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Tag: Ogun state

  • Demote coronet Obas appointed by Amosun, committee tells Gov. Abiodun

    THE Chieftaincy Review Committee (CRC) set up by Governor Dapo Abiodun to review the appointments of 75 coronet Obas in Ogun State by the immediate past governor, Ibikunle Amosun, hours to his exit from office, on May 28, has submitted its report, on Friday, recommending that the affected monarchs revert to their previous positions as Baales (minor chiefs).

    The committee noted, that, some of the coronet Obas were upgraded contrary to due process. They were allegedly promoted from the lower rank of Baale to coronet Oba by Amosun’s administration without the knowledge of their respective prescribed authorities.

    Speaking while presenting the report to Governor Abiodun in his Oke – Mosan Governor office, in Abeokuta, the state capital, the Chairman of the Committee, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle, regretted that the prestige of the traditional institution had nosedived over the years, and gradually lost its respect due to political interference.

    Olugbenle, who doubles as the Olu of Ilaro and Paramount ruler of Yewaland, advised politicians to tread with caution when handling issues concerning traditional rulers and the institution as their involvement in traditional matters was gradually weakening and rendering it ineffective.

    Olugbenle added that if the affected traditional rulers are to be upgraded to Obas, proper procedures should be followed or adopted.

    “It is absurd to see traditional rulers in political robes. As natural rulers, they are to see all the people as their children, irrespective of political affiliations.

    “Baales are minor Chiefs. Their upgrade should be recommended by their appointive authorities who are first class obas.

    Read Also: Amosun wins the race in Ogun

    “Some coronets Obas were upgraded without their prescribed authorities’ knowledge and we have recommended that they remain Baales. If they are to be upgraded, the requirements should be followed,” Olugbenle said.

    Responding, Abiodun tasked traditional rulers to ensure peace and security to guarantee the safety of lives and property of people in their respective domains.

    The Governor said, as natural rulers, they were closer to the people and know the goings – on in their domains.

    “We know what your roles in the society. You are not politicians. You know those in yours domains. Please ensure peace and security in your domains,” Governor Abiodun pleaded.

    He disclosed that the Chieftaincy disputes were becoming a security challenge that threatens peace in the state, saying that he was confident that the committee had done its best in finding solutions to these lingering issues.

    The Governor who made this known in a release by his Chief Press Secretary, Kunle Somorin, commended the Committee for working assiduously towards arriving at workable recommendations.

    He assured the committee that government would study, review and come up with appropriate policy decisions that would help reposition and strengthen the traditional institution.

    Meanwhile, members of the Ogun State Elders Consultative Forum have applauded Governor Abiodun for setting up Committees to look into various issues affecting the State.

    The coordinator of the forum, Taiwo Alimi, who gave the commendation when the forum paid a courtesy call on the state Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun in his office at the Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, said the committees were necessary to know the problems on the ground with a view to finding solutions to them, as “something cannot be build on nothing”.

    He expressed hope that the committees would carry out their assignments diligently and be objective in order to give a workable recommendations to the government.

    Speaking on behalf of the Chairman of the forum, Justice Bola Ajibola, Olori Yetunde Gbadebo, said the 135-member Forum is made up of prominent elders, who have made their marks in the service of Ogun State and Nigeria as a whole.

    She said members of the forum have dedicated themselves to the service of the State and have carried out some works in the past which they believe would help the present administration achieve its set goals.

    Another member of the forum, Prof. Biyi Afonja, urged the Governor to be equitable in the distribution of infrastructure and social amenities to all parts of the state to enable the people feel a sense of belonging.

    Responding, the State Governor, Abiodun, said he would tap from the experience of the elder statemen and women in running the affairs of Ogun State.

    Prince Abiodun noted that the state was lucky to have such an array of successful elders who have distinguished themselves and done the State proud in their various fields of human endeavours.

    He said as a result of their commitment, sacrifice and resourcefulness, other states have become envious of the state, just as their dedication, industry and intergrity as made the State first among equal.

    “It is unwise to do away with the wise counsel and wisdom of the elders. We will tap from our referred elders to reposition our economy, education, education and other sectors to the benefit of our people”, Governor Abiodun said.

  • Suspected serial killer arrested in Ogun

    A suspected serial killer who had been on the wanted list of the police has been arrested.

