The Nation Newspaper

Tag: monarchs

  • Abia monarchs to police: we aren’t safe

    Abia monarchs to police: we aren’t safe

    Despite a raft of measures by the police and other security agencies in Abia State, traditional rulers say there is little respite from hoodlums. SUNNY NWANKWO reports

    To say the police and other security arms are not fighting crime in Abia State is to twist facts. Still, traditional rulers in Aba, the state’s commercial capital, say they are a long way from safety. That much they told the state commissioner of police Adeleye Oyebade at a meeting, urging him to ramp up security in the state.

    The monarchs knew that security agents have not been sitting on their arms. They have gone after kidnappers, knocking down, on one occasion, one of their hideouts on the precincts of Aba. The military has also tracked down oil thieves in the bush and set their camp on fire, though by the time they arrived, the outlaws had fled. So many robbers and car thieves, even child traffickers, have also been nabbed. In fact, the police periodically brief the press and announce their successes in anti-crime fighting.

    But the traditional rulers are not fooled. They told Oyebade that on account of insecurity they cannot meet with their council of chiefs or with other monarchs. They could be kidnapped. In fact, traditional rulers in Aba North Local Government Area of the state are worried and want the police to protect them.

    The rulers made their appeal to Oyebade when he visited the palace of the chairman Aba North Local Council Traditional Rulers HRH Eze Love Nwogu at Ogbor Hill, Aba.

    The traditional rulers who spoke through their secretary told the state commissioner of police that they were worried by the increase in crime within the Aba metropolis and its environs.

    They further told the police boss that the increase in crime in Aba has put their lives under threat, adding that insecurity in the council area has equally affected their meeting time which they said could not give them the opportunity to properly discuss issues affecting their communities.

    The traditional rulers however expressed their readiness to partner with the police and other security agencies in the state in fighting crime in their respective communities.

    Oyebade assured the traditional rulers of their safety, adding that the police were doing their best to ensure there is peace in Aba and its environs.

    The police chief shared some of the achievements recorded by the command under his watch, disclosing that the police command in Aba and Umuahia are working collaboratively with other sister agencies in the state to ensure that crime was reduced in various parts of the state.

    According to Oyebade, the recently launched Tactical Response Squad (TRS) with its operational base at Abayi Police Divisional Headquarters would complement efforts of their men in other squads already on the ground in Aba in tackling activities of hoodlums in the city.

    The state police boss thanked the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris for giving the command two Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC) and Governor Okezie Victor Ikpeazu for paying some allowances to the officers in the state.

    He said that it was the desire of the command that Abians and visitors to the state would go about their businesses freely and to sleep with their eyes closed. Oyebade urged members of the public to provide the police with useful information about the activities of hoodlums in their areas, stressing that the police whose response to distress calls have improved would not hesitate to come to their rescue at all time.

     

  • Igbo language must not be allowed to die – Okorocha

    Igbo language must not be allowed to die – Okorocha

    The Imo State government has forbidden traditional rulers from speaking English or any other foreign language at public functions or in their palaces while conducting affairs of their communities.

    Governor Rochas Okorocha, who gave the directive, said the Monarchs could use interpreters if the need arises.

    Okorocha spoke while handing over letters of recognition and staff of office to 19 traditional rulers.

    The governor noted that “Igbo language must not be allowed to die, as being predicted in some quarters”.

    He urged the monarchs to be agents of peace and prosperity in their domains “instead of being tools of disunity and destabilisation”.

    Okorocha warned that any traditional ruler who cannot show genuine leadership in his community could have his Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office withdrawn.

    He said: “Today, history is made that light has come and darkness would not comprehend at all. The truth has surfaced and the right people have finally become the custodian of the traditional rights of their people. You are not permitted to speak English at functions. This will help to keep our culture and Igbo language alive.

    “For many years, most of you have been looking for a day like this. Some of you were victims of injustice and never believed that this could be possible; most of you have been waiting without knowing your fate. But today, it is a manifest of truth that your people have chosen you, and the government of Imo State has approved.

    “I took the bold step of reconciling people, to ensure that truth came to be, and voided the rancour that existed in various communities over Eze title. This has equally affected the Community Government Council (CGC) negatively because every community requires an Eze to function effectively as the head of the Community Government Council.

