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  • How Ibadan got 32 new obas

    The administration of Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi made history on Sunday when it crowned 21 of the 32 obas whose thrones were newly created by the review of the Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration. BISI OLADELE gives details of how the thrones were created amidst misunderstanding and power play

    When Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi inaugurated a commission of enquiry to review the 1959 Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration on May 9, this year, some stakeholders within the high echelon of the city’s traditional system raised eyebrows. They  accused him of attempting to tinker with the 50-year-old system for political gains.

    They said Ajimobi was planning to prevent some people from ascending the throne of the Olubadan, rupturing the peaceful ascendancy system and ultimately creating confusion among indigenes.

    Former Governor Rashidi Ladoja, who is also the Osi Olubadan, sued the panel and the governor to court. The plaintiffs prayed the court to issue an order restraining the panel from sitting or taking any decision on the Declaration.

    While the court followed the process of hearing the case, Ajimobi sought an audience with the Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Saliu Adetunji, and the 12 members of the Olubadan-in-Council, explaining to them what he described as the pressing need to review the 50-year-old system to reflect modern realities.

    According to him, he made them see very clearly that he had no hidden or political agenda for making the efforts.

    Consequently, the Otun Olubadan, the then High Chief Lekan Balogun, who is the next-in-line to the throne of the Olubadan, withdrew from the suit, leaving only Ladoja as the plaintiff. Balogun told reporters that after listening to Ajimobi, he saw his sincerity and the great benefit the review would bring to the stool of the Olubadan and Ibadan as a town.

    The panel completed its sitting and submitted its report which created 32 new stools for Obas earlier in August.

    But Ladoja is still in court, pursuing his opposition to the review on the strength that the Declaration is purely traditional, hence only the Olubadan-in-Council and other related Ibadan interest groups can tamper with it. Ladoja told our correspondent on Friday: “The Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration is a native, local law, not a state law. So, the state government has no right to tamper with it. It is the business of only Ibadan people.”

    On why he did not show up to collect his letter as one of the new Obas, he quipped: “I am not interested in anything they are doing because it is illegal,” referring to the subsisting court case.

    However, 21 of the 32 Obas were coronated in a mass ceremony at the historic Mapo Hall on Sunday.

     

    Why the review

     

    In an advertorial published by the state government on Sunday, it explained that the decision for the review stemmed from attempts by previous administrations as well as request to do so from the majority of members of the Olubadan-in-Council, the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) and other major stakeholders. The government recalled that attempts to review the system began in 1974 during the military era, and that the changes brought to the system were effected. The same happened in 1981.

    “The Oloko Commission of Enquiry was set up on April 1, 1993 by Governor Kolapo Ishola to review Chieftaincy Declarations across the state. The recommendations were accepted by Governor Lam Adesina. Upon becoming Governor, Senator Rasheed Adewolu Ladoja suspended the White Paper and ultimately the recommendations of the Oloko Commission were abrogated by him.” The advertorial read in part.

    It further explained that Ladoja’s administration also set up another commission whose recommendations did not ‘see the light of the day.’

     

    Details of the new system

     

    All 11 high chiefs who are members of the Olubadan-in-Council, are now Obas with the title ‘His Royal Majesty.’ But they still retain their original titles of ‘Otun Olubadan,’ ‘Osi Balogun,’ ‘Ekerin Olubadan,’ ‘Ashipa Balogun’ among others. Because they retain their ranks within the Olubadan-in-Council, they will ascend the ladder until the next-in-line mounts the throne after the death of any current Olubadan.

    Besides, each of the Royal Majesties has a local government in the city as his domain. There are 11 local governments in Ibadan. Because they now wear beaded crowns, only a beaded-crown Oba is eligible to become Olubadan from now.