    The police had been on the trail of the suspect, Oladosu Nureni, a.k.a Otelee over the murder of two persons in Iwoye village near Ilaro, Ogun State since March 27, 2019.

    He was said to have killed one Onifade Ajani with a dane gun for unknown reasons.

    It was also said that he killed one Olatunji Ayinla, a few hours later, while residents were trailing him.

    Read Also: Ogun APC thanks Buhari, governor for pastors’ rescue

    A statement issued on Friday by the police spokesman, Mr Abimbola Oyeyemi said the suspect was arrested at about 10:20 am, after the Area Commander, Chris Adeyeri, an Assistant Police Commissioner (ACP) received information that the suspect had been sighted at Irogun-Ishaga village.

    ‘’Recovered from him are locally made gun, gun powder and assorted charms. Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, CP Bashir Makama has ordered the immediate transfer of the suspect to Homicide Section of the State Criminal investigation and Intelligence Department for proper investigation and prosecution.’’

  • Ojude Oba Festival returns with Goldberg

    The 2019 annual Ojude Oba Festival in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State is set to take place from August 13 – August 15 at the palace of the Awujale and paramount ruler of Ijebuland, His Royal Majesty, Alaiyeluwa, Oba (Dr) Sikiru Kayode Adetona.

    The Ojude Oba (which in English translates to ‘The King’s Courtyard’) is an annual festival held to celebrate the cultural heritage of the Ijebu people. During the celebration, various age groups (popularly known as the Regbe-Regbe), indigenes, their friends and associates, including tourists from far and near all storm the town, adorning colourful costumes.

    The indigenes and visitors also throng the palace of the Oba to pay homage to the revered ruler who is one of the longest-reigning monarchs in Nigeria.

    Read Also: 9 finalists selected for ‘Ariya Repete’ finale in Lagos

    Goldberg Lager, a brand from the stables of Nigerian Breweries Plc brand has pledged its support for this year’s celebration.

    “We are happy to be part of one of the most celebrated festivals in the South-West,” said the Portfolio Manager, Mainstream brands, Nigerian Breweries Plc., Omotunde Adenusi.

    “It is very unique and important to the people of Ijebu and Goldberg recognizes the legacy that’s behind this celebration.”

    To establish its presence during the festival, the Goldberg brand will be setting up a beer village along with other exciting activities.

  • APC lauds police over quick rescue of kidnap victims

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has commended men and officers of Ogun State command for their swift rescue of the five kidnap victims at Ogbere-Sagamu section of Benin-Lagos express road.

    The commendation was made in a statement issued on Sunday in Lagos by the Ogun State chapter of the APC.

    The party was full of praises for officers and men of the Anti-Kidnapping and Cultism Unit of the command for their bravery and doggedness which led to the rescue of the victims.

    It would be recalled that five members of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) who were on their way to the headquarters of the church for a ministers’ conference were kidnapped on the road late night of August 1.

    The state Publicity Secretary, Tunde Oladunjoye, who signed the statement praised the courage, quick intervention and professionalism of the policemen, personally led by the State Police Commissioner, Mr Bashir Makama.

    He said that all these made the victims to be quickly rescued unhurt.

    Read Also: ‘We ‘ll not tolerate division in Oyo APC’

    The party also commended the State governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, for his commitment and determination to rid the state of crime and ensure peace and normalcy in all nook and crannies.

    “His swift intervention and plea to President Muhammadu Buhari to which the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) responded by providing a helicopter that had since remained in Ogun and had helped in rescuing the victims at Ogunmakin and Ogbere,” the statement said.

    The party also commended the IGP for his decision to set up a Special Task Force in Ogun.

    “Security is the responsibility of all, rather than rivalry, their should be increased sharing of intelligence and synergy between security and paramilitary agencies, as only this would ensure efficient and effective combat of crimes in our society.

    “We endorse the recently expressed intention of the governor, to relaunch, reactivate and reenergise the Ogun Security Trust Fund and urge him not to leave any stone unturned in order to make the state very safe for residents and travelers.

    “We urge the police and other security agencies not to rest on their oars. Security of lives and property  demands eternal vigilance,” it added.

