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  • Excitement as tap water returns to Ibadan

    Excitement as tap water returns to Ibadan

    Things are looking good for residents of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital as public water taps that have remained dry for many years are now running again, thanks to the resuscitation of the two major sources of water supply to the city-Asejire and Eleyele water works by the state government. OSEHEYE OKWUOFU reports.

    In Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, the residents are in a happy mood, and they have many reasons to be so excited. Their water taps that have been running in fits and starts for many years are now running smoothly again thanks to the present administration in the state that has brought life back to the Asejire and Eleyele water works, the two major sources of public water supply to the city.

    For more than seven years before the Governor Abiola Ajimobi administration came on board in 2011, most parts of the city that used to enjoy tap water in their homes had no water due to the poor state of the two water projects.

    Though previous administrations tried to resuscitate the facilities and provide the over three million residents of the ancient city with potable water, their efforts were certainly not good enough to address the biting water problem.

    So acute was the shortage that many residents, especially women and children had to trek long distance from their homes with jerry cans and bowls on their heads in search of potable water, perhaps from the few boreholes and wells in the area.

    And after several unfulfilled promises from past administrations, the residents, understandably, have learnt not to trust the government to provide them with water, but they were pleasantly surprised recently when they opened their taps at home, perhaps by accident, and water started running. It was pure excitement. Now homes connected to public water pipes are getting supply from the Oyo State Water Corporation and the people are happy.

    Signs that things were getting back to normal was first noticed by The Nation when this correspondent noticed water oozing out from burst pipes in some parts of the city and technicians from the State Water Corporation fixing the fault, an indication that government had started pumping water into homes.

    So excited were the residents to see their taps running that they have resorted to stockpiling the ‘essential’ commodity in big containers and jerry cans in anticipation of when the taps could go dry again, but that may not be any time soon as water has been flowing ceaselessly.

    When The Nation went round the city, it was discovered that many of the pipes are no longer in good conditions having gone rust due to old age, and are leaking water. Though residents of the affected areas have made appeals to the water corporation to effect necessary repairs some have however resorted to self help where possible, by engaging the services of plumbers to fix the pipes and ensure constant supply.

    It was gathered that in the past few months, the two major water works/dams-Asejire and Eleyele, had been undergoing overhauling by the state government to upgrade the facilities and meet the water needs of the people.

    When The Nation visited the dams, extensive works had been carried out especially on Asejire where many of the old equipment have been replaced with new ones in an attempt to optimise the water production capacity of the facility. A new laboratory had been put in place equipped with modern gadgets while some equipment that were still in fairly good conditions were also refurbished. Some of the equipment already installed include the Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer, used for water analysis.

    Besides, there was massive rehabilitation at the Asejire water scheme which has increased water production capacity of the scheme to over 80 percent.

    Eight different High Lift Pumps were refurbished and replaced to enhance the volume of water pumped to the city from the Asejire water treatment Plant. With the new tools in place, workers were seen in high spirit working hard to deliver water to the people.

    The project embarked upon by the state to urgently address the problem of water in the city was started around November 2012 and was completed in December 2013.

    The state Commissioner for Water Resources, Engr. Adewale Adeoye explained that  before the inception of Senator Abiola Ajimobi’s administration, the Asejire water works was either not producing at all or functioning far below installed capacity, hence the water for distribution was very low.

    “But when we came in, we took it as our first priority to provide potable water for the good people of Oyo State, especially residents of Ibadan. The governor then mandated the Ministry to see what can be done to salvage the system and we thank God that from the 10 per cent production at that time, the production has been raised to over 80 per cent. So, now we generate about 251.2 million cubic metres of water from Asejire Waterworks for the people of Ibadan. During the same period, all the pumps were rehabilitated so as to avoid a breakdown during the production process. As we were doing this we also rehabilitated the laboratory where we test the water to ensure that it meets the World Health Organisation (WHO) standard. The laboratory has the best equipment, and many people do come from outside to do their analysis to ascertain their own water safety.

    “All the other facilities have also been put to over 80 per cent production capacity, the only major challenge is this electricity issue and the administration is trying as much as possible to address this.  We have met the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company to give us a dedicated line so that we can produce enough water as we have no reason not to give water to the people. In addition to that we have standby generators but you know the cost of running diesel engine generators is very high. I will tell you that Asejire water is as good as what you find in Lagos, and Abuja”, the Commissioner said.

    But unlike at Asejire, it is not all that rosy at the Eleyele Water Scheme which serves Eleyele, Ologuneru and environs.

    The Dam, it was gathered is yet to recover from the extensive damaged it suffered during the August 26, 2011 flood disaster that wrecked havoc to one of its crucial component.

    The Commissioner for Water Resources, Engr Adeoye , while responding to the inherent problems at the Eleyele Dam, the second largest water scheme in the state, said the facility has been producing water but “ there is still a lot of rehabilitation work to be done.”

    “If you remember, the flood of August 26th 2011 affected Eleyele dam. So, what happened is that we are producing water at Eleyele for human consumption but due to the flood, we cannot produce as much as we could because of the extensive damage caused by the natural disaster.

    But we were able to put some remedial measures to produce water at least to ensure that the people do not suffer much until the repair work is done.