    “Today, that responsibility has fallen on you. I urge you not to fail, as failure is not an option. I encourage you to help the government in developing the resources of our land. Posterity will only remember you for your positive contributions in the development of your communities and not in how much wealth you amassed as an Eze.”

  • Recognition for Ekiti women monarchs

    Recognition for Ekiti women monarchs

    After several years of advocacy, enlightenment and sensitisation to the need for the government to recognise the critical role of women traditional rulers, the monarchs have got a voice in Ekiti State when Governor Ayodele Fayose inaugurated the Council of Female Traditional Rulers, Ekiti State chapter. The recognition became the reason for the monarchs to celebrate in Ibadan. OSEHEYE OKWUOFU reports.

    ‘A spectacular development has emerged from Ekiti State where “Prof.” Ayodele Fayose, as his people fondly call him, inaugurated National Council of Female Traditional Rulers in Nigeria–Ekiti State branch. For the first time ever, the bold and courageous Ekiti State Governor summoned male rulers and their female counterparts for a meeting at the Governor’s office’

    In the yesteryear, it was a taboo for a community to be ruled by a woman in some parts of the country. It was part of the subjugation which the women folk experience across the country.

    However, in the Western part of the country, historical evidence indicate that some communities or towns had, in the past, been ruled by women. Besides, some of them had contributed immensely to the safety and survival of their communities during periods of external invasion.

    While some historians have argued that the history of the Yoruba would be incomplete without recourse to the role of women traditional rulers, others vehemently deny the existence of such monarchs across the region. But statues and monuments built in honour of such heroines abound in major cities of Yoruba land, thereby making it difficult to wish away the debate. The statue of the revered Moremi at Ile-Ife is a great example of the countless roles women had played in saving their communities.

    Of late, female traditional rulers received support when Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State gave them recognition after several years of advocacy, enlightenment and sensitisation to the need for government to recognise the critical role of female traditional rulers in Nigeria.

    In the circumstances, the female monarchs held a press conference to celebrate the great achievement, and most importantly, to remind other state governors where the tradition exists, of the urgent need to emulate the Ekiti State governor by  establishing the Council of Female Traditional Rulers in their respective states.

    Led by a researcher and the National Coordinator of Female Traditional Rulers, Prof. Fatai Olasupo of the Department of Local Government Studies, Faculty of Administration, Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife, the female monarchs were full of praises for Governor Fayose for breaking the jinx.

    Prof. Olasupo, leading other researchers, unearthed the existence of female traditional rulers and has since remained the voice of the voiceless and suppressed female rulers in the country.

    The female traditional rulers said for many years, their male counterparts have suppressed them; a situation that makes them appear non-existent.

    They commended Governor Fayose for his courage.

    The spokesperson for the female traditional rulers, Prof. Olasupo who has been researching on the  traditional roles of female traditional rulers in Nigeria for the past 10 years, described the Ekiti State inauguration of Council of Female Traditional Rulers as a spectacular development.

    While calling on governors of other Southwest states to emulate Ekiti State governor, he said Governor Fayose  took bold step by convening a meeting of both the  Obas and their female counterparts to accord the female traditional rulers due recognition.

    He said: “A spectacular development has emerged from Ekiti State where “Prof.” Ayodele Fayose, as his people fondly call him, inaugurated National Council of Female Traditional Rulers in Nigeria–Ekiti State branch.

    “For the first time, Governor Fayose summoned male rulers and their female counterparts for a meeting at the Governor’s office. At the meeting, he assured the male and female monarchs of financial and administrative supports in their respective communities; thereby becoming the first level of government and governor to recognise the existence of female traditional rulers in Nigeria.”

    Prof. Olasupo urged other governors to start the process of establishing state Council of Female Traditional Rulers, most especially in the Southwest and other parts of the country.

    According to him, in his over 10 years of research into the existence and role of female traditional rulers in Nigeria, there is hardly any part of Nigeria where there are no female traditional rulers.

    “We have them all over the country as old as the culture and tradition of our people. The female traditional rulers have their separate kingdoms, cabinet and chiefs just as the Obas. So, there should be no disparity. No one should suppress the other. What is sauce for the goose is also sauce for the gander,” he said.