     

  • Fleeing inhabitants of Ogun community return after herdsmen attack

    Life appears to have started picking up again in the serene and agrarian community of Adao in Odeda Local Government Area of Ogun State after the fear-stricken villagers reportedly fled their homes and ancestral land to neighbouring towns and Abeokuta in the wake of the gruesome killing of one of their kinsman by some people suspected to be herdsmen.

    Many of the villagers were reported to have fled in different directions after the suspected herders invaded Adao and stabbed Mr. Rafiu Sowemimo to death on July 14.

    Although there was no retaliatory attack from the villagers herdsmen to spark the fear of reprisal from the invaders, many of them thought it wise to run into safety as a matter of precaution..

    A few of the fleeing inhabitants have, however, returned home while others still unsure of their safety, given the unpredictable nature of killer herdsmen attacks, are still reluctant to risk going back home.

    The pupils of the lone public nursery and primary school in the village have also returned to school, only that they are not allowed by their teachers to stay till the normal 2 pm closing hour, The Nation learnt.

    The female teacher in the school, who would not reveal her identity, said a report had already been made to the Local Government Education Authority about parents being afraid to release their wards and children for school because of the July 14 incident.

    She said the school had received assurances from the authorities of the local government that the situation was under control.

    But the elders and people still grieving over the loss of their kinsman and are demanding justice.

    The villagers said they would not demand any compensation from the herders or anyone, as nothing could compensate for the life of Sowemimo, a father of five, who they said was very dare to their hearts.

    Some of the villagers who spoke with our correspondent said that “only death penalty and execution” of the killer(s) of Sowemimo as required by law could assuage their pains because justice would be seen to have been served.

    The peace of the largely sequestered village of less than 100 households was rudely ruptured on that Sunday, July 14 after some herdsmen herded their cattle to graze in the cassava and pepper farm of 40-year-old Sowemimo, with the animals gorging the farm crops and trampling on everything in their ways as they foraged in and out of the relatively vast farm.

    Our correspondent gathered that the grazing on Sowemimo’s farmland and those of other members of Adao village was a routine activity by the herdsmen.

    In the latest encounter that resulted in his being killed, the herdsmen as was their past time while grazing their cattle, were said to have entered his farm, ate and destroyed some of his crops. He accosted the herders and challenged them, asking why they persisted in destroying his farm. This led to an altercation between him and the herders who teamed up and stabbed him to death.

    The Nation learnt that they had threatened him with death on a number of occasions in the past for constantly challenging them for grazing their cattle on his farm but he treated the threats with levity until it was carried out.

    It was learnt further that a neighbour who hurried to the scene when Rafiu was crying for help only escaped death by a whisker as the herdsmen also stabbed him in three parts of his chest but, curiously, the herders’ daggers had no impact on him. Not done, the attackers wrestled him to the ground and tried to slit his throat but the knife failed to cut through his flesh until he wriggled himself out and fled to alert the villagers of Rafiu’s death at the hands of the herders.

    Five herdsmen, including Muhammed Adamu, Saliu Ismail and Saliu Adamu, were arrested by the police and were being detained at the headquarters of the Ogun State Police Command, Eleweran, in connection with the killing.

    The Asiwaju of Adao, Chief Akanji Lasisi Akiode, told our correspondent when he visited the community that they have left the herdsmen and the evil they perpetrated against Adao people in the hands of God. He said it was up to the state, the police and the federal government to handle the case with despatch and sincerity in the spirit of justice.

    Akiode said the Commissioner of Police in Ogun State, Bashir Manama, and the Police Area Commander had visited them and assured them of safety. He, however, said some inhabitants of the community who ran away with their children were yet to return.

    He added that the elders of the community had also talked to them to forgive the herders, saying that they would not attack the community again or kill any of its members.

    He said: “We are a peaceful people. We have handed everything over to God. We didn’t harm the Fulani people, their children or animals. We have called our people to return home, but not everybody has heeded the call. Many of them are still afraid of what the Fulani herdsmen could do under the cover of the night,” he said.

    The Asiwaju of Adao noted that it is understandable why the people are more concerned about their safety now. In the event of emergency as was the case with Rafiu, help is difficult to come by because the village is sequestered and surrounded by vast forests which the herders have converted into their abodes.