    “Even as urgent as the rehabilitation of Eleyele Dam is, what we have done is just the feasibility study. Some days ago, the African Development Bank (ADB) brought the revised design to implement the corrective measure, and we are now set to commence repair work there. Even at that Eleyele dam is producing water but like Asejire we also the challenge of stable power supply. The dam is to serve the people of Ologuneru and other areas but due to expanding nature of the city, we don’t have enough pipes to cover these other areas. But we are working around the clock to ensure they are served including the new settlements.

    “We have other schemes like the one in Oyo, Erelu water scheme, the one in Ogbomoso, Saki and other parts of Oyo state. All these schemes are working to distribute water to the people in the other parts of the state but the power challenge is still there. Thank God that the government has a relationship with Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company to give us a dedicated line to ensure that we have an uninterrupted water supply”.

    Speaking on constant pipe burst and water waste in the city, Engr Adeoye said “we have pipe burst because most of them are old.  Those pipes have been laid for the past 50 years.  But immediately any pipe burst was reported, we get our men to the area to repair and lay new pipes because it is not ideal for people to scoop water from that place because the water could be contaminated. So we don’t encourage it. The government like I said earlier is trying to change some of these pipes, we want to prevent pipe burst because we lose water, it does not get to the consumer, so we are trying hard to replace some of the damaged pipes”.

    The turnaround in the water supply and the huge investment made by the government to achieve it is not lost on the residents.

    According to Mr Matthew Adesokan who lives at Itasaku area of Ibadan, the government has done well to restore public water supply in the city after several years of hardship. Adesokan, a retired teacher recalled the good old days when tap water was fairly regular in Ibadan, saying that it was the duty of every government to provide basic needs, including potable water to its citizenry and any government that failed to do that is definitely a failure.

    “At that time we knew which day of the week to expect water from our taps. And it was a regular routine. Every week, we had water on Sundays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, four days in  a week. And our wives used to fill our drums and other containers to store enough water to last till when the taps would run again. But suddenly, all that went away leaving the people to suffer. But, today the situation is gradually being restored and now we know that in a week, at least we do have tap water for two or three times/days. We thank our governor Ajimobi because he is trying his best to bring back the good old days again”, Adesokan said.

    At Oje, Idi-Arere, Omitowoju, Inalende, Agodi, Mapo, Oke-Ado,Molete, Oke-Bola, Mokola , Challenge, Ring Road and some other parts of Ibadan the situation was not different as the taps are running.

    It was indeed a great rejoicing for the people of the city as they witnessed renewed effort on the part of  the government to tackle the incessant problem of water in the state.

    But, not all have started benefiting from this massive government investment as some residents who live in newly developed areas still nurse the hope of getting tap water.

    A 68 year old trader and resident of a suburb of Ologuneru, Deacon Samson Odiaka has meanwhile, pleaded with the government to extend pipe water to his area where a large population is springing up.

    “We know that the government has not extended pipe to these new areas, the city is expanding fast, it is only the old areas that were piped. But help us tell the government to try and pipe these areas too, we are equally suffering from water” Deacon Odiaka who owns a building in the area pleaded.

  • Ibadan: A city of 100 masqueraders

    Ibadan: A city of 100 masqueraders

    As the masqueraders’ season in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, draws nearer, TAYO JOHNSON takes a look at a tradition that is as old as the ancient city itself and presents some of the 100 or so masquerades that make Ibadan tick. 

    In Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, devotees of masquerades or Egungun in Yoruba are getting set for their annual festival, a socio-cultural event that captures the essence of this ancient city of over three million people.

    The festival which takes place throughout the month of June and part of July, kicks off later this month when the Oloolu, the most revered of the 100 or so masquerades in Ibadan carries a pot full of ritual ‘sacrifice’ round some designated areas in the city to ward off calamities and cleanse the land to usher in peace and prosperity.

    The Oloolu is expected to take the ‘sacrifice’ from its ancestral home at Ode Aje in the heart of the city by 1 pm to Idi Ape, Beere, Oja’ba down to the Olubadan of Ibadan palace before depositing it at Idi Ape by midnight.

    It is the belief among the locals that without the Oloolu carrying this sacrifice every year and depositing it at Idi Ape which is of spiritual importance to the city, Ibadan would not know peace and no Olubadan dares toy with this tradition.

    After the Oloolu must have cleansed the land with the sacrifice this month, the other masquerades take the stage one after the other in June before the Oloolu returns in July to close the masquerades’ festival.

    Who are the masquerades?

    Masquerades literarily and ordinarily depict grotesque figures that should be feared, but in our clime, the Yoruba race in particular, they represent a bevy of beauty and colourful costumes.

    Through drumming and dance, it is believed that these robed performers get possessed by the spirits of the ancestors, as manifested as a single entity. Their festivals are usually a huge destination for tourists and locals alike. As a matter of fact, some people travel home from far and near to behold the spectacle presented by the masquerades.

    However, their essence is believed to be more than the colours and glamour, singing and dancing. It is also believed that they spiritually clean the community. They also expose the strengths and weaknesses of the community to encourage behavior more befitting of their descendants.

    Ibadan, with no fewer than 100 masquerades being ‘worshipped’ by devotees so to speak, the head of the Egungun clan in the city Chief Soladoye Fadeyi, lends more voice to the essence of these masquerades.