    Those in attendance at the meeting included Oba Rufus Adejugbe, the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti/Obabinrin (female king), Sonaike Abike the Eyegba of Ado-Ekiti ,  Oba Oluadeyemi, the Alara of Aramoko/Obabinrin (female king) Olaitan Dada, the Eyelebudu of Aramoko,  Oba Adetayo Adewole; the Ajero of Ijero/Obabinrin Eunice Bolatito Omidiji, the Eyegun of Ijero Kingdom, Oba Adeyeye Oladimeji (JP), the Onimesi of Imesi-Ekiti/Obabinrin (female king) Dahunsi Juliana; the Eyelobinrin of Imesi, Oba Adewumi Ajibade Fasiku, the Elekole of Ikole/ Obabinrin (female kings) Ogunmoroti; the Eyerojo Isaba Ikole,  Oba Sylvester Adebanji Ajibade Alabi, the Alawe of Ilawe /Obabinrin (female king) Elizabeth Odeyemi, the Eyelofi of Ilawe, Oba Samuel Oladapo Oyetade, the Ologotun of Ogotun/Obabinrin (female king) Esther Ajayi/the Eyeji of Ogotun, Oba (Dr.) Adesanya Emmanuel,  the Alaye of Obalufon/Obabinrin (female king), and  the Eyelobinrin of Efon-Alaaye, Oba Oluwole Ademolaju Adugbile.

    Also in attendance were the Oloye of Oye/Oguntoye Beatrice, the Eye of Oye, Oba Adejimi Adu, the Ogoga of Ikere/Obabinrin Eyesemoe of Ikere-Ekiti,  Oba Jacob Boluwade Adebiyi, the Alare of Are-Ekiti/Obaobinrin (female king) Ogundele Felecia, the Eyejumu of Are-Ekiti, Oba David Makanjuola, the Ajaja of Owatapa /Obabinrin (female  king) Onipede Felicia, the Eyelera of Itapa,  Oba Osalusi Oluwasola Joshua, the Olorun of Orun-Ekiti/ Ogunyemi B.I, the Eyelua of Orun-Ekiti, Oba Jacob Boluwade Adebiyi ,  the Alare of Are-Ekiti/ Obabinrin (female king) Ogundele Felicia , the Eyejumu of Are-Ekiti,  Oba Adediran Abigunade, the Olosi of Osi-Ekiti /Obabinrin (female kings) Akinbode Oyepeju,  the Eyesemoe of Osi-Ekiti,  Oba Edward Jayeola, the Arajaka of Igbara Odo/ Obabinrin (female king) Ajewole Bolanle, the Eyele of Igbara-Odo, Oba Omonigbehin Adejuwon Noah, the Olomuo of Omuo/ Obabinrin Bodunde Margret, the Yeye Abejoye of Omuo, Oba Adeleke Victor Bobade,  the Onire of Ire-Ekiti/Obabinrim (female king)  Bamigboye F.M., the Eyelaye of Ire-Ekiti,  Oba Isaac Adetoyinbo Ajayi,  the Elejelu of Ijelu-Ekiti/Obabinrin (female king) Fasuhanmi Toyin, the Eyelobinrin of Ijelu-Ekiti,  Oba Joseph Kayode Akinola, the Owa of Iludun-Ekiti/Obabinrin Kolawole, the Eyelode of Iludun-Ekiti,  Oba Jonathan Agboola Adeleye,  the Oniyo of Iyo-Ekiti/Obabinrin (female King) Fasuyi Aina,  Eyeleso of Iyo-Ekiti,  Oba Afolabi Felix Adeniyi, the Oniro of Iro-Ekiti/Obabinrin Ajulo Christiana,  the Eyelobinrin of Iro-Ekiti,  Oba Emmanuel Olukayode Ojo Fagbemi, the Elekota of Ikota-Ekiti/Akomolafe Kemi,  the Eyelowu of Ikota,  Oba Dare Ita Okunbobade III, the Owa Oroo of Agbado/ Obabinrin (female king) Ajayi Bolaji, the Eyelori of Agbado-Ekiti, Oba Adebisi Adelafe Ogunjobi, the Olorin of Orin-Odo-Ekiti/Obabinrin (female king). Adeyanju F.F.,  the Eyelara of Orin-Odo-Ekiti,  Oba Samuel Adetayo Fatoba,  the Alara of Ara-Ekiti/Obabinrin (female King) Rawaju  Felicia, the Eyelobinrin of Ara-Ekiti,  Oba Olaleye Oniyelu J.P. , the Apeju of Ilupeju-Ekiti/Obabinrin (female king) Fasanmi Florence, the Eyelobinrin of Ilupeju,  Oba Ogunleye Ebenezer Olubunmi, and the Onijaro of Ijaro/Obabinrin (female king) Owonfari B. Eyedofin of Ijaro-Ekiti ,  Oba James Olufemi,  the Onipere of Ipere-Ekiti/Obabinrin (female king) Ogunleye Grace,

