour his wife, while the wife should also have deep respect for her husband.

    Speaking on same sex marriage, Bishop Badejo said: “Catholics all over the world should rise up to fight against same sex marriage. It is a fight that must be won because the act is a gross sin against God, and we should not allow it in the sanctuary of the living God”.

    At the venue of the reception, Jogor Event Centre, Ring Road, Ibadan, the musical band of Wale Zion entertained the guests. It was full of fun. Everyone ate and drank their choice food and wine. The bride’s father, while thanking God for His mercies upon him, said: “I feel very high and my spirit is once again alive. I feel I am waking up from slumber. God has touched my life positively and He has given me all these great things you are seeing.

    “I thank God for His mercies, His blessings and provisions for me. I also thank all those who gave me massive support both here in Ilesa and in Ibadan. May the Almighty God continue to replenish them.”

    The Owa Obokun of Ijesaland took the audience by surprise when he led his chiefs to the floor to dance. The entire hall exploded with applause as they watched the monarch doing it the royal way.

  • Alaafin attracts $15b investment to Southwest

    •Monarch seeks roles for rulers

    The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, yesterday stressed the need to collaborate with investors to develop the Southwest.

    He spoke in his palace while receiving a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the establishment of the Oranmiyan Airline from a global investor, Worldwide Holdings.

    Oba Adeyemi said the airline would project the image of the Yoruba and enhance the Southwest’s economy.

    He said: “Today, we are making history. We are making similar efforts in other areas by contributing to the development of the Yoruba nation. The influence of obas should not be localised. The government should give traditional rulers the deserved recognition and roles to play.

    “The state governments in the Southwest are progressive and we hope they will consider this initiative. Our graduates are unemployed. This is an investment that will create jobs. The investors are not requesting money. They are also inaugurating the Yoruba Coalition in Dubai.

    “The challenge is to have the government’s endorsement. If we succeed, it would reduce the unemployment rate.

    “The investors want to be sure that they would recoup the money invested.

    “They asked for three things. They said they do not want to be involved in politics; they would not give or take bribe and the Alaafin is the only person they trust to represent Yoruba interest.”

    The Chairman of the Yoruba Global Coalition, United Kingdom (UK), Dr. Layo Adeniyi, said: “In keeping with the agreement, the airline would soon take off. They made an agreement with Airbus to have four aircraft and they are discussing with the International Airport Transport Association (IATA) in Canada on the way forward.

    “The investors have assured us that they would inaugurate the London and Dubai travel as soon as they commence operation. With this initiative, we are reviving the spirit of Oranmiyan. This is the beginning of a new life for the Yoruba.

    “The initiative is based on the agreement with the Alaafin. We have started the process of incorporation. We are here to present a copy of the MoU to the monarch.”

    Also at the palace were the Iyalaje of Oyo Kingdom, Chief Orija Adesoye; Bishop Ayo Ladigbolu (rtd.) and traditional rulers from Oke-Ogun.

  • Alaafin reconciles warring transport workers

    Warring members of the National Union of Road TransportWorkers (NURTW) and the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) in Oyo Federal Constituency yesterday convened at the palace of the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, to resolve their differences.

    The meeting was convened by the Caretaker Chairman of Atiba Local Government, Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi.

    The protracted feud of the unions reached a climax during the administration of former Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala, when people were killed and property destroyed in the unions’ clashes.

    Peace returned to the state when Governor Abiola Ajimobi banned activities of the unions.

    Members of the unions assembled at the palace yesterday to seek the Alaafin’s forgiveness for their misdeeds.

    Oba Adeyemi said before they could return to motor parks, they must eschew thuggery, alcoholism, unruly behaviours to commuters and exempt miscreants from their activities.

    He said: “The people of Oyo Federal Constituency appreciate the laudable steps taken by the governor to restore peace, which is vital for progress.

    “Oyo State is no longer a theatre of war. We are indeed grateful and will continue to support him whole-heartedly. We will no longer tolerate acts capable of stultifying the ongoing transformation in the state from any group.”

    The monarch assured them that they would benefit from the luxury buses given to local governments in the constituency.

    The council chairman said the meeting was to consolidate on the government’s efforts to sustain peace in the state.

    He thanked the Alaafin for his support for the Ajimobi administration.

    The meeting was attended by leaders of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in the constituency, led by the Chairman, Pa A. Ogundiran.

     

  • Alaafin solicits America’s help on security

    Alaafin solicits America’s help on security

    The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, has urged the United States (US) to assist Nigeria in tackling the Boko Haram insurgency.

