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  • Basiru, Omisore, Ogunbiyi lament political neglect of Iwo as ex-Concord Editor, Tella, launches book

    Basiru, Omisore, Ogunbiyi lament political neglect of Iwo as ex-Concord Editor, Tella, launches book

    The political marginalisation of Iwo town, Osun State came to the front burner during the launch of a book by a veteran journalist, Alhaji Liad Tella.

    Eminent Osun indigenes, including National Secretary of All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibola Basiru; ex-Osun Deputy governor, Senator Iyiola Omisore;, Chairman of Mutual Benefits Assurance, Dr. Akin Ogunbiyi, noted this during the launch.

    The dignitaries who gathered at Riverside Hotel, Iwo, Osun State on Saturday, noted that Iwo town is an ancient town in Yorubaland which should not be neglected with its cultural and wide landscape.

    The author of the book, Alh Liad Tella, said “You will learn a lot of lessons from the book if you read it. The advocacy that this book raised will cause light of relevance to shine on Iwo, an ancient town which had long been marginalised.

    “The book will further push Iwo town forward from the politically marginalised side to limelight. This gathering today shows that we don’t do politics of bitterness as politicians from all parties are here.”

    In the remark, Basiru highlighted the factors responsible for politically marginalisation of communities.

    He said “there are four factors that work against development and benefit of any communities or groups. We must prioritise western education and not rely on Arabic class alone. We must work on the economy of our communities to be viable, our politicians must work jointly for the progress of Iwo and external politicians must see to the development of all towns evenly.”

    Also, the Chairman of the occasion, the ex-National Secretary of APC, Senator Iyiola Omisore, said “the title of the book has suggested its contents, I urge every politician in Osun State to get a copy of this book.”

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    Earlier, ex-guber candidate in Osun State, Dr Akin Ogunbiyi, co-launcher, said “I can boldly say that Iwo has been marginalised for so long as if it is not part of Osun State in the last 30 years, there is no development that has come to Iwo compared with other communities.

    “When you read this book you will weep for us in Iwo. I challenged Alh Liadi Tella to write this book so that people will know what we are facing. In the last 40 years, we have never been governor, deputy governor, Minister, Speaker, Ambassador…Nothing! I want to tell the people of Iwo that power is not shared in a la carte, we must fight for it to earn it.”

    The dignitaries present were; Commissioner for Water Resources, Hon. Sunday Oroniyi, who represented the  of Osun State governor, Ademola Adeleke; Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi; ex-SSG, Fatai Akinbade;  Prince Dotun Babayemi;  ex-Commissioners under administration of Adegboyega Oyetola, Yemi Lawal; Folorunso Bamisayemi.

    Also, Former National Commissioner of Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC), Professor Lai Olurode; General Adelekan Adeniran (rtd); ex-SSG, Kazeem Adio; LT Gen. Lamidi Adeosun, among others.

  • NUC grants provisional licences to four private universities

    Four new private universities were on Tuesday in Abuja granted provisional approval by the National Universities Commission (NUC) to commence academic programmes.

    The Federal Executive Council approved the establishment of the four private universities in January.

    Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, presented the provisional licences to the universities in Abuja.

    The universities are: Greenfield University, Kaduna State; Dominion University Ibadan; Trinity University Laloko, Ogun State and Westland University, Iwo, Osun State.

    He said issue of access to university education in the country continued to pose serious challenges, noting that it requires continuous effort to address.

    The minister, who was represented by Registrar, Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, said the emergence of private universities had provided an environment for heavy competition that stimulates improvement in quality service delivery.

    Adamu said the approval was a clear manifestation of the continued mutual partnership between the government and private sector to ensure the provision of quality education in the country.

    The minister explained that private universities in the country had contributed immensely to the opening up of access to education over the past 20 years.

    He said: “For the avoidance of doubt, the provisional licence for the four universities to operate is intended to create room for mentoring and qualitative growth within the first three years of their operations.

    “During the probation period, the four universities will be attached to older generation universities for academic and administrative mentoring.

    “It should also be noted that substantive licence will only be issued to the universities if they are adjudged of being worthy of it after the three years of probation.”

    NUC’s Executive Secretary, Prof. Abubakar Rasheed, said the four universities had been under its scrutiny since 2006.

