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Tag: monarchs

  • Monarchs pledge support for Oke

    Monarchs pledge support for Oke

    The Ajobu of Araromi-Obu, Oba Aderemi Adelola, has passed a vote of confidence in the Alliance for Democracy (AD) governorship candidate, Chief Olusola Oke.

    The Regent of Ayesan, High Chief Richard Olaleye, said the state needs an experienced administrator with a passion for people’s well-being.

    He said the description fits Oke, who will address the marginalisation in the state.

    The monarchs spoke in their palaces at Araromi-Obu and Ayesan when the AD candidate visited them during his campaign tour of parts of Odigbo Local Government Area.

    Oba Adelola, who lamented the marginalisation of the south senatorial district, decried the pitiable state of the State University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa; the three-year blackout in the district and general neglect.

    He told Oke: “We are tired of politicians’ empty promises. We know you are not like that. What we want is a government that will attend to the plight of the people.

    “We do not have good roads here. Our general hospital needs attention. We need tertiary institution here and rehabilitation of the road from Lagos/Shagamu Expressway – Araromi -Waterside and completion of abandoned projects.”

    Olaleye, who lamented that the parlous state of the road leading to Ayesan and three-year blackout in the area, said the town needs a bridge to link it with neighbouring riverine communities in Ondo and Ogun states.

    Oke said: “It is a matter of the right person who can create wealth and revive ailing and moribund industries.

    “That is why I am in the race. My ambition in the AD has the backing of Yoruba leaders who are desirous of the growth of the tribe. I stand with my people at this time of need.

    “Economic revival will be my priority. We have what it takes to find lasting solutions to the problems the state has at the moment. What we need to get the state out of the present situation is to toe a different line by reviving the industries to boost the economy, create jobs and make life better for the people,” Oke said.

  • Southern Kaduna killings: Monarchs, Fulani leaders agree on ceasefire 

    …As GOC brokers peace

     

    Traditional Rulers and heads of Fulani herdsmen in the warring Southern part of Kaduna State have reached agreement with the top security chiefs to end the incessant attacks and killings in the area.

    Parts of the resolutions reached include the immediate stoppage of any form of violent activity, illegal display of arms and hiring of machinery to cause violence or carry out attacks in the area.

    The meeting, which was convened by the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 1 Division Nigerian Army, Major General Adeniyi Oyebade had in attendance, the GOC, Police Commissioner, other top military officers, about 10 traditional rulers of Southern Kaduna extraction, including the Chief of Godogodo, National President of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), the heads of Fulani communities and other stakeholders.

    Reading the resolutions of the meeting held behind closed doors for over five hours at the Nigerian Army School of Artillery, in Kachia, the GOC, said, the meeting also resolved to stop children from grazing cattle, having identified such as, one of the sources of farmer/herdsmen clash.

    According to the GOC, “we agreed that, there will be immediate stoppage to all forms of violent activities from all the stakeholders. We want to encourage the setting up of peace and reconciliation committees at the ward levels, district level and the local government level by the Fulani herdsmen, the locals and other critical stakeholders in the various communities. Their focus will be to continue the effort which is started here today to deal with all the local issues that may trigger any form of violent activities.

    “It has also been agreed that children will stop being at the helms of grazing cattle in Kaduna state and in the North West zone, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has made that commitment that they are going to make sure that all children are prevented from shepherding their cattle because it has been identified as one of the areas of conflict because they do not know much about area that they are not supposed to graze their cattle.

    “Any destruction of farm lands or killing of cattle, the perpetrators will be brought before the committees that will be set up by the various levels with the aim of administering justice to make sure that if there are penalties to be paid, they should be done after being agreed by members of the committee at the various levels.

    “It has also been agreed that within the next few days, efforts will be made at all levels to call all their members including the youth, the Fulani herdsmen from carrying weapons when moving around, the use of weapons by anybody other than the security forces is absolutely and completely illegal. The security officers and agencies will take decisive actions against any group that violates this decision effective from 1st November, 2016.

    “We will not tolerate open display of arms by any group and we want to implore all of you to send the message across to all your people that the use of arms is prohibited and a violation of the laws of the country.

    “Effective 1st November, 2016, anybody found blocking the main road, the high way with the purpose of stopping vehicles from plying those roads with the intention of profiling the passengers in such buses, that action will desist immediately, any form of road block by any group will be decisively dealt.

    “We want to urge you all to get this message across to all your youth, any form of crime that may be committed in the days and weeks to come, efforts should be made through the ward level to resolve it and where it cannot be resolved to make the appropriate reporting to the security agencies, in this case, the Nigerian Police as the lead agency in our internal security operations.

