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Tag: Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi

  • Alaafin, Fasanmi, Wase congratulate Oyetola

    THE Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi, National Leader of Afenifere (Egbe Ilosiwaju Yoruba) Senator Ayo Fasanmi and Deputy Speaker of House of Representatives Idris Wase have congratulated Osun State Governor Gboyega Oyetola on the Supreme Court judgment that affirmed his election as governor.

    Oba Adeyemi, in a statement issued yesterday, eulogised the moral courage, sense of commitment and unbiased dispensation of justice by the Supreme Court on the judgment.

    This, he noted, will further solidify and entrench confidence in the ordinary citizens as their last hope.

    He extolled the virtues of Oyetola, describing him as ‘’a mature leader that treats the people of his state with respect and do not talk down to them’’.

    The Alaafin said: “The governor encourages mutual respect, even in the context of vehement disagreements among groups.

    “These are good qualities of leadership, which entails justice, fairness and equity, which are cardinal to the survival of any polity, not to mention a federal polity.

    “He is determined to re-define the ethics of politics and governance that is equal for everyone, thereby establishing a sustainable world for future generations’.”

    Fasanmi, in a statement from his media office, said: “The apex court judgment showed that the votes of Osun people count. This victory will enable Oyetola to concentrate on good governance, which he has started since the beginning of his administration.”

    He urged the governor to keep the flag of progressives flying in Osun State.

    The Afenifere leader assured the people that under Oyetola’s administration, the dawn of a new era has begun.

    Read Also: 10 facts about Osun State Governor Oyetola

    He hailed the judiciary for a job well done.

    “It is my joy to witness Oyetola’s victory at the Supreme Court,” he added.

    Wase described the affirmation of Oyetola’s electoral victory as a “strategic bolster” for the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Wase, in a congratulatory statement by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Umar Puma at the weekend, urged Oyetola to extend the hands of fellowship to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

    It reads: “Deputy Speaker described the Supreme Court judgment as a strategic bolster to the APC not just in Southwest geopolitical zone, but in the entire country.

    “He called on Oyetola to be magnanimous by extending his hands of fellowship to his opponents for the interest of the state and the country at large.”

  • Thirty-six new Oyo monarchs get Ajimobi’s car gift

    … As Alaafin chides Ibadans 

    Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State, on Monday, presented 36 vehicles to the newly elevated Thirty-six traditional rulers across the State in the recently published elevation of beaded and coronet wearing crowns to monarchs in the state.

    The governor who described the gesture as an attestation of his administration’s commitment to the upliftment and modernisation of chieftaincy institution in the state warned his critics not to see it as extravagant or father Christmas spending by the government.

    Rather, he said the government decided to procure the vehicles because “record confirmed that there are logistics, safety and security challenges facing our royal father. Our effort to intervene in these areas should therefore not be misinterpreted or misunderstood.”

    The cars presentation held at Governor’s Office car park, beside parliament building, Agodi Secretariat, Ibadan.  The programme had in attendance the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi; the Eleruwa of Eruwa, Oba Samuel Adegbola, among others.

    But the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji and Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Jimoh Ajagungbade, were not at the event.

    The list of the 36 kings that received the cars from the government yesterday, included eight members of Olubadan-in-Council, now Obas-in-Council led by the second-in-command to the Olubadan of Ibadanland, the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, and the Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakukehin.

    Other beneficiary monarchs include the Onpetu of Ijeru in Ogbomoso, Oba Sunday Oladapo; the Sabigana of Iganna on Oke-Ogun axis of the state, Oba Abdul-Azeez Oyemonla; the Olugbon of Orile-Igbon from Ogbomoso division of the state, Oba Francis Olusola Alao, among others.

    Alaafin, who spoke on behalf of the monarch, commended Governor Ajimobi, for the gesture, as he chided Ibadan people for always standing against what could bring growth and development to Ibadan.

