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Tag: monarch

  • Why study of history is important, by monarch

    The Alaaye of Efon Kingdom in Ekiti-State, Oba Adesanya Aladejare, Agunsoye II, has urged the younger generation to study history to understand the past, present and future.

    He hailed the new emphasis on history as a core subject in the curriculum, saying it is a right step in the right direction.

    Oba Aladejare, a retired lecturer at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, told reporters that he decided to write the history of his kingdom for the instruction, understanding and guidance of the present and future generations.

    He spoke on the vision behind the book: “Obalufon Alayemore: The founder of Efon Kingdom,” which will be lunched at the Civic Centre, Efon-Alaaye, on Saturday.

    Dignitaries expected at the event, which will be chaired by Chief Afe Babalola (SAN), include Governor Ayodele Fayose and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II.

    Oba Aladejare described Efon as one of the ancient kingdoms in Yorubaland, saying as its first educated monarch, he owed it a duty to document its robust history from the days of its progenitor, Obalufon Alayemore, its founder who also had the honour of ruling Ile-Ife, the cradle of the race twice.

    He said: “It has been my objective, as Efon’s first educated king, that we have to put this on record and regard it as a legacy. We want to leave something for the people coming behind, something they can lay their hands on.”

    The monarch hinged the development of the town on the spiritual influence of the great evangelist and founder of the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Apostle Ayodele Babalola, and the industry of its resilient people from time immemorial.

    He recalled that Babalola did not only expose the community to the light of religion, he also prayed for the goodness and prosperity of the town.

    The monarch paid tribute to his illustrious grandfather, the late Oba Solomon Bamilosin Aladejare, Agunsoye I, who hosted Apostle Babalola and encouraged his people to convert to Christianity.

    Oba Aladejare, who noted that the location of the town, especially its topography as a town set on hills, has not allowed it attract enough social amenities, hailed the indigenes for their increasing patriotism and unflinching love, which has made them continually seek its progress.

  • Monarch urges Buhari to compensate those who worked for him in 2015

    Monarch urges Buhari to compensate those who worked for him in 2015

    As President Muhammadu Buhari’s supporters flag off campaigns for his re-election in 2019, a royal father in Lagos, HRM Oba Oladele Friday Kosoko, the Oniworo of Iworo and Ogundeyi 11, has advised the president to first set his house in order before the issue of his re-election would be brought out in public. He also said current developments in the country tend to suggest that some presidential advisers and other aides may not be giving him the right advise.

    “Mr. President has not compensated those who stood by him in 2015 and we are talking about re-election in 2019. That should not be the order. The first thing to do should be to set the house in order. From what we are seeing, it seems the people who labored together with him to get the people’s mandate are not the ones in power. That error should be corrected. One way of doing that is to dissolve statutory boards and make fresh appointments through which the president should compensate those who stood by him when it mattered most. Statutory boards, like that of the Federal Housing Authority, which has been there since 2013; FERMA and NPA, amongst others, are still there.

    “That is why it cannot be denied that PDP sympathizers are still dominating President Buhari’s government. So, before we talk about re-election, Mr. President should address this and other critical issues that may work against APC. Any informed observer will easily agree with the wife of Mr. President that a certain cabal exists in the government. But this cabal should please feel the impact of their actions on the people and on the image of the APC-led government,” the former member of House of Representatives said.

    The royal father also expressed concern over the anti-corruption crusade of the government. “In spite of the efforts so far, one still wonders if there is any high profile anti-corruption case that has been concluded with a definitive verdict,” he said.

    Commenting on Mr. Abdulrasheed Abdullahi Maina’s case, he said, to settle that case, government should realise that no one is above the law. So, all the people that contributed in Maina’s curious recall and promotion, when he was still a wanted person, should be punished.”

  • Ekiti monarch: Traditional rulers should play constitutional roles

    Ekiti monarch: Traditional rulers should play constitutional roles

    The Obalufon Alayemore of Efon Kingdom in Ekiti State, Oba Emmanuel Adesanya Aladejare, has said traditional rulers will not rest, until they are given constitutional roles in the polity.

