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Tag: Ekiti

  • ‘Ekiti ‘ll return to progressive bloc’

    ‘Ekiti ‘ll return to progressive bloc’

    Hon. Bamidele Faparusi of the All Progressives Congress (APC) represented Ekiti South Constituency 2 in the House of Representatives between 2011 and 2015. In this interview with ODUNAYO OGUNMOLA, he speaks on the Ondo governorship election, the Ekiti 2018 election and other issues.

    What is the import of the recent APC victory in Ondo State?
    I want to congratulate the people of Ondo State for coming all out to vote in favour of progressive politics in Ondo State. I want to congratulate them for voting en masse for the APC. No doubt that is the direction for development and Ondo people don’t want to be left behind. It was not a surprise, knowing that the incumbent Governor Olusegun Mimiko had deceived the people for eight years when resources coming to the state were enormous. The state has been receiving 13 per cent derivation as an oil-producing state, yet there is no visible development on ground to justify the receipt of such big allocation. Workers are not receiving their salaries as and when due and there are lots of problems on ground. All these served as pointers to the APC victory at the election and the candidate of the APC is an astute lawyer, a Senior Advocate and a very credible candidate. He is a man of character who, to some people, is not the usual politician; he will call a spade a spade and tell you what he will do. I am very close to him; he is a very principled man in the sense that he is not the usual politician that will want to deceive voters to get their votes. So, the people of Ondo should expect that all the elusive development will come back to their state and we hope that very soon, the backlog of salaries will be paid to workers. We want to congratulate the people of Ondo State for the choice they have made.
    Do you see the Ondo feat being replicated in Ekiti State in 2018?
    We are very optimistic; our people in Ekiti State have weighed the two and they have realised that the administration of Ayo Fayose is a deceptive and they are prepared to chase him out. You can see the discontent in Ekiti today; people are already tired of this administration. Fayose is like somebody who is sinking and he is trying to hang on to any available straw for survival. But, I want to assure Nigerians that come 2018, there will be no trace of the PDP in Ekiti.
    But Fayose has boasted repeatedly that he will beat the APC 16-0 again in 2018…
    That is just grandstanding; it’s his usual way to mask his fear, because he is already gripped with fear, seeing what happened in Ondo State. Mimiko is even a better politician than Fayose in looking for the good of the people and if Mimiko could not survive in Ondo State, I don’t see Fayose surviving in Ekiti State in 2018. What he is just saying is empty grandstanding; an empty boast just to deceive his supporters, but time will tell.
    There seems to be a crack in the Southwest APC…
    I want to urge Nigerians to disregard the rumour of a crack in the Southwest APC; the party is one in the Southwest. Mr. President is the leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is our National Leader recognised by all. So, in the Southwest, the party is one. The rumour being peddled around is just a mere wishful thinking on the part of PDP elements to destroy our party, by projecting it as factionalized like theirs. But, that will never happen.
    You are one of the many aspirants for the APC ticket in 2018. Ekiti APC may be heading for a rancorous primary election as witnessed in Ondo…
    I don’t envisage that happening in Ekiti; anybody eligible to contest should be given the opportunity to do so. In our party, we encourage anybody that has something to offer to come out and present his plan for the state. Nevertheless, the state is looking towards Ekiti South senatorial district to produce the next governor. Be that as it may, whatever lesson that was learnt during the Ondo primary will definitely help us in Ekiti State to have a better primary devoid of rancour. You cannot give 100 per cent perfect election, but if an election is graded to have a pass mark, it should be acceptable. Whatever it is, I am very hopeful that a level-playing ground will be provided for all the aspirants and I believe that nobody will want to impose any aspirant on the party. If that is taken out, and people are allowed to choose freely who they believe has the best quality to lead them, we won’t have any rancour in Ekiti.
    Fayose has just branded APC as a party of hunger. He says if he were to dump PDP, his destination won’t be APC…
    The likes of Fayose are not welcomed in the APC; he is a shallow politician. The APC is not a party that embraces caricature politics he plays and for him to be saying that the APC is not an option is like overrating himself. We don’t want him in the APC and we are very clear about that: he is trying to use that as bait, but we don’t want characters like Fayose in our party.
    Are you saying that if he decides to join the APC today, he won’t be accepted?
    He is a liability to the party he is now, so how can we accept him in a party of decent people? Fayose is one of the people who destroyed the PDP to the level the party now finds itself. We don’t want the fate that befell the PDP to befall our party; he should not just think about it. We are intellectuals in the APC and his kind of politicking cannot stand in the party. So, as I said earlier on, he is just grandstanding, and to me, he should not be taken serious, because he has lost ground completely.
    What makes you believe that your party has the edge over the PDP in 2018?
    In the APC, we focus on development, infrastructure and human development. We are better politicians, because we are sincere and we don’t play the type of deceptive politics that Fayose plays. Deceptive politics is giving a family man one kongo of rice and N200 and you think you have empowered that fellow. Or cutting a narrow road into two and claiming that you have dualized the road; that is deception. Most of his programmes and activities are to deceive the people. But, in the APC, we focus on developing the state; we focus on developing the people. We provided employment for the youths under Youths in Agriculture scheme where we established farm settlements for graduates to stimulate commercial agriculture. We gave aged people N5,000 every month but Fayose has cancelled that. Thousands of youths were employed under various programmes and we don’t line people on the streets like beggars in the name of stomach infrastructure. Yet, he has refused to pay salaries of workers for about six months running. To me, the difference is very clear between the APC and the PDP in Ekiti State and I am sure people have compared the two and they have seen that really they need to go back to the APC.
    What is your message to the people of Ekiti, as 2018 approaches?
    My message to our party members is that we should work harder, by reaching out to the people; we should connect more with the people and work together as a team. We are a single family; we should work in love and harmony and we should not allow any seed of discord to germinate in our midst. With that, we are definitely going to take over Ekiti State in 2018. Now, to the people of Ekiti State, I just want to urge them to sustain the courage to confront the menace this time. I just want to tell our people that a new dawn is coming; they should be steadfast and pray for the state and continue to support our party. We have the confidence that under the APC, Ekiti will move forward and our people will get the best from an APC-led government.