    The road connecting the village to the outside world like Kila community and Abeokuta was started in 1961 and completed three years after by the Federal government. But today, it is in a highly deplorable condition, plied only by commercial motorcycles and trucks carrying stones from quarry sites.

    Another road also linked Adao with Olodo or Kugba near Odeda town, which is the one plied by the few rickety cabs that go to the community only on market days. It took our correspondent an hour ride on a commercial motorcycle from Camp Junction near Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta to Adao through a long, winding and lonely road.

    In Adao, there is no electricity or clinic. In the event of an emergency, the villagers respond by first contacting their relatives in other surrounding towns, who will in turn arrange for a means of transportation to access the village. In most cases, help takes hours or days to come because of poor telecommunications network.

    The elder brother of the deceased, Ahmed Sowemimo, said what the community and family is asking for is justice.

    He said: “We want the people who killed my brother to be executed according to the law. They must not treat the case with levity. They had been threatening him until they succeeded in killing him.

    “Some people are saying that one of them, the prime suspect, is from Niger. They know what the boy can do. He might have been killing people and running to our area. It is so painful.

    “We are not happy with what happened. We are not asking for compensation but justice. There was no previous misunderstanding. The particular suspect came here to eat. He spent the last Ileya (Sallah festival) in this village. He ate our food and even asked for more, and we obliged him.”

  • Party for Gani Adams

    A cultural banquet and grand reception will be held at The Quadrangle, Nana Hotel, Ota, Ogun State, on August 11 in honour of the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Aare Gani Adams.

    The man, who heads the Oodua People’s Congress, is being honoured for his exploits in activism and for promoting the African culture globally.

    This event is coming on the heels of similar events held in honour of the Olota of Olota, Oba Adeyemi Obalanlege, in October 2018 and Senator Akin Odunsi, the father of advertising in Nigeria in March 2019.

    Organisers said they are expecting invited to turn out in all white traditional attire.

  • Ogun, others to benefit from World Bank’s $900m ecological fund

    OGUN State has been considered among other states that will benefit from a $900 million World Bank intervention fund on ecological challenges.

    The World Bank’s assistance will serve as a timely succour to the families and towns across the gateway state that were affected by flood recently.

    World Bank Country Director Rachid Benmessaoud said the global financial institution thought it wise to assist a number of people affected by the recent flooding in the state, as enunciated by Governor Dapo Abiodun when he requested for the bank’s assistance.

    Chief Press Secretary to the Governor Kunle Somorin, who made this known in a statement yesterday, stated that the bank is partnering with Ogun State on a number of initiatives like the Ogun State Economic Transformation Project (OGSTEP) aimed at providing institutional and logistic framework for a private-public partnership engagement in the areas of rural road construction and agricultural growth.

    Read Also: Amosun wins the race in Ogun

    Some of the programmes, which the World Bank had keyed into, include Community and Social Development Programme; Saving One Million Lives Programme: Basic Healthcare Provision Fund; State Fiscal Transparency, Accountability and Sustainability Programme. Others include the Rural Access and Mobility Programme, Nigeria for Women and the PPP.

    The World Bank team, led by Benmessaoud, lauded the foresight of the Abiodun administration, but advised him to look into the indices that made the state’s healthcare fall by 10.5 per cent between 2015 and 2018.

    Abiodun, who received the World Bank team in Abuja, identified Saving One Million Lives Programme: Basic Healthcare Provision Fund; State Fiscal Transparency, Accountability and Sustainability Programme, Rural Access and Mobility Programme, Nigeria for Women and the PPP as critical projects that would enhance the welfare of Ogun people.

     

  • Abiodun mourns ex-deputy governor

    Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun has expressed great sorrow over the death of former Deputy Governor Alhaji Abdul Rafiu Ogunleye, saying his death was shocking.

    Abiodun, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Kunle Somorin, described Ogunleye as an astute administrator and a politician par excellence, who contributed immensely to the socio-economic and political development of Ogun State.

    The governor attributed the development currently being enjoyed by the people to the efforts of people like the deceased, who worked tirelessly to ensure that the state attains its current status.

    He said he had hoped that the former deputy governor would live longer so that his administration would continue to tap from his wealth of experience for the benefit of the people of the state.

  • Living in fear harmful to economy, says Ogun governor

    Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, at the weekend, said that the economy of a country or a state would be adversely affected when citizens live in fear.

