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Tag: elders

  • Elders counsel aspirants on peaceful conduct

    Elders counsel aspirants on peaceful conduct

    THE Elders’ Council of Ondo State All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday urged the party’s governorship aspirants to be peaceful, ahead of Saturday’s primary election.

    Besides, the senior citizens pleaded with their supporters to allow peace to reign before, during and after the exercise.

    A statement by the council’s Chairman, Senator Olorunnimbe Farukanmi, after the council’s  meeting, said: “We cannot but comment the hard work of every aspirant in moving round the state to woo delegates through which the APC has become more popular.

    “However, in such contest with many qualified contestants, there can be only one winner, particularly if the election is fairly conducted.

    “Therefore, as the party’s elders, we appeal to all aspirants to rally round the winner, because if we win this election, various positions and opportunities would be available for active party supporters.”

     

    The statement added that members would benefit from the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration, if Ondo State is controlled by the APC.

    It pleaded with other aspirants to work with the successful aspirant, assuring that the leadership of the party would not forsake them.

    The statement assured that the misunderstanding in the local governments and senatorial districts would be carefully resolved and feuding members reconciled.

    It added: “The evil of polarisation must be evicted within the Ondo APC and the leadership must be praised for allowing multiplicity of interest of aspirants to prevail. But in the final analysis, party supremacy must be allowed to prevail.

    “As the whole country is facing tremendous political challenges, we must ensure that the State APC governorship candidate evolves a development plan anchored on inclusive and sustainable growth.”

    They urged party stakeholders to work together to ensure that the economy is properly restructured from consumption-driven to production based and utilising the vast resources for industrial production targetted towards mass exportation.

     

  • Elders urge national leadership to intervene in APC crisis

    Elders urge national leadership to intervene in APC crisis

    THE elders of Ondo State All Progressives Congress (APC) have called on the party’s national leaders to intervene in the crisis in the state chapter before the governorship primary election on August 27.

    APC has been enmeshed in crisis following the purported removal of its state Chairman, Isaac Kekemeke, by two-third majority of the State Working Committee (SWC) for alleged misconduct.

    The embattled chairman was also alleged to have been working and mobilising for a governorship aspirant from the 25 contestants.

    In his reaction, Kekemeke said only the National Working Committee could remove him.

    But, in a letter to APC national leaders, signed by the Elders’ Forum Committee (EFC) Chairman, Senator Olorunnimbe Farukanmi and Secretary Bayo Oyefusi, in Akure, the state capital, said the allegation that the chairman took sides with an aspirant, was the cause of the crisis.

    The letter reads: “We are also disturbed that the aspirants have complained loudly that he has been doctoring the list of delegates that would participate in the primary elections.

    “All these have caused the elders, at the emergency meeting on Sunday, August 21, to air their views on the imbroglio within APC.

    “It is incontrovertible to say that the content of the petitions written by the party’s state working committee are factual and point to the events taking place in the state.”

    The statement added: “We are appealing to leaders and members of APC that unless capable leaders are made to reorganise the party properly, no matter whom we endorse to run for the governorship, our chances of winning the elections are slim.”

  • Group seeks elders’ support

    Worried about the seeming misconception about O’odua People’s Congress (OPC) by some individuals, the National Coordinator Worldwide and Promoter, Olokun Festival Foundation, Otunba Gani Adams has said such perceptions are wrong.

    Otunba Adams said he is worried because if such insinuation is not corrected, the organisation will experience a bleak future.

    To avert such situation, Otunba Adams has solicited the support of Yoruba elders, saying his organisation would have done what is expected of it had it received the needed support from them.

    Adams condemned the recent security challenges in the Southwest when some cruel individuals killed and kidnapped people and destroyed several oil pipelines.

    Speaking at Alakija area of Lagos, the OPC National Coordinator said the organisation has over 71 international branches; describing the recent challenges as slap on the Yoruba race.

    He added that his grouse was more with the Yoruba elders and politicians who want to run his organisation down.

    ‘‘Yoruba elders and politicians have not supported us the way they should. Some of them even rubbish us for their selfish reasons and to remain politically relevant at the centre. But they would turn to us to defend the race in times of trouble.

    “Since the attacks, everybody has been calling on us to react; even the communities that were attacked. Unfortunately, the same people were responsible for the division in the OPC, and they don’t seem to relent.

    “If we had moved in to do the job of these security agents, the same police would have come after us with the claim that ours is an illegal organisation; or that we acquired weapons illegally.

    “They won’t remember that we used the weapons to do what they could not do. We are no fools, we are being more careful this time around.

    “But if the attacks continue, we would be left with no option than to do the needful,’’ Adams said.

    Recall that suspected vandals had, on June 23, attacked many communities on the border of Lagos and Ogun states in which over 50 people were feared dead. That attack was a follow-up to an earlier one on June 17, in which 15 persons were also reportedly killed.

