The Nation Newspaper

Tag: monarchs

  • Monarchs ratify leader at peace meeting

    Monarchs ratify leader at peace meeting

    After a long period of bickering and leadership challenges, the Council of Southeast Traditional Rulers has found peace. On October 23, the region’s monarchs ratified their leader who was elected earlier.

    The body of traditional rulers had been hit with leadership crisis following the alleged inability of its former chairman and one-time chairman of Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers, HRH Eze Cletus Ilomuanya to vacate the seat at the end of his tenure.

    The council has now come together to put its house in order in Umuahia by ratifying the election of the Abia State chairman of traditional rulers, HRM Eze Eberechi Dick as its chairman for the next three years.

    The body had at a meeting on October 19 elected Eze Dick as its chairman and has now ratified the election. The kings also presented their new leader to the state governor Dr Okezie Ikpeazu who is expected to inform his counterparts in the region.

    At an earlier meeting, the body resolved that the tenure of Eze Cletus Ilomuanya had expired as both the chairman of Imo state council of traditional rulers and South East council of traditional rulers. They also dissolved the executive committee headed by Eze Ilomuanya,who has been deposed in Imo State.

    The Southeast traditional rulers decided that any traditional ruler who is not recognised by his state government or who maybe recognised but not nominated as a delegate to the zonal body by his state council of traditional rulers, should not be accredited as a member of the council, which means that Eze Ilomuanya ceases to be their member.

    Eze Dick described the job of leading the entire traditional rulers of the zone as a daunting one which requires the prayers of all and sundry from the zone for him to succeed.

    The new Southeast traditional rulers chairman said that from now on wards that the people of the zone will be speaking with one voice and that the era of crisis in the council is over, while they will be attending all meetings required of traditional rulers in the country as united body.

    He explained that the executive council headed by Eze Ilomuanya had been dissolved on August 7 during their meeting in Umuahia, adding that the attempt by the former chairman to disrupt the election was foiled since he had no right to lay claim to a body he is no longer a member.

    Eze Dick said that at the end of his tenure in the next three years that the seat will move to Anambra state which is what their constitution said which Eze Ilomuanya refused to follow for nine years, adding that the seat had always been rotated among the five Southeast states.

    The new Southeast traditional rulers council chairman urged his colleagues to give him their support so that his best will come out for the benefit of all and the entire zone, stressing that together they can achieve a lot while alone nothing will be achieved.

    He said that he expects challenges during his tenure but that he has strong believe that with God on his side that he will surmount the challenges and forger ahead in the task of leading the body to greater heights.

  • Ondo monarchs to ratify resolution

    The Ondo State Council of Obas will, on Thursday, ratify the first class monarchs’ resolution scrapping the title of Eze Ndigbo, the Deji of Akure, Oba Ogunlade Aladetoyinbo, has said.

    Oba Aladetoyinbo spoke in his palace when the leadership of the Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG) under Chief Wale Oshun visited him.

    The group was represented by the Ondo State State Chairman of ARG, Dr Bayo Ademodi and other executives.

    The Akure monarch noted that the Igbo in Akure and their leaders  discovered they made a mistake when they realised the Yoruba were not happy at the insult given to the Deji by the dethroned Eze Ndigbo.

    Oba Aladetoyinbo said Sir Gregory Ilehohika and his followers apologised. He praised the government for its supportive role which, according to him, played a major role in reducing the tension the squabble generated.

    The ARG leader condemned the abduction of the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Chief Olu Falae, by suspected Fulani herdsmen.

    Ademodi encouraged the monarch to abolish the title of Eze Ndigbo, which he conferred on Ilehohika.

  • Awards for 15 monarchs

    Fifteen traditional rulers from the Southwest, Kwara and Kogi states are to be conferred with post-humous awards by the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi.

    A public lecture titled: “Concepts and Values of the Alaafin in Yoruba land” will be delivered by Prof Adele Jinadu of the University of Lagos and Prof Salihu Jubrin of the University of Ilorin.

    The events, to take place on Saturday, are part of activities to celebrate the Alaafin’s 77th birthday.

    At a briefing yesterday, one of the organisers, Babatunde Ilufoye, said they decided to celebrate the monarch as “an epitome of pride, truth, courage and integrity.”