    Others were the Eyedofin of Ipere-Ekiti, Oba Israel Adebayo, the Obalogun of Ilogun-Ekiti/Obabinrin (female king) Osunlusi Janet,  the Eyegun of Ilogun,  Oba Ajayi Oluwasesan Omolagba,  the Alasa of Ilasa/Obabinrin (female king) Ojerinde J. O.,  the Yeye Aro of Ilasa-Elite,   Oba Olowookeere Ojo, the Owa Olobo of Obo-Ekiti/Obabinrin (female king) Alabi Aina, the YeyeJero of Obo-Ekiti,  Oba Kupoluyi Ayodele Ayodeji, the Amuro of Temidire/Obabinrin (female king) Ajayi Florence,  the Eyegun of Temidire,  Oba Michael Olufemi Aladejana,  the Alaworoko of Iworoko/Obaobinrin (female king) Adeleye Rachael, the Eyesemore of Iworoko, Oba Bamidele Olatunji Adetutu,  the Elewu of Ewu-Ekiti/Obabinrin (female king) Olaoye Oyewumi, the Eyedole of Ewu-Ekiti,  Oba Samuel Agboola Osatuyi J.P., the Onijesha of Ijesamodu/Obabinrin (female king) Ogunde Alice, the Eyebaisa of Ijesamodu, Oba Aladegbemi Gabriel, the Olufaki of Ifaki-Ekiti/Obabinrin (female king) Owolabi Bolanle, the Eyemuju of Ifaki- Ekiti , Oba Olonibua Joel, the Oniropora of Iropora-Ekiti/Obabirin (female king) Fatomiluyi Bose, the Eyesomore of Iropora-Ekiti,  Oba Adeyemi Joakeem Afolabi, the Onijurin of Ijurin/Obabirin (female king) Adeyinka Adeosun, the Eyegun of Ijurin, and   Oba Afolabi Idowu Babade, the Onijaro of Oke Oro/Obabinrin (female king) Fadare A.M., the Eyemotu of Oke Oro.

    Prof. Olasupo, who also clamoured for a legislation to recognise female monarchs recalled the statement by the Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola at the first annual conference of Nigerian Political Science Association, Southwest zone, challenging the intellectuals to come up with enough findings to promote cultural synergy between the town and gown; saying that the intellectuals have, in reality, done more than enough but the governments never appreciated their research findings over the years.

    He said: “How many of research findings have government at all levels accepted and implemented.

    For example, among many others, was 10-year-old research into the existence of female traditional rulership in Nigeria.

    “It is exactly a decade this year that the existence of female traditional rulers in Nigeria was unearthed.”

    The don, therefore, urged other governors to begin the process of inaugurating a Council of Female Traditional Rulers as impetus to female rulers.

    His words: “I expect the people’s governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola to also summon a meeting of royal fathers and mothers not only in Ijesha land but wherever else in Osun State.”

  • Police, monarchs tackle herders-farmers clashes

    Police, monarchs tackle herders-farmers clashes

    For two days in Abuja, the police, traditional rulers, the Leadership Group, and others sought answers to perhaps Nigeria’s most pressing challenge, PRECIOUS IGBONWELUNDU and FAITH YAHAYA report.

    ‘We must provide an enabling environment for the herdsmen who do not require electricity or road. All they need is water and it is not being provided. I am an individual, I drink water and it is a private thing but animals also have the right to survive. When we bring in the argument of private business, we are linking it to ethnic or religious dimension; we are not looking at it from the business angle. Markets, dams, roads and others are provided by government. If we should tell a taxi driver to construct a road for himself because he plies the road, it makes mockery of Nigeria’

    The horrors of herders-farmers clashes are everywhere in their gory details. People, among them women and children, are murdered in cold blood, farmlands, houses are destroyed, herds are killed or rustled in thousands.

