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Tag: Ekiti community

  • Cleric boosts grassroots sports in Ekiti community with  N2m

    Cleric boosts grassroots sports in Ekiti community with  N2m

    The ‘Planter’ of Adamimogo Grace of Mercy Prayer Mountain Worldwide and Adamimogo FM Nigeria, Prophet Sam Olu-Alo, has donated   some two million naira to an Ekiti State community  in order to develop sports in the grassroots.

    The cash prize was expended on secondary schools across the Ido/Osi Local Government Area of Ekiti State, who participated in the football tournament  organised by the Prophet in his hometown, Ido-Ekiti.

    Speaking after the match that saw Elo High School, Ayetoro Ekiti defeating Notredame Grammar School, Usi Ekiti by 2-1 in the final, Olu-Alo urged youths in the community to embrace sports, saying there’s a current shift in the sector that will make them for life.

    Read Also: Governor Otti hosts Abia-born Super Falcons after 2024 WAFCON triumph

    He awarded Elo High School with the sum of N200,000; Notredame Grammar School with N150,000, N100,000 to third position and N50,000 to fourth position.

    He also awarded individual performances with plaques and cash prices, all total about N2,000,000.

    Also speaking, the Coordinator of Sam Olu-Alo Military Football Competition, Hon Deji Ogunbusuyi hailed the Prophet for sponsoring the initiative, saying this would reduce crime and develop sports activities in the community.

    However, Ogunbusuyi lamented over the lackadaisical attitudes of some Schools’ principal officers, who don’t invest in their students concerning sports but still want to cheat them when the students are awarded monetarily for their hard work.

    He urged them to turn over a new leaf and throw their weight behind their students whenever they want to participate in competitions.

  • Ekiti community dismisses group’s claim on Obaship tussle

    Ekiti community dismisses group’s claim on Obaship tussle

    People of Ijesa-Isu Ekiti have dismissed claims by a group  Ijesa-Isu Ekiti Development Collective (IIEDC) over the lingering tussle surrounding the appointment of a new monarch for the community. 

    The community elders described IIEDC as faceless and its assertions that three

    ruling houses agreed to adhere to  the 1957 Chieftaincy declaration and adopt a rotational arrangement for the selection of the vacant Obanla stool,as misleading and ploy to distort facts surrounding the ongoing process. 

    Speaking on behalf of the community, Elder Omoyele Ajobiewe said the claim does not represent the position of the community, stressing that the group is unknown to Ijesa-Isu Ekiti and lacks both structure and legitimacy.

    Ajobiewe explained that the claim was allegedly fabricated  to justify alleged irregularities in the process of selecting a new traditional ruler, which he said had generated tension and concern in the community.

    According to the elder, the Obaship crisis arose from the handling of the selection process by the Head of Princes, Chief Odofin of Oke-Osa, Sunday Babalola who was mandated to coordinate the exercise.

    Ajobiewe explained that 12 contestants from the three ruling houses paid a sum of N500,000 each, in addition to N20,000 earlier paid for the letters of interest, but despite a screening exercise, no official result has been released.

    He added that the process, instead was trailed by allegation of signature forgery,, attempts to secure a consent judgment and other alleged underground dealings that undermined its credibility.

    He further alleged that Chief Babalola who coordinated the exercise,  single-handedly picked a preferred candidate without consulting other chiefs and the committee constituted for the selection process, in violation of the established customs.

    He also dismissed claims that the three ruling houses including Akoko, Omotere and Omotoyo had agreed to a rotational arrangement under the 1957 Chieftaincy Declaration, insisting that no such agreement was reached or documented.

    He maintained that for centuries, the Obanla stool has been filled strictly in accordance with established customs, lineage rules and divination through Ifa, warning that any attempt to rewrite tradition through faceless groups or sponsored narratives would be resisted.

  • 11 years after robbery, Ekiti community seeks return of banking service

    11 years after robbery, Ekiti community seeks return of banking service

    Residents of Okemesi-Ekiti, headquarters of Okemesi/Ido-Ile Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Ekiti State are yearning for the return of  banking services to their community, 11 years after a deadly robbery attack on a bank branch.

    The robbery attack left two people dead and many injured, leading to the closure of the bank branch. Since then, the community has been without banking services.

