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Tag: ibadan

  • Ibadan chieftaincy system at crossroads

    Ibadan chieftaincy system at crossroads

    In this piece, Chief Theophilus Akinyele urges the people of Ibadan to protect the tradition, unity and progress of the ancient city under the paramount ruler, the Olubadan of Ibadanland.

    As the Bobajiro of Ibadanland since 1978 and the person who voluntarily in 2011 published the book “Ibadan traditional system: Reform and regeneration: and who took the trouble to submit a memorandum to the Justice Boade Commissioner of Enquiry set up by the Oyo State Government, I owe it a duty to categorically state my position on the issues involved in the current development enveloping the Olubadan Chieftaincy system for the sake of constituency, truth and personal integrity, and to avoid the possibility of being misquoted or misunderstood by anybody or group.

    My book examined the eighty years of Ibadan military exploits and imperial adventurism which earned Ibadan the incontrovertible position as the bulwark for the existence of Yorubaland. It highlighted the inherent systematic structure weaknesses and adverse effects of governmental and other external interventions, which became pronounced in the last two decades.

    The book then in Chapters 7 and 8 made a number of recommendations regarding pointers to the need for reform and regeneration including measured operational steps to be taken in the short and long term regarding feasible logistics over a decade or two.

    In the memorandum sent from abroad, where I still am, to the Boade Commission of Enquiry, after inviting attention to Chapter 7 and 8 of my book, I wrote inter-alia as follows:

    “It is my humble opinion from the outset, that whatever will emerge from the outcome of the current Enquiry, two desiderata must be observed, namely the oneness of Ibadanland under the suzerainty of Olubadan and secondly the unique position of Ibadanland in the scheme of things pertaining to traditional systems in Oyo State in the light of historical antecedents and favour of geographical location on Ibadanland.”

    I must categorically state that at no time did I suggest that Ibadanland needs the proliferation of Obas nor the wearing of beaded crowns. In this regard, I would like to invite attention to the portion of the following pages of my book (pages 83-84), which would appeared to have become a self-fulfilling prophecy:

    “I also want to believe that the issue concerning wearing of beaded crowns has become the Sword of Damocles dangling over the Ibadan Traditional System now that some unwary Baales in Ibadanland have been surreptitiously lured into turning themselves into pawns in the hands of politicians with the juicy carrot of wearing beaded crowns even if the beads are nothing more than Chinese-made artificial beads! The hood does not make monk.”

    Eternal regeneration in a well-restructured manner that recognizes the uniqueness of Ibadan Traditional System under the leadership of the Olubadan of Ibadanland is the perfect assurance for a virile and vigorous system in order to cope with the envisaged challenges of modernity.

    “How could I in one breath defend the suzerainty of the Olubadan of Ibadanland and ipso facto the unity of Ibadanland and later support or advise the Governor to “enthrone” a multitude of Obas in Ibadanland thus unwittingly destroying the very fabric of Ibadan unity and weakening the suzerainty of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, seen as a bonding instution and not just a personality?”

     

    • Chief Akinyele, OON, wrote from Ibadan.
  • Olubadan chieftaincy: How our family became the first to produce two crowned kings in Ibadan

    Olubadan chieftaincy: How our family became the first to produce two crowned kings in Ibadan

    —Oba Gbadamosi Adebimpe whose father was the first Olubadan to wear beaded crown

    Says reform favours Olubadan

    When a late Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Gbadamosi Adebimpe, mounted the throne of the Olubadan of Ibadan land in February, 1976, little did he know that he was entering a special place in the history of Ibadan. Aside being the first Olubadan to wear a beaded crown, which he received in December of the same year, he is now the first Ibadan monarch to have his son crowned as another king in the historic review of the Olubadan chieftaincy system.

    With the crowning of the Ashipa Balogun, High Chief Latifu Gbadamosi Adebimpe, as the Oba of Akinyele Local Government, Ibadan last Sunday, the Oba Adebimpe family of Odinjo Compound, Ibadan, has made history for being the first to produce two beaded crown monarchs in Ibadan land. The new oba relishes the feat as much as other members of the Adebimpe family.

    Can we meet you, Kabiyesi?

    I am His Royal Majesty, Oba Latifu Gbadamosi Adebimpe, the Ashipa Balogun of Ibadan land in charge of Akinyele Local Government Traditional Council, Moniya. That is where I am the traditional council chairman and that is my domain. Each of the 11 members of the Olubadan-in-Council (now Council of Obas in Ibadan) has his traditional domain which is local government. The question of domain or not should not arise in our case because it has always been there. Even my friend, Sen. Rasheed Ladoja, is the chairman of the Traditional Council of Ibadan South West Local Government. That is his domain. Criticism of the review is nothing but political.