    He was speaking with State House correspondents after the Presidential Policy Retreat at the State House, Abuja.

    The governor said: “The minute people begin to leave in fear, the minute people begin to have that foreboding fear that something may happen their way, it would kill the economy of the state and the country.

    “I mentioned to them (at the retreat) that only last night (Wednesday) there was a kidnap situation on Lagos-Ibadan expressway, and in the morning of Thursday on my way to this conference, there was an attempt to kidnap four people, they kidnapped two and two escaped.

    “That Lagos-Ibadan expressway is the busiest highway in this country; not only that, it is so important to the economy of my state, Lagos State and the entire country.

    “How do we say we are creating an enabling environment for a public-private partnership when people cannot move freely from Lagos-to Ogun hinterland without the fear of being kidnapped?” he queried.

    The governor noted that there was need to provide adequate security on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, which, he said, is the busiest highway in the country and very important to the economy of the country.

    He said: “So, we spent a lot of time on security because security is very important and I recall that I mentioned the fact that for me and Lagos, Ogun stands to benefit from everything that Lagos cannot provide.

    Read Also: Amosun wins the race in Ogun

    “We are there to provide what Lagos cannot afford to have and that is why we are called the Gateway State. We are gateway to at least four states and we are also border to another country.”

    He added: “We spoke about road infrastructure, different funding mechanism in agriculture and we spoke about healthcare. There was the emphasis that states should take ownership of healthcare and agriculture.

    “The former Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Hailemariam Desalegn Boshe, shared with us the Ethiopian’s model, which to us was a complete contrast of the Brazilian model.

    “The Brazilian’s model encouraged farm settlements but the Ethiopian model was a complete contrast to the Brazilian mode. The Ethiopian model was more like the Asian model where you encourage small farmers, youth and graduates, give them ownership of farms and you have what is called farmers’ trainees.

    “It was such an insightful opportunity. I think that the conclusions of the last 48 hours should be adopted. I don’t see any reason why it should not be adopted, because the President recapped everything and gave out commitment to ensuring the implementation.”

     

     

  • Man cries out over alleged threat to life

    A survey technician based in Ogun State, Mr. Enitan Julius, is alleging threat to his life by unidentified persons.

    Enitan wants the security agencies to save him from his traducers  who,according to him,want to force him to    occupy the  vacant royal stool in his home town in Yewa North Local Government Area of the State.

    Enitan told reporters in Abeokuta,the state capital,  that he had been living in fear for over 16  years now, after some people believed to be his kinsmen launched attacks on him.

    He said his travails began in 2003 after the traditional ruler of his home town joined his ancestors, and subsequent search for a successor by the town’s king makers.

    “I am a Christian from one of the four ruling houses in my town. I was selected by my ruling house for the vacant royal stool of my town after the then traditional ruler of the community passed on, an offer I rejected because I could not submit myself to the traditional rites, among which was the drinking of concoction made from human blood, attached to the throne”. Enitan said.

    He explained that his refusal to accept the offer was among others hinged on the calamities which always befall the families of monarchs  of the town, citing the mysterious death of his younger brother, Adam, who occupied the stool after he rejected his selection to the stool.

    “My younger brother died after taking some prepared concoction while undergoing the traditional rites and people attributed his death to his acceptance to ascend the throne. The  development further aggravated my fear and made me less interested in the stool,” he said.

    Read Also: Man returns to jail for stealing 40 crates of drinks

    Enitan said he had been attacked at his residence and office more than three times since his refusal to ascend the throne.

    He claimed that his wife, Abosede and youngest child Oluwatunmise were almost abducted during one of the attacks on his residence by hooded assailants.

    “I was attacked and wounded in the process and had to report the case at the Adatan Police Station, for investigation,” he said.

    “Since it is now obvious that I will be picked again for the stool with the deteriorating health of another brother of mine who is the current occupier of the stool my mind has not been at rest because I know that I will be in , for another trouble.”

    He said he could no longer sleep with his two eyes closed and has subsequently   moved his family out of the country.

    He added that he was trailed early last month along the Ilaro-Ibese road by some strange men who were on a motorcycle, noting that “it was providence that saved me as the men hurriedly turned back on sighting a police check point along the route.”