The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Community leader

  • Egbeyemi: Community leader and politician at 75

    Ekiti State Deputy Governor Bisi Egbeyemi will be 75 tomorrow. His media aide, ODUNAYO OGUNMOLA, extols the virtues of the lawyer, politician and Ado-Ekiti chief, and his achievements in public life.

    Ekiti State Deputy Governor Bisi Egbeyemi, has the full cause to thank God Almighty as he clocks the age of 75 on Wednesday, 8th May, 2019.

    His emergence as the deputy governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on a joint ticket with the then governorship candidate, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, ahead of the July 14, 2018 governorship election did not come to many as a surprise.

    This was because Egbeyemi has paid his due as a loyal party man, administrator, statesman and grassroots politician.

    Since he became a politician in the late 70s, Egbeyemi had always been among his people rendering assistance to them2 in political and legal circles.

    Having served as a school administrator and teacher earlier in his public life, he had succeeded in moulding the future of thousands of students that passed though him and whom drank from his fountain of wisdom and erudition.

    Becoming a lawyer further gave him a broader platform to defend the defenceless, used the law to reform the society and also mentored young lawyers many of whom had become senior members of the Bar and the Bench today.

    Egbeyemi, though an authority in land and chieftaincy cases, which fetched him fortune, he also handled cases pro bono (free of charge) for indigent and less privileged members of the society.

    It was with this spirit that he opted for politics where he had also made his mark with great impact in all the three arms of government: the judiciary (which he served as a minister in the temple of justice), the legislature (as a member of the House of Assembly) and the executive (at various times as local government chairman, commissioner and now as deputy governor).

    An eternal legacy bequeathed to the generations unborn was the popular Bisi Market, which was built during his tenure as Ado Ekiti local government chairman.

    He did not name the market after himself, but the locals themselves named the market after him in appreciation of his vision, wisdom and service Crowning his political career with emergence as the deputy governor was by Providence and appreciation of loyalty to the progressives camp in Ekiti State.

    Receiving a delegation of the Majority Obas of Ekiti Land (MOBEL), an association of Grade B and Grade C traditional rulers, recently in his office, Egbeyemi said his ascension to the state number two office was made possible by God.

    He acknowledged the fact that it came at a time he least expected such an exalted office after being considered in the past but was not given the opportunity to occupy the office.

    As a loyal deputy to Fayemi, Egbeyemi had used every opportunity to enunciate on the vision and dream of his boss for a greater and more prosperous Ekiti.

    Despite being a septuagenarian, Egbeyemi is a workaholic who handles state duties with precision and dispatch, gives timelines and expects results.

    Traditional rulers, community leaders and members of the public who had interacted while handling chieftaincy affairs, land disputes and other matters officially delegated to him attested to his maturity and wisdom in handling such sensitive matters.

    While mediating in disputes brought to his office, it has been widely acknowledged that Egbeyemi gives fair hearing to all parties and uses instrumentality of the law and other statute books in arriving at a just conclusion.

    With just about six months spent in office, Egbeyemi has brought his experience as a lawyer of almost 40 years to bear in saving some monarchs from untimely dethronement and restoring peace to troubled communities.

    Egbeyemi was born on 8th May, 1944 in Ado-Ekiti to the family of Late Pa Michael Egbeyemi Alade and Late Madam Tinubu Egbeyemi.

    He attended St. Saviour’s Primary School, Ado-Ekiti from 1952 to 1957; Holy Trinity Anglican School Ilawe-Ekiti (1958) and Baptist School, Ado-Ekiti (1959).

    He later attended Harding Memorial Secondary Modern School where he obtained his Modern School Certificate in 1962. In 1963 he learnt typing and shorthand at a private institute in Ado-Ekiti.

    He studied privately while he was a Laboratory Assistant at Ekiti Parapo College, Ido-Ekiti, 1965, and when he was a Bursar at Notre Dame Grammar School Usi-Ekiti from 1969 to 1972, he passed his West Africa School Certificate Examination as a private student and both GCE ‘O’ Level and Advanced Level Examinations.

    He later proceeded to the University of Lagos College of Education where he read Biology and Physical Education and passed with Distinction in Physical Education.

    He taught Biology briefly at St. Mary’s School, Ikole-Ekiti in 1975 before he was transferred to the new Divisional Teachers’ College Oye-Ekiti as the pioneer Physical Education Tutor between 1975 and 1977.