  • Fayemi mourns Ekiti Apc auditor

    Fayemi mourns Ekiti Apc auditor

    The Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has expressed sadness on the death of the Ekiti State All Progressives Congress (APC) Auditor, Mrs. Iyabo Babatunde.

    Mrs. Babatunde, who served as Commissioner II at the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), during the administration of former Governor Segun Oni, died last Saturday.

    Fayemi, in a statement yesterday by his Special Assistant on Media, Olayinka Oyebode, said he received the news with shock.

    He lamented that Mrs. Babatunde’s death was not only painful, but devastating, especially now that the party needs the contributions of all its committed members to achieve its set goals.

    Fayemi, who described the deceased as faithful and devoted, said: “This is quite shocking, painful and devastating. Our condolences to the relatives and the leadership and members of our party.

    “Our prayer is that God grants the family the fortitude to bear the loss and  put an end to untimely death in our midst.”

     

  • Police rescue two in Ekiti

    Police rescue two in Ekiti

    A woman, Mrs. Lola Akintunwa and her driver, Soji Jegede, have been rescued from their abductors by the police in Ekiti State.
    They were kidnapped on Igbaraodo-Ogotun Road in Ekiti South West Local Government on November 30, at 7.15 pm.
    Police spokesman Alberto Adeyemi, in a statement yesterday, said they were rescued on December 2, at 5.50 pm unhurt.
    According to him, no ransom was paid.
    Adeyemi said the duo had been reunited with their families.
    Also, Ms Adeyomoye Alabi, who was kidnapped at her house at Adehun in Ado-Ekiti at 8.30 pm on November 25, was rescued.
    She was rescued by a police team at Lazora, opposite Fayose market in Ajilosun, Ado-Ekiti.