    Read Also: Democracy Day: Abiola, others didn’t die in vain – Ajimobi

    While noting that Ibadan people hardly remember anybody who does good to them for good, Alaafin recalled how Ibadan people have been objecting the recent elevation of some traditional rulers in Ibadanland to crown-wearing and coronet-wearing kings, pointing out that, that was the same attitude they put up when he gave crown to Olubadan on December 7, 1976. He, however, urged them to embrace development.

    Speaking on the occasion,  Governor Ajimobi said: “Rhetorics aside,  I have a passion for anything royal and it is natural and incumbent on me to promote the royalty by enhancing the status of our royal fathers in Oyo State as being done in other states in the Yoruba-speaking South West Region of Nigeria.

    “At the inception of our administration, we discovered that there was the need to improve on and lay a solid foundation for the traditional institution in the state. This, we have successfully done. The traditional institution in Oyo State has never had it so good because our achievements, with respect to chieftaincy affairs, are commendable.

    “In response to the yearning and aspiration of our people, the present administration elevated the status of some of our royal fathers to crown and coronet-wearing obas. As an agent of change, we refused to be intimidated or perturbed in our desire to further promote and modernise the institution because we believe posterity will judge us right.

    “I want to state emphatically that Oyo State, being the traditional and political headquarters of the Yoruba race, must continue to play the pacesetting role, even in our traditional institution by elevating the status of our traditional rulers so that they will be reckoned with among the comity of royal fathers in Nigeria.”

    Ajimobi revealed that his administration has received an avalanche of applications from different parts of the state for elevation, either from minors to Part II chiefs or to crown-wearing obas, adding that “The Chiefs Law of Oyo State expressly stated that the governor has a wide discretion on the matter. I want to assure you that we will leave no stone unturned on this exclusive prerogative with consultation with relevant stakeholders.”

  • Alaafin charges Nigeria, Brazil to promote African religions

    Alaafin charges Nigeria, Brazil to promote African religions

    The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi, has urged the governments of Nigeria and Brazil to promote African religion in the two countries.

    The paramount traditional ruler gave this advice in his speech at the first Brazil/Nigeria international seminar for the preservation of shared cultural heritage holding at Bahia in Brazil.

    In the speech titled, ‘Perpetuating Sango Oyo heritage continuity in Oyo and the Diaspora,’ Oba Adeyemi said the categorisation of African religion as being fetish and akin to worshipping idols as unfortunate.

    He posited: “Every culture has an explanation for the creation of the Universe. The Yoruba traditional beliefs see the world as a product of two connected worlds; the visible world of material life and the invisible spiritual world. The connection of these two worlds produces power that is called ‘Ase’ in Yoruba cosmology.

    “For the Yoruba, the Creator rules over the entire universe manifesting the elements of nature. These indigenous beliefs and practices are a life philosophy and natural science; we see the relationship of man with nature and universe revealing the ways in which humans can be in harmony with the energies of nature and the universe. It is the basis for understanding the beginning and end of life.”

    Oba Adeyemi, who is also the Permanent Chairman, Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs, also called for unity among Yoruba communities across the globe in order to reclaim every lost ground.

    “The important agenda before this gathering is to join forces, resist the demonisation of our faith and consider offence against one as offence against all of us. The solidarity of Sango-Oyo community is paramount so as to ensure that the legacies of our forefathers are not condemned to the dustbin of history”, Oba Adeyemi declared.

     

  • Alaafin, Duke, others in Brazil for cultural seminar

    Alaafin, Duke, others in Brazil for cultural seminar

    THE Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi  Olayiwola Adeyemi 111, the Minister of Culture and Tourism, Edem Duke, and thirty other eminent personalities have arrived in Bahia, Brazil to attend the first Brazil/Nigeria international seminar for preservation of shared cultural heritage.

    The week-long seminar, which begins on Monday and ends Friday, is aimed at promoting common cultural and historical legacies, while there will also be discussions of strategies for asset protection.

    The seminar will also showcase the importance of the Oyo tradition, which has evolved in Brazil as a result of the Trans-Atlantic slave trade.

    The Trade brought the cultural heritage of the people of Oyo and Traditions of Sango to Brazil.