    Ilufoye said the lecture would showcase lessons from Alaafin’s administration and why the constitution and administration of the pre-colonial empire presented a formidable fabric.

    He said the awards were for selected founders of Yoruba towns, especially those loyal and whose ancestral lineages were traceable to Oyo.

  • Kwara monarchs allege Saraki’s ‘persecution’

    Kwara monarchs allege Saraki’s ‘persecution’

    The Kwara State Traditional Rulers Council has described the trial of the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, as persecution. The monarchs advised the Federal Government to discontinue the trial.

    In a statement by Saraki’s media office, the monarchs said they would continue to pray for Saraki to overcome the challenges.

    Dr. Saraki is being tried for alleged false declaration of assets while he was governor of Kwara State between 2003 and 2011.

    The statement quoted the monarchs to have reminded the government that Nigerians voted for change and not for “political harassment of perceived opponents”.

    The Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, who led a delegation of the monarchs on a solidarity visit to Saraki, urged Nigerians to be wary of bad elements bent on dividing the country on account of political vendetta.

    Sulu-Gambari said: “We are here for good reasons and to bring the goodwill of the Council of Chiefs. We are ready to support our son. We are here to see him on the various constitutional challenges, we would not call them problems, and may God not make them problems for us.

    “It doesn’t take long for a 10-year-old child to realise that our dear son, our precious son is being persecuted. The politics of persecution is not the right change for Nigeria.

    “We want changes; we want it to be clean. He who seeks equity must come with clean hands. If you want equity, you must do equity.

    “We know there are several stages of challenges before our leader, such that nobody in Nigeria can ever be clean enough. But do we want to upset the whole Nigeria because we want a beautiful change? Time and posterity will tell.

    “But we want to appeal to men of goodwill that politics should not be with bitterness. Politics should be about the unity of this country.

    “We, therefore, came here to declare our support and solidarity to our precious son. If you (Saraki) look back, you will see us in various forms, begging Almighty Allah to protect you. Nigeria should beware of destructive elements. Nobody is perfect. We are in this scheme to make Nigeria very strong in the comity of nations.”

    Thanking the monarchs for their support, Saraki assured them he would overcome his travails.

    His words: “I am honoured and at the same time humbled to receive this visit from our royal fathers. The last time I had this honour was when I was still the governor.

    “There is nothing more to add because you have spoken. You have spoken from your years of experience as a father, and as someone who has headed a very great arm of government – the judiciary.

    “Your words of wisdom and encouragement will continue to give me great confidence. As you rightly said, it is a challenging time, not only for us the politicians, but generally the country.

    “Be assured that with your support and your prayers, we will overcome it because the people know that this is not prosecution, but persecution”.

  • Court stops monarch’s planned installation

    An Ado-Ekiti High Court has ordered parties in the kingship crisis rocking Orin-Odo community in Ikole Local Government Area to maintain status quo ante bellum, pending the hearing and determination of motion on notice.

    Justice Dele Omotoso gave the order yesterday in a ruling after listening to a motion ex-parte by counsel to the claimants/applicants, Dr. Babalola Abegunde.

    He subsequently adjourned the substantive suit till September 30.

    A contestant for the Olorin of Orin-Odo stool, Babatunde Matthew Ejioye, filed the motion ex-parte alongside three others against Akintayo Ogunjobi, and six others.

    There was tension in Orin-Odo yesterday, following reports that Governor Ayo Fayose had concluded arrangements to present staff of office and instruments of appointment to the second defendant, Femi Ogunjobi today.

    The claimants averred that the first defendant convened a meeting on July 27 and arbitrarily screened them out from the kingship race to pave way for Femi, his son and Adebisi Ogunjobi, his younger brother and third defendant.

    In his ruling, Justice Omotoso said: “The reasonable inference that this court can draw from this is that all parties in this suit are aware of the pendency of this suit as well as a motion for an order of interlocutory injunction.

    “There is need for parties to respect the sanctity of this court by maintaining status quo ante bellum in respect of the Olorin of Orin-Odo Ekiti chieftaincy stool, pending the hearing of the motion on notice.