     

  • Ilaje elders beg Buhari to reverse NDDC’s nomination

    The Association of Old Men and Women (0MAW) in Ilaje Local Government of Ondo State has urged the Presidency to reverse the nomination of Mr Tokunbo Ajasin as Commissioner- nominee for the state on the Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC)in the interest of justice.

    The group is made up of senior citizens registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Abuja for the development of Ilaje Kingdom.

    A statement at Igbokoda, headquarters of Ilaje Local Government urged President Muhammadu Buhari to embrace rule of law.

    Jointly signed by its Chairman, Chief Tophas Ilurimi, Secretary, High Chief Morris Enikuomehin, Public Relations Director, Akin Enikuomehin and four other Executives of the group, the elders said the appointment violated the NDDC’s Act.

    It reads: “We are of age and conversant with the NDDC’s provisions that stipulates that only an indigene of Ilaje communities has the inalienable statutory right to become the Commission’s representative for the state.

    “It must be acknowledged that the coastal communities always suffer the effect of health and ecological hazards, the destruction of properties,the loss of wealth,jobs and sources of economic livelihood resulting from the oil exploration and exploitation operations of the oil companies in the communities.

    “We consider the appointment of a nominee from over 250 kilometres away from the coast as our commissioner as an affront and invitation to acrimony in the communities and Ondo State in general”

    The group noted that the peaceful atmosphere under which people live in the sunshine state should not be threatened especially on the activities of oil companies in the area.

    It appreciated President Buhari’s anti-corruption crusade and efforts in improving Nigeria’s economy,urging him  to reverse the nomination and pick  representative among those on the list submitted by Ilaje stakeholders for the appointment.

  • ‘Akoko elders’ position on zoning in Ondo wrong’

    •APC aspirant seeks peace among contestants

    Former Ondo State House of Assembly Speaker,Victor Olabimtan, said yesterday he “is  still very active” in the governorship race to Alagbaka House.

    He spoke against the report that some Akoko elders of the All Progressives Congress (APC), led by Chief Felix Ayegbusi, zoned the governorship slot to Akoko North Federal Constituency at a meeting in Arigidi-Akoko.

    Olabimtan is from Supare-Akoko in the Akoko South Federal Constituency.

    The party elders said they took the decision to sustain peace,unity, progress and statesmanship in Akokoland.

    Contestants from Akoko North, where they purportedly zoned the governorship position are Tunji Abayomi,Segun Abraham and Gani Dauda.

    The aspirants in the South are Ajayi Boroffice, Victor Olabimtan and Folusho Adefemi.

    The former Federal Civil Service Commissioner said: “I am not opposed to consensus but such process must be thorough and all inclusive.Any arrangement that will pitch us against ourselves and further split Akokoland will not augur well for us and APC as a whole.

    “Their decision, which we read in the newspaper does not have the inputs and blessing of the ‘genuine’ APC leaders from Akoko North and the generality of Akoko sons and daughters, who are fervently praying and believe that the next governor of Ondo State should be an Akoko indigene.”

    The former Speaker, therefore, dissociated himself from what he called “sectional arrangement”, which he said had died before it was born.

    But ahead of All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship election primary in the state, an aspirant, Mr. Akinwale Akingbade, at the weekend urged other contestants to give room for peace.

    Akingbade warned that social media and verbal attacks among the aspirants might deem the chances of the party in the November 26 poll.

  • Ondo poll: Elders back Akoko North for governor

    All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders in Akokoland have called for unity in the sub-zone in its bid to produce the next governor of Ondo State.

    The elders under the aegis of the ‘Akoko APC Elders’ Assembly said it will endorse a consensus candidate, who will be supported by the people at the primary.

    The group said, following extensive consultations, it will back a candidate from the Akoko North Federal Constituency in the spirit of unity, fair play and justice.

    Rising from a meeting yesterday in Arigidi-Akoko, the Chairman of the group, Chief Felix Aiyegbusi, explained that slot was zoned to the area because it has never had the opportunity to produce the governor, unlike other constituencies in Akokoland.

    He said: “We, the APC Akoko Elders Forum, have reached a decision at this stage of the campaign towards the gubernatorial election in Ondo State to zone the slot to Akoko North Federal constituency. This decision was made to maintain peace, unity, progress and statesmanship in Akokoland, as there is no reason to create confusion within ourselves”.

    Aiyegbusi added: “This decision is unanimous and we have thrown the challenge back to the Akoko North people and the gubernatorial aspirants that hail from there to further consult within themselves and present one uniform viable candidate of their own to us. That candidate should be assure of our backing”.

    The elders advised the chieftains of the APC to put their house in order in their bid to sack the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from power.