    “He urged the critical stakeholders to be mindful of introducing issues of ethnicity and religion into the crisis, we must be wary of the fact that this is a cause of action that will do no good to anybody, we must look at these issues and deal with them appropriately.

    “Whether it is true or not that the Fulani or the herdsmen bring in mercenary herdsmen with the purpose of carrying out attacks in the various communities, while it has not been verified, we want to urge our brothers, the Fulani herdsmen and of course our locals to desist henceforth from bringing in outsiders into the affairs of your various communities. We believe strongly that these issues can be resolved in house.

    “These resolutions that I have read out are by no means exhaustive, whatever efforts that individually or collectively that could be brought to the table, please, you are free to do that in the spirit of peace and unity. The security forces will remain deployed in the volatile areas to make sure that any violations of some of the decision we have reached are dealt with speedily.

    “It will not be in the interest of anybody to test the resolve of the security agencies to do what they must do to ensure the peace and security of the land, while we are doing that, we are also available to you to bring any issue that you feel could make some positive contributions with the aim of ensuring peace and harmony.

    “Other issues such as the use of drugs, I believe those are issues that can be dealt with and discussed at your various levels. We also want to urge the chairmen of the local governments to provide the necessary support to all the committees and groups and to begin a wide spread sensitization at all levels so that they can begin to understand the decisions we have reached and to make sure that we do not experience the kind of atrocities we have witnessed over the last few days”, the GOC said

  • Monarchs seek honour for Fasanmi

    The  Obalufon Alayemore of Ido-Osun, Oba Aderemi Adeniyi Adedapo, and the Oniye of Iye-Ekiti, One Jonathan Adeleye, have asked  the Second Republic Senator Ayo Fasanmi be honoured.

    They spoke yesterday  in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, during the 91st birthday anniversary of the Ekiti-born politician.

    The Obalufon-Alayemore urged  the Osun State government to name a three-kilometer road from Prime area leading to Senator Fasanmi’s residence for  him because of his contribution to the State and Nigeria.

    The monarch  said he made Senator Fasanmi the Asiwaju of Ido-Osun on   August 27 to reward him for his fatherly role in the community.

    The Oniye, who praised the politician for his humility and erudiction, asked that the State Hospital at Iye-Ekiti, be renamed Senator Ayo Fasanmi Hospital.

    Earlier, a short service was held in Senator Fasanmi’s residence, with his family members, church, associates and friends, including politicians and traditional chiefs in attendance.

    The Dean of the All Saints Anglican Church in Osogbo, V.O. Fabulu, advised political office holders to emulate Fasanmi and stop amassing wealth.

    Dignitaries in attendance include Afenifere, Pa Rueben Fasoranti, former Osun State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice Niyi Owolade and wife, Director of Publicity, Research and Strategy of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, Kunle Oyatomi and APC chieftain Alhaji Tajudeen Olusi.

  • Monarchs seek honour for Fasanmi

    The  Obalufon Alayemore of Ido-Osun, Oba Aderemi Adeniyi Adedapo, and the Oniye of Iye-Ekiti, One Jonathan Adeleye, have asked  the Second Republic Senator Ayo Fasanmi be honoured.

    They spoke yesterday  in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, during the 91st birthday anniversary of the Ekiti-born politician.

    The Obalufon-Alayemore urged  the Osun State government to name a three-kilometer road from Prime area leading to Senator Fasanmi’s residence for  him because of his contribution to the State and Nigeria.

    The monarch  said he made Senator Fasanmi the Asiwaju of Ido-Osun on   August 27 to reward him for his fatherly role in the community.

    The Oniye, who praised the politician for his humility and erudiction, asked that the State Hospital at Iye-Ekiti, be renamed Senator Ayo Fasanmi Hospital.

    Earlier, a short service was held in Senator Fasanmi’s residence, with his family members, church, associates and friends, including politicians and traditional chiefs in attendance.

    The Dean of the All Saints Anglican Church in Osogbo, V.O. Fabulu, advised political office holders to emulate Fasanmi and stop amassing wealth.

    Dignitaries in attendance include Afenifere, Pa Rueben Fasoranti, former Osun State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice Niyi Owolade and wife, Director of Publicity, Research and Strategy of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, Kunle Oyatomi and APC chieftain Alhaji Tajudeen Olusi.

  • Monarchs, Lawmakers, others laud Ambode over completion of roads

    Monarchs, Lawmakers, others laud Ambode over completion of roads

    …Say Governor is a silent achiever

    Some prominent traditional rulers in Lagos State, lawmakers and party chieftains at the weekend heaped praises on the State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode over the commissioning of 114 roads newly constructed in all the 57 Local Government Areas and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in the State.