    He spoke yesterday in his palace while hosting the US Consul-General in Nigeria, Mr. Jeffrey Hawkins, and other officials of the consulate.

    Oba Adeyemi said the wanton destruction of life and property by the Boko Haram sect has reached an intolerable level.

    Describing the visit as timely and symbolic, the monarch said as Nigeria’s strong ally, America should help the country at this critical time of need.

    He said: “Nigeria is facing serious security challenges. I urge you to get the American government to assist Nigeria in terms of security. Our country has porous borders. That is one of the reasons Nigeria is being invaded.

    “We urge America, as a strong ally of Nigeria, to help us. The time is ripe for America to help us.

    “You rightly said you acknowledge the position of the Alaafin as the leading monarch in Yorubaland and talked about the need to have a healthy relationship with us.

    “We live in a fast changing world. While things are changing, we have kept vital aspects of our culture alive. As human beings, we have to preserve our culture to know where we came from.

    “Today, you have demonstrated the American spirit. We should continue to revitalise our relationship, not only through the exchange of visits.”

    Hawkings said: “We are here to explore and understand the culture of the Oyo Kingdom, which is the greatest in Yorubaland and one of the greatest in West Africa. We are also interested in knowing the roles of kings in Nigeria, especially in the democratic setting, and how the past and present are able to come together.”

    He said it was the first time the entire embassy will be travelling outside Lagos.

    Speaking on the evolution of the Yoruba, retired Archbishop of the Methodist Church of Nigeria Rev. Ayo Ladigbolu said: “The Alaafin signed the peace treaty on February 3, 1893, as the representative of the Yoruba. In this palace, the deepest of the mysteries are in the hands of women. Women are held in high esteem.

    “Your visit to Oyo shows your willingness to learn about the Yoruba culture. We recognise the fact that your country is the melting pot of human culture, as there is no race on earth that is not living in America.”

    Hawkings was accompanied by his wife, Annie; the Political Officer, Ben Lazarus; the Community Liaison Officer, Chauna Brooks; a presidential aspirant in the Republic of Benin, Issa Sulaiman and another Beninoise, Alhaji Muafoc Damala.

  • Alaafin launches Culture Foundation

    Alaafin launches Culture Foundation

    The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III in partnership with a Portuguese, Dr. Paula Gomes, has launched a foundation, the Paula Gomes Cultural Foundation, for the preservation of Yoruba culture.

    The launch of the foundation at the Alaafin’s palace was attended by dignitaries, such as the Ambassador and High Commissioners from Cuba, Trinidad and Tobago and Australia.

    The event featured a lecture entitled Yoruba Culture In Diaspora-Brazil which was delivered by Prof Fabio Batista Lima, an expert in Yoruba culture and tradition in the Diaspora.

    He said Yoruba in Brazil is primarily talking about a philosophy of everyday life which is taught to observe, understand and interpret.

    “The Yoruba philosophy remains alive in the New World, in Brazil, Cuba and in other parts of the world within the Candombl» (institutions of Yoruba tradition), which becomes a new lifestyle in everyday’s individuals. I speak of the lifestyle as a unitary set of distinctive preferences as expressed in the specific logic of each subspace symbolic (verbal language, body language, decorations, food and ideology). In sum, the Yoruba portrayal through Candombl»s is through the joy of the collective memory of the ancestors. This immense wisdom has been passed through generations orally,” he said.

    Lima noted that the teachings of the enslaved ancestors, including the touches of drums, the various rhythms (Alujo beat, Ilu Agere) have great impact not only in the communities of ‘yards’, but more especially in the biggest party on the planet, carnival in Salvador.

    He said: “When you are in Salvador you will think that you are here in Africa. You will see the body movements, the gestural respect for older persons in black communities because they are holders of an ancestral knowledge. Everything is familiar. The philosophy of Yoruba traditions is about building a life with a set of guidelines that enhance the day-to-day lives of the people, which is incorporated into their ways of living in the new world.

    “The lifestyles generated in the Yoruba tradition function as a strategic plan in the lives of individuals and not that such plans are mechanically intellectualised. Events of individuals’ lives are in the newspapers and magazines are reconstructed according to the circumstances presented in an individual’s everyday life.”

    He observed that in Brazil, the full essence of Yoruba philosophy is within the Candombl», which focuses on the Orisas, through the myths, by engaging in the project of solving the problems of their faith on issues of work, money, health and sex.

    According to him, the Yoruba philosophy lacks an ethical improvement of the world or individuals in the sense employed by Christian religion or Islam. What matters, he said, is that people may enjoy lives in this world, dialoguing with their relationship with nature and cosmos.