    He said in the early years of Ibadan when the whole place was in disarray, scattered by war, crisis everywhere and nothing was working well in the land, “our forefathers consulted the oracle ýand the oracle said Ibadan will become famous and great only if the families can start worshipping masquerades. So that was how they started it at Ile-Lapapo at Ita Baale and each families in Ibadan contributed clothe for the outing of the first masquerade”

    According to Fadeyi, there are over 100 masquerades in Ibadan and all the families rooted in Ibadan have a link with these masquerades one way or another.

    Giving a brief background of the masquerades, Fadeyi said the first masquerade in the land was named Labala and it came out over 120 years ago. His coming, he said brought peace, progress, prosperity and goodwill to Ibadanland. And whenever that masquerade comes out, he said, no other masquerade or any other person crosses his path.

    He listed the other masquerades including Alagangan, Alapasapa, Ogundeji, Oloolu, Olunlade, Atipako, Abidi-Elege, Godogodo, Ferebiekun, Anikulapo, Lobanika, Telebiitan, Gbebolaja among others.

    These masquerades have different family backgrounds, costumes, rituals and taboos.

    Oloolu

    Recalling the history and importance of one of the greatest masquerades in Ibadanland, the head of Aje family where the Oloolu masquerade originated, Chief Raheem Oyerinde, disclosed that their ýgreat forefather, Ayorinde Aje, who was a warrior along with Ogunmola, Ogbori-efon, Ibikunle, Oderinde, Oderinlo went to fight in Ogbagi in Akoko, Ondo State and Oloolu was a great war masquerade in that town and was so powerful such that no one could confront him during the war.

    ”Nobody could defeat Oloolu during that war but it was our father, Ayorinde Aje that fought him and removed his regalia and costumes, before he was brought to Ibadan as a slave. During his stay in Ibadan, there was famine, ill-health and crisis in the land and all the elders and chiefs were looking for a way out, that was how Ayorinde Aje suggested that Oloolu should be used to carry the ritual to appease the gods, so immediately he carried the ritual, there was rain and everything got back to normal in Ibadan. Oloolu helped Ibadan to be what it is today. Since then anybody that is the head of the Aje family becomes the custodian of Oloolu masquerade.

    According to Chief Oyerinde, ”any area in Ibadan where the people ýtry to fight the Oloolu anytime he is out, such areas will continue to experience bloodshed, and that is what is happening in Opopoyeosa area till date, because they tried to beat Oloolu there sometimes ago. Oloolu is so great that he gives the barren children, he provides for the needy, he prospers business among other good things he can give to an individual who is ready to serve him”

    He further revealed that in time past and presently many politicians seeking elective positions have started coming to seek Oloolu’s assistance for victory at the polls, adding that their wishes are always granted once they can also fulfill their promises.

    Obadimeji

    According to Chief Ojetunde Asoleke, one of the two claimants to the title of Olori Alagbaa (Head of the masquerades) in Ibadan, Obadimeji masquerade is worshipped by the Opayinka, Opadiran and Ojesanmi family in Ibadan and any member of the family can ‘carry’ the during the festival, adding that any member of the family that

    abandoned the family tradition of worshipping the masquerade will be in trouble for the rest of his life.

    ”For instance, I once abandoned this masquerade but shortly after, I had series of problems. I lost all the wealth I had accumulated over the years and things were not going well for me until I returned back to worship him. Evil befalls anyone ýthat does such” he said

    Obadimeji masquerade according to Asoleke was one of the warriors deployed to the front by Ibadan during Kiriji war and assisted greatly in swinging victory in favour of Ibadan soldiers.

    And as part of the preparations for the outing of Obadimeji, the families concerned usually offer sacrifices to appease the masquerade using such items as He-goat, ram,  , corn meal, alcoholic drink, dry pepper, kolanut, and beans cake.

    Its costume or Eku is usually sown with such materials as red lace, damask, and other types of unique materials except white.

    Giving the taboo associated with this masquerade, Asoleke said;” during his outing, Obadimeji’s clothe must not be torn by anyone and there must not be any fighting behind him, or the persons that fought behind him will die.”

    Owolewa and Owolaake

    The two masquerades are under Obadimeji because in Ajia town where they are based, Obadimeji was worshipped before they came into being. Owolewa is a statue masquerade, while Owolaake is not. Their costumes are similar with red and black materials tidings.

    The ritual performed for the two are the same, as the worshipers use kolanut to enquire from the masquerade what he demands for the festival before he comes out.

    It was learnt that he may demand vegetable oil, ram, alcoholic drink, ýor more kolanut. This masquerade is used it to seek peace during any turbulent time in the land.

    Aladin-Osogbo

    Worshipped by the Aladin Osogbo family in Ita-ege, Olomi area of Ibadan, the masquerade is open to all members of the family to ‘carry’ the costume on the day of its festival. The Alaagba of Idi-Aro, Chief Ojelabi Aladi-Osogbo told The Nation that the masquerade bestows prosperity on its followers. “I have been carrying it for 35 years and it has brought prosperity to me.” He said.

    He explained that the masquerade was brought from Osogbo by their fore-fathers during a war to Ibadan.

    Before it can come out, he said the family will ýfirst worship the god of iron and devil and if he refused to come out that means there is danger on its way. “The only thing we do afterwards is to eat and drink and leave this masquerade alone” he said

    Aladi-Osogbo stated that it’s costume is unique with shades of red, yellow, and black.

    He explained that the taboo associated with the masquerade is that it forbids any member of the family from eating pounded yam and yam flour together at the same time. Aladi-Osogbo said anybody that does that would suffer terrible stomach ache that may take his life except the anti-dote was given to such a person.