    Socio-economic activities are brought to a halt in affected communities, which affects the economy of the nation. Hunger, poverty and unemployment become the order of the day, posing grave threats to national security.

    No fewer than 12 states-Adamawa, Zamfara, Kaduna, Ekiti, Delta, Niger, Plateau, Benue, Enugu, Ebonyi, Anambra and Taraba-are battling with the crisis, apart from such other security challenges as communal wars, kidnapping and armed robbery.

    This was why the office of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim Idris convened a national security summit in collaboration with the Leadership Group and the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN).

    Participants at the two-day summit held at the International Conference Centre (ICC), Abuja, expressed worries that the herders-farmers clashes might break the country if nothing was done to stop it.

    The participants included Governors of Kaduna, Benue and Gombe states, Nasri el-Rufai, Samuel Ortom and Ibrahim Dankwabo respectively, Minister for Interior, Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau; Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar III, Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, Emir of Gumi, Justice Lawal Gunmi, Chairman, Leadership Group, Sam Nda-Isaiah, Professors Oshita Oshita, Sani Luga, Jospeh Golwa, Hamidu Sharabutu, Olu Ogunsakin and Armstrong Adejo, Director General, Awareness Trust, Dr. Lydia Umar, legislators, as well as representatives of herders and farmers.

    They agreed there should be a standard operating procedure for livestock farming, just as the issue of forest guards, rehabilitation of grazing reserves and adoption of cattle ranching topped the discussions. The participants also suggested a harmonious relationship between the wives of herders and farmers, noting that it would nip clashes in the bud.

    IGP Idris said the way out of farmers-herders conflict was for Nigerians to be tolerant with each other.

    He said, “The main way to tackle the issue of herdsmen and farmers is for us to be our brother’s keeper. We grew up in this country and we saw how people migrated to other places and settled peacefully. I think it is just the element of give and take that is lacking and like somebody observed, Nigerians are becoming intolerant of each other. Until we stop the intolerance and believe that we have to forego something in order to get something, the communal clashes and ethnic disagreements would continue. The reason for the summit is for all stakeholders to assemble and proffer solutions to improving security across the country.”

    Nda-Isaiah suggested that the government should use the same force it deployed in tackling Boko Haram on the farmers-herders crisis, adding that the police should be equipped and deployed not only the military.

    Sharabutu, who’s the President, Veterinary Council of Nigeria, said the standard procedure would minimise open grazing and also stop young Fulani children from being herders. He said it would make the herders responsible for the actions of their cattle, adding that it would also stop night grazing.

    Sharabutu presented a paper on “identifying regulatory controls for movement of livestock and the cultural relationship with farming communities: Options for peaceful co-existence.” He said the lack of infrastructural provisions for grazing was the main cause of the conflicts.

    He lamented that the established and developed stock routes for grazing have been either overtaken by buildings, farmlands or abandoned, noting that the development has forced herders to keep moving in order to save their cattle.

    According to him, cattle need at least six hectares of land per year to survive and there were approximately 19million grazing cattle in the country, forcing herders to scavenge.

    Sharabutu said though there were 417 grazing reserves to cover four million hectares, only about 170 were gazetted, just as he pointed over taxation from authorities and lack of water for the cattle as other reasons herders avoid road shoulders.

    On the way forward, Sharabutu said all herders must be registered and identified, adding that government should provide necessary infrastructure that would encourage people to establish livestock farms and settle down.

    He said: “The issue of infrastructural provision for the existing grazing reserve is the main thing. Why we keep talking about maintaining animal farms, those establishment (grazing reserves) particularly in the northern parts of the country, have no deliberate allocation that would solve the problem of these livestock farmers.

    “If we have to do that, then we must provide for them in the budget and make sure that these established grazing reserves must work at all cost. The Ministry of Environment must provide forest guards to police our bushes.

    “Most of our security agents are resident in town. It should look at the issue of forest guards. If we had forest guards that are operational in Sambisa forest, Boko Haram would not stay there and dug tunnels, where ammunition were buried without people knowing.

    “Already, the Minister of Agriculture has brought the issue of Agro Rangers but that is to protect farm lands and crops, forest guards are meant to protect those areas and they are to be provided by our own institutions in this country.