    You are among the first set of His Royal Majesties in Ibadan land. Can you share with us your ancestry?

    Providence. That thing they call providence. I thank God that I belong to the Adebimpe Family of Odinjo. All the past Baales or Olubadan of Ibadan land used to wear abeti-aja (one of the stylish Yoruba traditional caps) and all other types of caps. When it came to my father’s turn to be installed as the Olubadan of Ibadan on 23rd February 1976, he wore ikoris (another traditional cap) and as the turn of events would come up during debates at the Oyo State House of Chiefs, a civil servant asked the then Ooni of Ife, Sir Adesoji Aderemi, why the Olubadan had to be in the front row without a beaded crown, while some other obas wearing beaded crown sat at the back. I think my father was seated between the Ooni of Ife and the Alafin of Oyo in the front row. Then the Ooni told the person that Ibadan can wear beaded crown at any point in time because the founders of Ibadan were warriors from different towns in Yoruba land.

    Whenever any debate like that took place anywhere, the matter would be brought to the Olubadan –in—Council. So, my father had to report back to the council what transpired at the meeting, especially on the wearing of beaded crown. That was when Ibadan said it was an insult for anybody to query or question the dignity of the Olubadan wearing abeti-aja or ikori cap and they said ‘yes’ it was time for them to wear beaded crown like other obas. I don’t want to go into what really happened until eventually it happened on the 10th of December, 1976 when my father was crowned as the first Olubadan of Ibadan land to wear beaded crown.

    As at the 1976, was the title the Olubadan or Baale of Ibadan?

    It was the Olubadan of Ibadanland. So, I think, which means my father could be termed as a sort of reformer of the firmer system and now that system is being transformed again because Ibadan is no more a town. It is a mega city.  It is too large and too big, and they used to call my father His Royal Majesty because my father could not crown any other oba in Ibadan land. He could install baales or mogajis, which was what had been happening since then until August 25 this year when more obas emerged in Ibadan. That is another transformation of what started from my dad. Incidentally, I happened to be the direct son of the late Olubadan, Oba Adebimpe, which means my family has crowned two kings now in the history of Ibadan. We are the first family to ever produce anything like that. I am proud to be part of that history and I am very thankful to God. Indeed, names often influence incidents.  Before my father became the Olubadan in 1976, there was no one among the baales or Olubadan before him that had the prefix ‘Ade’ before their names. Adebimpe, just like it happened to my father, now it is happening to me. So, there is much in a name. That was when it started through my father and it is also starting through me. Names are really of key significance. It is joy forever!

    When he became the first Olubadan to wear a beaded crown, how will you describe the feeling in your immediate and extended family?

    We thanked God for it and it was awesomely celebrated by the whole of Ibadan. It was an innovation, the people accepted it and the occasion was really joyful. That it started with us, it has a place in history and the name has now become indelible and golden in the history of Ibadanland.

    Where was the crowning of your father done?

    The crowning was done at Mapo Hall. And incidentally my own crowning too was done at Mapo hall. Even the present Olubadan of Ibadanland also received his crown at Mapo Hall.

    So government organised a special ceremony for the crowning since the Olubadan was already on his throne?

    Yes. The ceremony was held on December 10, 1976. Now, the beauty of the present reformation is that all the Olubadan, including my dad, uptil the present Olubadan, were known and addressed as ‘Royal Majesty’, because there was no other oba below them or there was no oba to be enthroned under them. Only the kings that can enthrone other kings are known and addressed as ‘Imperial Majesty’. And that is what we have been nurturing, thinking about, pondering about for a long time. And now God has used the present governor, Abiola Ajimobi, to be bold and courageous enough to promote the dignity of obaship in Ibadanland. I thank God for him and he will go down in history as the transformer of the Olubadan chieftaincy system. All the previous governors have tried to reform the Olubadan Chieftaincy system in Ibadan in one way or the other, but none ever thought that it could come up in this way. Well, I won’t say because it didn’t happen during their time, God has time and purpose for everybody and Ajimobi is only destined to achieve this feat for Ibadan. Because he was courageous and bold enough to achieve the rare thing and rare feat, for Ibadan, I thank God for him and by the grace of God, his name will go down in history as the transformer of Ibadan chieftaincy system.

    Since you have been enthroned as His Royal Majesty, how have your kinsmen and women been responding to the elevation?