    The Alaagba of Idi-Aro lamented that the masquerade festival would have been more glamorous and colourful if the families involved are given financial support by the government.

    “As bad as it remains, even if we request police escort during our outing, ýwe will be forced to pay them a token before they can accept. Our traditional religion is the first, as such it demands all the entitlement being given to the modern religion worshippers” he said

    Adaradoun

    The Alaagba of Oremeji, Chief Ojemuyiwa Olubuade said this masquerade is worshipped in Eesarun compound in Agugu area of Ibadan, adding that the masquerade determines who among the family members wears its costume during the festival.  If anyone stubbornly carries it without its approval, he said there will be problem for such a person and the masquerade only be appeased with alcoholic drinks.

    Olubuade gave part of the ritual materials for the worshipping of the masquerade to include ram, fowl, corn meal, beans cake and vegetable oil.

    Adaradoun’s significance to Ibadanland according to him, was that it gives barren women children but the mother and child must worship it forever.

    Speaking on its taboo, he said:” In a year, if the family refused to carry the masquerade and worship him, there will be thunder strike on us. Also, we must all agree in unison for the masquerade to go out, or else his outing will not be successful”

    Olubuade stated that his costume is reddish, along with all colours except white.

    Adinimado-Ire

    The Adinimado-Ire masquerade is the responsibility of the Korukoru family in Oje area of Ibadan. Speaking with The Nation, the Alaagba of Oje Chief Aderinto Ojeyemi said he was in charge of leading the masquerade out every year for 24 years before he became the Alaagba.

    “Before we could ascertain the next person to carry it, we used kolanut to consult the masquerade and he chose Ifasina after me but if he is not around, it’s Oluwagbemiga that carries it.

    “Anyone in our family who abandons this masquerade for another religion will have problem” he said

    It is forbidden for any member of the family to eat a parrot, and any member that does that will writ in pain and would only be relieved after consultation with the masquerade to know the antidote.

    On its significance to Ibadan land, Ojeyemi stated that it’s a war masquerade that was brought from Owu kingdom to fight and win many wars for Ibadan. It’s costume is barely the same with other masquerades.

    Areweyo

    It is worshipped by Olosa-Oko family in Idi-Aro area of Ibadan.  According to the Chief Security guard of all ýmasquerades in Ibadan, Chief Ojetokun Areweyo, it’s a he-goat that is used to appease the gods to decide whom to carry the masquerade.

    “I have been carrying this masquerade for over 16 years. It was nine of us that wished to carry him but I was the youngest among them all and I was later chosen to carry it. Its significance is that it gives the barren children and they usually come back the next year for thanksgiving. The materials used for ritual before its outing includes; vegetable oil, beans cake, corn meal, kolanut, he-goat, dry pepper among others” he said

    Areweyo disclosed that it is forbidden for any woman to move closer to the masquerade or hug him, if not she will be barren forever.

    Sodo

    It is a dancing masquerade worshipped by the Oro family of Ita-Ege area of |Ibadan. Any member of the family chosen by the gods is allowed to lead the masquerade out during its annual festival.

    Giving an insight into the masquerade, a member of the family Mr Ojeyemi Sodo said the elders consult the masquerade with a kolanut to decide who to carry it, and if they do otherwise and chose anyone themselves, the person will die.

    Sodo stated that it is a taboo for anyone on the entourage of the masquerade to fight with a whip or cutlass during its outing stressing that if they do the person will die immediately.

    “We use He-goat, fowl, beans cake, kolanut, dry pepper, and alcoholic drink to appease the masquerade before he comes out. Its significance to Ibadanland is that it blesses people in need and boost the socio-economic condition of the town. If he doesn’t come out in a year there will be hardship for the people.

    ”Its costume is the same with red damask, lace, Ankara and guinea, but white is not part of its clothes. None of the members of the family must abandon it, if not there will be calamity for such a person” ýhe said

    Sihaba

    It was brought to Ibadan from Ighoho during the war and it is worshipped by the Olodo family in Oja-Igbo area of the city.

    According to the Secretary of the masquerades in Ibadan, Chief Ifayemi Awodele the custodian of the masquerade uses kolanut to consult him to decide who to carries it during its outing.

    “It is a taboo for anyone who is not from our family to stand in front of this masquerade for 30 minutes, if anyone does that the person’s blood will drain off immediately. Its significance is that anyone that needs a child comes to him to beg for one and he answers their prayer immediately and it’s mandatory that they come back the next year for thanksgiving.

    “The costume is same with other masquerades and there must be red colour among the clothe he will put on except white. The ritual performed is done with he-goat, corn meal, beans cake, alcoholic drink, vegetable oil, moin moin among others.” he said

    On the festivals, he said: “We do celebrate our masquerade festival in June of every year and during this period there will be six strokes at the top of the palm tree instead of normal three. It is the blood of the ram, cow or fowl that is used for the sacrifice along with eko, cake beans, moin- moin among others.

    According to him, during the masquerade’s outing, the custodian known as “Atokun” controls his movement and directs him. He is the one that curbs him from causing trouble anytime he gets annoyed.

    He also stated that the ‘Alagbaa’ý was responsible for the upkeep of the masquerade’s regalia and clothes, adding that he is the  one in charge anywhere he goes with his supporters.