    With the review, the Olubadan is now known as His Imperial Majesty because he has lower Obas under him. He also retains the consenting and prescribed authorities for the entire Ibadan land. Consequently, only the Olubadan has ‘of Ibadan land’ in his title, meaning that all other Obas, who include former baales, are traditional rulers of their communities which are in Ibadan land.

    The implication is that the Olubadan is the supreme ruler of Ibadan land.

    For emphasis, the White Paper states: “Any Oba in Ibadan land who shows disregard or disrespect to the position or authority of the Olubadan through refusal to pay necessary customary obeisance and flouting of superior customary authority shall be investigated by a committee of traditional chiefs and appropriate sanction will be recommended against any guilty offender. A very serious infraction of the tradition can be reported to the state governor through the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters.”

    With the review, the two lines to the throne of the Olubadan (Olubadan and Balogun)  are retained but with the Olubadan line now known as the Otun Olubadan line.

    While the 22 steps in Otun Olubadan line have been reduced to 11, the rungs in the Balogun line have also been reduced from 23 to 12. The reduction was aimed at allowing younger people to emerge as the Olubadan.

    The senior chiefs, who are next to the high chiefs in rank, have also been elevated from customary senior to recognised chiefs “under Part II of the Chiefs Law in order to maintain the customarily cherished seniority of the senior chiefs over the various baales who are already recognised under the Part II of the Chiefs Law, including ancient baales.”

    The Olubadan-in-Council has been changed to Council of Obas in Ibadan land.

    Those coronated at the weekend were His Royal Majesty (HRM) Oba Senator Lekan Balogun -the Otun Olubadan of Ibadan land; HRM Oba Akinloye Owolabi Olakuleyin – the Balogun of Ibadan land; HRM Oba Tajudeen Ajibola – the Osi Balogun of Ibadan land; HRM Oba Eddy Oyewole – the Ashipa Olubadan of Ibadan land; HRM Oba Latifu Gbadamosi-Adebimpe – the Ashipa Balogun of Ibadan land; HRM Oba Abiodun Kola-Daisi – the Ekerin Olubadan of Ibadan land; HRM Oba (Dr) Kolawole Adegbola the Ekarun Balogun of Ibadan land and HRM Oba Amidu Ajibade, the Ekarun Olubadan of Ibadan land.

    While two high chiefs died in the last two weeks, Ladoja, who is the 11th member, shunned the elevation. The Iyalode of Ibadan land is the 12th member of the council.

    The elevated baales were His Royal Highness (HRH) Chief Lasisi Akano – the Onijaye of Ijaye; HRH Oba Ismaila Opeola, Oniroko of Iroko; HRH Oba Moses Akinyosoye; the Onikereku of Ikereku; HRH Oba Mudasiru Adebayo, the Ololodo of Olodo; HRH Oba Victor Okunola, the Elegbeda of Egbeda; HRH Oba Gbolagade Babalola, the Onido of Ido; HRH Oba Olabamiji Thomas, the Alakufo of Akufo; HRH Oba Wahab Okedina, the Oloke of Okelade-Okin; HRH Oba Dauda Omotoso, the Alawotan of Awotan; HRH Oba Adeboye Salako, the Olofa of Offa; HRH Oba Rafiu Alawusa, the Onilagun of Lagun; HRH Oba Tiamiyu Ladipo, the Alaba of Aba-Nla and HRH Oba James Obisesan, the Alakanran of Akanran.

  • Olubadan to Ajimobi: I’m not a politician

    Olubadan to Ajimobi: I’m not a politician

    As the dust settled over the emergence of new obas in Ibadan, the Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Saliu Adetunji, Monday urged Governor Abiola Ajimobi not to paint him bad before the public, stressing that his decision to oppose the review of the Olubadan chieftaincy system was not political in any way.

    In a statement by the Director of Media and Public Affairs to the palace, Mr Adeola Oloko, yesterday, the monarch said: “As a monarch, I’m a father of all, irrespective of sex, ethnic and ideological persuasions.