    The first class monarch described constitutional roles for monarchs as part of the restructuring, being demanded in some quarters describing them as the closest to the grassroots, who articulate the needs of their people.

    Oba Aladejare spoke in his palace in Efon Alaaye at a press briefing to herald the launch of a book titled: “Ooni Obalufon Alayemore: The Founder of Efon Alaaye Kingdom.”

    The launch of the 1,420-page book is expected to hold on November 4, at the town’s Civic Centre at 11.00 am prompt.

    The Ooni of Ile-Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, will serve as the Royal Father of the Day while the Founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Aare Afe Babalola, will be the Chairman of the occasion.

    The proceeds of the book launch will be used for the development and reconstruction of the Palace of the Obalufon Alayemore “to meet with the standard befitting its status and in line with modernity.”

    Describing Efon as one of the ancient kingdoms in Yoruba land, Oba Aladejare said work on the book project started nine years ago and it was a legacy to hand down to the future generations.

    On constitutional roles for monarchs, Oba Aladejare a former university don, said: “The politicians have been dragging their feet on it because they believe we want to compete with them.

    “It is part of the restructuring people have been clamouring for; people live under us and we interact with them on daily basis. It is the Obas that have been articulating the needs of the people.

    “It is an abnormality that no constitutional role has been give to traditional rulers. We will continue to advocate for it until we realize it.”

  • Monarch petitions chairmanship candidate over ‘kidnap, cultism, assassination attempts’

    Monarch petitions chairmanship candidate over ‘kidnap, cultism, assassination attempts’

    The village head-elect of Ikot okwo village in Ukpum Ete clan in Ikot Abasi local government area of Akwa Ibom state, Chief Solomon David Jesse has accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chairmanship candidate in Ikot Abasi, Mr. David David Eshiet of sponsoring a cult group to kidnap, assassinate and destroy his palace.

    In a petition by his legal counsel, Edet Essien and Associate, No. 62 Enwe Street Uyo, the traditional alleged that the PDP chairmanship candidate, sponsored Uwem Udo Green, Eric Udo Ebong, Ndifereke Ufor Tom, Eno Udo John, Akpan L. Akpan, Ubong Eshiet Ebong and Others, to kill him and destroy his palace on the 9th June, 2017.

    The monarch said the incident occurred after he was presented to the Clan Head of Ukpum Ete, HRH (Barr.) Clement Idemudo, by the family heads that make up the village.

    Chief Jesse said that but for his timely escape into the nearby bush through the backdoor, he would have been killed by the suspected cultists allegedly sponsored by Mr. Eshiet to assassinate him

    According to the petition made available to our correspondent in Uyo, the suspected cultists destroyed his cars, motorcycle, and other

    valuable properties at his palace valued at one hundred million naira.

    He said the bandits were armed with guns, machetes, axes and other dangerous weapons, adding that they rained bullets on the palace.

  • Our unity is our strength, says monarch

    The Traditional ruler of Oworonsoki, Oba Basiru Oloruntoyin Saliu, has called for peaceful co-existence among various ethnic groups in his domain.

    At a meeting held with the ethnic groups, the monarch urged them not to be deceived by various agitations in other parts of the country.

    The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of the area, the monarch said, was in attendance.

    “Due to the happenings in the country, I decided to call for the meeting of the ethnic groups on peaceful co-existence. I let them realised that having lived together for 57 years as one big family, there is no need for us to start contemplating dividing the country. We cannot afford to give up our unity.

    “What do we stand to gain from splitting? The bitter lessons of South Sudan should not be easily discarded. We should learn from other nations’ woes so as not to fall victims,” he said.

    He urged all ethnic groups in Oworonsoki and Ketu to be united and live in peace.

    “We do not want criminal activities including cultism in our domain. Whoever engages in crime, will find him or herself to be blamed,” he said.

    Nigeria at 57, he said, all hopes are not lost.