    Alapansanpa

    Speaking on the features, and importance of ýthe Alapansanpa masquerade, its former custodian Asimiyu Ogundeji stated that the Ogundeji family is responsible for the worship of the masquerade.

    According to him, the Alapansanpa masquerade was used in the past to fight and win many wars in and outside Ibadan.

    “This masquerade is a renowned one and it’s importance to Ibadan cannot be over emphasised. It comes out once in a year, June to be precise, and it must go to the Olubadan palace where he whips the Olubadan with his whip three times before the Monarch will now bless him with gift and other items. If he doesn’t go to the Olubadan Palace, there will not be peace and prosperity in the land and that means the Olubadan is a bad person” he said

    Ogundeji listed items that are used for its rituals to include Kolanut, bitter-kola, plam oil, salt, ram, cornmeal, among others.

    He said its costume is very unique because it is very smart on him and it’s full of shades of red and black.

    On the taboo attached to this masquerade, he said:” No woman must enter his power house and if any woman enters his power house during mentration, such woman may die or may be barren for life”

    Atipako

    This is a load carring masquerades, mostly followed by women. A family elder known either formally or informally as “Alaagba” presides over its ancestral rites. He may or may not be initiated into the local Egungun society.

    A priests and initiates who are trained in ancestral communication, ancestral elevation and funerary rites are assigned to invoke and bring out the ancestors through the pouring of alcoholic drinks with kolanut. They wear elaborate costumes for the masquerade masquerade.

    It comes out in June of every year, and it spiritually cleanses the community; through the dramatic acting and miming of the robed priests, they demonstrate both ethical and amoral behavior that have occurred since their last visit. In this way, they expose the strengths and weaknesses of the community to encourage behavior more befitting of their descendants. When this performance is completed, the Alaagba gives messages, warnings and blessings to the assembled spectators.

    Atipako masquerade always carry on his head stones, mortar and pestle  which portrays it’s significant for blessing the masses and the land.

    Attack on Oloolu

    Speaking on the attack on the Oloolu masquerade in 2012 at Gbodu junction, Popo-Yemoja, Ibadaný, the head of Aje family where the Oloolu masquerade was originated, Chief Raheem Oyerinde, explained that there was a fidau being held in honour of a late chief Imam, Rafiu Fasasi, a.k.a Lorisirisi, but the Oloolu needed to pass that route to pay homage to one of the traditional title holders in the area, popularly known as Kunmi.

    “We didn’t disturb their ceremony but only wanted to pass through that place ýto greet the Ibadan high chief before they pounced on us, beating the custodian to stupor and later died, while the Oloolu himself escaped in anger with minor injuries on the head’ he said

    On the effect this terrible act will have on Popo-Yemoja area, he said calamities, chaos and rancour will continue to ravage the community yearly until they appease and apologise to the masquerade.

  • Pupil stabbed in Ibadan

    A Senior Secondary School (SS) II pupil of Muslim Grammar School, Ibadan, Toib Wahab, has been stabbed to death by his friend.

    It was gathered that Wahab(18) and Folarin Sadiq (19) were arguing when the latter brought out a knife from his bag and stabbed Toib in the stomach.

    The incident caused chaos in the school, which is located in Odinjo on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

    A teacher, who pleaded for anonymity, said: “We tried all we could to save Toib’s life.”

    Police spokesman Kayode Ajisebutu said the suspect has been arrested and the murder weapon recovered.

    He said the encounter occurred outside the school.

  • Rector warns students against anti-social activity

    Rector warns students against anti-social activity

    The Rector of The Polytechnic, Ibadan Prof. Olatunde Fawole, has warned new students admitted into the institution for the 2014/2015 session to abstain from taking part in any anti-social activity.

    Fawole said this during the matriculation ceremony of 6,000 new students, held at the institution’s premises on Wednesday.

    “I strongly admonished you to keep away from associations that will not only tarnish your image and that of your family, but also destroy your academic‎ career and also your future,” he said.

    He said that the institution will not compromise its hard earned image for any damaging misconduct by any student.

    “Diploma certificates here are earned through rigorous academic exercise and sound moral attitude,” he added.

    The rector who also warned the students against dress code, frown at the negative mode of dressing by ladies.

    “Female students are not allowed to wear skimpy dresses that will expose their thighs or blouses that will expose their breast or other sensitive parts of their bodies.

    “It also disallowed the male students from wearing earrings and weaving of hair by male students,” he said.

    Fawole said that the management of the institution will continue to maintain an environment conducive to student learning and growth.

    He also advised the Matriculants to ‎spend their time wisely to enable them come out with good grades.

    “Using your precious time to ping or browse for items that would not be of academic value to you is time wasting,” he advised.

  • ‘We’re not responsible for Ibadan violence’

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State yesterday denied claims by Accord that its supporters attacked Accord members at a rally in Odinjo, Ibadan, on Sunday.

    Two people died and scores others were injured when thugs attacked an Accord rally oranised by a House of Representatives candidate, Gbenga Adewusi and a candidate for the House of Assembly election, Ademola Ige.

    The APC said the political violence was a supremacy battle between thugs supporting one of the candidates and hoodlums in the area.

    The party, which called on security agencies to prosecute the perpetrators, emphasised that the pride of the Abiola Ajimobi-led administration was the peace it worked hard to achieve in the last four years.