    “Since Friday March 4, 2016, when I ascended the exalted throne of Olubadan I have opened the gate of our palace wide to all manner of people. If you belong to APC, PDP, Labour, Accord and/or more, you are most welcome. So, politics has nothing to do with my resistance or opposition to the chieftaincy review spearheaded by the Oyo State Government.”

    Oba Adetunji also described as unfortunate the comment by the governor that recent utterances from the palace are tending towards the political, adding if he (the governor) has any demonstrable evidence of such, he should kindly provide it.

    According to him, there is no press statement issued from the Olubadan media office which did not enjoy his blessing before it was made public.

    He said: “While I am aware that people react to age differently, I am not old enough to be misinterpreted by anybody, even at 89. Governor Ajimobi stated that he invited us to the Governor’s Office over this matter and visited me in the palace later. While this is true, I wish to respectfully state that the Boade Panel was inaugurated on May 19, 2017, His Excellency, Governor Ajimobi invited me to the Governor’s Office on Wednesday, June 14, 2017 after the panel had sat for 4 weeks. At that meeting, His Excellency, the Oyo State Governor, the High Chiefs and State House correspondents would recall my opposition to the chieftaincy review. My question is: ‘did anybody put words in my mouth in that recorded tape?’ When he invited me to his office and visited me in the palace on Sunday, June 18, 2017, the Boade Panel was almost through with its job, when we met at the inner chamber, what the State Governor came to tell me was that he knew I should have been consulted first. So, it is not true that I was consulted, as claimed by him.

    “If I had been consulted, this error would have been avoided. The desecration of the crown would have been averted.”

    The Olubadan of Ibadan land, who congratulated all Ibadan people on keeping the peace, assured that these times would pass.

    Oba Adetunji commended all his brother-monarchs for their solidarity and cooperation, saying his opposition to the mass coronation exercise was to prevent breakdown of law and order, complication and dire consequences in Ibadan Chieftaincy System.

  • Commission of inquiry recommends 32 Obas for Ibadan

    Commission of inquiry recommends 32 Obas for Ibadan

    IBADANLAND, the capital of Oyo State, will soon have a total of 32 beaded crown-wearing Obas, while the Olubadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji, will maintain his status as the paramount ruler of the ancient city. This is the highpoint of the recommendations by the Judicial Commission of Inquiry for the review of the existing 1957 Declaration of Olubadan of Ibadanland and other related chieftaincies in Ibadanland, set up by the Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi. To reduce the lengthy years it takes a potential Olubadan to get to the pinnacle of the two chieftaincy lines producing the Olubadan on rotational basis, the panel has also reduced the rungs from the existing 22 to 11 on the Otun line, while the Balogun line was reduced to 12 from 23.

    The implication being that the Ikolaba chieftaincy will now become the entry point for a potential high chief, instead of Jagun chieftaincy as it currently stands, if the recommendations sail through. These were highlights of the report presented to the governor by the Chairman of the Commission, Justice Akintunde Boade (retd) at the Governor’s Office, Ibadan, on Friday. The presentation of the report by the 11-member commission was witnessed by members of the Olubadanin- Council, led by the Otun Olubadan, High Chief Lekan Balogun and Balogun of Ibadanland, High Chief Owolabi Olakulehin. Others included members of Ibadan Council of Elders, representatives of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), all the local government chairmen from Ibadanland and other eminent personalities of Ibadan extraction. Receiving the report, the governor said no effort would be spared to ensure that the recommendations were implemented as early as next month.

    Ajimobi said that his administration’s resolve to carry out a comprehensive review of the Olubadan chieftaincy was in response to the requests by the Olubadan- in-Council, Ibadan elders, members of CCII and others. Insisting that the exercise was not new, the governor recalled that previous administrations had reviewed the chieftaincy declaration, but could not muster the political will to implement their respective reports. He said that review was necessary in order to enhance the status of the Olubadan, to be in line with what obtains in other states in Yorubaland as well as to conform to the modern trend in culture and tradition.