    Many indigenes have hailed the resolve of the forum, describing it as a right step in the right direction.

    According to them, the unity of Akoko is paramount, if the sub-zone is to make a headway during the contest.

    However, the elders are silent on who among the aspirants should step down to achieve the consensus agenda.

    There are indications that the APC may zone the slot to Ondo North Senatorial District. The governor, Olusegun Mimiko, is from Ondo Central. His predecessor, the late Dr. Olusegun Agagu, hailed from Ondo South.

    Aspirants of Akoko origin include Dr. Tunji Abayomi, Dr. Olusegun Abraham, Gani Dauda, Senator Ajayi Boroffice, and Hon. Victor Olabimtan. A source said the elders have their eyes on three of them.

    Akoko has two federal constituencies-Akoko South and Akoko North. The senator representing Ondo North is from the Akoko South. The late Governor Adebayo Adefarati was also from Akoko South.

    Akoko North aspirants are Olusegun Abraham from Ikare, Tunji Abayomi from Oke-Agbe and Gani Dauda from Irun-Akoko.

  • Improper conduct: Six elderly drunks receive 120 strokes in Katsina

    A Malumfashi Senior Magistrates’ Court in Katsina State, on Wednesday sentenced six elderly persons to 20 strokes of the cane each for constituting nuisance while drunk.

    The convicted persons were, Nomau Akwai, Yusuf Bature, Salisu Abdullahi, Sani Rabi’u, Sa’idu Abdullahi and Musa Yusuf, all residents of Malumfashi Local Government Area.

    The prosecuting police officer, Cpl. Joseph George, told the Senior Magistrate, Mannir Shehu that the convicts were arrested by a team of policemen on patrol at Marabar Kankara, a suburb of Malumfashi on March 13.

    George said the convicts were found wondering and intoxicated with alcohol at Gidan Mariya and Gidan Coach, an act that constituted nuisance to the public.

    He said the offence contravened section 183 of the penal code law and urged the court to try them summarily.

    When the offence was read to the accused, they pleaded guilty to the charge.

    In his ruling, the Senior Magistrate, Salisu Shehu sentenced them to 20 strokes of the cane each to serve as deterrent to others.

     

  • Elders’ day of joy in Ekiti

    Elders’ day of joy in Ekiti

    For the senior citizens, it was a day of joy. It was the day St. Andrew’s Anglican Church at Are-Ekiti in Ekiti State, honoured some of its elders as reverence for their old age and hard work.

    The event, tagged “Elders Day of Glory” was established over eight years ago by the church to celebrate members of the church who have attained the age of 70 and above.

    Four oldest members of the church who have also been actively involved in the service of the church were honoured and rewarded for not only living long enough to see their grand children, but also for working hard to serve God and humankind.

    The elders honoured were Chief Oluyemi Olaofe, 87, his wife, Madam Ajoke, 86, Madam Adebimpe Anisulowo (nee Olaofe), 85, and Madam Bobola Idowu (nee Olaofe), 85.

    The four are from the Olaofe household in Are-Ekiti community, while Madam Anisulowo was married to the Anisulowo family where Chief Dipo Anisulowo, Ekiti State Chief of Staff hailed from. Madam Idowu married into the Idowu family, one of the major financiers of the church development projects.

    Explaining the significance of the event, the cleric in charge of the church, Venerable Benjamin Oke Olanrewaju, said: “We organise the elders’ day celebration because many of our elders don’t celebrate their birthdays, many of them are not that educated and enlightened; so we use this medium to celebrate them.

    “We also want to discourage a common practice where children who have neglected their aged parents during their lifetime, now come home to throw lavish parties, rebuild the dilapidated buildings their parents lived in and waste money on big-for-nothing parties.”

    In a sermon he entitled “I’ll honour you if you honour me”, the cleric said God is always concerned about the well-being of the family, adding that God is more interested in “how we bring up our children, the Godly values we impart into them and so on.”

    Continuing, he said: “So, I enjoin all parents to bring up their children in a Godly way and children should make sure they take care of their parents and respect them when they are old. Mothers, especially, should ensure their children are well brought up.

    “What your child becomes in future depends on what you train them. These elders who are being celebrated today are enjoying the goodwill and care of their children.”

    Pa Olaofe, the eldest of the celebrators and patriarch of the Olaofe family, had served as a teacher for many years before he retired in 1996 at St Catholic School, Ondo State.

    Reflecting on the honour accorded him during the event, he said: “It is a thing of joy for me that I’m still alive to witness this day the church and our children are honouring us at our old age and in recognition of our service to the church. I am the Asiwaju of the church, and my role in that respect is to oversee the church’s development projects.

    “I have served in several capacities in the church before now. I have been chairman of building committee, secretary of the church and auditor, among others. Now, I simply oversee development projects of the church.”