    “Everybody will tell you cattle rearing is private business. Agriculture and farming are private business. Who gives them the feeds and who promulgate policies? Who build access roads and markets for traders? Who gives them loans? Why can’t the government provide dams for the herders?

    “So, there is an extent to which we talk about private business. We must provide an enabling environment for them. The typical herdsmen do not require electricity nor road, all he needs is water and it is not being provided. I am an individual, I drink water and it is a private thing but animals also have the right to survive.

    “When we bring the argument of private business, we are linking it to ethnic or religious dimension; we are not looking at it from the business angle. Markets, dams, roads and others are provided by government. If we should tell a taxi driver to construct a road for himself because he plies the road, it makes mockery of Nigeria.”

    Sharabutu talked about the functionality of traditional rulers and prosecutors, whom he said, are usually heads of professional bodies such as the blacksmiths, farmers and herders.

    “Now if we make them functional, they will be very serious and thereby solve the problem at the beginning point. Traditional rulers must be given a proper standing not the ceremonial kind of leadership. We have cited example on how they are commended but they do not have any legal backing to actually implement their activties.

  • Monarchs grace chieftaincy installation

    Monarchs grace chieftaincy installation

    Residents of Mgboko Ngwa Amaise in Obingwa Local Government Area of Abia State, as well as their king His Majesty Eze Eberechi Dick were happy to host several traditional rulers who came to witness the chieftaincy installation of Chief Izuwa Nwogu.

    Speaking at the installation, Eze Dick said Nwogu was being honored for all he did at a young age to lift the image of his community, local government area and state.

    Eze Dick said that the array of traditional rulers from the East, West and Northern parts of the country who came to witness the event shows that he is a bridge builder and also shows that he is well accepted by the people wherever his business empire has taken him to.

    He urged the recipient to continue to be of good behavior and an enviable ambassador of the Ngwa tribe of Abia state and that any day he deviates from being a good man that God will not forgive him, adding that he should also help the youths of his area through empowering them.

    The chairman of both Abia state tradition rulers council and the South East traditional rulers council said that when the youths are empowered that the issue of criminality will be a thing of the past while the revenue base of both the council area, his community and the entire state will be increased.

    Responding after receiving the title of Nwadioha nma of Igboland, (the child that is accepted by all) Chief Nwogu said that he will continue to ensure that all the tribes where his businesses have taken him are united for the peace and progress of the country.

    Nwogu said that it is only when people of diverse culture and tradition realize that they need to live in peace that there will be rapid development of their areas and the entire country, stressing that peace is the panacea for better things to come for any group.

    He assured the traditional rulers present that wherever he sees anything good that he will never hesitate to bring it down for his people and that wherever he finds himself that he will ensure that he will never bring shame to them, “I will always protect and ensure that no shame will be brought on my people through any thing I do now or in the future”.

    In his speech HRM Oba Al-Moruf Adekunle Magbagbe Ola the Olufon of Ifon, Osun state described the recipient as a very humble and good young man who is a philanthropist who does not discriminate, “Here is a young man who has absolute respect for his elders and the traditional rulers”.

    “This was one of the reasons that made me and other traditional rulers here not to waste time to accompany him to be honored by his people, he is a good ambassador of Ndigbo in Yoruba land”.

    In his own reaction the representative of Etsu Nupe, HRH Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar who presented a gift to Eze Dick from the traditional ruler of Nupe kingdom, described the recipient as their illustrious son who has done well outside his state of origin.

    The traditional rulers present from outside the state include, HRH Oba Oladipupo Kolade, Ipoti Ekiti state, HRH Oba Joel Sunday Dauda, Oluyani of Iyani Akuko, Ondo state, HRH Oba Sally Oyemonla, Sabiganna of Iganna kingdom, Oyo state.

    Others are Alhaji A. B. Umar, Sarkin Gina Bida Niger state, Alhaji Mohammed Lemu, representing HRH Emir of Keffiyeh, Dr Shehu Cindo Yamusa while their Igbo counterparts were well represented.

  • Monarchs, priests storm court for Nnamdi Kanu

    Monarchs, priests storm court for Nnamdi Kanu

    Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed April 25 for ruling on whether or not to review her earlier order allowing the shielding of the prosecution’s witnesses in the trial of four Biafra agitators, including Nnamdi Kanu.

    Security was heavy at the court, which was filled up with the defendants’ sympathisers, among them traditional rulers, priests and elders.