    The governor said that he was not unmindful of the pockets of opposition to the move, noting that he was not bothered as long as those in support were overwhelmingly in the majority. Ajimobi said, “It is not everybody that will agree with us but once we have the majority who are in support, we are not bothered. As is customary, some people will disagree with any policy the government wants to implement, only for them to commend such policy in future. “So, we really don’t mind those who are abusing us for taking this action. It only makes us happy and realize that we are doing the right thing. “I salute the doggedness and patriotism of members of the commission for doing a thorough job.

    I also want to thank the CCII, Ibadan Council of Elders for their support. “I particularly want to immensely appreciate the Olubadan- in-council for their overwhelming and intellectual support for the review without minding whether the recommendations would affect them positively or negatively. “By the grace of God, we can implement the recommendations as early as next month. The review will only enhance the status of Olubadan as the imperial majesty. It will not diminish his influence in any way.” Earlier, Boade had explained that in arriving at 32 beaded crowns, the commission gave preference to the current 11 high chiefs that made up the Olubadan-in- Council; nine eligible ancient baales and five baales who are members of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs.

    He added that two baales at the state’s borders with Ogun and Osun States were also considered for beaded crown judging by their untiring efforts in ensuring that their areas were secured for Ibadanland. Boade further explained that while one baale was considered because of historical importance of his area, four others were also recommended for the beaded crown-wearing obas on the basis of their historical antecedents. He said, “For the avoidance of any doubt, the commission wishes to emphasize and restate the unassailable fact that the Kabiyesi, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, remains the only paramount ruler in Ibadanland. “We received a total of 120 memoranda, out of which three were struck out on the basis that they were not relevant to our terms of reference, while nine of the people who submitted memoranda refused, failed or neglected to give oral evidence in support of their memoranda.”

  • Security: Lagos tasks traditional rulers to live above board

    Security: Lagos tasks traditional rulers to live above board

    Lagos State Government has asked Obas, Baales and Chiefs across the State to continue to live above board in the maintenance of peace and security within their respective domains by exhibiting exemplary conduct.

    Addressing all the Traditional Rulers and Chiefs at an interactive session on security issues in Lagos State, the Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Mr. Muslim Folami stated that the recent development in the State where a traditional ruler was apprehended for conniving with kidnappers to cause unrest was totally unacceptable.

    He noted that as the custodians of traditions, culture and values, the government expect traditional rulers to display a high level of decorum.

    In response, the Oba of Lagos and Permanent Chairman of the Lagos State Council of Obas and Chiefs, His Royal Majesty, Oba Riliwanu Aremu Akiolu I, on behalf of the Obas and other Traditional Rulers pledged the unalloyed loyalty of the traditional rulers to the administration of Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode in maintaining peace across the length and breadth of the State.

    Citing the instance of the arranged kidnap by the Baale Shangisha, Akiolu said that all residents of the State are better aware that there is no hiding place for any criminally-minded individual regardless of how highly-placed the person might be.

    He urged residents of the State to be more vigilant about happenings within their neighbourhood, stressing that the identity of all evil-minded persons terrorizing the peace of the State will continue to be exposed.

    “As I always say, there exist the likes of the Baale of Shangisha among our traditional rulers and it is my prayer that God will continue to expose such individuals. The act of evil connivance is ungodly; all fraudulent practices in the sales of land, landed properties and the like in any Lagos community will in no distant time meet their waterloo”, Akiolu stated.

    The traditional ruler maintained that the task of policing, information gathering should henceforth be seen as a collective responsibility because the police are not magicians and they depend on the intelligence of all residents.

    He, however, commended the Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for his unwavering investment in the police and other security outfits in the State, stressing that the investment has greatly added to the relative peace being enjoyed across the State.