  • Ekiti to complete Ikere road

    Ekiti to complete Ikere road

    The Ekiti State government is to complete the last phase of the extension of the dualisation of Ado-Ikere Road with N1.13 billion.
    It will pay N206 million as compensation to owners of structures that will be affected.
    Governor Ayo Fayose, who announced the development in Ikere-Ekiti yesterday at a meeting with tipper owners and sand suppliers, said the compensation would be paid in the next few days.
    According to him, work on the project would start on January 5.
    He said: “I was the one who started the project during my first term in office. Nothing was added to it until I came back to office in 2014. We have completed the first two phases of the project and the last phase that will take the project deep down the town is what we will soon start.
    “The compensation will be paid in the next few days and we are giving the people affected till January 5 to vacate those structures. Our administration is delivering on its promises to the people and we are seeking your support and cooperation.”

  • Why Fayose’s seized assets cannot be released – EFCC

    Why Fayose’s seized assets cannot be released – EFCC

    The  Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has given reasons why the six houses seized from Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose may never be returned to him.
    The EFCC said the houses – both in Lagos and Abuja – were seized via a court order issued on July 20 this year while it was investigating the governor in relation to various offences including diversion of public funds.
    It said it has, in the cause of investigating Fayose, found that the houses were acquired through third parties, who it has identified and has “proceeded against.”
    The commission said the question of whether or not to vacate the July 20 order for the seizure of the house no longer arises as the new owners of the houses have been identified and a new order has been issued against them.
    The EFCC stated its position in its counter affidavit to a motion by Fayose asking a Federal High Court in Abuja to vacate the July 20 order for temporary forfeiture of his houses.
    The house include: four units of 4 bedroom at Charlets 3, 4, 6 and 9 Plot 100 Tiamiyi Salvage V. I. Lagos.
    Others are: No: 44 Osun Crescent, Maitama, Abuja and Plot 1504 Yedseram Street, Maitama, Abuja.
    The EFCC said, in its counter affidavit, that its investigation has revealed that houses were acquired through companies known as J.J. Technical Service, Spotless Investment Limited and one Mrs. Moji Ladeji.
    It said at the expiration of the July 20 order given by Justice Nmandi Dimgba (of the Federal High Court, Abuja) for 45, it went before another judge of the court – Justice Okon Abang – for a new order of interim forfeiture granted on November 3 this year.
    The EFCC argued that in view of the new interim order of forfeiture, which is to last until the case against the new owners of the properties is concluded, Fayose’s motion now before Justice Dimgba has become an academic exercise.
    “An order was made by this court on the 20th of July 2016 for interim attachment/forfeiture of the properties contained in this application for a period of 45 days.
    “The order has since lapsed and the respondent, upon further investigation, discovered the names through which the properties were acquired and had to proceed against those names.
    “The respondent (EFCC) re-attached the properties and reapplied to this honourable court for fresh order before Honourable Justice Okon Abang, which application was considered and granted.
    “An order of interim or forfeiture is meant to preserve the res (subject matter) pending investigation or conclusion of trial.
    “It is thus of interest to state that in view of the respondent’s exhibit EFCC1 (a copy of the order by Justice Abang), the order now being sought by the applicant has already been overtaking by time and event.
    “The applicant’s (Fayose’s) application is thus, a pure waste of time and an academic exercise, which is based on nothing,” the EFCC said.
    The absence of Fayose’s lead lawyer, Mike Ozekhome (SAN) prevented the hearing of the Governor’s application yesterday.
    Following the agreement of lawyers to both sides to return another day for the hearing, Justice Dimgba adjourned to December 19.

  • Soldiers to assist in securing Ekiti community

    Soldiers have been invited to assist in securing Ido-Ekiti in Ekiti State, following an attack on a police station on October 15 in which an inspector was killed, it was learnt.