    According to him, the task of making Nigeria great is a collective one, saying that breaking up will only bring hardship.

    “We all need not only to believe in the Nigeria project, but work assiduously with prayer to make the country develop. Our together, no doubt, is a great advantage if only we could build on it,” the monarch said.

    Oba Saliu congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Akinwunmi Ambode on the 57 Independence Anniversary.

    He prayed to God to continue to grant them wisdom and good health to move the country forward.

  • Monarch hails governor for resolving obaship crisis

    Monarch hails governor for resolving obaship crisis

    The Alado of Ado Awaye, Oba Ademola Olugbile Folakanmi, has hailed Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi for resolving the 34-year-old crisis on the Alado of Ado Awaye stool and restoring peace to the town.

    Also, the monarch praised the governor for the creation of Araromi Local Council Development Area (LCDA), which the town had been longing to have in the past 20 years.

    Oba Folakanmi spoke in his palace when he hosted officials of the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, led by the commissioner, Toye Arulogun, during a trip to Ado Awaye Suspended Lake.

    The monarch noted that the governor fulfilled the aspirations of Ado Awaye residents with the creation of the LCDA and the restoration of a monarch after many years of disputes.

    He said the governor’s gesture would linger in the minds of the people for bringing peace to the town.

    Oba Folakanmi said: “The government and the governor of Oyo State deserve our appreciation. Governor Ajimobi filled the vacant stool of Alado of Ado Awaye after 34 years and he also created an LCDA for us, which we had been clamouring for in the last 20 years. We want to also appreciate the government for its efforts to rehabilitate Ado Awaye Suspended Lake.

    “The Ado Awaye Suspended Lake is a world attraction for everyone. Ado Awaye is the centre of Oyo State, as discovered during the regime of Brig.-Gen. David Jemibewon (retd). We thank the government and the governor for promoting Ado Awaye. We promise to support government’s programmes and activities.”

    Arulogun said the state government would continue to accord the traditional institution the respect it deserved.

    He said the state government was more concerned about peaceful co-habitation of all and sundry, adding that the sustenance of peace, which was elusive prior to Ajimobi’s administration, would be given priority.

    The LCDA’s Caretaker Chairman, Eyitato Olakunle, pledged to always make the town conducive and hospitable for tourists.

  • Monarch urges movement to promote peace in Remoland

    The Ewusi of Makun, Oba Oyesola Akinsanya Orungba II, has urged members of the Neo-Black Movement of Africa Worldwide to promote peace and development in Remoland.

    He spoke at the inauguration of a borehole built by the group for the Awolowo Market Community in Sagamu, Ogun State, at the weekend.

    Oba Akinsanya hailed NBM for the “monumental fortune transformation of Remo”.

    He recalled the violence allegedly perpetrated by members of the group.

    The monarch praised them for the new phase and urged them to maintain the peace.

    Its Remo sub-zone promised to promote peace and development in Remoland.

    NBM’s President in Ogun State Prince Kazeem Ogunlaja reiterated the status of the organisation as a non-profit, non-racial, non-religious and non-political organisation working against violence.

    According to him, the event is a culmination of NBM’s resolve to toe the path of peace and development.

    Coordinator, Remo Sub-Zone Olaitan Adesanya described the organisation as peace-loving, which condones no any violence, anti-social or criminal behaviour.

  • Udiroko Festival: Monarch urges subjects to embrace agric

    •‘Fayose honoured for landmark achievements’

    The Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe, Aladesanmi III, has advised residents to return to agriculture to fight hunger and unemployment.

    The monarch urged youths to embrace farming to contribute to the economy.

    He described farming as “the natural occupation of Ado-Ekiti people”.

    Oba Adejugbe spoke at his palace at the weekend during the grand finale of this year’s Udiroko Festival.

    Dignitaries at the event include Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose; his Gombe State counterpart, Alhaji Ibrahim Dankwambo; former Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu; former Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam; Rivers State Deputy Governor Ipalibo Harry-Banigo; House of Representatives Committee Chairman on Rural Development, Ladi Adebutu and Founder, Afe Babalola University at Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Aare Afe Babalola.