    He read Law at the University of Ife (Now Obafemi Awolowo University) from 1977-1980 and was at the Nigerian Law School, Victoria Island, Lagos between 1980-1981 where he obtained his Barrister at Law Certificate and was called to the Bar in 1981 as a Solicitor and Advocate of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

    Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi right from his youth has always been a leader. He was Health Prefect in his Primary School and at the Modern Secondary School in 1962.

    He was President of the Physical Education Students Association of the

    University of Lagos College of Education, Akoka, Lagos (1974-1975).

    Egbeyemi was also President of the Law Students Association, University of Ife, 1978-1979 session.

    He is married to Chief (Mrs) Margaret Olufunke Egbeyemi and the marriage is blessed with children.

    Egbeyemi has come a long way in politics and had the privilege of serving as the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) Youth Leader in Ekiti between 1978 and 1983.

    During the 1983 general elections, he was elected honourable member of the Ondo State House of Assembly and was in office between October and December of that year until the military takeover of 31st December of that year.

    During the General Ibrahim Babangida transition programme, Egbeyemi was elected as Executive Chairman, Ado Ekiti Local Government and was in office between 1991 and 1993.

    He was Leader of United Nigeria Congress Party (UNCP) in Ado Ekiti Local Government between 1996 and 1997.

    Egbeyemi won election into the House of Representatives in 1998 but the election was cancelled by the General Sani Abacha regime.

    The Ekiti Deputy Governor was a founding member of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) when the Fourth Republic was birthed in 1999.

    He had the privilege of serving under the first civilian Governor of Ekiti State, Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo as the Commissioner for Education between 1999 and 2002.

    The Federal Government acknowledged his contribution to the education sector by appointing him as Member, Governing Council, Natinal Teachers’ Institute (NTI), Kaduna where he served from 2001-2002.

    Egbeyemi was redeployed by Governor Adebayo to the Ministry of Justice where he served as the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice between 2002 and 2003.

    He was foundation member, Action Congress (AC), Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ado Ekiti Local Government.

    Egbeyemi was Director/Member representing Ekiti State on the board of Odua Investment Limited between 2010 and 2014.

    The Deputy Governor is also a businessman with investment in property, farming, hospitality and a thriving law chamber.

    His publications include “Teaching Physical Education” and “Physical Education Tests.”

    Awards garnered by Egbeyemi are Best Chairman of all Local Governments in Ondo State (1992), Fellow of Nigerian Youth Organisation, Best Commissioner in Ekiti State (2000), Omoluabi Ekiti State (2000), Merit

    Award of the Federation of Ekiti Students Union (2002), Jstice of Peace by Ekiti State Government (2002) just to mention a few.

    He also acquired chieftaincy titles in 14 towns across Ekiti and Ondo States including the prestigious traditional title of Otunba of Ado Ekiti.

    • Ogunmola is Special Assistant (Media) to the Deputy Governor, Ekiti State.

  • Community leader seeks drainage completion

    The traditional head of Oke-Ogbere community in Oshodi-Isolo Local Government Area of Lagos State, Chief Tajudeen Ganiyu, has appealed to the government to complete the Ago drainage system.

    He told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that doing so during the dry season would make life comfortable for the residents.

    Ganiyu said people were always scared of moving around the drainage system during the rainy season.

    The traditional ruler said: “The construction of the bridge that leads from the community to Isheri as well as the drainage at Ago have helped to improve business and attract more people to the area.”

  • Wanted community leader submits self to police

    The Plateau State Police Command has confirmed that the district head earlier declared wanted by the command has reported himself to the police.

    Yakubu Rap, one of the eight suspects declared wanted by the police on Thursday, is said to be the district head of Dura village where the vehicle of the missing general was found by military search and rescue operation.

    He was said to have fled his community as soon as the vehicle of the missing general was found there.

    In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer of the command, DSP Terna Tyopev, in Jos yesterday, the command noted that its decision to declare the suspects wanted had begun to yield positive results.

    The statement reads: “The Plateau State Police Command’s decision to declare some people wanted in respect of the case of the mysterious disappearance of Major-General IM Alkali has started yielding results.

    “One of the persons declared wanted, Da Yakubu Rap, the District Head, reported to the Plateau State Police Command headquarters Jos this morning and he is undergoing interrogation.