    Justice Nyako chose the date after listening to arguments from lawyers to the parties in the case in relation to an application by the defence for the court to review its ruling on the protection of witnesses.

    Kanu, Chidiebere Onwudiwe, Benjamin Madubugwu and David Nwawuisi are being tried on an amended 11-count charge.

    On December 13, last year, Justice Nyako granted the prosecution’s request that its witnesses’ identity be shielded from the public as a form of protection for them, because most of the witnesses are members of the Indigenous People  of Biafra (IPOB), the group headed by Kanu.

    Yesterday, Kanu’s lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor urged the court to review its December 13 ruling since the nature of the case has changed with the striking out of charges relating to terrorism in the court’s last ruling.

    Ejiofor argued that since terrorism charge has been struck out in the charge, there was need to review the ruling which gave the prosecution the right to shield witnesses.

    He said the Terrorism Act allows the prosecution to seek leave to protect witnesses, but that since his client was no longer charged with terrorism, it was appropriate for the court to set aside the order of December 13, 2016.

    Ejiofor said: “An accused who is not standing trial on offences not mentioned in that section can be tried in the open court.”

    Another defence lawyer, Emmanuel Esene, cited Section 36 (4) of the 1999 Constitution as amended as saying that defendants standing trial on criminal cases should be tried in open court.

    Esene said: “When the order (to shield witnesses) was made, terrorism charge was included; now you my lordship struck out the charge against the defendants, that order should be vacated.”

    Another member of the defence team, Chukwuma Ozougwu, counsel to the fourth defendant, urged the court to note that everybody before the court was equal and should be treated equally.

    Ozougwu said: “On what basis is the prosecution opposing the application for open trial. The prosecution counsel has not given enough reasons why my application should be refused.

    “No basis, no foundation for opposing the application. Justice should not only be seen to be done but should not also be clouded in darkness.  For interest of justice, I urge the court to grant my application”, Ozougwu held.

    Prosecuting lawyer Shuaibu  Labaran urged the court to dismiss the defendants’ application, describing it frivolous, lacking in merit and an attempt to slow down the progress of the case.

    Labaran drew the attention of the court to Section 232 (4) of the Administration of the Criminal Act (ACJA), which gives a judge discretion to determine whether or not a witness in a case deserves protection.

    Supporters not allowed to access the court premises stood outside the court’s main entrance while proceedings lasted.

    With banners bearing IPOB logo and insignia, they chanted solidarity songs in Igbo language under the watchful eyes of security men.

  • Monarchs honour benefactor

    Monarchs honour benefactor

    The ancient Omoba kingdom in Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Council of Abia State, which has been in slumber, came alive when traditional rulers in the area came together to honour one of their own, a young entrepreneur and a benefactor of the community, Chief Kelly Izuwa Nwogu.

    The area has benefitted from Nwogu’s philanthropy and community development efforts, including youth empowerment and care for people living with disability.

    Nwogu, a real estate developer, has been involved in the welfare of people living with disability, the aged, widows and students, many of who are currently under his scholarship.

    In recognition of his contribution towards the development of his community, his State, Abia and the nation at large, the traditional ruler of Omoba Ancient Kingdom, Eze Cletus Alozie in conjunction with traditional rulers in the Kingdom decided to honour Izuwa Nwogu by conferring him and his father, Chief Godwin Nwogu with chieftaincy titles.

    On hand to help Eze Alozie confer on Kelly Nwogu title of Ihe Omoba, meaning the light of Omoba community, were seven other traditional rulers in the Kingdom and environs, including Ezes Godwin Ogbonna, T. N. Adiele, J. I. Emele, F. E. Nwoko, F. O. Amanze, G. N. Nwankpa and F. U. Uka.

    Eze Alozie said the chieftaincy conferred on Kelly Nwogu was to spur him to do more and have greater interest in the development of the area, particularly Omoba Kingdom.

    Capping and decorating Izuwa with the title, Eze Alozie challenged him to bring more of his investment to the community to provide job for the Omoba youths and uplift the status of the community, assuring him of the cooperation of the communities in terms of enabling environment such as provision of land.

    Addressing the monarchs and other high chiefs present at the ceremony, Chief Izuwa Nwogu thanked them for the honour and assured them of his willingness to do more for the good of the area, saying that he was very much concerned about

    the development of the area.