    Yes, I tell you, everybody gladly accepted it and they were happy that it is happening and that we are again part of that history. It started from us, from our family, and we are still part of another history that is being made. That means we have scored two golden goals already. And who will not be proud of that? Two obas from Adebimpe family? We thank God for it. And I want us to appreciate it that it is coming at this time and that this man, Ajimobi, is the one doing it. I will still mention it again, before our coronation, we said Olubadan was a royal majesty and it was from that day of our coronation that he became His Imperial Majesty. He will now be installing obas in Ibadan. Take for instance, the Oba of Lagos, he has so many other obas under him and any occasion he attends, you will see the entourage of his royal fathers following him. See other paramount rulers as well, that is what makes them Imperial Majesty. See what happens around the Ooni of Ife and the Alaafin of Oyo and many places like that. The only thing that is constant is change. That we are part of these changes is good, and that is not the end of it. Many things will still happen later. This is not even the end of the change to the Olubadan chieftaincy system. Some people will still bring other innovations that will promote the dignity of Ibadanland.

    I am indeed happy, joyful and elated that I am part of this history at this time. I am indeed very grateful to God. And perhaps many people don’t understand it; it will not diminish Olubadan authority on the administration of Ibadanland. Far from it. Anything that his obas do in their various domains must be ratified by the Olubadan because he is the prescribed authourity of the entire Ibadanland. So, as the Chairman of the Traditional Council of Akinyele Local Government, if we want to appoint any baale there, the traditional council there will have to do the exercise and report to Olubadan and the Olubadan-in-Council because they still have to make the final decision to approve or not. Any of the baales that we screen at our local government levels depend on them. It is the decision of the Olubadan-in-Council that Olubadan will stamp as the prescribed authority. So, that is what will dignify the system and I think it is a beautiful thing. We thank God that it is happening. Our kabiyesi must not fear anything. And I thank God for him and as the reformation started from my dad, this new reformation is also starting from him (Olubadan). His name will go down in gold as the first Imperial Majesty in Ibadanland. I think it is a lack of understanding of the nitty-gritty of the whole system that is causing the misunderstanding. But in actual fact, it is a fantastic thing.

    There are some critics of the new review. One of the questions of the critics is if the new royal majesties can appoint chiefs as expected of every oba and how do they get chiefs since they don’t have specific ancient kingdoms they are to rule over. The second question is that now that we have the Imperial Majesty supervising the Royal Majesties and Royal Highnesses, is it going to still be in a line of royal tradition in which the lesser obas will remove their crown in honour and respect of the Imperial Majesty?

    Like I told you earlier, the Royal Majesties have their different domains, that is where they represent the kaboyesi, the Olubadan of Ibadanland. I belong to Akinyele Local Government Traditional Council just like all others in the 11 local governments in Ibadan. I told you something about the appointment of baales in the lesser cities; I have a traditional council which I chair. I have members there, including baales. They are under me. We will screen all the candidates for any vacant position in the local council where I preside over, particularly the villages and or communities. We will screen them because they have to present documents to back their claims to the ownership of the baale of the place. We will do our write-up and everything and we will then send our final report to the Olubadan and Olubadan-in-Council for final screening and ratification. The final decision or whatever we have done at the local government level rests on the kabiesi and his council, which means we are still subjected to whatever is the decision of the Olubadan and the Olubadan-in-Council.

    Are you not going to have chiefs that will be working with you?

    No, the baales are there already to do that. They are already serving as my own chiefs and in that case, not all the baales have been elevated to the post of Royal Highness. Even the baales that have been elevated to the position of royal highness in my domain are still under me and under my control because I am the chairman of the traditional council of the local government and that is why I am the Royal Majesty. It is higher than the Royal Highness and that is one of the beauties of it.

    And as Royal Majesties, how do you pay homage and or obeisance to His Imperial Majesty when you are also wearing beaded crown?

    It is still the normal thing. You cannot just stand with your hands to your side or your pocket to greet Kabiyesi Olubadan. Neither can my own Royal Highnesses stand up to me; they have to do the normal thing as prescribed by the tradition. The elevation does not erode or remove the normal traditional courtesies the lesser obas pay to the higher oba.

    I congratulate you, because you are a direct son of the late Oba Gbadamosi Adebimpe. The world is changing and I will like to know if any of your sons is also interested in this traditional system so that we would say in the nearest future, that we can still have another crowned king in the Adebimpe family.

    Adebimpe family is made up of four principal sections. It is only by coincidence that my own choice as the traditional chief came when it was my section’s turn. We have produced many mogajis but unfortunately they couldn’t ascend to the line, but when it got to my father’s section, I was picked. So, it could still happen but that is a decision for the whole family. So, it is not my section’s exclusive right, the system is a fantastic one. The Adebimpe family is a very large one consisting of four principal sections.

    Were you already a mogaji in 1976 when your father was enthroned?