    APC Chairman Chief Akin Oke said Accord was quick to blame the APC for the violence, when it was aware that its supporters and a group of hoodlums clashed in a battle for supremacy.

    The APC Chairman said none of the eight suspects arrested is an APC member, adding that none of them confessed to be an APC supporter.

    He said APC is a party of peaceful people who are constantly working for the peace and progress of the state.

    Oke said: “It is regrettable that the organisers of the rally and the Accord leadership are quick to blame our great party for the incident which, we understand, has been turned to another mantra by the opposition to make a mince meat of APC’s peace mantra in the state.

    “As a responsive party, we feel pained each time the agents of darkness achieve their goal of puncturing the prevailing peace and tranquility in the land by sponsoring violence.

    “The rally could have been held to disrupt the peace since organisers deliberately refused to obtain police permit or even inform any security agency as required by law.

    “The fact that only the two Accord  candidates were present at the rally, speaks volume.

    “We have it on good authority that the fracas which ensued during the rally was instigated by a supremacy battle between two groups of miscreants-one belonging to the campaign train of Akeem Ademola Ige and the other belonging to some urchins at Odinjo.

    “We also got wind of a clandestine meeting which was held among some leaders of the PDP, Accord and Labour Party, where it was agreed that APC members would be attacked.

    “We make bold to say that no APC member was involved in the mayhem. We are using this medium to warn the opposition against further breach of peace.”

  • One killed, scores injured at Ibadan rally

    •Parties trade blame

    An attack on supporters of Accord at Odinjo, Iyana Modina in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, yesterday, left one dead and an unspecified number of persons injured.

    Two Accord candidates- Gbenga Adewusi (House of Representatives) and Ademola Ige (House of Assembly)- organised the rally.

    Hoodlums attacked their supporters, which led to the death of one of the party supporters.

    Accord, in a statement by the Director General of the Rashidi Ladoja Campaign Organisation, Adeolu Adeleke, accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of sponsoring the hoodlums.

    It posited that the party carried out the attack because of the perceived rising profile of Accord in the state.

    Though Adeleke claimed that two Accord supporters were killed, police spokesman Kayode Ajisebutu said only one person was killed. The police spokesman said three people had been arrested.

    Adeleke said: “Worried by the growing popularity and acceptance of Accord in Oyo State, scores of APC thugs swooped on a peaceful rally of our House of Assembly and House of Representatives candidates, Ademola Ige and Gbenga Adewusi at Odinjo-Ode-Ige, Iyana Modina in Ibadan South-East Local Government.

    “The thugs carried guns and other weapons when they stormed the rally and opened fired on our supporters and killed two of them on the spot. Fifteen people were injured, more unknown number of our supporters left with varying degrees of injuries.

    “A team from SARS arrested three of the thugs with pump action guns; other members of the gang fled.”

    But the APC denied the allegation, saying thugs among Adewusi’s supporters engaged urchins in a supremacy battle.

    The party added that Adewusi had been fingered in a recent unrest when he allegedly led thugs to attack some residents and APC members in Aremo and Ode Aje, to announce his arrival in Accord from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    It pointed out that the APC is a party of intellectuals, stressing that it does not habour thugs.

    The APC‘s Director of Media and Publicity, Olawale Sadare, said: “Neither our members nor supporters were involved in the fracas, which was recorded at Odinjo yesterday.

    “We had it from sources that some thugs in the campaign team of Gbenga Adewusi (aka Arole), who is the Accord Party candidate for Ibadan North East/South East Federal Constituency engaged some street urchins in a supremacy battle and this resulted in a free-for-all.

    “We recall that the same Arole was allegedly involved in an unrest at Aremo/Ode Aje  shortly after his defection to his new party from the PDP, when he led political thugs to attack some residents and members of our party in what a source close to him said was to create an awareness of his arrival in Accord.

    “APC does not harbour political thugs and we do not sponsor violence in whatever guise.

    “Therefore, we urge law enforcement agencies to carry out necessary investigation and ensure those found culpable are prosecuted.”

  • Folarin: ‘I ‘ll fight for Ibadan State creation’

    Folarin: ‘I ‘ll fight for Ibadan State creation’

    Former Senate Leader Teslim Folarin is the Oyo State governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in next month’s general elections. He spoke with reporters in Ibadan, the state capital, about his programmes and chances at the poll. Jeremiah Oke was there. 

    Why do you want to become the next governor of Oyo State?

    Like I always say, there are lots to be achieved in government, especially in a state where we have teeming youths and limited industries. Many of our youths are so smart, intelligent and industrious, but there is nobody out there to assist them to achieve their goals.  I believe when I become governor, it will be a gateway for the people of the state to improve their standard of living, especially the youths.

    While in the Senate, the people of Ibadan expected you to facilitate the creation of Ibadan State as one of the ranking members of the House. Did you make any effort at all?

    Yes, I did. You will agree with me that there are procedures and stages of facilitating and executing of projects in democracy, unlike military regimes. Having said this, during my tenure in the Senate, we were going round the 36 states of the federation to meet with the traditional rulers and opinion leaders to know their plight. Topmost on our findings was the quest for the creation of more states; it was the only thing from Maiduguri to Calabar, from Lagos to Sokoto, it kept reverberating. The report was submitted to the President and he was bold enough to set up a National Conference to discuss how Nigeria will move forward, unlike his predecessors. Meanwhile, topmost on the agenda of the National Conference was the creation of more states, of which Ibadan State was among. The document has been submitted to the President and he is working on it. The President just mentioned in Lagos recently that he deliberately did not hand over the document to the present  Senate because they might not be able to conclude working on it. He said he will submit it to the incoming Senate. So, we can see that to create states in a democratic government is not a child’s play. We kick-started the process of creating Ibadan State and we are happy the process is still progressing and I’m sure that the next four years, starting from May 29, Ibadan State is going to be created.