    He pleaded with Lagosians to always allow security officers perform their constitutional responsibilities of safeguarding and maintaining law and order most especially as the Local Government election will be holding on Saturday.

    Also speaking at the event, the Ayangburen of Ikorodu, Oba Kabiru Shotobi said the secret of evil-master minders who have been fomenting trouble in the ancient town of Ikorodu are now being exposed as a result of the concerted efforts of all security agencies with the assistance of the traditional rulers.

    He categorically stated that intelligence gathering so far did not indict any indigene of Ikorodu as a perpetrator of the insecurity around the town.

    Oba Shotobi disclosed that he is always mindful of the fact that any dent on Ikorodu town affects his personality, the whole council of Obas and Chiefs and ultimately portends great setback for the State government, hence the need for him to be seen doing the needful in restoring security confidence to the town.

    The Akran of Badagry, De Aholu Menu-Toyi I, urged the electorate to desist from violent acts ahead of the local government chairmanship elections, warning that the police are fully prepared for the election and would not hesitate to arrest anyone seen to disrupt peaceful conduct of the polls.

     

  • Ondo approves obas for Uso, Igbindo

    Ondo approves obas for Uso, Igbindo

    The Ondo State government has approved the appointment of Prince Ademola Adebiyi Oyinbade as the Oloba of Uso in Owo Local Government Area.

    A statement by the Commissioner for Information, Kayode Akinmade, said the approval followed Oyinbade’s nomination by kingmakers.

    Other contestants are Prince Adeniyi Akinola, Prince Dada Folayan and Prince Emiowa Adebiyi Albert.

    The Oloba stool became vacant in September 2011 at the demise of  Oba Albert Adebayo O. Olanipekun.

    The selection began last year.

    The government also approved the appointment of Prince Ogundoju John Olaniji as the Akinuwa-elect of Igbindo in Ondo West Local Government.

    He emerged oba-elect ahead of the other contestant, Prince Fashola Adetutu.

    The Igbindo stool became vacant in October 2011 at the demise of Oba Aderinlowo Pius Bosede of the Otutubiosun Ruling House.

  • S’West: Obas can’t guarantee Jonathan’s re-election

    S’West: Obas can’t guarantee Jonathan’s re-election

    The Southwest Peoples Assembly (SWPA) has said that moarchs in the region can not gurantee the victory of President Goodluck Jonathan at the polls.

    The group said: “President Goodluck Jonathan is not sincere with the people of South-west since he assumed office about six years.” It pointed out that the Yoruba people had been schemed from strategic positions or appointments under his leadership.

    Its Mr. Lai Omotola, said in a statement that the South-west “has the most sophisticated voters that cannot be bought with petro-dollars or influenced by traditional rulers.

    He added: “In South-west, petrodollars will not impact much, but pedigree will be key on the basis of who have stood by the Yoruba agenda, who can be trusted, who can put Yoruba on the right pedestrian. Integrity has electoral weight in Yoruba land.”

    Omotola said that the purported inroad by the president into the South-west and the apparent shifting of all campaign machinery into the zone to win votes “is nothing, but an exercise in futility.”

    He said: If the president is sincere with the Yoruba people, then what happened in other key appointments like Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF), Debt Management Office (DMO), Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) among others.”

  • Oba Sonariwo leads Ogun Council of Obas and Chiefs

    Oba Sonariwo leads Ogun Council of Obas and Chiefs

    Though his inauguration was three months behind schedule, Oba Micheal Adeniyi Sonariwo, the Akarigbo of Remoland, who mounted the saddle last week as Chairman of Ogun State Council of Obas and Chiefs, has hit the ground running. ERNEST NWOKOLO reports

    After much delay and tactical postponements, the Akarigbo of Remoland, Oba Michael Adeniyi Sonarinwo, finally becomes the new chairman of Ogun State Council of Obas.