    No, it was impossible. It was after him that I became a mogaji. It doesn’t work like that. You cannot be an oba and your son a mogaji, it is impossible. It is after the demise that you will have to apply to the Olubadan for the appointment. After a king’s demise, the families will agree on who to represent them as the mogaji. I started as a mogaji in 1991. Sen. Rashidi Ladoja became a mogaji about a year later but he was at the ceremony where I became the mogaji as my very good and close friend.

    How come Ladoja is your senior in rank?

    That is God for you. Now, even in July 1993, I was already Jagun Balogun of Ibadan but before the formal installation that took place in October 1, 1993, there was vacancy at the Olubadan line and Ladoja became the Jagun there. It was from October 1 that his own ladder started counting but my own started counting since July 1993. So, I was his senior but your elevation depends on vacancies on your line. There were so many vacancies at the Olubadan line. Even some people who started many years after me had gone higher in ranks in the Olubadan line because of the several vacancies there. Now, Ladoja had risen tremendously along that line.

    In fact there was a time the gap between us was about eight steps but that is the work of God. You cannot become anything except God makes you. So there is nothing to rival or envy about. He who God wants to make the Olubadan of Ibadan is only known by God. You cannot struggle, you cannot contest it, you cannot protest it or even buy it. So, only God knows who is going to reach there. But the prayer of every chief is for them to reach the peak of the traditional chieftaincy line. That is how it is. He is today the Osi of Olubadan line and I am here today by the grace of God, the Ashipa Balogun of Ibadanland. God knows. You only know when you get to the line, you don’t know when you will bow out and only God knows who will get there and there is no competition about that.

    What word of advice do you have for the critics of this latest review and for the sons and daughters of Ibadanland?

    For any reform whatsoever, no matter how good it is, people will always see the other side of it. There is nothing good that is not criticised because the way I see it may be different from the way you will see it and you have the independence and freedom to express your opinions about it. But the most important part of it is to educate people, tell them the benefits over the demerits of that reformation. The reformation of the new system is more advantageous, more dignifying and more befitting for our traditional headship of Ibadanland. When you make them to realise that the Olubadan cannot become His Imperial Majesty if he does not have other smaller or lower kings under him that he can install and crown, it is impossible. All the kabiyesis that had ruled Ibadanland had only installed baales and mogajis and those ones are not crowned obas. I thank God for the present Olubadan because this reformation is starting with him. He started it and his name will go down in gold as the man from whom a new order started.

    To all Ibadan sons and daughters,  I want them to embrace it; thank God that we have a son who is the current governor of Oyo State that has thought of giving Ibadan this befitting and dignifying status through the transformation of the Olubadan Chieftaincy.

  • The ‘bloom and gloom’ in the Ibadan obaship saga

    Between the Bible and the philosopher, there’s a common ground of agreement that the good and the bad co-habit.

    And that point is repeatedly made and seen on a daily basis in our society. Serious matter this, irrespective of the light joke made of it by the authors of a kiddies programme titled ‘Bloom and Gloom’.

    Bloom defines the world of kiddies; as many of them are immune from the realities of its opposite. They know very little of gloom. At best, the basic understanding of kiddies to the word ‘gloom’ is limited to only when their candies and ice cream lollies are taken off their tender but itchy fingers. One does not need to search far for proof: a kid whose two parents have just perished in a ghastly road crash is totally oblivious of the calamity that has just befallen him; whereas his instant reaction when a chocolate ball or bar is snatched off his hands is akin to someone whose fairy tale world has just collapsed.

    I am too preoccupied with far more serious issues than to get glued to the TV to be watching – of all programmes – kiddies cartoons; the reason why I may not know if the authors of the TV programme are indeed teaching our kiddies the real essence of bloom and gloom in that programme.

    If I have my way, I will choose bloom and reject gloom in my life but mortals don’t have a choice in the manner; and when a share of either, becomes your lot, brace yourself up to face that reality with equanimity. It is a trillion- naira advice especially for Ibadan people on whichever side of the divide they are.

    The recent decision of the Oyo State Government to create many kingships out of Ibadan city is as comical as it is confusing. On the bloom side, some are happy that it is no longer going to be one monarch to be superintending over a vast land mass; so if the number is even 100, the better. One ‘daughter of the soil’ that spoke to me on phone from the United States of American, on the issue, asked rhetorically “ how many Obas do you have in Lagos, to be expressing surprise at the huge number we will now have in “Ibadan ti ‘a”.