    Fayose, Dankwambo and Adebutu were honoured with chieftaincy titles of Apesin Apogunpote, Akinmuagun and Ajirosola of Ado-Ekiti.

    Oba Adejugbe said walnut and kolanut, which were used to celebrate the Udiroko in the past, were products of the rich agricultural heritage of Ado people.

    The monarch noted that the kingdom contributed to the cocoa wealth of the defunct Western Region in the 1960s and 1970s.

    He said: “We had farm settlements in the past. I am appealing to our people, especially youths, to go back to the farm because there are no more white-collar jobs. It will be in their interest to embrace agriculture.”

    Oba Adejugbe said Fayose was honoured because of the landmark projects his administration was executing in the town.

    The monarch said the projects had changed the face of the state capital.

    He listed the projects as a flyover, Oba’s Market, Governor’s Office, High Court complex and township roads.

    Oba Adejugbe noted that Ado-Ekiti community was grateful to Fayose for his “unprecedented projects in the palace”, which include the open arena, new ultra-modern hall and palace extension.

    The monarch said Udiroko Festival was significant because “it marks the beginning of a new year for us …and on the occasion we appreciate God and pray for a prosperous year”.

    He hailed security agencies, especially the police, and the government, for the peace the people were enjoying.

    Babalola, who chaired the occasion, said it was a “glorious day” for Ado-Ekiti people”.

    The eminent lawyer described Udiroko 2017 as “the most successful in recent history”.

    He noted that Fayose and Aliyu, who holds the title of Akinjagunla of Ado-Ekiti, contributed to the development of the town.

    Babalola said Fayose deserved the chieftaincy title, describing him as “young, humble, dynamic, sincere and prudent governor of Ekiti State”.

  • Monarch flees as villagers set ablaze palace

    The traditional ruler of Oghoghobi community in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government of Edo State, Kingsley Omorose, has fled his community after villagers set ablaze his palace.

    Other property belonging to the monarch was torched, including those owned by his loyalists.

    The villagers stormed the palace after gunmen allegedly killed a former youth chairman of the community, Mr. Lambert Igbinomwahia, popularly called ‘Let them say.’

    The deceased was killed at his home by gunmen.

    A source said the villagers suspected the monarch to be the mastermind of the killing, as he allegedly threatened him.

    The deceased’s mother, Magdalene, said Lambert was her only son.

    She said: “The Enogie called my son and told him to stop selling land. My son said he had not been selling land.”

    Magdalene urged security agencies to arrest her son’s killers.

    The embattled traditional ruler, who spoke through phone, described the allegations as false, saying it was a plot to dent his image.

    He said he could not plan evil against his subject and confirmed that there was an issue between the deceased and the community.

    Police Commissioner Haliru Gwandu, who confirmed the incident, said he drafted men to the area immediately he received a signal.

    He said the issue was between the deceased and the monarch.

     

  • Court dethrones Ondo monarch

    An Akure High Court presided over by Justice A. Adegoroye has ordered the Oloja of Oka in Ondo community, Noah Ijelu, to vacate his throne immediately.

    Justice Adegoroye gave the order in his judgment in a case filed by members of Adesinmirinwa and Olupona ruling houses against the installation of Ijelu.

    In the suit, the governor, his deputy, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, the Osemawe of Ondo Kingdom, Oba Victor Kiladejo, as well as High Chief Lisa J. A. Akinkunmi, representing the kingmakers of Oka community, and Mr. Noah Olafusi Ijelu, are defendants.

    The two ruling houses, which instituted the matter, prayed the court to hold that there are only two ruling houses in Oka community: Akinsinmirinwa and Olupona.

    They said the Olupona ruling house should be the next to ascend the throne of Oloja since the last occupier of the throne, the late Oloja Dada Adedimeji Akinsoyinu, was from Adesinmirinwa ruling house.