    The Olojudo of Ido Ekiti, Oba Ayorinde Ilori-Faboro, while holding a briefing on the Ajodun Ido Ogaganmodu festival, said the attack by about 40 gunmen prompted him to request soldiers to help in securing lives.

    He assured his subjects of safety during the weeklong festival, which features community prayers, inter-school debate, widow’s empowerment, marathon race, cultural competition, medical outreach, beauty pageant, football competition, fundraising, among others.

    The first class monarch urged prominent indigenes to come and invest in the community.

    Oba Ilori-Faboro said the security challenges could be attributed to the town’s expansion and influx of people.

    He said: “I went to the governor to tell him that the police were not up to the task and I requested the deployment of soldiers to complement the police. We have soldiers in the town, about 20 soldiers with patrol vehicles and 20 mobile policemen. We also have the Baruba people, local hunters and vigilantes patrolling the town.”

    The ruler hoped the crisis that rocked the Federal Teaching Hospital would not recur as the panel raised by the Minister of Health, Prof Isaac Adewole, had submitted its report.

  • 2,000 schools for Ekiti spelling bee

    About 2,000 public and private primary and secondary schools in Ekiti State have been lined up to participate in this year’s edition of the Annual Spelling Bee Competition.

    The Deputy Governor, Dr. Kolapo Olusola, who disclosed this while kicking off the competition at Christ’s Girls’ School, Ado Ekiti, said the preliminaries would take place simultaneously in seven centres, Ado Ekiti, Ikole, Ikere, Ijero, Ido, Omuo and Igede Ekiti, to ensure proximity for all the participating schools.

    He said winners would be rewarded with cash prizes, while their schools would get laptops.

    Olusola explained that the government was determined to maintain Ekiti’s winning streak in public examinations as recorded in the 2016 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) conducted by the National Examinations Council (NECO).

    He said the government is working hard to be tops in the 2017 SSCE conducted by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC).

    “Education at the primary and secondary schools determine what the future of any youth will become. This competition will help in preparing our students, who are our tomorrow ahead of this world of competition and will also help in keeping them in the right perspective on how to embark on critical thinking to rise to any academic challenge,” he said.

    The Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Jide Egunjobi, noted that prizes would be awarded in three categories – primary, junior secondary and senior secondary.

    Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Mrs Adekunbi Obaisi, Egunjobi added that the grand finale of the competition will hold next May in Ado Ekiti.

    He urged the panel handling the competition not to favour any school to avoid compromising the aim of the competition.  He said any school found to have compromised the system will be disqualified.

    He also appealed to private organisations as well as individuals to invest in the education sector, which he described as the most indelible identity of any Ekiti man at the national level.

  • Ekiti GSM Market closed indefinitely

    Ekiti GSM Market closed indefinitely

    The Ekiti State government has ordered the closure of the Fayose Market in Ado Ekiti following attack on the Task Force, which maintains law and order in the market.

    At the market yesterday,  Ekiti’s own Computer Village, all was quiet, with the main and smaller gates locked.

    Commissioner for Commerce, Industries and Cooperatives Michael Ayodele said the maket was closed after some unruly traders attempted to disrupt the peace.

    Ayodele added that stakeholders must abide by rules and regulations guiding the conduct of business in the market.

    He said the market would remain shut until traders vowed to stop obstructing access roads and walkways with their goods.

  • Robbers lay siege to Ekiti town

    Robbers lay siege to Ekiti town

    Ekiti State witnessed another devastating attack by suspected robbers who besieged one of its major towns, Otun-Ekiti, where they attacked two commercial banks, Oore’s palace, church and petrol station, among others. ODUNAYO OGUNMOLA examines the havoc wreaked by the attack.

    It was a harrowing experience for residents of Otun-Ekiti, headquarters of Moba Local Government Area of Ekiti State on Thursday, November 10. They were waiting for the sun to set before they retire to their various homes. But before the sun finally set, they were shocked by the attack on some institutions in the town by suspected robbers.