    Comical, isn’t it? She has reduced the matter to land mass, forgetting that in the case of Lagos, several ethnic nationalities make up the little enclaves of Lagos with distinguishing claims to their obaships. Eguns and Aworis, for example, monopolise their domains with uncommon grit as to let it be known that no intruder will be permitted an inch in their territory. But will the Ibadans, with their customary and barely cosmopolitan question of “tani baba re n’leyi?” permit the accommodating nature of Lagos that permitted igbiras, ekitis, nupes, otta-aworis, et al, to have a bit of the cake in obaship and baleship matters ? I doubt it.

    The reason why the prospect of expanded obaship in Ibadanland appears to a layman like me, as gloomy; if not now, but later. The foundation for the anarchy that may come has already been laid. Follow me: The incumbent Olubadan, who by the new arrangement, will assume the Imperial Majesty status of an Ooni of Ife or the Sultan of Sokoto and should be happy about the new status, has headed to court while a former governor of Oyo State who eventually ended up as a serial governorship contender in the same state, and a high chief of Ibadan and a beneficiary of the incumbent Governor Ajimobi’s largesse, who by the new arrangement, should henceforth be known and addressed as His Royal Majesty, Oba Rasheed Ladoja, saw a “Greek gift” in all this and vowed to approach the court to assist him disapprove of the governor’s approval.

    The recent decision of the Oyo State Government to create many kingships out of Ibadan city is as comical as it is confusing. On the bloom side, some are happy that it is no longer going to be one monarch to be superintending over a vast land mass; so if the number is even 100, the better. One ‘daughter of the soil’ that spoke to me on phone from the United States of American, on the issue, asked rhetorically “ how many Obas do you have in Lagos, to be expressing surprise at the huge number we will now have in “Ibadan ti ‘a”.

    Comical, isn’t it? She has reduced the matter to land mass, forgetting that in the case of Lagos, several ethnic nationalities make up the little enclaves of Lagos with distinguishing claims to their obaships. Eguns and Aworis, for example, monopolise their domains with uncommon grit as to let it be known that no intruder will be permitted an inch in their territory. But will the Ibadans, with their customary question of “tani baba re n’leyi?” permit the accommodating nature of Lagos that permitted Igbiras, Ekitis, Nupes, Otta-Aworis, et al, to have a bit of the cake in obaship and baleship matters? I doubt it.

    Will the new Majesties now limit their traditional aspiration to just being HRM or they still can, as of old,  aspire to rise to become the more fascinating HIM (His Imperial Majesty) which has hitherto been the ultimate for all Ibadan High Chiefs? Perhaps, an emerging custodian of Yoruba tradition, Oloye Lekan Alabi of Ibadanland can help out here.

    When Military Governor David Medayese Jemibewon from Aiyetoro-Gbede in today’s Kogi State upgraded the Olubadan Baleship stool to full obaship with the first beaded crown ever to be won by any Olubadan in the 70s, the Ibadans saw the bloom in the fly-whisk of the first beneficiary of the government magnanimity and regarded the event as not only unprecedented but unique. Precedent is a good soulmate of politics, do I hear someone say?

    This new development of Ibadan Chiefs assuming obaship status in the Olubadan’s life time while he assumes imperial majesticship over all and sundry, on the surface, should attract greater “jollification” than the one that heralded Jemibewon’s crown then; but is this one to be regarded as a bloom for the people or gloom for the vast territory? The answer is in the womb of time.

     

    ‘Ewure ile o mo iyi ode’

    The marriage ceremony of my step daughter recently in Chelmsford, Essex in the United Kingdom, proved a few points worthy of reflection upon.

    One, the physical presence of two prominent Obas from Nigeria’s premier state, Lagos. Someone walked up to me at the venue, wanting to know more of me and when I asked why, he said he was surprised to learn from one of those at the reception party that I was the facilitator. He expressed surprise again.

    To be sure, I cannot fathom why he felt surprised.  He sounded innocent to me, I must tell. And, that innocent (?) inquiry reminds me of the general behavioural pattern of people in our country; and in the U.K. by mean people who are driven more by envy, jealousy and disguised but mindless pursuit of pecuniary benefits, to behave in ways that clearly tell that some of them went to the Uni. but never allowed the university to pass through them. But the surprise more to me is why people, whether in flowing agbada or buba or gown or cassock, never grow up, such that they always want to look down on people or try to want to re-write people’s history. This category of people perhaps haven’t learnt enough to know that it isn’t good to look down on people, as only God sits up there.

    Some others, because of their love of filthy lucre, even descend from their Olympian height, to contradict themselves at the drop of a hat, speaking from all the corners of their mouths, wrecking homes with their plainly biased and mischievous mouths, in the process. To them, I say: call honey by whatever name, it is still sweet!

    Truth is that, like Haruna Ishola succinctly put it in one of his records, the goat at home doesn’t know the worth and capability of a hunter who would easily have hunted it down and made mincemeat of the goat, were it a habitue of the forest.