    The police did not say when they would charge the suspects to court, saying investigations were ongoing while some suspects were still at large.

  • Community leader jailed 12 months

    An Osogbo Chief Magistrates’ Court in Osun State has sentenced a 50-year-old community leader, Mustapha Nasiru, to 12 months’ imprisonment for fraud.

    Nasiru, the Baale Owode of Osogbo and a member of Ataoja Council, was arraigned on a three-count charge of fraud and threat to life.

    He pleaded guilty and begged for leniency.

    Magistrate Mrs. Amina Olayade ordered the convict to be kept in Ilesa Prison due to the magnitude of the offences or pay N20, 000 option of fine.

    Prosecutor Taiwo Adegoke told the court that the convict committed the offences sometime in May 2016 at Owode,  Osogbo.

    He said the convict, one of the chiefs to the Ataoja of Osogbo, fraudulently collected N650,000 from Prophet Adeyeye with intent to sell two plots located at Owode.

    “The Baale collected N650,000 from the complainant, knowing that the land did not belong to him.

    “The accused even threatened to kill the complainant when he asked for refund of his money,’’ Adegoke said.

    He said the offences contravened sections 419, 390(9) and 86 of the Criminal Code Cap Fraud 0l 11 Laws of Osun, 2003.

     

  • Community leader remanded

    Community leader remanded

    •Others to also stay in custody for attempted murder

    The Ohen (priest) of Ohovbe in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State, Chief Joseph Amadasun, and three others have been remanded in prison custody by an Ogbeson Magistrate Court for alleged attempted murder.

    Chief Amadasun, 54, Eghe Imariagbe, 45, Efosa Aimufua, 33, and Osazee Edomwonyi, 39 were arraigned on a seven-count charge of attempted murder, unlawful shooting, breach of peace, threat to life and unlawful assault on Yusuf Sule and Anapi Saleh.

    They were said to have committed the offence in December 22, at Ohovbe.

    The chief priest and Edomwonyi were also alleged to have threatened Chief Osa Amadasun with a cutlass at his residence.

    The accused pleaded not guilty.

    Magistrate Taye Omoruyi urged the prosecutor,  Kingsley Owie, to send copies of the case to the Department for Public Prosecution (DPP) for further advice.

    She remanded the accused in prison custody pending the DPP’s advice, and adjourned the case till February 13.

  • Save me from land grabbers, community leader cries out

    Save me from land grabbers, community leader cries out

    A community leader in Oke- Eletu area of Ijede Local Council Development Area of Lagos State, Chief Oluwaremilekun Aina Shobote, has cried out to the Lagos State government over an alleged attempt by some people to forcibly dispossess him of a landed property.

    The distraught 75-year-old narrated how a man identified as Toyin and others asked for his permission to use his land for meetings, to which he reluctantly obliged.

    He said: ‘’He (Toyin) approached him seven years back for a portion of land at Oke Eletu to be used as meeting venue, though my younger brother said no but I consented and gave the land to Toyin and his friends. But contrary to his initial request, he (Toyin) actually turned the place to meeting point of a group called Ogboni Awopa.

    ‘’Toyin and his friends came three weeks ago with some policemen and video camera and forced me to sign papers that I have sold the land to them.

    ‘’When they left, many youths wanted to retaliate but I told them I would rather go by the law. My lawyer wrote petition to the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), Alagbon, Ikoyi, Lagos, but to my surprise right in the presence of the police these people beat me up and broke into my house. I was arrested alongside my four-year-old and eight-year-old children but they were later released.

    ‘’I want the Lagos State government to save me from these land grabbers, who are also parading themselves as community leaders. We don’t even know what they do on the land, all I know is they come sometime with people and those people will be begging them. If you look around you will see that the place is deserted because they scare people away, so when I told them to leave my property for me they turned to violence because some policemen are backing them.’’