    Nwogu said, “I will continue to ensure that the development of Omoba remains my major focus; I will do my best to ensure that youths are empowered, and I will also do my best to partner my people in government to develop our land.”

    He has also hinted of his immediate plan to train 40,000 Abia youths in various skills to enable them get decent means of livelihood to enable them refrain from crimes.

  • Osun monarchs laud Aregbesola, advise gov against distractions

    Traditional rulers in Osun State have thrown their weight behind the Osun State governor, Rauf Aregbesola, urging him not to be distracted by the activities of some “unprogressive elements.” The monarchs under the auspicies of Concerned Traditional Rulers in Osun State at a press conference shortly after their meeting at the palace of the Akinrun of Ikirun in Ifelodun Local Government Area of the state, Oba Rauf Olayiwola, the Adedeji II, commended the Aregbesola administration for its people oriented policies despite the current economic recession. At the meeting were 24 traditional rulers across Osun State, including the Aragbiji of Iragbiji, the Oloyan of Oyan, the Elerin of Erin-Osun, Onirun of Oke-Irun, Olororuwo of Ororuwo among others. The traditional rulers, who described the achievements of Aregbesola as unprecedented, noted that his administration had brought unprecedented development to Osun. The Akirun, who spoke on behalf of his other colleagues said: “It is noteworthy that despite the biting cash crunch bedevilling the state and the country in general, Ogbeni is still forging ahead executing one developmental project or the other on a daily basis. The state is now dotted with legacy projects.”

    They, however, urged the governor to remain focused, assuring him of their support always. “We want to advise that he should remain focused and refuse to be distracted by the discordant tune of a few adversaries. An oak tree does not grow with ease, the stronger the wind, the stronger the timber.”

  • Akoko monarchs deny endorsing Ibrahim

    Monarchs in Akoko have debunked the report of their endorsement of the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Jimoh Ibrahim.

    The monarchs described the report as a surreptious move to embarass the traditional rulers.

    A joint statement by Olubaka of Oka, Oba Yusuf Adebori Adeleye and the Zaki of Arigidi, Oba Yisa Olanipekun,noted that the meeting was at Isua- Akoko and not Oka as reported.

    The statement noted that the blackout by Benin Electricity Distribution(BDEC) being experienced in Akokoland for almost a year now was the major issue on the agenda at the meeting and not endorsement of candidate.

    They wondered why such report should could be promoted when the resolution or comunique was not made available in any quarters.

    Accordingg to the traditional rulers: ”we are no politicians but fathers to everybody,the assertion that Oloba made the statement had been openly refuted by him saying, only first class monarch could speak to the media.

    They advocated for peaceful election and pray for peace in the state before during and after saturday governorship election.

  • Osuntokun to monarchs: embrace fairness, equity

    Professor emeritus of History and International Relations Akinjide Osuntokun has urged  leaders to embrace fairness and equity and be more sincere in their dealings.

    He spoke at the Joseph Ayo Babalola University’s yearly Oba Oladele Olashore Memorial Lecture. The lecture is in honour of the late monarch who was a philanthropist and pioneer Chancellor of JABU.

    Osuntokun, who was the guest lecturer, spoke on: ‘The Yoruba and the burden of their history in the politics of Nigeria’.

    He called for unity among Yoruba monarchs to break the north/south division and form a common front in Nigeria’s politics.

    Osuntokun spoke on the myths surrounding the emergence and existence of Oduduwa being the progenitor of the Yoruba race, the Yoruba, as well as history of wars and division within the race over the years.

    Osuntokun also touched on the Ilorin and Fulani factors in Yoruba politics and outlined the role of Yoruba obas in the development of the race.

    He described the Yoruba as the most urbanised on the continent.

    Going down memory lane, he recalled the contributions of eminent individuals, such as the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, to various national discourse, a development which he said, led to the convocation of the Egbe Omo Oduduwa in 1947 to rally support for the Yoruba, as well as the emergence of the Action Group (AG), which eventually became the ruling party in Western Nigeria with Awolowo as the Premier.

    JABU Vice-Chancellor, Prof Sola Fajana, eulogised Oba Olashore’s generosity to the institution during his lifetime.

    Registrar Wale Aderibigbe, praised Osuntokun’s mastery of the topic, promising the sustainability of the lecture.