The Nation Newspaper

Tag: monarch

  • Uromi leaders move to save monarch from deposition

    Leaders of Uromi community in Esan North Local Government Area of Edo State have begun moves to stop the state government from deposing their monarch, His Royal Highness Anselm Aidenojie II, the Ojuromi of Uromi.

    Last week, HRH Aidenojie was suspended for seven days for allegedly assaulting a woman, Betty Okoebor, in public.

    Other reasons adduced for suspending the traditional ruler included travelling without permission and his alleged refusal to respond to a query issued by the appropriate authority within the stipulated 72 hours.

    The government said the monarch demonstrated what it called total disregard and disrespect for constituted authority.

    In a letter by Secretary to the Edo State Government (SSG), Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, the government ordered the monarch to tender unreserved apologies to his victim and the government or risk deposition as the Onojie of Uromi.

    It was gathered that the victim petitioned the state government after she was allegedly assaulted by the Onojie at a polling unit during the conduct of the September 28 governorship election.

  • Seven-year-old crowned monarch

    Seven-year-old crowned monarch

    It was a day of the monarchy, filled with royal head gear, beads and much drama. All of that and more were on display at Aquinas Catholic Church in Awka, the Anambra State capital, as  Chinechereme Umeogu was  introduced as the traditional ruler of Aquinas Model Primary School.

    What did the young king do next? He promptly named his cabinet, which included his prime minister Chinemeze Uzoezie, another seven-year-old. Their queens were also introduced in the same breath.

    The people at the event included members of the Parent Teachers Association (PTA) and an industrialist Godwin Ezeemo. Everyone seemed to enjoy every moment, especially as the new royal team performed their rituals.

    With his staff, the monarch blessed dignitaries at the event.

    Rev. Dr. Anthony Akabogu and leader of Progressives People’s Alliance (PPA) Ezeemo urged parents to give their children a good foundation for the society to be free of crime.

    The PPA leader donated a school bus, 85 textbooks and 320 exercise books to the school.

    Ezeemo urged the pupils to be obedient to their parents, elders and always study their books, describing them as the leaders of tomorrow.

    He pleaded with the states and federal government to bring back history in the country’s education curriculum to help the present generation.

    Rev Akabogu said if the children were not given the basic foundation, it would spell doom in the society.

  • Monarch to Deji of Akure: you can’t suspend me

    A sinigbo of Isinigbo in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State Oba Samuel Elewuju yesterday said the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade-Aladelusi, has no authority to suspend him./

    Oba Aladetoyinbo, in a letter dated September 9, suspended Elewuju from office.

    The Asinigbo was alleged to have conducted himself in a manner that brought disrepute to the traditional institution.

    Elewuju was also accused of dishonouring invitation of the committees set up to investigate the allegations preferred against him by Ayetoro community.

    In his reply to the Deji’s letter, Oba Elewuju claimed he was not under the authority of the Akure monarch, saying the suspension order had no effect on him.

    The reply, written by Adeleye Rotimi on behalf of the 100-year-old traditional ruler, said: “As you may know sir, I am an Oba just as you are and under the supervision of Akure North Local Government.

    “My authority as an Oba is over Isinigbo and the people therein. I also have chiefs from different quarters of Isinigbo who assist me.

    “In view of the above, please note that I am not under your authority as I am not within Akure. Hence, I hereby state that your letter of September 9 is of no effect on me. My suspension is therefore null and void and of no effect.”

  • I have unalloyed loyalty to Benin monarch, says Obaseki  

    I have unalloyed loyalty to Benin monarch, says Obaseki  

    Edo State Governor-elect Godwin Obaseki has pledged to uplift and respect the Benin traditional institution.

    The politician said he and his family had unalloyed loyalty to the royal family.

    In his congratulatory message to the 40th Oba Ewuare II of Benin, Obaseki expressed joy that the new monarch was installed when he would assume office as Governor Adams Oshiomhole’s successor.