    Read Also: Nigerian varsities not ranked in 14 years – NUC

    Rasheed said that there was need to increase the number of universities, taking into consideration the country’s increasing population.

    He added that with the country’s population, only about two million students can access university education.

    The NUC Boss said: “Only less than 6 per cent students’ enrolment is in private universities.

    “We hope the NUC work closely with you to ensure we introduce courses that are more attractive to prospective students and more appropriate to our current move to reposition the education system in Nigeria.

    “All over the world, private initiatives are welcome.  Proper education cannot be handled by government alone.

    “The NUC is not ready to sacrifice quality on the altar of access; we must ensure adherence to quality; we do not want to encourage you to run the university with impunity.”

    Rasheed added that the commission was currently processing about 270 applications.

    Chairman, Board of Trustees, Dominion University, Bishop Taiwo Adelakun, who spoke on behalf of other beneficiaries, appreciated the commission for the approval and pledged to keep to the mandate establishing the universities.

    With the approval, Nigeria has 173 universities, out of which 79 of them are private.

     

  • Osinbajo launches Fed Govt’s social intervention programme in Iwo

    Vice-President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo yesterday launched the social intervention programme of the Federal Government, called “TraderMoni” in Iwo, the headquarters of Iwo Local Government Area of Osun State.

    Osinbajo said the intervention programme was designed to support micro business across the country.

    The Vice-President, who said no government in the history of the country had implemented such an economic-boosting programme, maintained that the Federal Government under the All Progressives Congress (APC) was really interested in the welfare of the people.

    He noted that the “TraderMoni” will boost micro and small scale businesses as well as bolster petty trading and commercial activities across the country.

    The Vice-President said beneficiaries would be given N10,000 each to be paid to them within six months.

    He added that any of the beneficiaries who pays back the loan within stipulated period would qualify for N15,000.

    Osinbajo said: “TraderMoni scheme is targeted at petty traders, market women, artisans and small scale business entrepreneurs to cater for ultra-micro enterprises. The policy of the Federal Government is to support businesses, not just big business but particularly small, medium-sized businesses and micro businesses.

    “The idea is that we want to ensure that we give whatever support to people to boost their businesses. For instance, if we give you N10,000 and you refund it within six months, then you qualify to collect N15,000. If you pay back the N15,000, you qualify to get N20,000.”

    He hailed President Muhammad Buhari for prioritising the welfare of Nigerians.

    The Vice-President said the people could reciprocate the President’s good gesture by re-electing him in next year’s general elections.

    The Executive Director of Bank of Industry (BOI), Mrs. Toyin Adeniji, said 30,000 persons had benefited from the loan.

    The bank and Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP) are major partners in the programme.

    Mrs. Adeniji noted that the beneficiaries are from 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT)

    She said: “Our agents have already met the market women at their points of sales to register them. They would get the money and pay it back immediately through Mobile Wallet. In fact, many people have started receiving the alert.

    “Under ‘TraderMoni’ traders don’t need any document or property to collect N10,000 loan from the Federal Government. They only need to register, get captured and receive the money through their phones. The repayment plan is for six months and beneficiaries would pay a paltry N250 interest on the N10,000 and qualify for a bigger loan thereafter.”

    Prof Osinbajo, who was accompanied by Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola and the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetoal, visited the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdul-Rasheed Adewale Akanbi, in his palace.

    Oba Akanbi described Osinbajo as “an honest man who doesn’t lie”.

    The Oluwo, who regretted the poor state of the road linking Iwo to Osogbo and Ibadan, sought the intervention of the Federal Government to repair it.

  • Emir title: Muslim group holds solidarity rally for Oluwo

    Muslims on Saturday held a solidarity rally for the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdul-Rasheed Adewale Akanbi, over his purported adoption of Emir title.

    Leading the rally, the National President/Founder of Jamaatul Ta’awun Muslim Organization of Nigeria, Sheik Daood Imran Molaasan, said the “outburst of the misinformed people against the Oluwo is an indication of the genuineness of his mission for the adoption of all titles ascribed to traditional rulers across various ethnic divides.”

    He advised that people should rather judge the mission instead of the surface content of the intention of the first class monarch to promote national integration and unity.

    The religious group lauded Oba Akanbi for his sacrifice, saying the recently held peace meeting among Osun State Council of Obas was one of the testimonies of his unity sermon.