    The residents under the auspices of the Likes Group, a prominent club  in the community, lamented that the absence of banking services had been devastating on the town with economic activities negatively affected.

    The Mayor of the group, a former Deputy Speaker of state House of Assembly, Adesina Animasaun, spoke at Okemesi-Ekiti during the third Socio-Economic Summit and investiture of new executives for 2025/27.

    READ ALSO; June 12: Remembrance and omissions

    Animasaun, who explained no business can thrive without a functional banking environment, said efforts were already ongoing to partner a private university in the town, for the return of the banking activities.

    He said it had always been the agenda of the group to seek the reengineering of the economic and commercial focus of the community, by way of intervening and contributing to the welfare and well-being of the able class, particularly the youth, mostly the unemployed, students, farmers, traders and artisans alike.

    “The responsibility of The Likes Group transcends self-interest. We have a responsibility to help our community flourish. It’s about lifting one another and facilitating opportunities where everyone can access the resources and support they need to realize their full potential.

    “The Likes Club Reimagine dialogue is a catalyst aimed at creating a ripple effect that should transform our community.

    “This community dialogue event is aimed at fostering collaboration, learning, and empowerment within our local community. It will address critical issues and aspirations that impact our collective well-being and future.

    “We aspire to create a dynamic and inclusive event that inspires positive change and action through engaging sessions, meaningful dialogue, and community participation,” he said.

    The traditional ruler of Okemesi-Ekiti, Oba Gbadebo Adedeji, commended the contributions of the group to the socio-economic development of the town.

    Oba Adedeji, who described TLG as one of the few most functional groups in the town, urged other clubs to emulate its good works.

    He lauded Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s administration for its efforts in uplifting Ekiti to its pride of place, saying the governor deserved a second term in office.

    The lead discussant, and Chairman/CEO, Conference For Africa Studies, Bayo Ajijola, saluted the courage of TLG, for championing the struggle for economic emancipation of the community.

  • Ekiti community urges court to stop govt from relocating council headquarters

    THE controversy over the Supreme Court judgment, which ordered the relocation of headquarters of Ilejemeje Local Government Area of Ekiti State has taken another dimension.

    The apex court, in a judgment delivered by a panel led by Justice Bode Rhodes-Vivour on December 14, 2018, ordered the relocation of the council headquarters from Iye-Ekiti to Eda Oniyo.

    The 19-year case, which was filed by the Eleda of Eda Oniyo, Oba Julius Awolola, challenging the relocation of council headquarters to Iye after it was initially sited in his domain started at the State High Court. It went through the Court of Appeal before it was finally decided at the Supreme Court.

    The apex court held that the establishment of the headquarters of the local government in Eda Oniyo was backed by statute and could not be relocated elsewhere without the promulgation of a new law.

    But the people of Iye, led by their monarch, the Oniye, Oba Jonathan Adeleye-Oni, have filed a fresh suit before an Ekiti State High Court to prevent the implementation of the Supreme Court’s judgment.

    The originating summons sighted by The Nation yseterday has the Oniye as the first claimant and the President of Iye Development Association, Mr. Elijah Olufemi Kupolati, is the second claimant.

    The defendants are the Ekiti State Governor (first) Attorney General of Ekiti State (second) and the Eleda of Eda Oniyo, Oba Julius Awolola (third).

    The suit was filed few weeks after a seven-member panel raised by the state government on the Supreme Court verdict paid a fact-finding visit to the two communities as part of its assignment.

    The panel, which is chaired by the Deputy Governor, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi, is expected to turn in its report to Governor Kayode Fayemi for implementation any moment from now.

    The claimants in the fresh suit filed by their counsel, Mr. Taiwo Kupolati, are seeking a court’s declaration that by virtue of the Local Government Administration Law of Ekiti State No. 2 of 1999, being a law which has not been reviewed, repealed, nullified or invalidated by any order of court, Iye Ekiti remains the headquarters of Ilejemeje Local Government Council.

    No date has been fixed for the hearing of the matter.

    They also prayed the court for an order directing the first and second defendants to continue to honour and implement the provisions of Local Government Administration Law of Ekiti State No. 2 of 1999, being a law which has validly established and statutorily backed up Iye-Ekiyi as the headquarters of Ilejemeje Local Government Council.