    Oba Sonarinwo, a professional accountant from Sagamu, was formally inaugurated last July 1 into his new office by Governor Ibikunle Amosun to pilot the affairs of the state’s traditional rulers for the next one year.

    He succeeds the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona. The rotation of the Office of the Chairman of the state’s Council of Obas followed an extant Obas law (2004) that ensures it revolves around the four Paramount Rulers of Egba, Ijebu, Remo and Yewa.

    According the Commissioner for Local government and chieftaincy affairs, Basorun Muyiwa Oladipo, the inauguration should have come earlier in March but the medical trip abroad undertaken within the same period by the monarch, compelled the government to differ the exercise.

    The postponement, Oladipo said, soon became a huge “political issue” as fifth columnists and political gladiators desirous of making political gains out of the situation seized it as a veritable tool to wage “campaign of calumny” against the person and office of the Governor.

    According to Oladipo, the Council of Obas, which the Akarigbo now leads, has continued to play a major role as custodians of the people’s culture and tradition while their mediation role has equally offered a veritable Alternative Dispute Resolution Mechanism (ADRM) to their subjects which consequently reduces significantly the number of court cases on chieftaincy issues.

    Akarigbo’s tenure is coming at a challenging time in the state where there appears to be  an emerging paradigm shift in what constitutes governance and development and even more challenging as the general elections approach.

    The Royal fathers are not supposed to engage in partisan politics, as they are fathers to all, but expected to caution their subjects, particularly the youth population, against offering themselves to be used by politicians to carry out subversive activities during elections period.

    Today, the thinking also in some quarters is that government’s effort that addresses the immediate needs of the citizens seemed to gain more popularity than one that is targeted at achieving clean environment, safety of lives and properties as well as infrastructural development.

    Since the traditional rulers are closer to the people in their respective domains, they interface between the government and their subjects, helping to maintain peace as well as rallying the people to support government’s programmes and policies.

    There are equally issues of coronet Obas in the state and over a dozen of them were installed between 2006 and 2008 but the then administration of Gbenga Daniel declared them “illegal,” yet some of the affected persons kept carrying on till date as Obas; creating challenges in their respective localities.

    The Akarigbo in conjunction with other traditional rulers are expected to assist the government in finding amicable solutions to the crisis arising from such chieftaincy matters as the Council meets quarterly to deliberate on affairs concerning the state, rally the people’s support towards peace, growth and development of the state while also ensuring that the dividends of governance get to the rural folks.

    However, Oba Sikiru Adetona who in his valedictory speech, noted that the Obas Council during his tenure was unrelenting in promoting Amosun’s ‘Mission to Rebuild Ogun State,’ appealed to the Governor to review their salaries and allowances given the increasing cost of living in the country.

    And while inaugurating Sonariwo at the Obas Complex, Oke – Mosan, Amosun admitted that the monarchs are not to be involved in partisan politics but said they remained the best “advertisers” of government and its policy meant to benefit the people.

    The Governor urged him and the rest of the Obas to prevail on their subjects, especially the youth, to steer clear of thuggery and other vices with the approach of 2015 general elections, adding his administration would soon address issues pertaining to their welfare.

    He explained that he is committed to pursuing programmes that would continue to deliver dividends of democracy to residents and people of the state but not to reduce governance to sharing of rice or gari.

    He urged them to help their subjects re-examine themselves and ask how come previous inducements with money, rice and gari by some politicians had not taken hunger away from many, reckoning that the problem persists because the “substance” of it has remained largely unaddressed.

    In his estimation, the people of Ogun state should guard against being deceived into travelling the easy path of ephemeral gains at the expense of long term benefits by not allowing ”Amala politics” to influence their choice of leaders.

    He said: “Government will come, government will go and our people will begin to get poorer. We must create a system; a system that will make people that are poor today to begin to now create that wealth for themselves, to make them get out of that poverty tomorrow. That must be the way to go

    “Let me use this opportunity to call the attention of our Kabiyesis to the need to pursue peace and rapid development of our state particularly as the year 2015 general elections is fast approaching.