    No matter what, whether or not such people like it, they are too little to undo God’s work. The Supreme Being, that made us who we are, is still at work, ensuring that his beloved are preserved for greater exploits and protected from harm’s way.

  • Ibadan obas: People ‘ll praise me later, says Ajimobi

    Ibadan obas: People ‘ll praise me later, says Ajimobi

    Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi yesterday expressed confidence that those criticising him for reviewing the Olubadan Chieftaincy laws will later sing his praise in the future.

    The review of the law resulted in the coronation of additional 21 kings at an elaborate event at Mapo Hall in Ibadan, the state capital.

    The governor urged the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji, Aje Ogungunniso I, not to allow politicians use him.

    Ajimobi said he knew the monarch as a respectable father of all in Ibadan, adding that the opposition of the royal father to the recent review and reform of Olubadan chieftaincy system could not have been masterminded by Olubadan himself but by some politicians with vested interest in his administration.

    The governor spoke at the inauguration of the rehabilitated Mobil Junction-Are-Oluyole-Wema Bank, Apata Road in Ibadan.

    The event was also attended by the newly crowned obas.

    Ajimobi recalled that the former Premier of the defunct Western Region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, was also abused by the people when he introduced free education in the region, before the residents and others later started praising him and describing the policy as “wonderful”.

    The governor said the recent comments on the Olubadan review were largey laden with political colourations rather than considerations for uplifting the city’s traditional system.

    According to him, he was never out to hinder anyone from achieving any ambition, but “constituted authority must be respected by all and sundry”.

    The appearance of the new kings with their crowns and staff of office at the event was to the admiration of a large crowd that attended the event, as it added colours to the event.

    The monarchs at the event included Oba Lekan Balogun, the Otun Olubadan; Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, the Balogun of Ibadan; Oba Tajudeen Ajibola, the Osi Balogun; Oba Eddy Oyewole, Asipa Olubadan; Oba Latifu Gbadamosi Adebimpe, Ashipa Balogun; Oba Abiodun Kola-Daisi, Ekerin Olubadan; Oba Amidu Ajibade, the Ekarun Olubadan and Oba (Dr.) Kolawole Adegbola, Ekarun Balogun.

    Ajimobi said: “Those who abuse us for crowning obas now will praise us in future. Some have politicised the matter. Chief Obafemi Awolowo was then abused for introducing free education but he was praised afterwards. I did not do the crowning of obas for myself.

    “Why do I want to hinder others from becoming what they want to be? Whoever God has destined will become whatever he or she wants to be. Moreover, I am not in the race to become an oba.

    “Many administrations, since Governor McGregor, have attempted changes to the Olubadan chieftaincy. It was known as baale in the 1930s before it was known as Olubadan. I am not into any battle with Olubadan, but he should dissociate himself from those with political interests.

    “The Olubadan is a good father; I can’t disrespect the Olubadan. But I know there are those using the Olubadan’s name to promote their interests, especially those we have defeated politically. Anyone who believes in God is not interested in hindering the progress of anyone. Moreover, this honour is befitting for our kings and this event today looks more glamorous. I am glad.

    “I thank God that he used my administration to carry out Olubadan of Ibadan chieftaincy reform. But nobody can threaten me because I also hail from Ibadan. The Olubadan is a good father. But at times, when politicians have penetrated into the traditional institution in Ibadan, they can influence him.

    “The politicians acting behind the scene, we have beaten them many times during elections. Almighty God has sent me to do what I am doing. So, whoever opposes us will be beaten. Olubadan is not the one doing what he has been doing to oppose the reform, but the politicians who have been acting underground.”

  • Ibadan Young Writers Summit holds

    Ibadan Young Writers Summit holds

    New literary stars were discovered at the recently held finale of the 2017 edition of the Ibadan Young Writers Summit.

    Held inside the iconic bowl of the Trenchard Hall, University of Ibadan on Tuesday, August 8, the event was graced by literati, educationists, school proprietors and administrators, publishers, educational support services providers, financial institutions, parents, members of the press and the general public.

    The new literary and creative writing hopefuls were drawn from about five hundred participants at the preliminaries of the Summit which took place in May this year.

    At the preliminaries, young writers were exposed to the craftsmanship behind fine prose, poetry, drama and songwriting. Finalists were drawn from the best entries of writing assignments given them at the end of their training.

    Award-winning columnist, poet and literary genius, Sam Omatseye, who is also the Chairman, Editorial Board of The Nation Newspaper, delivered an inspiring Keynote Address that literally lit up the participating audience.