    Before his departure, the monarch formally notified the Oyo State governor, Senator Abiola  Ajimobi, of the Brazilian invitation.

    The notification letter was dated July 23, 2014 with reference number ApO.13/VOl.63/36.

    In the letter, a copy of which was made available to our correspondent, Oba Adeyemi said as the current Alaafin, it is his duty and responsibility to uphold the dignity, responsibility, allure and values associated to the institution.

  • Alaafin warns against falsification of Yoruba historical heritage, legacy

    THE Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi, has warned against the falsification of Yoruba history and heritage.

    Speaking in his palace during an interactive forum, the monarch also alleged that a clique within the Yoruba royal system is desperate to destabilise the region’s royal structure.

    Insisting that the clique is bent on distorting history of the Yoruba race, Oba Adeyemi said: “Their plight and frustration can be likened to the idleness of snoring at noon. It is these people who spent both their money and energy to conquer history in Yorubaland, thus wearing the toga of notoriety and supremacy over the Alaafin. However, enlightened minds know the historical data and criteria that determine the leadership of a people.”

    While pointing out that the core of the Yoruba civilisation, including the language, mode of dressing and diplomacy were bequeathed by the Oyos, the foremost traditional ruler noted, “In addition, the royalty of Oyo remains a standard reference point in Yoruba chronology up till today. In part of Yorubaland, including books authored by Ife indigenes, each major event is brought into relevance by tracing it with contemporary events in Oyo like saying such events happened during the reigns of prominent Alaafins , like Abiodun, Adeyemi, Ladigbolu and so on.’’

     

    The paramount ruler recalled that even a traditional chief in Ife, Odole Atobase of Ife, Chief Ajayi Fabunmi, once linked the era of some prominent past Oonis by drawing corollary between them and the contemporary Alaafin.

    Oba Adeyemi however warned that “any attempt to doctor, alter and deliberately falsify historical heritage and legacy will lead to confusion, like what we are witnessing in Yoruba land today.”

     

  • Alaafin sacks ambassador

    The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi 111, has sacked his Royal Ambassador, Dokun Ayanlakin.

    Oba Adeyemi told reporters in his palace yesterday that Ayanlakin had been using his position to “perpetuate fraudulent acts”.

    He said: “The appointment of a Royal Ambassador was meant to enhance the image of the Alaafin as an institution, as well as ensure mutual understanding and fraternal relationships within and outside the country. It is unfortunate that the occupier of the position deviated from the designated assignment to extorting money from people under false pretence and other unwholesome acts unexpected of his status.”

    Oba Adeyemi urged the public not to deal with Ayanlakin on matters relating to the Alaafin and his cabinet, the Oyo Mesi.

    Ayanlakin’s royal beads were removed by palace workers.

     

  • Alaafin advocates for re-orientation of moral values

    Alaafin advocates for re-orientation of moral values

    The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi, has said the future of the country is imperiled if the young generation are not inculcated with the right moral values.

    Fielding questions from journalists in his palace, the first class monarch also called for a change in the attitude of Nigerians to public service.

    He said, “Society, through leadership in public service, must begin to de-emphasise rewards for corruption and ill- gotten wealth, but rather put emphasis on hard work, innovation and productivity.”

    Lamenting on the pervasive corruption in the society, Oba Adeyemi submitted, “The country must have a change in orientation and social values from materialism and acquisition of stupendous wealth for the purpose of oppressing the less-privileged, to a more humane social order where every human life is valued as sacred and inviolable.”

    While calling on the government to accord education utmost priority, Oba Adeyemi continued, “We must realise that the formulation and implementation of policies which will serve to benefit only the children of the wealthy can only stifle intellectual curiosity in academic institutions, frustrate teaching professionals and parents and make our best brain find greater comfort in overseas schools or local cult groups.

    “Government must consciously bring education to the reach of all its citizens through increased subsidised funding of indigent groups and viable public-private partnerships in research and development ventures.”

    The traditional ruler also called for the encouragement of private enterprises to make endowments to particular fields in colleges and universities especially in agriculture, finance and petroleum fields.