    “It has become necessary for our royal fathers to admonish their subjects and the youth to avoid thuggery,  before, during and after the elections. Our people should see the electoral exercise as a peaceful process that will be used to throw up leaders in government who will in turn, provide good governance in all ramifications.

    “On our part as government, we shall try our best to ensure that peace, law and order are always maintained throughout the period of the general elections and at all times. I want to place on record once again and acknowledge the huge and tremendous supports we have received from our Kabiyesis.

    “And let me say once again, that we will continue to hold them in very high esteem and we will not take your support for granted. On your welfare, it is of paramount importance to us as well. That is why we plan to start the distribution of the cars in batches of 20 to the first class Obas beginning with the Paramount rulers.

    “The issues of your official cars and indeed, the review of your salaries and allowances, you will have course to be happy with us. Very soon, you will see our hands. But let me say here that there is no way we can solve all of our people’s welfare at a time.

    “All issues pertaining to the welfare and other matters of our royal fathers and the good people of Ogun  State, it is going to be a continuous exercise. As time goes on, you will realise and understand that all that we promised, we will continue to address them one after the other.

    “Yes, we have commended you, but we still need more of your support. I am sure so many of our Kabiyesis, at one point or the other, had reasons to ask us certain specific things which they said they need in their various places.

    “There is none of these your requests that we have not of course, recorded and we have planned on how we will attend to those requests.

    “I remember the last time we met. One of our Kabiyesis raised a point and said big cocks do not allow the smaller ones to crow. Let me assure you that in all that we do, we plan. But now is the time for us to go into all the nooks and crannies of our state to begin to let you have more of our Ogun standard infrastructure.

    “Don’t forget that we are just entering our fourth year in office. But let me assure you that very soon now, we will be moving round. In all our 20 local governments and all our 236 wards and indeed, in all the over 4, 000 villages that abound within the length and breadth of the state we will be going from one place to another.

    “And I can assure you that by the time we get to your place, you will discover that those things that we said we are going to do are already completed.”

    And responding, the Akarigbo also assured that through the instrumentality of the state’s Council of Obas, he and other paramount rulers would not only discharge their duties in traditional governance, but also perform advisory role to the government in order to sustain the state’s pervasive peace and development in the last three years.

    Oba Sonariwo said:”I want to re – assure you of our unalloyed support in implementing the five cardinal programmes. Your administration stands out among your contemporaries in Nigeria.

    “All the monumental projects which have been and are being put in place since you assumed office are people oriented and they are highly commendable.

    “ Your Excellency should note that all the traditional rulers in Ogun State are solidly behind you because of your determination to make Ogun State a force to reckon with in terms of infrastructural development, improved qualitative education system, good and affordable healthcare services among others.”

  • Obas dissociate selves from Fasehun, Al-Mustapha’s romance

    YORUBA traditional rulers have dissociated themselves from the controversial romance between the founder of Odua People’s Congress (OPC), Fredrick Fasehun and the recently acquitted Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, the former Chief Security Officer to the late Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha.

    The monarchs described the development as an issue the Obas in Yorubaland should not be dragged into.

    Fasehun, it would be recalled, accompanied the former CSO to his residence in Kano State after his acquittal by the Lagos Division of the Court of Appeal, which set aside the earlier judgement of the lower court which sentenced him to death for the murder of Alhaja Kudirat Abiola.

    The development has generated controversies among the Yorubas, some of whom felt the murder of Kudirat Abiola in 1996 was allegedly masterminded by Al-Mustapha.

    But the Yoruba Obas Conflict Resolution Committee yesterday told journalists in Ibadan after the meeting of its sub-committee that the issue was political and would not want to be involved.

    The paramount ruler of Ugboland, Oba Fredrick Akinruntan, who briefed the journalists on the outcome of the meeting of the sub-committee, disclosed that the conflict resolution efforts had started to yield positive results with some of the hitherto non-commital Obas now showing interest and concern.