    Governor Ambode had on Saturday flagged off a week-long commissioning of the 114 inner roads, which was an initiative of his administration, with a pledge to commence the construction of second round of another 114 roads across the State soon.

    The Governor, on the same day, also commissioned the Ketu-Alapere modern Lay-by and 700 meters concretized Slip Road which comes with horticulture, artworks, walkways, covered drains and street lights. The concretized road is designed to last for at least 25 years.

    On the other hand, the 114 roads, were selected two per each of the 57 councils, and were designed with walkways, medians, street lights and standard drainage systems. The remaining 113 roads would be commissioned this week.

    Speaking on the newly constructed roads, Ayangburen of Ikorodu Kingdom, Oba Kabiru Shotebi said the delivery of the projects and many other projects embarked upon by Governor Ambode since coming on board, had vindicated the National Leader of All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    The monarch said Governor Ambode deserved to be commended for the massive developmental projects and other initiatives aimed at making life simpler, easy and better for the people.

    Another monarch, Ranodu of Imota, Oba Ajibade Agoro, said the completion of the 114 roads was a great achievement in not just the history of Lagos but Nigeria, adding that Governor Ambode has proven himself to be a miracle worker and a silent achiever who is passionately committed to the development of the State.
    “When Asiwaju Bola Tinubu came, he laid a solid foundation in Lagos State and Governor Babatunde Fashola built on it and made tremendous progress. Now, Governor Ambode is acting as a miracle worker in government and moving the State forward,” Oba Agoro said.

    Also, Majority Leader of Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr. Sanai Agunbiade and a member of the Federal House of Representatives representing Ikorodu, Mr. Babajimi Benson said the 114 roads was a confirmation that the All Progressives Congress (APC) government in Lagos State under the leadership of Governor Ambode was really concerned about the people and infrastructural transformation.

    On his part, a chieftain of APC in the State, Bashorun Tajudeen Jaiyesimi said the completion of the 114 roads, as well as the completion of a Lay-by and Slip Road in Alapere axis of the State confirmed the genuine intention of Governor Ambode to transform the State.

    Jaiyesimi expressed optimism that the Alapere Lay-by and Slip Road would go a long way to reduce the traffic gridlock on the toll gate end of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and other adjoining routes.

    Jaiyesimi, who is also the Aare Baba Oba of Ikosi Land, congratulated Tinubu; former Senator representing Lagos West, Ganiyu Olanrewaju Solomon and other party chieftains for supporting Governor Ambode after the primary election which produced the Governor, saying that the result of the support was the massive people-oriented projects being witnessed across the State.

  • Council chief, monarchs hail MDGs projects in Plateau

    The rural parts of Plateau State are changing, thanks to the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) projects. The ambitious plan by the United Nations to raise the standard of life in remote areas is yielding fruit in the state, as primary schools and health clinics are being built. A local council chair and traditional rulers have hailed the projects, which include furnishing schools and giving soft loans to rural women to boost their businesses.

    The Chairman, Management Committee for Wase Local Government, Dr Ado Abubakar Buba  said, “I wish to, on behalf of the entire Wase people, express our deep appreciation to MDG and Plateau State government. We have received a lot of interventions that will change the lives of our people for good.”

    Speaking further, Buba said, “MDG has, within the last one year, constructed seven primary schools; they have constructed four clinics, they have also provided ambulances to convey sic people from the remote villages to hospitals at the council headquarters. In some of these villages, pupils sit on the bare floor of their school to receive education, many of our clinics don’t have drugs to give patience, and so on. But today, we are not just celebrating new schools and clinics, we are receiving equipment like desks, books and instructional materials to furnish the schools. We have also just received drugs and a lot of medical equipment to furnish the new clinics constructed by MDG, we have never seen this kind of interventions in the history of the local government. We don’t know how to express our joy as a people, but we know these interventions will serve as a major transformation in the lives of rural communities.”

    Dr. Buba promised to take the items to the various communities that deserve them.