    Many people believe you did not execute any project in Oyo State while in the Senate. How will you react to this?

    As a senator, you are just a glorified councillor. It is not as if you are given an allocation to run the affairs of your state or you are getting funds somewhere to run the affairs of your state. A lot of people are looking at it as if, as a senator, I should have been be able to affect the whole of the state, forgetting that my constituency is limited to Oyo Central, which comprises of five local governments in Ibadan, four in Oyo and two in Ogbomosho land, which makes it 11 local governments. So, if you are in Oyo South and you are expecting my project in such areas, it is not possible because I cannot bring money from the Central to spend in the South. I cannot influence the siting of projects in the Central and push it to the South. Having said that, I did a lot of projects while in the Senate; the kind of hospitals that were influenced here, the state government does not have such standard of hospitals. Olode used to be a remote area without health centre before we facilitated a comprehensive one there. Pade village used to be a village of one of the former governors of this state, another hospital was also sited there with full facility. Read my lips, go there and confirm these. All were well equipped, but the inability of the state government to staff the hospital is shameful and disgraceful. Apart from the hospital in Oyo, we also facilitated the Araromi market in Oyo and 7.5 kilometre of road was tarred in Sanusi Ishola to link Oyo-Ogbomosho Road. We also facilitated the construction of many roads in that community, which also include Awe-Ilora Road. Olubadan-Gbagi-Monatan express roads, which links Iwo roads and Olode area with drainages were facilitated by me too. Our intention was to bring Egbeda Local Government, which is far from people, closer to them and to reduce the traffic pressure on Iwo Road, by bringing people off from Gbagi. It will make it easier for those who are coming from any part of that axis to use that road as alternative and it really worked. In terms of education, we constructed many classrooms across our constituency. In terms of water, over 100 communities benefited from enjoyed borehole projects from me. Ordinarily, I don’t believe in celebrating such things. Over 52 communities also benefited from our electrification projects. We gave 500kva transformers to nothing less than 15 communities or more. We have roads that were tarred and fitted with streetlights in Egbeda Local Government. I did all these things, but I don’t believe in celebrating them. Now, gentle men of the press, let me ask you this question: how many times did you see Obama commissioning a project like that? These are the things that should ordinarily come to the people because it is their money.

    Few weeks ago, the governor advised you to wait till Ibadan State is created before you can run for governorship…

    By God’s grace, we shall all live to celebrate Ibadan State. Meanwhile, he was not advised to wait till we create Ibadan State in 2011 when he contested for the same office.

    Are you not afraid of the election, considering that you are a first timer, while other candidates are former governors?

    I am not afraid of any of them because I have experience, exposure and commitment to take the state to the next level.

    What gives you the confidence that you will win?

    When you talk too much, you will talk nonsense. If you talk too much, you tell lies.  I am confident of victory and we are going to win with a large margin. I draw my strength from the fact that the people of Oyo State see that there is need for change.  The youth have not really benefited from this democratic government since 1999 because the setting has not been favourable to us. Thank God for somebody like late Chief Adedibu who propped me up in the year 2003 and helped me to clinch the Senate seat. I was in my 30s then. Tell me, which of the political parties have you ever seen sending somebody between the age of 30 and 40 to Senate? For me now to come out and contest for governorship seat, it is commendable. Check all the other contestants, they are all above 60 years old. I have been telling people that it is not possible to solve the problems of ipad with typewriter. I am like an ipad, while other contestants are like typewriters and if you go to some offices today, you will see the typewriters are packed under their tables. So, I believe the Oyo State youths, men and women who believe in us will park all these old cargo under the table and elect me, because my age makes me a link between the old and young.

    What will you do differently, if you win?

    Well, they may have good intentions, but their policies are not impacting positively in the lives of the people. Like I used to say, my government will involve the people of the state and we are going to embark on projects with human face. We are going to consider the interest of our people first before we take any policy.

    If you read through our manifesto, all we have for the four years is people-centred and youths are taking the front seat. A lot of things are going to be done differently. When you talk about youth empowerment, we are not going to do the kind of scheme they called ‘yes oo’ which the present administration is using to enslave our youth. This is wickedness because their children cannot do such job they are giving out to the masses.  We have a better scheme which will help the youth to be  independent on their own and make huge money on their own.  We will not be giving them fish. Rather, we will teach them how to fish. The present administration cannot understand this because his cabinet is full of old cargoes that we need to offload.

    How can you assess the performance of the present administration?

    It is total failure. Now, let’s take it one after the other. In Ibadan, for instance, projects are executed based on sentiments; people should beware. He was saying all the time that major cities have been dualised and so on and so forth. In Ibadan, the major entrance to Ibadan from Lagos, ask them how many killometres of road have they been able to dualise and at what cost? That is the question we should ask them.  From toll gate to challenge is not up to two kilomitres; they should be bold enough to tell us the cost. They have also dualised Iyaganku-Aleshinloye-Jerikho-Eleyele, the whole of that dualization is not up to 10 kilometres. All these areas we mentioned, including Challenge, are not up to 15 kilometres. So, Ibadan does not deserve 20 kilometres of road from the Ajimobi administration in four years?