    “Consequently, the motion is hereby adjourned till September 30.

    “The order of this interim injunction shall abate September 30. Hearing notice shall be issued and served on the parties or their learned counsel by the bailiff of this honorable court.”

  • Crisis brews in Osun over monarchs’ chairmanship

    •Orangun tackles Owa Obokun

    Orangun of Ila-Orangun, Oba Abdul-Wahab Olukayode Oyedotun, Bibiire I, yesterday advised the Osun State government and the public to disregard a claim that the Owa Obokun of Ijeshaland, Oba Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran, has been appointed the acting chairman of the Osun State Council of Obas.

    Speaking at a news briefing in his palace at Ila-Orangun, Oba Oyedotun said the claim by Oba Aromolaran through newspaper advertorials was misleading and should be corrected to prevent history from being distorted.

    He said since the late Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, who died in a London hospital, vacated the office of the chairman of the Osun State Council of Obas, at no time was any traditional ruler appointed to act as the chairman.

    His words: “It is misleading for the Owa Obokun of Ijesha land, Oba Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran, to start proclaiming himself as the acting chairman of the Osun State Council of Traditional Rulers. In the first place, what we have is Osun State Council of Obas. Osun State Council of Traditional Rulers does not exist, neither is there any acting chairman in the person of Oba Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran.

    “Until his demise, the late Oba Sijuwade remained the bona fide chairman of the Osun State Council of Obas and till now no chairman has been appointed as his successor. The late Oba Sijuwade was the permanent chairman and the position was proclaimed by the government. The arrogation of the position of acting chairman on the Owa Obokun by himself is, to say the least, illegal.”

    The monarch, who said the Orangun of Ila position in the obaship hierarchy was superior to that of Owa  Obokun, noted: “I am surprised to have found the name of Orangun of Ila below that of Owa Obokun in the publication, which must have sent a wrong information to millions of Nigerians.”

    He drew the attention of the government, Nigerians and the Yoruba race to the fact that the Owa Obokun position does not take precedence over the Orangun of Ila, insisting that Oba  Aromolaran attempted to “concoct, bastardise and subvert facts.”

    In attendance at the briefing were the Aragbiji of Iragbiji, Oba Abdulrasheed Olabomi; the Olokuku of Okuku, Oba Samuel Oluronke; the Elerin of Erin-Osun, Oba Yusuf Omoloye Oyagbodun; the Olunisa of Inisa, Oba Joseph Oladunjoye; and Timi of Edeland, Oba Munirudeen Lawal.

     

     

  • Ekiti monarchs get chairman

    The Ologotun of Ogotun Ekiti, Oba Samuel Oladapo Oyebade, is the Chairman of Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers.

    Oyebade succeeds the Onitaji of Itaji-Ekiti, Oba Adamo Idowu Babalola, who has just completed his two-year term.

    The council’s chairman was sworn in by Governor Ayo Fayose yesterday at the Abiodun Adetiloye Hall, Trade Fair Complex, Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.

    Oyebade pledged his loyalty to the government and people of the state, promising that the council would embrace justice and fair-play in all its dealings during his tenure.

    Fayose promised to always accord monarchs with the respect they deserve and always tap from their experience in administering the state.

    The governor pledged the support  of his administration to the new chairman of the council to succeed in his new position, urging the  members to reciprocate the gesture by maintaining peace and security in their domains.

  • Youths caution monarchs

    Youths caution monarchs

    A group, Yoruba Youth Congress (YYC), yesterday cautioned traditional rulers in the region to desist from partisan politics and work for the development of the Yoruba.

    Its National President, Dapo Adepoju, who spoke with reporters in Akure, the Ondo State capital, advised the monarchs to learn from their mistakes and desist from trading Yoruba interest for their personal gains.

    He decried the roles of some monarchs during the March 28 presidential election, where some of them compromised the interest of the Yoruba for monetary purposes.

    As custodians of culture and traditions, Adepoju said the monarchs should be neutral and abstain from any act that can mar their reputations.

    The YYC President appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to make youth empowerment a priority of his administration.

    He expressed YYC’s support for the Federal Government’s anti -corruption crusade, which according to him, is the antidote for the eradication of the menace.