    He also said, “What we cherish most is the financial grant allocated to women cooperative societies to carry out agricultural related ventures; this is because the local government is 90% farmers populated. This will translate into more food for the family and financial sufficiency of families”

    The Emir of Kanam, Alhaji Muhammed Sambo Haruna, who was represented by the Wazirin Wase to recieve the items said, “This is a dream realized, because when these construction began last year, we doubt its completion, our people thought it will be like every other government projects that are likely to be abandoned along the line. But today we are celebrating its completion and furnishing. Our people are full of gratitude, these are projects that will directly touch the lives of our people. And for this, the people of Wase emirate will continued to support and pray for the Governor Lalong led administration as well as the state MDG”

    The Chairman Management Committee for Shendam Local Government, Hon Alex Miskoom Nantuan, in his appreciation said, “We consider this day as unique day in the local government, simply because it is now that the rural communities in Shendam understands what MDG stands for. Because of the dare need for school desks in our village schools, we had to distribute mist of the desks provided by the MDG even before they could hand them over to us formally. We only left some few for this symbolic presentation. But with this presentation today, we shall go ahead and distribute these drugs to our various clinics as well as the instructional materials to schools. The people are so pleased because it is the first of its kind, our people may have been hearing of MDG, but today we have seen practical actions of MDG through what they have provided for villages in dare need of social amenities in areas of health and education.

    While handing over the items to the council boss, Plateau state Coordinator of the MDG, Hon Samuel Damla said, “The completed MDG projects was that of 2013 which was neglected by past administration in the state, but Give Lalong saw that the project would change the lives of the down trodden when completed, so he thought the project back for completion, and indeed we are witnessing the last stage of the project which is the formal handing over of the projects for the end users.

    Hon Damla said, “This 2013 MDG intervention was specifically for projects that has to do with education, health, water and sanitation, which was why we embarked on construction of primary school blocks, construction of health clinics and provision of boreholes. But the good thing is, the project was not just empty constructions, there is equipment to furnish them for the benefit of those using them.

    In addition to the project, Wase LGA and Shendam LGA will be given four mobile Clinic Vehicles which are expected to be used to convey emergency health cases from the rural villages to the local governments for medical attention. These mobile clinics are fully equipped with medical facilities including Oxygen facilities that can sustain the patients four hours until it got to the closest hospital. These vans are no meant to be used as ambulance, he warned.

    “The handing over of these projects now marked the end of MDG program which terminates in 2015. The UN has entered into the 2nd phase which is now known as Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). The SDG is expected to last 15 years within which period it is expected to close the gap between the rich and the poor in the world,” said Hon Damla.

     

  • Three Ilaje monarchs endorse Jegede’s bid

    Three traditional rulers from Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State at the weekend endorsed the ambition of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant Mr. Eyitayo Jegede.

    Jegede, the immediate past Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, got the backing of Amapetu of Mahin Oba Lawrence Omowole, Olugbo of Ugbo Oba Dr. Fredrick Akinrutan, Olu of Igbokoda Oba Afolabi Odidiomo and Olubo of Obe Nla Oba Kolawole Ikuesan while on a campaign tour to the council to meet his party’s delegates

    They said the aspirant, who is from Akure in the Central Senatorial District is eminently qualified to govern the state despite the agitation from some people in the North and South that it was their turn to produce the next governor.

    Oba Omowole said Jegede “is qualified to govern the state” based on his pedigree and track records.

    He added that no Ilaje indigene has come to seek his royal blessing for the same position.

    “I have attended many fora on the upcoming elections, where some of the aspirants jostling for the governorship post were X-rayed and I can say that Jegede is the most qualified of them. Meanwhile, no Ilaje son or daughter has come to me for royal endorsement,” the monarch said.

    Oba Akinruntan,  who gave Jegede special prayers, said he was convinced about his mandate because of his maturity in handling issues and general acceptability across the state.

    “Jegede has this uncommon quality in resolving seemingly tough situations  in a calm manner. I can say he is truly our son and we will give him our votes without thinking twice. We will only plead with him to carry Ilajes along in his government,” the monarch said.

    Oba Odidiomo described the aspirant as a very cerebral lawyer, who used his position as Attorney General  and Justice Commissioner to promote administration of justice even among the traditional institutions.

    Jegede hailed the monarchs for the endorsement, which, he noted, is devoid of ethnic or sectional sentiments.

     

  • Osun monarchs urge sustained tight security

    Monarchs under the aegis of the Osun Divisional Conference of Obas have urged the government and law enforcement agencies to strengthen intelligence gathering with a view to sustain the state’s record of very low crime rate.

    They said recent cases of kidnaping of monarchs should be dealt with decisively by the police to put an end to it.

    The traditional rulers spoke in a communique signed by its secretary, the Aragbiji of Iragbiji, Oba Abdul-Rasheed Olabomi, at the end of their meeting at the Palace of the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun.

    The monarchs urged the police to intensify efforts in securing the country.

    They lauded the effort of the Aregbesola-led administration in providing logistics and equipment to combat crime in the state .

    The obas urged the government not to relent in ensuring that crime rate that had been hitherto low did  not increase.