    Overall, Miss Williams Neyen of Livingstone College emerged the winner 2017 edition of the Ibadan Young Writers Literary Challenge.

    The first runner-up is Oyedemi Idowu of Oba Akinyele High School and Bassey Karen of All Soul’s College was Second runner-up.

    In the junior category (Poetry), Iyeoluwa Adejumo-Bello of Kinderville College won, whilst Omobowale Jesusurefunmi of Christ the King College won in the Senior Category.

    Various cash prizes, winners’ medal, certificate and books were awarded all finalists and overall winners. Automatic qualification for the forthcoming Odu’a International Literary Challenge was also granted the finalists.

    At the end of all proceedings, the Ibadan Young Writers Academy was inaugurated.

  • Olubadan to Ajimobi: I’m not a politician

    Olubadan to Ajimobi: I’m not a politician

    As the dust settled over the emergence of new obas in Ibadan, the Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Saliu Adetunji, Monday urged Governor Abiola Ajimobi not to paint him bad before the public, stressing that his decision to oppose the review of the Olubadan chieftaincy system was not political in any way.

    In a statement by the Director of Media and Public Affairs to the palace, Mr Adeola Oloko, yesterday, the monarch said: “As a monarch, I’m a father of all, irrespective of sex, ethnic and ideological persuasions.

    “Since Friday March 4, 2016, when I ascended the exalted throne of Olubadan I have opened the gate of our palace wide to all manner of people. If you belong to APC, PDP, Labour, Accord and/or more, you are most welcome. So, politics has nothing to do with my resistance or opposition to the chieftaincy review spearheaded by the Oyo State Government.”

    Oba Adetunji also described as unfortunate the comment by the governor that recent utterances from the palace are tending towards the political, adding if he (the governor) has any demonstrable evidence of such, he should kindly provide it.

    According to him, there is no press statement issued from the Olubadan media office which did not enjoy his blessing before it was made public.

    He said: “While I am aware that people react to age differently, I am not old enough to be misinterpreted by anybody, even at 89. Governor Ajimobi stated that he invited us to the Governor’s Office over this matter and visited me in the palace later. While this is true, I wish to respectfully state that the Boade Panel was inaugurated on May 19, 2017, His Excellency, Governor Ajimobi invited me to the Governor’s Office on Wednesday, June 14, 2017 after the panel had sat for 4 weeks. At that meeting, His Excellency, the Oyo State Governor, the High Chiefs and State House correspondents would recall my opposition to the chieftaincy review. My question is: ‘did anybody put words in my mouth in that recorded tape?’ When he invited me to his office and visited me in the palace on Sunday, June 18, 2017, the Boade Panel was almost through with its job, when we met at the inner chamber, what the State Governor came to tell me was that he knew I should have been consulted first. So, it is not true that I was consulted, as claimed by him.

    “If I had been consulted, this error would have been avoided. The desecration of the crown would have been averted.”

    The Olubadan of Ibadan land, who congratulated all Ibadan people on keeping the peace, assured that these times would pass.

    Oba Adetunji commended all his brother-monarchs for their solidarity and cooperation, saying his opposition to the mass coronation exercise was to prevent breakdown of law and order, complication and dire consequences in Ibadan Chieftaincy System.

  • W.TEC holds maiden camp in Ibadan

    Twenty-six girls aged between 13 and 19 participated in the first Girls Technology Camp to be organised by the Women’s Technology Empowerment Centre, W.TEC, in Ibadan.

    They were exposed to technology workshops on Computer Appreciation – Basics, Animation Programming using SCRATCH, Mobile Application Development using MIT AppInventor2, 3D Designing and Printing, Career Talks and Leadership Sessions during the two-week camp.

    The camp was sponsored by Nokia-U.K via GlobalGiving.org, Google.org and numerous kind individuals while the camp supporters included NuStream Conference Centre and Oyo State Ministry of Education.

    At the end of the programme, Miss Adeyosola Ajakaiye won the Overall Winner’s Prize being the best in academics, a good team player, and well behaved.

    Prizes were also presented to participants for both group efforts and individual projects in various categories representing each Technology session held in the camp; (Designing & Building of Integrated circuits, 3D Animation (Using Sketch Up), 2D Animation (Using SCRATCH) and Robotics and Mobile application using MIT App Inventor.

  • Wheelchairs for three minors

    Wheelchairs for three minors

    It was a happy moment when three physically-challenged persons in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, received wheelchairs from the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

    The gesture was part of the mandates of the Corps Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers (HIRD) designed to provide quality health care services for the less-privileged and the physically-challenged, particularly in the rural communities.

    The wheelchairs were presented to the beneficiaries at the HIRD programme held at Mapo Hall, Ibadan.