    “It is noteworthy that Yoruba is not just words spoken in the ‘yards’ it is also present in the songs of Brazilian popular music. These reconstructions are tied to a web of meanings re-developed in Brazil, giving rise to new symbolic forms ‘yards’, quilombos and blocks-afros. This encourages African descendants to distance themselves from cultural oppressions caused by colonialist’s action.”

    Lima asserted that Brazilians respect and love deep knowledge of the Yoruba tradition, which thus ‘promote interdisciplinary teaching on the question of the historicity of various race relations in Brazil, the importantance of the study on Africa’s need to recognise black culture and its various manifestation as historical, environmental, economic, political and cultural causing black youths to perceive themselves as citizens and assets.”

     

  • Alaafin urged to fill vacant stool

    Alaafin urged to fill vacant stool

    Twenty-two years after the assassination of the Ashipa of Oyo, Chief Amuda Olorunosebi, his family has urged the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, to endorse a successor to the vacant stool.

    They urged Governor Abiola Ajimobi to support whoever emerges the successful candidate.

    The head of the family, Alhaji Oseni Oladejo, spoke with reporters yesterday at the family’s compound. Two representatives of each of the three ruling houses in the family were present.

    Oladejo warned Alhaji Ganiyu Ajiboye to stop parading himself as the Alaago of Ago-Oja, saying: ‘’He is an alien and has no ancestral lineage with the Ashipa family and Isale-Oyo in general. He is a persona non grata .

    ‘’For proper record keeping, Ajiboye hails from Oloro’s house in Iseyin. He and his father came to Oyo and were accommodated at Dawodu Compound, one of the ruling houses in the Ashipa family. The late Olorunosebi later employed him (Ajiboye) as his Personal Assistant. Ajiboye’s father, as old as he was in Dawodu’s Compound, never rose to become the head of that Ruling House. How come, Ajiboye is now laying claim to not only a non-existing title, but an undeserved one?

    “Oja is not a chieftaincy title, but a name belonging to grandfathers of the Ashipa family. Of the 12 Ashipas that have ruled, none received his chieftaincy conferment from any other authority, except the Alaafin. The Ashipa family and the good people of Isale-Oyo are strongly opposed to verbal attacks, unguarded utterances and other subterranean acts inimical to peace that are being masterminded by Ajiboye against the Alaafin.”

     

     

     

  • Alaafin blames Yoruba neglect on Obasanjo

    Alaafin blames Yoruba neglect on Obasanjo

    The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi 111, yesterday blamed the alleged marginalisation of the Yoruba by the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan on former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

    He spoke in his palace while hosting former Senate Leader Teslim Folarin.

    Oba Adeyemi said Obasanjo’s eight-year tenure was a disservice to the Yoruba.

    He said Obasanjo paid lip service to issues that could promote the cause of the Yoruba.

    The monarch urged Yoruba politicians to protect Yoruba cultural values.

    He said Yoruba language and culture faces the threat of extinction, following the refusal of parents to teach their children the local language and culture.

    The Alaafin called for the inclusion of Yoruba history in the school curriculum, stressing that the Yoruba have distinguished themselves in several areas of endeavour which have become strategic for national development today.

    Folarin sympathised with the Alaafin on the fire that razed a part of the palace.

    He thanked God that no life was lost.

     

  • Alaafin intervenes in Erin-Ile/Offa dispute

    THE Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi 111, has urged the people of Offa and Erin-Ile in Kwara State to resolve their boundary disputes and stop their perennial clashes.

    In a letter to the Kwara State Government and the traditional rulers of the warring communities, Oba Adeyemi regretted the wanton destruction of life and property in the clashes.

    He said it was painful that after many years of being together, the people of Offa and Erin-Ile could still resort to the use of arms and ammunition to settle their differences.

    Alaafin said: “The recent boundary dispute between Offa and Erin-Ile might have come and gone, but the sour taste it leaves in our mouths will remain for a long time. The pains are too intense to heal soon.

    “This is more so, when I remember the loss of life and property suffered by both parties in the dispute. The pains become more agonising when viewed against the backdrop of the fraternal kinship between them as with other Yoruba communities.

    “It is on a very sad note that I recall the series of fratricidal and internecine wars that ravaged Yorubaland towards the end of the 19th Century. The ravages encountered at the time made my illustrious great predecessor and grandfather, Oba Alowolodu Adeyemi 1, to invite the British for intervention and adjudication in disputes across the land.”

    Oba Adeyemi hailed the Kwara State Government for its prompt response to the crisis, adding that he is ready to intervene in the matter, if invited.

    He urged the state government to be impartial in settling the dispute.