    Prof. Femi Olaofe, former Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academics of the Ekiti State University (EKSU) who is the son of one of the celebrators said: “Today is the celebration of our old people. We call it Odun agba, (Elders’ Day of Glory). Some of the old people here don’t usually have anything they celebrate. And we believe a day should be set aside for them to be celebrated. This is because they have done so much for their children and so they too deserved to be honoured.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Elders’ statements

    Sometimes, it is so difficult for Hardball to encapsulate the gist of his treatise (ha, ha) in the headline. Today, as on many occasions, one had started off with “Death of elders”. That, seeming too outlandish and far-fetched, had been changed to “Dearth of elders”. That too did not seem to quite suffice. Nigeria is not lacking in elders but what we need sorely are elders of steel and integrity.

    One had again, changed it to: “The other trouble with Nigeria” tapping from the late iconoclastic writer, Chinua Achebe’s disquisition, The Trouble with Nigeria. But this too did not seem to jell with Hardball. A few more were tried on before he settles for the one above. It is not exactly a classic for the occasion but let’s say it’s a passable ‘working’ headline. Such lengths to go get it right for you dear reader!

    As you may have guessed, we speak about the roles and positions of Nigeria’s elders of today in our current socio-political environment. We refer to the ongoing $2.1 billion Dasuki arms scandal and the parts our elders have played in the unfolding drama. We make particular reference here to the statements credited to Chief Raymond Dokpesi and Alhaji Tanko Yakassai last week.

    Dokpesi had called the investigations a ‘hoax’, while Yakassai had vowed not to return the sum of N63 million (he admitted to receiving only N53m). Yakassai, an octogenarian, had been handed the booty by another elder colleague, Chief Tony Anenih, who is himself about 75 years of age. The Dasukigate epic drama has starred largely an assortment of Nigeria’s elders.

    Now you see where we are headed. Almost every culture holds elders in reverence and high esteem. Having seen and done nearly everything, they are expected to deploy rich experience and sagacity to guide the society on the paths of honour and moral rectitude. A people turn to their elders when they falter and their social and political compass seem to fail them. A conclave of noble elders will always redirect the people and lead them back on track.

    But there seems to be a dearth of such elders in the land in this era. We are saddled with mealy-mouthed elders; the type the Yoruba call agbaya. That is elders that are so detestable they are liable to be meted the kind of punishment meant for children. Igbo call them okenye imi anwuru, the kind of elders who are so licentious their nose run with snuff – a very ugly sight unbecoming of an elder.

    Such are the kind of elders seemingly left in the land. When a man of Chief Dokpesi’s age and standing begins to publicly berate and dismiss what is perhaps the biggest financial scam in the annals of the Nigerian nation, there is indeed, trouble. Especially so for a scandal in which he has publicly admitted to be deeply involved. As for Yakassai, he said the sum he received was for a national assignment to mobilise northern chiefs and monarchs for a peaceful conduct of the 2015 general election.

    Gee! One got huge sums to mobilise the media, another to mobilise ‘prayer’, yet another to mobilise the clergy and now the chiefs and monarchs. Not one asked questions as elders are wont. Shall we just ask: how are the elders falling?

  • Elders: probe ‘plot to divert NDDC funds’

    Elders: probe ‘plot to divert NDDC funds’

    Elders and politicians in the Southsouth yesterday urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to probe the alleged plot to divert N1 billion fund belonging to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to the December 5 Bayelsa State poll.

    The elders, consisting of monarchs and politicians, under the auspices of Voice of Southsouth (VSS), said they sent a protest letter to the EFCC.

    They alleged that some politicians  were mounting pressure on some senior management workers of the NDDC to illegally release the money for the poll.

    The VSS, in a letter by its Bayelsa State Chairman, Mr. Alex Dumbo, said a preliminary investigation showed that the plot was real.

    The letter reads: “Though we are not against members of the party raising money for the election, the forceful attempt to illegally deduct from funds provided for agencies and corporations for development is criminal and should be investigated.

    “By this letter, we are calling on the EFCC to investigate the plot by summoning the management workers of the NDDC for questioning.

    “We believe that in line with the anti-corruption drive of President Muhammadu Buhari, such cases of fund diversion and illegal funding of election with state or government money should be investigated and those behind it prosecuted.”

    The elders described as empty President Buhari’s pronouncement that electoral offenders would be prosecuted by the Federal Government.

    They said it was targeted at prosecuting select and perceived political opponents.

    “We consider the declaration of President Buhari during the swearing-in of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Mahmud Yakubu, as another declaration made without sincerity and goodwill.

    “The declaration of the President is viewed from the premise that the ongoing attempt by the present administration to implement its anti-corruption agenda has been turned into a political witch-hunt targeted at perceived opposition party members as well as those sympathetic to their cause.”