    The governor-elect said he would rely on the prayers and advice of the oba to have a successful tenure.

    During last Thursday’s coronation, Oshiomhole promised that Obaseki will maintain the same cordial relationship with the oba.

    Obaseki, who will be sworn in on November 12, said: “For guidance and advice, I would be counting on the oba to succeed as governor. It is particularly auspicious and most heart-warming that events leading to the oba’s coronation are coming at a time I am fortunate to be the elected governor of the state.

     

  • Ijaw kingdom gets monarch

    Ijaw kingdom gets monarch

    The people of Tubutoru Kingdom in Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State are still in expansive mood over the installation of their monarch,   His Royal Majesty, Pere Gbebokedi Ajiri-Oba, the Oguruyeke, Okirimini 1 of Tubutoru Kingdom.

    The four-day ceremony was full of glamour and grandeur. It was hugely attended by political bigwigs, individuals and envoys from different kingdoms in the Ijaw dynasty.

    The monarch thanked God for making him the first King of the Kingdom.

    He told his subjects to see his emergence as the beginning of good things to come , stressing that his Kingdom over the years had suffered deprivation.

    Okirimini said his ultimate desire was to see a united Kingdom. He urged members of his dynasty to have respect for one another because moving forward as a Kingdom was dependent on such harmonious alignment

    The monarch pledged to work with other Ijaw Kingdoms in the Niger Delta to bring lasting peace for the much needed development in the region.

    He implored his people to be happy as the dark and gloomy days were over.

    High Chief Gaius Wariugo, a retired civil servant and a leader of thought in Tubutoru Kingdom, described the ceremony as historic,  adding that it would  usher in development that had eluded them in many years.

    Wariugo said: “I will say that the ceremony is very fantastic, because this has never happened in this kingdom before. I was born more than sixty years ago and I’ve not experienced this before, not even my fathers, because they never told me about such. This is the first remarkable thing that is happening in this kingdom. I give kudos to everyone that contributed to the success of this event.

    “This will facilitate development because even the Nigeria constitution has a place for traditional rulers. The traditional stool in Tubutoru kingdom, which we’ve not gotten before will no doubt bring  development, including infrastructural development, because we know that we now have a King that will draw the government’s attention for the betterment of the entire Tubutoru kingdom.

    “There have been an age long festival we do annually and we call it Koleke festival. We all embrace it when it comes. It lasts almost three days. It is mainly for cleansing. If things are not working fine and we do the festival, things will definitely work well and we have over 20 different communities that make up this Kingdom.”

    Chief Joseph Uduboh, the Tunteriwei of Tubutoru kingdom and double Chief Julius Ogoba, the Miekeremowei of the Kingdom, expressed confidence on the capacity of the new King, adding that the birth of the Kingdom would resuscitate among others the St. Timothy Primary School in Taribo, the traditional headquarters of the Kingdom  founded by the Christ Missionary Society, CMS in 1945.

    The Councilor and Chief whip in Odigbo Local Government legislative chamber representing Ebijoh Ward 6, Hon.(Chief) Ayebi Oteigha, who hails from the Kingdom, said:  “Politically speaking, as a people, we are facing lots of tough time, nevertheless, I think with the golden opportunity given to me to represent the good people of Tubutoru as Ebijoh ward, I believe with our good relationship with the chairman and our contact with the state government, I know we will get lots of developmental strides, within a short period of time. Before you can build a political arena, the people must have permanent voter’s card (PVC), they must be registered properly, the people must be inculcated into the political system. When the people are inculcated and vibrant people are there, I think the government must respond to them. We always orient the people, we have a seminar within the Local Government were we can be orienting them.”

    A leader in Gbaramatu Kingdom, Azaiye Piniki, urged the people of Tubutoru, said: “What is happening here today is something that will open this place, it ought to have happened long before now, even though its happening now, we still have to thank God. Gbaramatu as a Kingdom is closely related to Tubutoru; right from the days of old, we intermarried, most people from Gbaramatu have blood ties to this Kingdom,” Azaiye said.