     

  • Ekiti community seeks execution of Supreme Court verdict on council relocation

    The Eda Oniyo community in Ilejemeje Local Government area of Ekiti State has appealed to Ekiti State government to expedite action on implementation of the judgment of the Supreme Court.

    The apex court had on December 14, 2018 gave a judgment, which ordered the relocation of the council headquarters from Iye-Ekiti to Eda Oniyo.

    Chairman, Eda Oniyo Progressives Union Gabriel Ojo Adetifa said the community was worried that over three months after the Supreme Court delivered the judgment, Eda Oniyo was yet to see any progress on the part of the state government on the implementation.

    Ilejemeje Council headquarters was relocated from Eda Oniyo to Iye-Ekiti by the state government in 1997, following which the traditional ruler began litigations to ensure reversal of the action.

    The Supreme Court, in its judgment in the case of Oba Awolola (Eleda of Eda Oniyo) Vs Governor of Ekiti State and two others, said the relocation of the headquarters from Eda Oniyo was unknown to law and ordered it move back to the town.

    Consequently, the state government on December 29, 2018, inaugurated a seven-member implementation committee headed by the deputy governor, Chief Bisi Egbeyemi, to among other “advise government on the administrative and practical implications of the judgment of the Supreme Court.

    Read Also: Ekiti justice sector reform ‘ll reorder society, says Fayemi

    Other terms of reference of the committee billed to submit its report on or before March 29, 2019, included “broad consultation with relevant stakeholders and initiative to “enhance peaceful co- existence among inhabitants of the affected communities”.

    Adetifa said in a statement made available to reporters in Ado-Ekiti yesterday that “information at the community’s disposal showed that the seven-man committee on the implementation of the judgment expected to submit its report on March 29 did not meet for once since its inauguration.

    “None of the committee members was at Eda Oniyo here on the matter. Even the three months given to the committee lapsed on March 29, we have not heard that they had submitted their report.

    “At our meetings with the deputy governor, he gave us assurances that the judgment would be implemented and that the committee was working. We are expecting. We are worried. The government should do this without delay,” he said.

    Egbeyemi had at a meeting with the Eleda of Eda Oniyo, Oba Julius Oladipo Awolola and leaders of Eda Oniyo, praised the tenacity of the community in following the path of peace in the pursuit of justice throughout the 19 years the case lasted in the courts.

  • Ekiti community seeks implementation of S’Court judgement

    The Eda Oniyo community in Ilejemeje Local Government area of Ekiti State has appealed to Ekiti State Government to expedite action on implementation of the judgement of the Supreme Court.

    The Apex Court had on December 14, 2018 ordered relocation of the Council headquarters from Iye Ekiti to Eda Oniyo.

    The Chairman, Eda Oniyo Progressives Union, Gabriel Ojo Adetifa, said the community was worried over three months after the Supreme Court delivered the judgment, Eda Oniyo was yet to see any progress on the part of the state government on the implementation.

    Ilejemeje Council headquarters was relocated from Eda Oniyo to Iye-Ekiti by the state government in 1997 following which the traditional ruler began litigation to ensure reversal of the action.

    The Supreme Court, in its judgment in the case of Oba Awolola (Eleda of Eda Oniyo) Vs Governor of Ekiti State and two others, said relocation of the headquarters from Eda Oniyo was unknown to law and ordered it moved back to Eda Oniyo.

    Consequently, the state government on December 29, 2018 inaugurated a seven-member implementation committee headed by the deputy governor, Chief Bisi Egbeyemi, to among others “advise government on the administrative and practical implications of the judgment of the Supreme Court.

    Other terms of reference of the committee billed to submit its report on or before March 29, 2019 included “broad consultation with relevant stakeholders and initiative to “enhance peaceful co- existence among inhabitants of the affected communities”.

    Adetifa, in a statement in Ado Ekiti on Thursday, said: “Information at the community’s disposal showed that the seven-man committee on the implementation of the judgment expected to submit its report on March 29 did not meet for once since its inauguration.

    “None of the committee members was at Eda Oniyo here on the matter.

    “Even the three months given to the committee lapsed on March 29, we have not heard that they had submitted their report.

    “At our meetings with the deputy governor, Chief Egbeyemi, he gave us assurances that the judgment would be implemented and that the committee was working. We are expecting. We are worried. The government should do this without delay.”