    According to Molaasan, any threat against the Oluwo on his recent Arabic regalia is a move against the Islamic faith.

    He said as human the kings must be attached to their faith.

    He said: “Monarchs are human beings with their respective religious attachment. The recent uproar for dressing like an emir is a threat to Islam. We have Obas going to Church or confraternity meeting with peculiar garment. Why then will some people condemn the Oluwo for dressing like a devoted Muslim to Jumaat and Islamic occasions?

    “They said the Oluwo has changed his title to Emir. Is it possible? Oluwo only said he is an Oba for the entire Nigerians, with valid claim to institute traditional institution in the promotion of national unity and integration. It is a welcome notion that should be applauded and supported by meaning Nigerians.”

    The group pledged unflinching support for the Oluwo, saying his peculiar conduct is in respect of the place of Iwo in the Islamic faith.

    He admonished those castigating the Oluwo to be educated about the history of Iwo before making any negative comment.

  • Police arrest soldier for hijacking fuel-laden truck in Oyo

    Police arrest soldier for hijacking fuel-laden truck in Oyo

    The Police Command in Oyo State has arrested a soldier serving at 81 Battalion, Makola, Ibadan, for allegedly hijacking a fuel-laden truck along  Akobo,Iwo road.

    The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Abiodun Odunde, made the disclosure in Ibadan while presenting the suspects to newsmen at the command’s headquarters in Ibadan on Friday.

    Odunde said that the soldier and three others were arrested on November 11 along Akobo, Iwo road, Ibadan.

    The commissioner said that investigation revealed that the gang was responsible for waylaying and subsequently hijacking trucks along the expressway.

    “The gang led by the soldier hijacked a 40,000 litre truck with registration number ABJ 132XA at about 9:30 p.m. and abducted the driver and the conductor.

    “They later took them to Omi-Adio after robbing them of their money and valuables and thereafter drove the truck to Akure/Ilesa road.

    Read also: Police arrest suspected killers of oil firm manager in Rivers

    “The alarm raised by the victim attracted some members of the community who alerted the police that led to their arrest and also recovered the truck,’’ Odude said.

    The police also presenteed 17 other suspects including an employee of George Investment Company, Ibadan, who stole six Sino trucks and a Toyota Camry car belonging to the company.

    Odude said that investigation conducted by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad led to the arrest of the suspect and one other in Edo and Abuja.

    The CP said that the six trucks were sold in Kaduna at the rate of N20 million while the Camry car was given to a yet-to-be identified pastor in Abuja.

    “As a result of diligent investigation by the SARS, all the trucks and two other cars were recovered and the criminal receiver also arrested.”

    10 other suspects were arrested for alleged stealing, cultism, armed robbery, unlawful possession of counterfeit currency and impersonation.

    Items recovered are two cut-to-size single barrel guns, two Laptop computers, eight mobile phones, a mask and charms.

    NAN

  • Protest in Iwo over chieftancy

    There was a protest at the palace of the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdul-Rasheed Adewale  Akanbi, Ilufemiloye Telu 1, yesterday  over the installation a candidate for the Aro chieftaincy title.

    Members of the  Aro Olukotun family in a protest carried a corpse of a man believed to be in support of a candidate not favoured to the Oluwo.The protesters accused the Oluwo of installing Moshood Paje, a candidate less qualified for the chieftaincy title, claiming that he was not from their compound.

    In a reaction, the Oluwo said that it was not the turn of the family protesting the installation because it produced the immediate past candidate for the chieftaincy position. Oba Akanbi added that rather than producing court injunction against the installation the family only brought an application, which he said he could not consider strong enough  to stop the installation.

    Police men were deployed to the scene to forestall break down of law and order in the town.  Meanwhile,  normalcy has returned to the town, even as Oluwo, Oba Akanbi, was said to have later addressed the protesters inside the palace.

  • Osun Hijab crisis: Cleric calls for caution

    Osun Hijab crisis: Cleric calls for caution

    A cleric, Pastor Dotun Ajileye, on Wednesday, advised religious leaders in Osun to exercise restraint with their utterances over the court ruling on Hijab wearing in public schools.

    Ajileye, a Senior Pastor at Glory Ministries Chapel, Agunbelewo, Osogbo, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

    He said that the issue might degenerate to a terrible situation if they do not dialogue and resolve the issue amicably.