    The Aregbesola government had in 2012 and 2014 released 20 modern Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs), over 100 patrol vans and bikes for the use of the police.

    “Conference appreciates the developmental efforts of Aregbesola . Obas call on the government and law enforcement agencies to  step up intelligence with a view to making the state inhabitable for criminals.

    “Intelligence gathering and community policing should be adopted to reduce crime in Osun and Nigeria as a whole,” the monarchs emphasised.

  • Edo South monarchs back Obaseki

    Edo South monarchs back Obaseki

    Traditional rulers from Edo South Senatorial district, have stated reasons why they will mobilise support for the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the poll.

    The traditional rulers, who endorsed, Mr. Godwin Obaseki said their decision was because “Oshiomhole has worked for our people”.

    Speaking on their behalf, Enogie of Ogiomo, David Igiehon said Adams Oshiomhole’s performance in the state will guarantee victory for Obaseki.

    Enogie Igiehon spoke when the campaign team of Obaseki stormed his ancestral home in Uhumwonde local government.

    Traditional rulers from  communities like Iguoboe, Emo,  Ogha,  Erhua, Osemwinda, Ibadan,  Ugoneki and others were present at the meeting.

    Igiehon said: “Adams Oshiomhole has worked and has shown us love since he came. We cannot disappoint him because he has worked for our people. we have roads, schools and a beautiful city now in Benin. So we are going to support his candidate because Obaseki will work like Oshiomhole.

    “We regard Oshiomhole as the political redeemer of Edo State who has come to redeem the State like Napoleon Bonaparte who came, Saw and Conquered his opposition for the overall benefits of his people”.

    He tasked Obaseki not to forget roads in Uhunwonde and presented a white chalk to him symbolising victory.

    Obaseki assured that, if elected, his administration will complete the on-going general hospital project in Uhumwonde.

    “This place is my ancestral home and I will not forget that at all. We will provide jobs for our youths and I will ensure that Oshiomhole’s legacies are not abandoned”

  • PDP marginalised Esanland, say monarchs

    PDP marginalised Esanland, say monarchs

    The people of Esan had a raw deal under the administration of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State, despite the fact that one of their sons, Chief Tony Anenih, was a chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the party.

    The above remark was made by the traditional ruler of Opoji (the Onojie of Opoji), Aidonejie Ehidiamen, in response to an earlier accusation by the opposition party that the Esan people in Edo Central District has been marginalised under the Adams Oshiomhole-led All Progressives congress (APC) administration.

    Ehidiamen, the Vice Chairman, Edo Traditional Council, spoke on behalf of other traditional rulers who converged at Opoji at the weekend to debunk the PDP statement.

    The monarch’s rebuttal is coming on the heels of a similar one by an APC chieftain, Chief Francis Inegbineki, that the Edo Central District has benefited more under the APC’s seven and half years in government so far, than the 10-year reign of the PDP in the state.

    Besides making himself a minister and chairman of the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) at a point, Ehidiamen said Anenih only worked for the benefit of his immediate family and his hometown, Uromi.

    He noted that political appointments meant for Edo people, from both federal and state, under the PDP, always ended up with friends and family of Anenih or people of Uromi extraction.

    The monarch stressed that the same was the position with projects meant for the state and that the action of the former minister for works polarised the people from the other four local government areas that made up the district.

    He said: “As a traditional ruler, I am closer to the people and should also live above politics. Anenih alienated other council areas that made up Esanland.

    “Uromi, Esan North East Council Area, had all when it comes to political appointments and federal presence, in form of projects execution, while other councils and its people were made to be an onlookers.

    “What I’m saying is that the Oshiomhole government did more for the Esan people than PDP government, where Anineh, a son of the soil wields lots of influence, both at the state and federal level.”

    Ehidiamen is optimistic that the September 10 governorship election will be free from violence and that the people would cast their votes based on antecedents of the political parties and their candidates.

    In his remark, Inegbeneki said the Oshiomhole government looked beyond partisan politics and executed people-oriented projects across the district.

    He said: “The roads the Oshiomhole administration has done in the whole district for the past seven and half years, PDP government could not do in 10 years.

    “How many roads can I mention? He built a brand new hospital at Ewohimi. We are demanding for more. We cannot say the governor marginalised us. There were shortcomings. We are praying now that the remaining projects would be completed before the end of the administration.

    “There is a brand new road they are constructing; the road from Ekpoma to Iruekpen. The governor is still working and I think in a democracy, when you feel you are not satisfied, you have the right to agitate and ask for more; and I think that is what they are doing.

    “But, the truth is that Oshiomhole has not marginalised Esan people, because we have gotten more from him than what we ever got from the PDP.”