    Most of the residents had concluded the businesses of the day and were heading home after a hard day’s job. Commercial activities were at the low ebb except vehicles conveying intra and inter-state passengers angling to reach their destinations.

    Some fun spots such as hotels, pubs and other relaxation centres had been playing host to some residents who had wanted to unwind to calm frayed nerves.

    However, they had no inkling that violence of unprecedented proportion from the messengers of death was lurking around the corner. They never knew that the serenity enjoyed by the relatively big town was about to be shattered by some bloodthirsty fiends.

    Few minutes past six in the evening, the unwanted visitors unleashed their fury on the unsuspecting residents and by the time the smoke cleared, at least four persons lay dead, millions of Naira carted away in a commando-like operation.

    The hoodlums attacked two commercial banks, the palace of the monarch and a petrol station; an action that threw the town into chaos. Residents ran for their dear lives in a chaotic manner. Fear overwhelmed the community.

    This was followed by loud bangs of explosion and booms of guns. Traffic disappeared and frightened residents ran for cover. Throughout the time the attack lasted, there was nobody in sight to confront the hoodlums.

    It was like Armageddon had descended on the town with beleaguered residents finding no help when they needed it most.

    Policemen allegedly fled in various directions as they were unable to face the bandits. This was despite the fact that the police divisional headquarter was about a kilometre away from the theatre of violence, the central business district of the town.

    The robbers did not spare hallowed structures as they fired explosives to the Oore’s Palace which claimed the palace guard and the Seventh Day Adventist Church which is one of the oldest places of worship in the town.

    The four dead persons included a bank manager, bank security officer who was to wed in a week’s time and a night guard at the Oore’s Palace.

    The two banks attacked were the town’s branches of Heritage Bank and Unity Bank located at the centre of the town. Heritage Bank branch lost the manager and a cashier in the incident while a security man at Unity Bank was shot dead.

    The banks had closed at the time of the attack but bankers were said to be busy reconciling and balancing accounts. They were looking forward to another working day.

    Sources revealed that the dead bank security guard had just resumed for work that evening. His soon-to-be wedded wife is said to be heavily pregnant and their wedding had been fixed for about a week’s time.

    The robbers, who are believed to be more than 30 in number were said to have divided themselves into four sub-gangs to ensure that the attack was successful.

    The bandits reportedly made away with huge amount of money seized from the banks and the petrol station. Many residents of the community who received gunshot wounds are receiving treatment in various hospitals.

    The Otun robbery sent shock waves round the state as branches of Heritage Bank and Unity Bank were closed down. Some vehicles bound for Otun same day discharged their passengers after the news had spread.

    Otun is a major town in Ekiti State and is a commercial centre close to both Kwara and Osun states. Its banking services are enjoyed by communities in the two neighbouring states that find it inconvenient to go to the hinterland of their states for transactions.

    The Oore of Otun, who is also the Paramount Ruler of Moba land, Oba James Adedapo Oladele Popoola, said he thought Boko Haram militants had invaded the town when he heard loud bangs of explosives used by the robbers during the attack which lasted about an hour.

    Oba Popoola said:  ”It happened about few minutes past 6:00 p.m. on Thursday evening. I was relaxing with my chiefs in front of the palace when we heard what first sounded like some fireworks and we dismissed it as some of the children’s antics as a result of the festive period.

    “But later we heard heavier and more shocking sounds that resembled gunshots and explosives. That was when we realised it was no child’s play.

    “Sounds of gunshots and explosives were all over the place and heard from all corners. I couldn’t situate the incident as we ruminated whether it was robbery, attack by Boko Haram insurgents or some kind of war happening.

    “We later learnt that the robbers mounted their men at the four outlets into the town. First was  the roundabout at Erinmope Road, second was outside Moba Local Government Secretariat, third was in front of my palace and the fourth was in front of the Technical College outside the town on the way leading to Kwara.