  • Gunmen kidnap community leader

    Gunmen kidnap community leader

    Gunmen have reportedly abducted a community leader in Ikaram-Akoko, Ondo State, Chief Ojo Omotayo (aka Oluomo).
    The incident occurred two weeks after a monarch in Akoko land, who is the secretary of Akoko Traditional Council, Oba Joel Daodu, was kidnapped with his second-in-command, Chief Olugbenga Giwa, the Shaba of Iyani Akoko, on Owo-Ikare Road.
    The duo spent the Easter holidays in the kidnappers’ den.
    Sources said Omotayo, a former councilor, who represented Erusu/Ikaram Ward, was abducted on Akunu-Ikakumo Road in Akoko Northeast Local Government.
    The Akala of Ikaram, Oba Andrew Momodu, said the abductors had not contacted them since the victim was kidnapped on Saturday night.
    He urged the police and other security agents to rescue the ex-councillor.
    Police spokesman Femi Joseph could not be reached for comments last night.

  • Community leader held for ‘shutting down’ oil well

    A community leader in Ogba-Ndoni Local Government of Rivers State, Mr. Chikeobi Alali, has been nabbed by the Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Delta Safe (ODS), for allegedly disrupting production at an oilfield belonging to the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC).
    His wife, Ngozi, confirmed yesterday in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State that her husband was arrested last Saturday by the JTF.
    She said: “My husband was nabbed by soldiers and taken away. When we traced them to their headquarters in Yenagoa, they feigned ignorance.
    “We pestered them till they admitted he is in their custody. But they denied me access to him.
    “Efforts by his family and lawyer to secure his bail have been fruitless. We were told on Monday to write a letter to the JTF commander to allow us see him. We wrote the letter and were told the commander was not around.
    “My husband is the chairman of the local government oil and gas landlords association. He was arrested with the secretary and one other person. The two others held with him have been released.”
    Mrs. Alali said the problem started following Agip’s alleged failure to review the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) it signed with the community.
    “At the last meeting they held in 2016, they gave a deadline of November 2016 and parties agreed that if after November, the agreement is not reviewed, the community will shut down the oil wells. That was why they arrested him,” she said.
    The JTF Coordinator, Joint Media Campaign Centre (JMCC), Maj. Abdullahi Abubakar, said 11 oil wells belonging to Agip were shut down by the host community.
    He said it was wrong for the community to take the law into their hands, adding that efforts were on to resolve the crisis.
    Abubakar said officials of the oil firm visited the suspect.
    He said troops later reopened the facilities.
    Abubakar said the military would not tolerate interference with oil facilities.
    An activist, Mr. Pat Obiene, solicited the release of the leader, saying his detention led to a protest at Agip’s office in Port Harcourt on Monday.
    Said he: “From records, Agip reneged on an arrangement to close out the MoU in November and we are already in March. Is the only reasonable thing to do is to detain the community leader?
    “This is counterproductive and not in line with the peace initiative of the Federal Government. The military should change their attitude and promote dialogue and consensus, which Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo preached during his tour of Niger Delta.”

  • Community leader docked in Ondo

    An Ondo Chief, Joseph Akinawonu has been arraigned before a Chief Magistrate Court in Ondo town over alleged conspiracy and fraudulent conversion of money.

     

    According to the charge sheet ,the community leader along side one Nureni Akinola were alleged to have committed the offence for which they were arraigned on a three count in February at No. 29 Mode street, Ondo.

     

    Akinnawonu and  Akinola were said to have allegedly used trick and obtained the sum of N500,000 from one Madam Eunice Ajayi under the pretence of selling 10 plots of land for her and fraudulently converted the money to his personal use.

     

    The duo were also said to have fraudulently obtained the sum of N150,000 from the complainant under the pretence of assisting her to grade the landed property which the accused persons later sold to another person.

     

    The offence which according to the charge sheet are contrary to section 516, 419 and 249 of the criminal code cap 37 vol. 1 laws of Ondo state of Nigeria 2006.

    When the charge sheet was read to the accused person.

     

    They pleaded not guilty, subsequently the police prosecutor, Corporal Gbenga Akinsulure, said he was ready to prosecute the case by inviting three witnesses.

     

    He urged the court to give him short adjournment to assemble his witnesses.

     

    Also,the defence counsel to the accused persons, Bade Awosule, urged the court to grant bail to his clients in liberal terms and on self recognition, saying chief Akinawonu being an Ondo chief would not jump bail.

     

    Awosule pleaded with the court that his clients have concluded plans to settle the case out of court with the complainant,

     

    After listening to the applications of both parties, the presiding magistrate, Mrs. Odenusi Fadeyi, granted bail to the accused person on self recognition and ordered that the defence counsel should stand surety for the accused person and thereby adjourned the case till May 11.