    Egbeyemi had at a meeting with the Eleda of Eda Oniyo, Oba Julius Oladipo Awolola and leaders of Eda Oniyo praised the tenacity of the community in following the path of peace in the pursuit of justice throughout the 19 years the case lasted in the courts.

  • Ekiti community rejects ‘Fayose-imposed’ monarch

    •Regent: official car withdrawn from me at gunpoint

    Residents of Orin Odo-Ekiti in Ikole Local Government Area have urged the state government not to recognise Oba Adebisi Ogunjobi as their monarch.

    They accused former Governor Ayo Fayose of imposing Oba Ogunjobi as the Olorin without traditional rites performed on him and without following due process.

    Led by the Regent of Orin Odo, Princess Oluwakemi Ogundana-Ajisafe, the community’s residents spoke yesterday in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, during a visit to Deputy Governor Bisi Egbeyemi.

    They urged the government to stop Ogunjobi from parading himself as the Olorin for peace to reign.

    Describing the way Fayose allegedly imposed his preferred candidate on the community as “bizarre, unconventional and strange to tradition,” Princess Ogundana-Ajisafe said the kingmakers and other stakeholders were not carried along in the installation of the monarch.

    Read also: Demolition: ‘Fayose turned us to refugees in our land’

    She alleged that the former governor ordered that the two candidates contesting for the royal stool be blindfolded and also ordered chiefs to line up behind their choice as king.

    The regent regretted that Fayose allegedly used soldiers and other security agents to harass chiefs and community leaders in a bid to impose his preferred candidate as monarch.

    Besides, the Regent told Egbeyemi that the official Ford car used by his father and immediate past Olorin of Orin Odo, Oba William Abiodun Ajisafe, was taken away from her at gunpoint by agents of the former governor.

    She added that she sought Fayose’s permission before travelling to the United States of America (U.S.A) in 2015 after succeeding her father.

    Princess Ogundana-Ajisafe said the community was invaded on the alleged order of the former governor with many of the chiefs arrested.

    She said: “Fayose wanted to use my father’s staff of office to install his preferred person as the Olorin, but it is the name of my father that is inscribed on the staff of office.

     

     

     

  • Free books for students in Ekiti community

    The Igbara-Odo 70’s Development Forum (IDF), Ekiti State, has donated educational materials worth millions of naira to students of the community, to assist the younger ones who are greatly talented but financially disadvantaged in their educational pursuit.

    The materials donated to the students included dictionaries,  brighter grammar book 1–4, chemistry, biology, physics, literature, financial accounting text books,  mathematics text books  for SSS and notebooks for all.

    Also speaking, the Chairman of Igbara-Odo 70’s Development Forum, Mr. Lucas Afere, noted that the efforts of the group was aimed at encouraging   the younger generation  by initiating the programme for their personal developments and for the progress of the community.

    Afere added: “We equally noticed that the standard of education has seriously fallen these days, partly as a result of the lackadaisical attitude of our students towards their studies.

    “What we are presenting is a product of our personal sacrifices and contributions as a result of our burning desire to see a better and brighter Igbara-Odo society.

    “This is to also acknowledge our pacesetters, the Igbara-Odo Development Forum 60’s, (IDF 60’s) whose contributions have, indeed, propelled the (IDF 70’s) to this action”

    Afere, commended the traditional ruler of the community, Oba Edward Jayeola, whose reign has witnessed tremendous transformation of the town, saying, hence “this becomes necessary to contribute our quota to the educational and socio-economic emancipation of the town”.

    The educational materials were distributed to not less than 500 students of the community. In the science category, Master Ajijola Alexander Oluwatimilehin, from Wisdom Home International Secondary School, Igbara-Odo, came first, Master Akinola Adeyemi from Alarelu Comprehensive High School, Igbara-Odo came second while Abidoye Ayoola from Community High School, Igbara-Odo came third.

    In the commercial category, Ajala Oluwaferanmi, from Wisdom Home International Secondary School, Igbara-Odo took the first position, Sanusi Yetunde, from Glory International Secondary

    School, Igbara-Odo-Ekiti came second, while Orekurin Busayo, from Omoeleye Comprehensive High School, Igbara-Odo-Ekiti came third..

    In the art category, Oni Sunday, from Alarelu Comprehensive High School, Igbara-Odo Ekiti came first, John Glory, from Glory International Secondary School, Igbara-Odo Ekiti came second and Olubodun Temilola from Wisdom International Secondary School, Igbara-Odo Ekiti came third..