    ”The intermittent gunshots and explosives lasted for about an hour before the dust settled. And by the time it settled, four innocent lives were lost. The Manager and cashier of Heritage Bank, security man at Unity Bank and my night guard who had just resumed for night duty and wanted to close the gate were the victims.

    “I reported the case to the governor and he immediately mobilised the security operatives who promptly heeded to the governor’s instruction and came around past 7:00 p.m. but the robbers had left before they came.”

    While noting that it was the first time a major bank robbery was recorded in Otun, the Oore said the town was prone to the attack because of its location as a border community with neighbouring states.

    The monarch added: “The border towns and local government areas should be provided with very tight security so that such incident would not happen again. Government should put in more effort in seeing to the protection of lives and property.”

    A resident who asked not to be named because of security reasons alleged that policemen also ran for cover during the attack, adding that the palace guard who was killed was closing the palace gate when he was felled by the bullets.

    He said: “The Oba’s guard killed was shot in his private part. He was closing the Oba’s gate when one of the robbers rushed towards him and rained bullets on him. The man who is to get married in two weeks’ time and the Oba’s guard hailed from Mayan, a suburb of Otun.

    “Even policemen ran for save their lives. We saw a Sergeant who ran far more than every other who scampered for safety during the attack. The one killed in Unity Bank has just two weeks to his wedding. His wife is heavily pregnant. We also learnt that the slain Bank Manager resumed just 20 minutes before the robbers attacked.”

    Spokesman of Ekiti State police command, Alberto Adeyemi, who confirmed the incident, revealed that investigation into the robbery incident has commenced.

    Adeyemi further said the remains of the four persons killed have been deposited at the General Hospital in Usi Ekiti.

    He said: “We have commenced investigations into the development and hope that the perpetrators would soon be apprehended.”

    Meanwhile, the Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Kola Oluwawole, has condemned the robbery attack at two banks in Otun, pleading with authorities to make more policemen available in the state.

    According to a statement by his Special Assistant (Media), Stephen  Gbadamosi, on Friday, Oluwawole, who commiserated with the families of the victims of the robbery attack and the Oore, Oba Popoola, prayed that God would console the people of Otun and the entire Moba Kingdom.

    The Speaker, who represents Moba Constituency 1 which included Otun also appealed to the authorities of the Nigeria Police Force to consider making more men of the force available to the state. He stated  that the current government would not treat security of lives and property of its people with levity.

    “The incident is sad. We do not take the security of the lives and property of our people with levity.

     

  • Fanfare, nostalgia as Ooni pays historic visit to Ekiti

    Fanfare, nostalgia as Ooni pays historic visit to Ekiti

    CULTURE and tradition were on the bounce penultimate Thursday and Friday when the Ooni of Ile-Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, paid his maiden visit to Ekiti State. The youthful and lively king received rousing welcome in all the three towns—Aramoko, Ijero and Ado—he visited in his continued bid to promote unity among Yoruba traditional rulers, which he believes is a prerequisite to the development, progress and prosperity of the race.

    The Ooni, who came along with some traditional rulers in Osun State, expressed joy and fulfillment at visiting his brother monarchs, the Alara of Aramoko Ekiti, Oba Adegoke Olu Adeyemi; the Ajero of Ijero Ekiti, Oba Joseph Adebayo Adewole and the Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe with whom he shares historical ties.

    The first port of call for the Ooni, who had the Orangun of Ila, Oba Wahab Oyedotun, on his entourage, was the Alara’s palace in Aramoko where Aramoko residents trooped out in large numbers to receive the foremost king in Yorubaland.

    As early as 8 am, residents of the town were in bubbling mood in anticipation of Ooni’s visit. Itinerant drummers, masquerades, men, women and youths danced round the town before converging on the Alara’s palace.

    The atmosphere was electrified at about 12.15 pm on Thursday when Ooni’s convoy entered the palace arena. It took Oba Ogunwusi about 10 minutes to waltz his way through the crowd to take his seat at the inner courtyard with other monarchs from the neighbouring towns.