    He added that “there is need for caution here, the trend the issue is taken appears too dangerous to me.

    “Both religions must find a means of coming together on roundtable and discuss the way forward to ameliorate the tensed atmosphere.

    “The issue on ground requires diplomacy and caution and the youths that are directly involved must be properly guided.

    “While I respect the rights of individuals to associate and all that, I also believe that court ruling remains sacrosanct until it is set aside by another higher and competent court of law.

    “In that wise, I am not convinced that the solution to this problem is to polarise the system and accuse government of the day. We should adopt both legal and diplomatic means of resolving the problem.’

    NAN reports that Justice Jide Falola of the Osun State High Court, on June 3, gave a ruling, allowing Muslim female students to wear veil (Hijab) to public schools.

    However, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) had described the ruling as an “infringement on their rights.”

    The Association then threatened that it would also instruct Christian children to attend classes in Church garments and robes.

    Meanwhile, some Christian students of Baptist High School, Iwo, were seen in classes with their Church garments and robes
    without any restriction from their teachers.

     

  • Oba Akanbi brings transformation to ancient Iwo kingdom

    Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi became the new Oluwo of Iwo last November. Not only did he vow to serve his people with everything he has, he promised to transform the serene town as much as he can. The respected monarch has kept to his words and has earned the love and respect of his people.

    Since he became the Oluwo of Iwo, the ancient town has been undergoing great transformation. Apart from the rehabilitation of the palace mosque and the new look the palace is wearing with a new palace extension built and commissioned by the Sultan of Sokoto, the new monarch has embarked on a few more projects.

    A few days back, the Oluwo announced that the Osun State town had attained the status of an empire and should henceforth be called the Greater Iwo Empire. With the new development, he said, the people of Iwo would start enjoying improved welfare. According to him, having an empire in the modern day is not about winning wars; it is about dreams, aspirations and how to drive towards set goals. He explained that one of his goals is to feed anyone who is hungry. This, he said, would be done through the food bank programme at the palace, three days a week. In addition to this, a clothing donation bank has been placed at strategic positions within the city for collection of used and new clothes and shoes from donors.

    A new National Open University Centre has also been set up, while state-of-the-art medical equipment costing about N1 billion to equip the state hospital has also been arranged for. The equipment is said to be on its way to Nigeria from Canada. Akanbi and his team are also fixing the 40-kilometre Iwo-Osogbo Road with the support of the Osun State Government.

    Oba Akanbi has proven to be a competent leader who is passionate about the lost glory of Iwo town.

  • Rousing welcome for Iwo monarch

    Rousing welcome for Iwo monarch

    Residents  of Iwo town were excited yesterday when the Oluwo-elect, Prince Abdul-rasheed Adewale Akanbi, entered into the town for his final installation.

    Traffic was heavy on major streets when his convoy snaked through Ori-eru, Odo-ori, Ile-omosan and Ojaba.

    Residents lined  the streets to welcome the new monarch.

    The installation followed the approval of Akanbi’s appointment by the government.

    Prince Akanbi was turbaned by the head of League of Imams and Alfas, Sheik Imran Adio.

    The turbaning was followed by the symbolic traditional decoration of the monarch with “Akoko” leaf by the Oosa of Iwo, Chief Bello Orobimpe.

    Gunshots boomed, signalling the completion of the first phase of the monarch’s traditional rites.

    Akanbi was led by traditionalists and chiefs to the “Ile Onto” to continue further rites before the crowning.

    Secretary to the State Government Moshood Adeoti said the day was an historical day in the town.

    He reiterated the commitment of the Aregbesola administration to one of his six-point integral plans of promoting communal peace and progress.

    Adeoti said: “I salute the courage and understanding of all. This day is historic in the sense that Iwo in about three years ago was without a king, but we are happy that the day of a new king has come.

    Dignitaries at the ceremony included the Asiwaju of Iwoland and former Commissioner for Justice, Gbadegesin Adedeji; former Commissioner for Agriculture in old Oyo State, Bola Asafa; Ekerin Oluwo; Otunba Ganiyu Aremu and former Special Adviser to the governor on Health, Dr. Rafiu Isamotu, among others.

  • Tinubu bags honorary doctorate degree

    Tinubu bags honorary doctorate degree