    “Yoruba youths are behind the Federal Government in its bid to recover looted funds. YYC delegates have met with the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, on the need for the  government to make youth empowerment its priority.

    “We are hopeful our suggestions and ideals will be considered for possible implementation,” Adepoju said.

  • Obi of Onitsha, monarchs seek end to road carnages in Anambra

    Obi of Onitsha, monarchs seek end to road carnages in Anambra

    The residents of the commercial city of Onitsha woke up on the May 31, 2015 to witness the recent calamity befallen the community of the former president of Nigeria, the late Nnamdi Azikiwe, when a tanker filled with fuel got burnt, killing 70 persons and injuring many in the process.

    Since then, such a thing had happened in other cities in the country including Lagos.

    It was not the first time such a road carnage happened in Anambra State, as over 60 person equally died at Umunya in Oyi local government area of the state in 2009, while over 20 vehicles were equally burnt.

    Following the incessant road carnages along major roads in Anambra, the traditional ruler of Onitsha, Obi Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe, who also, doubles as the state chairman, Traditional Rulers council, is worried over the situation.

    Obi Achebe is seeking for ways with other traditional rulers, of finding a solution to such carnages.

    He said last weekend that he would meet with the state Governor, Chief Willie Obiano to find ways to minimise the road carnages in the state.

    Achebe made the pronouncement when the leader of the Progressive People’s Alliance (PPA) and one time Governorship candidate in the state, Mr. Godwin Ezeemo paid him a courtesy visit at his palace.

    According to Achebe, “we have planned to visit Governor Obiano to give workable suggestions to reduce accidents and carnages on our roads, as well as thank him for his swift responses on that day after the incident.

    However, he warned that any criticism from politicians against any government had to be constructive, adding that criticisms made every government from state to federal rise up to their responsibilities.

    The philanthropist (Ezeemo) who equally, visited the scene of the tanker fire incident and the hospital where the victims were kept (Toronto) went to Achebe’s palace with PPA chairman in the state, Mathias Ameke among others.

    According to the monarch, “you should not relent, do not oppose with bitterness but be fair and support the leaders in noble and people oriented programmes”, he advised.

    While speaking with the monarch, Ezeemo, urged the monarch to use his position to prevail on the government to look for better locations for motor parks along high ways in the state.

    Ezeemo said, “I am here to condole the monarch on the loss of lives and property which happened on that fateful Sunday, I feel bad about it like wise many people within and outside this state because lives were involved”

    “I want you to use your position to appeal to the Anambra State government to relocate the parks, especially, those at Upper–Iweka to more appropriate designations to avoid such a thing again”

    However, Ezeemo said that his political party stood for politics of development and provision of basic needs for the citizenry.

    “We have always used well timed and constructive criticism on government issues as well as applaud ruling party when it is doing the right things”

    Furthermore, Ezeemo said that politics should not be seen as a do or die battle like some people take it to be.

    Speaking further with The Nation, Ezeemo and Ameke said that they were in the palace of Obi Achebe because it happened in his domain, adding that the visit was given honour to whom it is due.

    During the incident that occurred in the commercial city, after ramming into a building at Upper-Iweka on the day, over 14 L300 buses were burnt.

  • Imo denies complicity in suspension of Monarchs

    Imo State Government has denied its involvement in the suspension of four traditional rulers and the probe of about 50 others.

    The state Council of Traditional Rulers suspended four monarchs for disobeying the Council’s directives and identifying with a deposed monarch and factional chairman of the Council, Cletus Ilomuanya.

    A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Sam Onwuemeodo described the action as an independent decision of the Council.

    “It is important to say that while the state government takes exception to the action of the traditional rulers, it has no hand in their suspension or the trial of more than 50 others.

    “The government has a culture; the culture of not being vindictive, even at the height of provocation. The suspension and trial of the concerned monarchs remain the business of the Eze Samuel Ohiri–led council.

    “The state government cannot interfere in the Council’s activities, especially in handling issues concerning the conduct of the members. The state government will however not hesitate to act on the recommendations of the Council as long as it is in the interest of the state.

    “This explanation has become necessary to set the record straight with regards to the referenced actions of the Council on their members,” Onwuemeodo said.