    Other Ekiti monarchs who joined the Alara to receive the Ooni included the Olohan of Erijiyan Ekiti, Oba Adegoroye Omosebi; the Elerio of Erio Ekiti, Oba Johnson Bamigbade; the Olupole of Ipole-Iloro, Oba Babalola Oladele and the Onikogosi of Ikogosi Ekiti, Oba Elijah Olorunnisola.

    The eye-catching wonder-on-wheels, Rolls Royce 2016 model, which the Ooni rode to Ekiti all the way from his domain was the main attraction for many of the youths of the community, who took photographs of the vehicle with their phones.

    Alara, Ajero and Orangun feature prominently in Yoruba cosmology, drama and panegyrics, as actors always make reference to them. But a lot of people do not know their historical relevance to the Yoruba nation.

    Oba Ogunwusi explained that the three Obas were direct sons of Oduduwa and that they were born by the same mother before they settled in their various towns. He noted that the meeting of the three brothers meant a lot to the unity of Yoruba nation.

    The foremost Yoruba traditional ruler then called on all Yoruba sons and daughters to preach peace and unity anywhere they are, adding that the nation will witness tremendous growth in the years ahead if all leaders and their subjects see themselves as brothers and sisters.

    He expressed happiness to be in the company of the Alara, the Orangun and the Ajero on the same day, saying: “I thank God for the opportunity to come here today. We Obas are nothing before the Almighty God, because God is the King of kings and the Lord of lords.

    “It is God who installs kings. He is the King today, tomorrow and forever. I am so happy to have the Orangun to my right and the Alara to my left, and we are all going to see the Ajero together. Unity has come to Yorubaland. There is nothing like unity.

    “It is my prayer that our youths will be gainfully employed, the barren will be fruitful and when there is unity, there will be development and things will go well.

    “The new era in Yorubaland will bring good things to us. We want our youths to be empowered, businessmen and businesswomen to be prosperous in their businesses. Peace will reign in Aramoko, peace will reign in Ekiti, peace will reign in Yoruba land.”

    In his welcome address, the Alara, Oba Adeyemi, congratulated the Ooni on his ascension to the throne of his forefathers, wishing him a long and fruitful reign.

    He said: “The entire people of South-West in particular and indeed Nigerians are deeply impressed by your (Ooni’s) campaign for love, unity and understanding among the Yoruba royal fathers rather than unhealthy competition for supremacy.

    “That was a notable step in the right direction; I must say without equivocation that Your Imperial Majesty have made a good start and an indelible mark.

    “Equally highly impressive is your Youth Empowerment Programme through a focused agricultural revolution, which is already making waves. Your Imperial Majesty, your widely acclaimed recent tour of the United States with a huge retinue of traditional rulers, among others, is a major boost for Yoruba culture and its sacred traditional institution.”

    Before the Ooni and the Alara exchanged gifts during the visit, guests were shocked when the Alara disclosed that his forefathers had a room inside the Ooni’s palace, which is still being maintained till date.

    Apparently overjoyed by the landmark occasion, the Ooni sang in Yoruba: Alara, Alara, Ajero, Ajero, Orangun Ile Ila, baye se n yeni ree o, meaning the coming together of Alara, Ajero and Orangun is a glorious spectacle.

    The Alara and other Obas led the Ooni to the palace of the Ajero in Ijero where another big crowd was waiting for them. Their arrival enlivened the community and the sight of the three brother kings, and the Ife monarch sparked nostalgic feelings among residents.

    An Ijero indigene, Segun Fatuase, said: “This occasion is great. What we are beholding today had not been witnessed in many decades. Today is historic because I used to hear the elders referring to Alara, Ajero and Orangun, but I didn’t know that their thrones are this great.”

    The people of Ado Ekiti showed class with the lavish reception organised in honour of the Ooni. A mammoth crowd thronged the palace of the Ewi to be part of history and catch a glimpse of the custodian of the Ile Oodua.