    The monarch recalled that the cardinal programme of the committee was to ensure that the Obas speak with one voice without which the issue of marginalisation being currently suffered by the Yorubas at the federal level could not be properly addressed.

    To ensure the realisation of its set objectives of unity among Yoruba Obas, the Olugbo of Ugbo kingdom disclosed that his committee would soon embark on visits to all the Obas in the South-West geo-political zone to brief them of its activities and solicit for their unerstanding and cooperation.

    Olugbo, who is the Chairman of the committee said, “We are convinced of achieving our set objective of ensuring the desired unity among the Obas in Yorubaland and when we are set to move round, we are sure of very warm reception and positive disposition to our cause.”

     

  • 2015: Jonathan in secret meeting with Ooni, 22 Yoruba obas

    2015: Jonathan in secret meeting with Ooni, 22 Yoruba obas

    President Goodluck Jonathan has a date with Southwest traditional rulers tomorrow.

    Twenty-three obas are due to attend the meeting, an initiative of the President, at the Aso Rock Villa.

    The Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuade, will lead the traditional rulers, sources said last night.

    “The obas are going to Abuja at the invitation of the President. He has been reaching out to the traditional institution in Yorubaland for a while now. The meeting is as a result of his incessant rapport with the leadership of the obas in the region.

    “He wants the obas to help him reach out to the political elite in the region ahead of the 2015 general election. On many occasions, his emissaries have told our traditional rulers of the President’s desire to have them on his side as he prepares to battle the opposition in 2015, especially in the Southwest which is an opposition stronghold.”

    It was gathered that the Ooni personally handled the invitation of the obas for the meeting.

    A few top obas had allegedly held several meeting with the President before now to discuss the viability of Jonathan’s 2015 presidential ambition especially as it concerns voters in the Southwest.

    It was gathered that following extensive discussions, it was agreed that a larger contingent of traditional rulers from the region should meet with the president with a view to hearing from him directly on his aspiration and plan for the geo-political zone.

    The idea is that the visit will avail them of information to pass on to their subjects on the return from Abuja.

    Sources said: “It is no longer news that Jonathan wants to win the Southwest at all cost. This meeting is one of the ways he wants to penetrate the region and he intends to use the traditional rulers to achieve his desire.

    “The number of traditional rulers invited by the organisers for the trip was in excess of the 23 that agreed to go to Abuja tomorrow. Many of the obas contacted declined to be part of the team.

    “Many of the obas invited from Osun State turned down the invitation after considering their relationship with the governor of the state. One of the traditional rulers declined to be part of the trip. He will be on his way out of the country tomorrow as a decoy.”

    It was also gathered that the organisers of the trip plan to explain it away as part of the effort to find an enduring solution to the current security challenges in the country.

    An activist and leader of the Yoruba Renaissance Movement (YRM) Dr. Seeni Olaforiju, dismissed the planned meeting as a big disappointment.

    His words:”There is no doubt that these traditional rulers are going to Abuja on their own accord. They surely do not have the mandate of their people to go and discuss politics with Jonathan.

    “If they think they can help the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to penetrate the Southwest, then they are joking because they will fail. Yoruba are no fools and they know their leaders. Jonathan and the obas are just wasting their time.

    “What has Jonathan done for the Southwest since he came on board? This is a man we supported when some forces wanted to prevent him from succeeding his late boss. What we got as a people is nothing but acute marginalisation, disregard and disrespect at the end of the day. Now he wants to use traditional rulers to hoodwink us.

    “The fear of the merging political party is leading Jonathan to seek help where he will not find any. As much as we respect the traditional institution in Yorubaland, we also know how to say no to those who may want to lead us astray. The obas can go to Abuja and enter into whatever agreement they like, we will be waiting for them in 2015.”