  • Five injured in Ibadan fracas

    Five persons were injured in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, yesterday as hoodlums suspected to be members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) attacked residents of Omi-Adio in a bloody fracas that broke out among residents and the hoodlums.

    The hoodlums were accused of breaking into homes, invading farmlands and excavating gravel and sand on land belonging to residents.

    Police spokesman Adekunle Ajisebutu said two suspects had been arrested.

    An eyewitness said the hoodlums wielded charms, cudgels, guns and other weapons when they attacked farmland owners in the area.

    One of the victims was said to have been hit with a charm and was convulsing.

    Residents said they had petitioned the commissioner of police on the incessant attacks by hoodlums and destruction of property in the area.

    The Asiwaju of Omi-Adio, Niyi Akintola, confirmed the incident, saying the matter was being handled by the police.

    The Chairman of the landlord association in the area, Nureni Adejumo, alleged frequent harassment and violent attack on residents and destruction of property by hired thugs.

  • Suspect held in hospital for Ibadan cult clash

    One person has been arrested in the fracas between Eiye and Aiye fraternities in Agbowo, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

    Police spokesman Adekunle Ajisebutu said:”One suspect was arrested yesterday at an undisclosed hospital, where he was receiving treatment.

    “He has been transferred to the University College Hospital (UCH), where he is receiving treatment under the watchful eyes of security operatives. After his recovery, he will be transferred to the department of criminal investigation.”

    Ajisebutu said nobody was killed, urging residents not to panic because police patrol vans had been dispatched in the area.

    “We have also ensured that adequate protection is in place to prevent a reccurrence.”

    At the Agbowo/ University of Ibadan (UI) community yesterday, many shops were closed and most streets deserted.

    Recounting their ordeal, some shop owners and residents described the incident as a terrible experience.

    A shop owner said: “I heard that some thugs were coming from Akingbola area, I thought it was child’s  play until I started hearing gunshots. They came towards the complex and down to Agbowo/Amure side, that was when we started packing and closing our shops. I think the gunshots were to scare people away.”

    A resident of Ajetumobi Street said: “How will these shop owners open? They were scared because Yahaya (alleged cultist) who was killed was still sighted on Wednesday. The incident happened around 4:30pm. Policemen have been patrolling the area which is adding to our fear because they may arrest innocent people.”

    An eyewitness said: “All of a sudden we heard sporadic shootings at the UI/Agbowo axis; it was like a war scene. They were about 50 in number. It was a clash between the Aiye and Eiye cult groups.

    “The feud started three weeks ago from a football field inside the school. They pursued themselves hotly to Ajetumobi Street and engaged themselves. Yahaya was killed because he had a leg injury and could not run very fast. Yahaya belonged to the Aiye fraternity.”

  • Ibadan gears up for colourful Okebadan festival

    Ibadan gears up for colourful Okebadan festival

    The annual Okebadan festival promises to be full of fun this year as two business giants – Globacom Nigeria Limited and Gunness Nigeria PLC – have agreed to sponsor the 2015 edition tentatively slated for March.

    The business organizations in backing the event said they were committed to the preservation and promotion of the Nigerian culture.

    At the unveiling of the festival logo in Ibadan on Monday, the Zonal Business Coordinator, Globacom, Dare Oyewale, described the company’s partnership with festival organisers, Kingsize Entertainment, as a way of celebrating the culture and tradition of Ibadan people.

    The representative of Guinness PLc, Awolowo Adewumi also said that the company would continue to mark its presence in the heart of the people while the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Kingsize Entertainment, Lanre Alabi said the coming of the two companies into the festival would give it a global reckoning.

    Also at the event, the Aboke of Okebadan, Ifasola Ifamapowa, prayed for the unity of Nigeria.

    The Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Samuel Odulana, was represented at the event by the Ekerin Olubadan, High Chief Eddy Oyewole.

    The Alaasa Olubadan, High Chief Lekan Alabi, enjoined the people not to throw away their culture and tradition because of foreign influence. He added that the Europeans progressed because they protected their own cultural heritage.

    His words:  “The Okebadan Festival is staged annually to pay homage to the founders of the city. Our ancestors prayed to God and He answered their prayers. This shows that they also believed in God. We thank God that Globacom and Guinness are coming to sponsor the festival this year after carefully taking a look at the proposal presented by the organizers.”

    While assuring that Globacom would continue to support genuine effort targeted at celebrating the people, Oyewale said: “Globacom fully understands the importance of the celebration of festivals to the culture and tradition of the people of our great country. This is precisely why we have consistently been supporting and sponsoring key festivals, thereby contributing to the admirable determination of the various tribes in the country to celebrate their roots.”

    The Olubadan prayed that those who will win election to represent Oyo State at the National Assembly in this month’s election would take the creation of Ibadan State as a priority.

    The monarch maintained that Ibadan State was long overdue, adding that people must rally round Ibadan indigenes to give them a state of their own.

    He said: “From any parameter you use, Ibadan State was long overdue. We just pray that those to be elected in the forthcoming election would be nice enough to ensure the creation of Ibadan State.”