    The crowd had gathered at the palace amphitheater since 10 am awaiting the Ooni, but it grew until the arena was filled to the brim. The throng extended to the palace gate where a sea of heads had waited patiently for the august visitor.

    Traders at the Erekesan Market, otherwise known as the Oja Oba, which is directly opposite the palace, and other passers by strained their necks to catch a glimpse of the Ooni.

    Chants of Oonirisa, Adimula, Arole Oodua, Oluaye, among other appellations, rent the air as Ooni’s car screeched to a halt in front of the palace. Oba Ogunwusi was welcomed by Oba Adejugbe, who ushered his guest into the arena.

    Oba Ogunwusi and other monarchs on his entourage from Osun State were entertained by cultural dancers who showcased the cultural heritage of Ado Ekiti. Popular musician, Yinka Ayefele, who was on the bandstand, sang Ooni’s praise to high heavens, which the monarch acknowledged with intermittent nods of approval.

    Oba Adejugbe expressed joy at the visit and recalled that in 1937, Oba Adesoji Aderemi visited the Ewi; in 1980, Oba Okunade Sijuwade Olubuse II visited the Ewi and thanked God that in 2016, Oba Ogunwusi Ojaja II was visiting.

    The Ewi said: “I am happy because the visits are not at close intervals, and I pray for long life, unity and cooperation among the people of Yorubaland.” He particularly commended the Ooni for the meeting of traditional rulers, which he said was a precursor for unity among Yoruba communities of the South West.

    The Ewi charged the Ooni to continue in that stead so as to sustain the growing unity among Yoruba people.

    Oba Ogunwusi declared that he would not rest in his ongoing peace initiative across the country until every ethnic group is at peace with one another. He therefore urged mutual cooperation and peace among all segments of the society, especially the Yoruba traditional rulers and their subjects so as to make the goal achievable.

    The Ooni, however, called for caution in the implementation of a new law in Ekiti State to regulate grazing because of the sensitive nature of the matter.

    Friday marked the peak of the visit as the Ooni was hosted by Governor Ayodele Fayose at the Ayoba Villa Government House before the monarch paid a visit to Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti (ABUAD), where he was hosted by the Founder, Chief Afe Babalola, and other principal officers.

    On return from ABUAD, the Ooni performed some rites at some shrines in Ado Ekiti, which many indigenes believed was the “real reason” why the monarch came around.

    Some residents claim that every Ooni who is new on the throne must perform those rites once during his reign. One of them said: “Ado had its roots in Ile Ife and any Ooni who has not performed these rights cannot come here unless he has done so.

    “The last time we witnessed this was in 1980; that is 36 years ago, when Ooni Sijuwade came to perform these rites. That explains the historical importance of Ado and the bond it has with Ife.”

    The first shrine visited by the Ooni was the Ilegemo in Odo Ado at about 6 pm directly on his way from ABUAD. Residents of the area had waited for hours with women singing enthusiastically.

    The Ooni arrived amidst a staccato of gunshots by traditional hunters who hailed the king endlessly. The Ooni was followed to the shrine by traditional priests and was prayed for by the priest in charge of the shrine. The Efas (Ado Ekiti traditional policemen) were resplendent in their white attires, serving as escorts to the monarch.

    The next stopover for the Ooni was at Ori Ekiti located at Ojido where residents swarmed around the Ooni like bees. Women worshippers of the deity wore white loin clothes, beating traditional gongs and sang traditional songs as it was getting dark.

    The Ooni performed the rite at Ori Ekiti shrine by raising his scepter thrice, communing with the gods. Other shrines visited by the Ooni were Okiti Omolore at Inosunja, Ile Ajija at Idolofin and Ewi Otu at Odo Otu-Atikankan area.

    As the train moved round the town, the crowd following the Ooni grew and defied the darkness.

    The visit of the Ooni will certainly remain indelible in the memories of indigenes and residents of the Ekiti towns he visited.