    The three beneficiaries, Steve Okejide, (male) and two females namely Aishat Maroof and Omolara Adebusayo emerged through an open balloting among eight persons who vied for the wheelchairs.

    However, the sum of N27, 250, raised at the programme was shared equally among the eight physically-challenged for their upkeep. The presentation ceremony was witnessed by the Oyo State Coordinator of the NYSC, Mrs. Ifeoma Anidobi, top NYSC officials, corps members and some physically-challenged individuals who were accompanied by their friends and relations.

    The Head of Local Government Administration, Ibadan South East Local Government Area, Mrs. Victoria Akinpelu, represented the caretaker chairman of the council, Alhaji Teslim Ajimobi.

    Mrs. Anidobi said the aims and objectives of HIRD were “to sensitise the rural dwellers to the dangers of some common ailments and preventable diseases, to diagnose and also treat rural people in selected communities who are suffering from one illness or the other.”

    She stressed that the gesture was also aimed at providing first aid services for minors on peculiar ailments and provide free screening services on HIV, hepatitis and sickle cell anaemia, among others, adding that stakeholders in the health sector contributed immensely to make the objectives achievable.

    She said: “To make the programme achieve its full objectives, various stakeholders in the health sector, corporate entities, non-governmental organisations; global agencies such as World Health Organisation (WHO), the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) and regional bodies such as United States Agency for International Development (USAID) were contacted to assist in areas of drug donation, logistic supplies, enlightenment talks and rural health shows.

    “The programme had been carried out in all the states of the federation and has also received positive media publicity and response from rural dwellers. To add more value to our society and to improve the well-being of the citizens, the present Director-General of the scheme, Brig-General Sule Kazaure decided to bring health relief to the residents of Ibadan South East Local Government Area, even as he directed that three sets of wheel chairs be distributed to the physically-challenged for easy mobility.”

    The corps members serving in Ibadan South East Local Government Area, however, adopted one of the three beneficiaries, Aishat Maroof.

    Miss Bukola Olayode, who spoke on behalf of the corps members, said Aishat was adopted because she is already in a primary school. The gesture was aimed at lifting financial burden off the shoulders of her grandmother, who has been taking care of her since Aishat’s mother died.

    Olayode said the adoption would cover all educational expenses of Aishat, adding that the leadership of NYSC were involved so that the gesture would not stop for Aishat when the present set of corps members pass out of the scheme.

    Mrs. Akinpelu, on behalf of the council’s chairman, appreciated the NYSC for the gesture, describing the event as significant.

    She added that giving to the underprivileged in the society is a humanitarian service that should be continuous.

  • ‘35 per cent of Ibadan residents hypertensive’

    ‘35 per cent of Ibadan residents hypertensive’

    The Chief Medical Director (CMD) of University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Oyo State capital, Prof. Temitope Alonge, has said about 35 per cent of people in the city are hypertensive.

    Alonge spoke on an Ibadan radio, Fresh FM, at the weekend.

    The CMD said UCH discovered this in a project it initiated during which its workers tested residents in their homes and offices.

    According to him, the tests showed about 35 per cent of residents live with hypertension, with most of them unaware.

    Alonge stressed the need for Nigerians to take their health serious by embracing preventive measures to reduce sudden deaths.

    He said: “The commonest cause of deaths in adult population since 2004 is stroke due to hypertension. From our tests, about 35 per cent of Ibadan residents are hypertensive.”

    The CMD urged governments in the Southwest states to support UCH because the patients come mostly from the states.

    To help poor patients who sometimes run away after treatments due to inability to pay bills or reduce preventable deaths among poor patients, Alonge said doctors make monthly contributions  to a fund from where the hospital draws.

    In the hospital’s efforts to reduce negative impact of poor funding, Alonge said UCH concluded plans to manufacture fluids and some basic drugs.

    He said production would begin within the next six months.

    The project would be undertaken through public private partnership (PPP).

    The project, he said, would also include provision of certain equipment, which the hospital cannot afford. The equipment will bring convenience to patients as well as possibly reduce cost of tests.

  • Akintola backs multiple monarchs for Ibadan

    A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Chief Niyi Akintola, has supported the Governor Abiola Ajimobi administration’s decision to enthrone more kings in Oyo State through a review of the 1957 Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration Laws.

    Akintola addressed reporters in Ibadan, the state capital, while announcing his aspiration to join the 2019 governorship race.

    He said the review was not long overdue, adding that governments before Ajimobi tinkered with the idea by setting up different panels of enquiry.

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart hailed Ajimobi for resolving to implement recommendations of the commission, which examined the matter.

    The aspirant noted that the review lingered because of the lack of will by past administrations before Ajimobi.