    Mr. Augustus Powei, an envoy from Arogbo Kingdom, decried the high level of underdevelopment while maintaining that the emergence of the new King would turn such fearful scenario for good.

    “When we came in, we saw that the only primary school in the community is not well built at all, this indicates that the government in the area have long forgotten our people and with the coronation of of the King today is a sign that we want to now bring the attention of the government to our people, which has been culturally disorganised because of the lack of government presence in our community,” Powei noted

    The leader of Odigbo Local Government legislative house in Ondo State, Hon. Akiuro Dayo, pledged to sponsor a bill tailored towards the development of Tubutoru Kingdom. He decried the high level of underdevelopment in  the Kingdom, adding that the feat will be achieved by working with the Chairman of the Council and the Councilor representing Ebijoh Ward on the Council, Hon. Ayebi Oteigha who is also the Chief whip of Odigbo legislative house.

  • Jegede is divine choice, say ex-deputy governor, monarch

    A former deputy governor of Ondo State and one-time ambassador to Uganda, Chief Omolade Oluwateru, has described the candidature of Mr. Eyitayo Jegede (SAN) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as a “God’s given project”. Also, the Olukare of Ikare, Oba Akadiri Momoh, said the PDP candidate was reliable and hardworking.

    Oluwateru said Jegede is the most suitable candidate having worked in the governor’s cabinet for the past seven and half years.

    The ex-deputy governor, who served under the late former Governor Olusegun Agagu, spoke yesterday, when a group, the Jegede Network Forum, which he is a member, received the candidate in Akure, the state capital.

    Oluwateru said: ”Jegede was chosen by God and he is extremely lucky. He is not about Akure agenda or project, but he’s God’s own project. For him to have worked in the outgoing governor’s cabinet for seven and half years gives him an edge over his fellow contestants in terms of experience, comportment and proactive reflexes.

    “I know what I am talking about, because his understanding of the problems besetting all communities in Ondo State is fresh and steaming hot. And that is why here in Akure alone, we have vowed to mobilise over 150,000 votes for him.”

    The Commissioner for Education, Chief Jide Adejuyigbe, said in Akure South alone, the people have launched ‘Operation150, 000 votes’, pointing out that there are 248,000 registered voters in the locality.

    The chairman of the Jegede Network Forum, Mr. Adewumi Faji, asked over 5,000 supporters at the event to display their voter cards, which they joyfully did.

    Thanking the supporters, an elated Jegede reiterated his cardinal programmes of massive employment through industrialisation and agricultural expansion.

    Speaking at his palace, when 30 traditional rulers in Akokoland received the PDP candidate, Oba Momoh described Jegede as “our son who is humble, hardworking and reliable”.

    He said the Mimiko administration had performed creditably and that it deserved a successor “from the performing team.”

    The monarch said Jegede had been a friend of the grassroots people, long before he knew that he would be tipped to become governor.

    Oba Momoh said: “Your coming here is just to pay homage; there is no need to campaign, as we all know the stuff you are made of.”

    The Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly, Alhaji Fatai Olotu, an indigene of the area, appealed to the people to vote for continuity, stressing that Mimiko had completed the Awara Dam Scheme and that what was left was water-pipe extension to the various Akoko communities.

    He also recalled that the Mimiko administration built an ultra-modern market in Ikare-Akoko, apart from providing free shuttle buses for school pupils.

  • Monarch: why Buhari must industrialise economy

    THE Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Abdul-Rasheed Adewale Akanbi, Telu I, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to begin the process of industrialising the economy.

    In a statement by his media adviser, Oriyomi Akinbote, the  monarch said the government should give industrialisation priority to help the economy get out of recession.

    The oluwo advocated outsourcing and involvement of Nigerians in diaspora in implementing the policy for it a positive effect on the nation’s ailing economy.