    In his speech, the Arajaka of Igbara-Odo Ekiti, His Royal Majesty, Oba Edward Jayeola, appreciated the group of 70’s for remembering their home town and extending hands of fellowship to the younger ones, even as he praised members of the group for emulating the gesture of the IDF 60’s set.

  • Herdsmen attack: Residents flee Ekiti community

    Herdsmen attack: Residents flee Ekiti community

    •  Assailants attack politician’s home 

    Residents of Ipao-Ekiti in Ikole Local Government Area of Ekiti have fled the community in droves following attacks by suspected herdsmen.

    The mass exodus was triggered by the murder of a farmer, Tunde Olayemi last Sunday by herdsmen while returning from his farm.

    Although Governor Ayo Fayose visited the village last Tuesday alongside Commissioner of Police, Abdullahi Chafe, residents are still gripped with fear of a possible attack by herdsmen in the future.

    The fear was further heightened by the attack on the residence of a politician, Akinsola Adu, in the early hours of last Wednesday by unknown individuals where the gateman was wounded and left for death.

    Herdsmen attacks have become a regular occurrence in three neighbouring towns along the axis: Ipao, Oke Ako and Irele on the northern fringe of the state sharing boundary with Kogi State.

    Exodus of residents from Ipao, which began last Wednesday, continued till Friday as they were seen loading vehicles with their belongings to towns like Ado, Ikole, Ayedun, Oye, Ifaki and Ponyan in Kogi State.

    A resident, Gbenga Eniafe, said the people of the community no longer sleep with their eyes closed after the latest attack as they believe their security was no longer guaranteed.

    Eniafe said: “Ipao is becoming desolate by the day because people pack their belongings everyday and leaving for where they believe their lives are safe.

    “Our people are scared that another attack by the Fulanis is imminent; nobody knows when they will attack the town again and they don’t want their blood to be spilled again.

    “It is only the aged people and the physically challenged that cannot leave because of their condition.

    “Some who fled to places that are not far come in the day time and pass the night in their new abodes.

    “It is very unfortunate that both federal and state governments are helpless to protect our people from these Fulani invaders.”

    Four unknown individuals reportedly laid siege to the home of Akinsola, who was said to be away on holiday to the United States of America (USA).

    His house in Akure, the Ondo State capital where he resides, was attacked in similar fashion in 2017.

    The politician whose mother is an indigene of Ipao was former chairman of Idanre Local Government in Ondo State.

    The invaders wounded his gate man, whose name was given as Anthony Egeh, an indigene of Benue State, who has been taken to his village by his kinsmen over insecurity in Ipao.

     

  • Hostel fire: Ekiti community gives relief materials to students

    Efon Alaaye Community in Ekiti State, has donated relief materials to students of Federal Government Girls’ College whose hostel was gutted by fire last month.

    The relief materials included 110 mattresses and 110 cupboards which were made available by funds donated by Efon Alaaye indigenes within and outside the country.

    Speaking while presenting the materials to the school authorities and the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) in Efon Alaaye, the Obalufon Alayemore, Oba Emmanuel Adesanya Aladejare, described the college as ‘the pride of the community’

    The monarch, who recalled the event with sadness, thanked God that no student died in the blaze which consumed their personal effects.

    Oba Aladejare said immediately the incident happened, he got in touch with Efon Alaaye indigenes in Nigeria and in Diaspora to contribute money to aid the beleaguered students.

    The royal father explained that a dedicated account was opened in the bank in which the town’s indigenes made their donations which resulted in the purchase of the relief materials.

    Oba Aladejare added: “Immediately the incident happened, we got in touch with the principal on the immediate and urgent needs of the students and he told us that what they needed most were mattresses and cupboards.

    “This school is a property of the Federal Government and we are appealing to them to rehabilitate the burnt hostel because the students are being housed in a temporary structure.

    “We have also advised the principal to do the estimate of the cost of the burnt property to the Federal Government and the Efon Community would do the follow-up.”

    The acting principal Mr Samuel Adeyemi, appreciated the royal father and the community for standing by the college and its students during the crisis.

    He explained that the school management has carried out the proper electrification of the other hostel to prevent a reoccurrence of the blaze.