    He maintained that President Buhari must look beyond agriculture for the survival of the economy, both in the short and long run.

    According to Oba Akanbi, the nation has no excuse for  non-performance considering its diverse mineral resources.

  • Gunmen kill Benue monarch

    A traditional ruler in Vingir, Katsina-Ala Local Government of Benue State, Chief Awuhe Alev, was yesterday killed by gunmen.

    Police spokesperson, Moses Yamu, who confirmed the incident via text message, said they got the report about 8.30 pm that Chief Alev, the kindred head of Mbayongo, was shot dead at his residence.

    Yamu said more officers had been deployed in the area, and investigation was on.

  • Police confirms killing of traditional ruler in Benue

    Police confirms killing of traditional ruler in Benue

    The police in Benue have confirmed the killing of Chief Awuhe Alev, the traditional ruler of Mabayongo district, in Katsina Ala local government council of the state

    Confirming the incidence on Monday to the News Agency of Nigeria, in Makurdi, the police public relations officer, ASP Moses Yamu, said unknown gunmen invaded the traditional ruler’s house in Vingir village on Sunday night and shot him dead.

    He said the police had yet to discover the motive for the killing but added that investigations into the murder were in top gear and assured that the culprits would soon be arrested.

    The police spokesman said additional policemen had been deployed to the area to maintain law and order and appealed to members of the public with useful information that might lead to the arrest of the culprits to volunteer them to security agencies.

    NAN reports that a village in Mbayongo had recently been under siege by security operatives in search of Mr Terwase Akwaza, the former Aide of Gov. Samuel Ortom, who had been accused of killing, kidnaping and cattle rustling.

  • Monarch offers to pay fines for five inmates

    The Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Abdulrasheed Adewale Akanbi, Ilufemiloye Telu I, yesterday offered to pay fines of five inmates of the Nigerian Prisons Service in Ilesa, Osun State.

    The inmates have continued to be in prison custody for failure to pay an option of fines imposed on them by the courts.

    Oba Akanbi made the offer during his visit to the prison in Ilesa, where there are 582 inmates out which 454 are awaiting their court trial.

    The traditional ruler, who made a cow and cash donations to the prison service for the upkeep of the inmates, passionately appealed to the state Chief Judge, Justice Oyebola Adepele-Ojo, to look into the cases of those in awaiting trial list, many of whom had spent between two to twenty years.

    Disclosing that his mission was to have a first-hand experience of the situation behind the wall of prisons and see areas he can intervene. The Oluwo said he was identifying with the inmates to give them hope and reason to believe their lives could still serve good purposes.

    The monarch also admonished members of the society to stop stigmatising ex-convicts and to make sure they are supported to during their reformation and reintegration programmes for the society to be a good place for everyone.

    The monarch, who had handshakes with some of the inmates, enjoined them to change from their bad ways and make sure they contribute to the peace and development of the nation.

    He also appealed to the government to improve the facilities in the prison that had been built since 1900, adding that the prison environment looking ancient needed “serious rehabilation.”

    Responding, some of the inmates said they were surprised with the monarch’s visit which they described as unprecedented, therefore, promising to be of good behaviour during and after their jail terms.

    They pleaded with the state government to grant some of them with good conduct state pardon and commended the officials of the prison for doing their best to better the lot of the inmates.

    Also, the officer in charge of the Prison, who is a Deputy Comptroller, Mr. Ope Fanmikun, disclosed that his men face huge challenges, conveying 454 inmates for trial daily in 72 courts across the state.

    He lamented: “We take the inmates to court with just four  HYPERLINK “http://vehicles.th/” \t “_blank” vehicles. The newest of these vehicles was given to the prison four years ago. Pesenting the inmates for trial has been difficult so we are calling on well meaning Nigerians to come to our aid.”

    According to him, the prison needs at least 20 vehicles, medical facilities and consummables, adding that some of the inmates that were supposed to be referred for further treatment in more advanced facilities could not do so because of unavailability of funds.