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Tag: Olugbon

  • Olugbon felicitates Onoh, hails contributions to national development

    Olugbon felicitates Onoh, hails contributions to national development

    The Olugbon of Orile-Igbon, His Royal Majesty Oba Francis Olushola Alao, has extended birthday felicitations to renowned conservationist and clinical psychologist, Dr. Josef Umunnakwe Onoh, describing him as a patriotic Nigerian whose contributions to democracy, public service, and environmental preservation stand out.

    In a congratulatory message, Oba Alao commended Onoh, an All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain in Enugu State for his unwavering commitment to nation-building, visionary leadership, and passion for human and environmental development.

    “On behalf of my family and the good people of Orile-Igbon, I extend heartfelt congratulations on this occasion of your birthday,” the monarch stated.

    “This special day offers us a moment to celebrate not only your life but also your remarkable contributions to the development of our nation. Your dedication to public service, your passion for uplifting others, and your tireless efforts in advancing progress have left indelible marks on our society,” the monarch added.

    The Olugbon further praised Onoh’s legacy of leadership and urged him to sustain his efforts in promoting unity, growth, and positive change. He prayed for continued wisdom, good health, and strength for Onoh to carry on his noble endeavors.

    READ ALSO; Josef Onoh: The making of the man’s anniversary

    Onoh, born in Scotland and raised with a deep passion for conservation, is the founder of Woodland Park—a privately funded zoological facility and wildlife charity trust in Enugu. Influenced by his mother and legendary broadcaster Sir David Attenborough, Onoh has championed wildlife preservation alongside his political and professional engagements.

    A former member of the Enugu State House of Assembly (2003–2007), where he chaired the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, Onoh later served in various advisory and executive roles under former Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, including as Executive Chairman of the Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority (2019–2023).

    He has also played significant roles in Nigeria’s political landscape, moving from the Grassroot Democratic Movement (GDM) and the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), before joining the APC. In the 2023 general elections, he served as the Southeast campaign spokesman for President Bola Tinubu and in 2024 founded the Asiwaju Renewed Mandate Southeast (ARMSE) to further drive support for the President’s agenda.

    Beyond politics, Onoh is a member of the Institute of Hospitality, United Kingdom, and has worked in the private sector, including as Executive Director of Eastern Bottlers (2000–2002).

    The Olugbon concluded his message with prayers for Onoh’s continued impact: “As we honor you today, may this new year bring you joy, fulfillment, and even greater opportunities to impact lives. Happy Birthday, Dr. Onoh! Thank you for your invaluable service to Nigeria.”

  • Olugbon, Alaafin parley on unity

    Olugbon, Alaafin parley on unity

    The Vice Chairman, Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs and the Olugbon of Orile-Igbon, Oba Olushola Alao, yesterday paid a royal visit to the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade, on the need to promote unity and cohesion among traditional rulers in the state.

    Oba Alao was accompanied by his wife. They were received at the Boroboro home of the Alaafin in Oyo town.

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    During the visit, the two monarchs held a closed door meeting, which lasted for some minutes.

    Briefing reporters after the meeting, Oba Alao said the visit was centred on the need for unity among traditional rulers in the state.

  • Olugbon visits new Alaafin, seeks unity among Oyo traditional rulers

    Olugbon visits new Alaafin, seeks unity among Oyo traditional rulers

    The Vice Chairman of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs and Olugbon of Orile-Igbon, Oba Olushola Alao, on Sunday paid a royal visit to the newly installed Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade, to foster unity and cohesion among traditional rulers in the state.

    Oba Alao, accompanied by his wife, was warmly received at the Boroboro residence of the Alaafin in Oyo town, where they also paid homage to the monarch.

    The two prominent traditional rulers later held a closed-door meeting that lasted several minutes.

    Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Oba Alao emphasised the importance of synergy and collaboration among traditional rulers in Oyo State. 

    He hailed the ascension of Oba Owoade as the beginning of a new era, expressing optimism that his reign would help solidify unity within the council of Obas and chiefs.

    He said, “At the closed door meeting, we discussed the issues that are progressive to Oyo state, the government and the State Council of Obas and Chiefs.

    Read Also: Tompolo predicts Fubara’s return as Rivers gov, calls for peace in Niger Delta

    “We are blessed to have Oba Owoade as the new Alaafin of Oyo. He is a man of wisdom. He chooses his words carefully. He has the personality as well equipped academically. So we are blessed.

    “I will say kudos to the Executive Governor of Oyo state, Engr Seyi Makinde’. He is a wonderful and successful governor of the state.

    “He has installed some prominent kings in the state. This Alaafin is extra ordinary. He has done it in excellent way. With the installation of Alaafin, there will be new development in the Council of Obas and Chiefs.

    “We (0bas) will work together with the Governor. Our decision as traditional rulers will be for the progress and development of Oyo state.

    “There is no way, as traditional rulers can do anything on our own. There must be synergy with the government. This formed part of our private discussion”

    Oba Alao also said during the visit the duo resolved on the needs to further showcase the Yoruba culture and tradition to the rest of the world while recognizing the importance of the unity among the Obas in the Southwest region.

    The Nation reports that members of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs have been at loggerhead over the rotation of the chairmanship position for some years.

    The immediate past Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi had approached the Court to seek a redress on the matter.

    The matter was yet to be resolved before he joined his ancestors and as such the seat of the chairman has remained vacant for several years till date.

  • Five governors, monarchs honour Olugbon at mum’s burial

    Five governors, monarchs honour Olugbon at mum’s burial

    Five governors and several Yoruba traditional rulers stormed Orile-Igbon near Ogbomoso yesterday to attend the burial of Mrs Margaret Alao, the mother of Olugbon of Orile-Igbon Oba Francis Alao.

    The governors are Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Dauda Lawal (Zamfara), Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos) and AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq (Kwara), who were represented by Tayo Ayinde (Chief of Staff) and Kwara Deputy Governor Kayode Alabi.

    Read Also: Lagos-Calabar highway: U.S. investors seek president’s intervention

    Abiodun praised the deceased, saying she spent her life serving God, raising Godly children and impacting the lives of many people around her.

    In his sermon at the church service, Pastor Itua Ighodalo also hailed Mama Alao’s virtues, urging guests to always prioritise the need to make heaven.

    Using the biblical text Luke 18:27 to illustrate, Ighodalo said material, financial and physical wealth would remain on earth, advising guests to concentrate on the need to make heaven.

  • JUST IN: Oyo monarch, Olugbon loses mother

    JUST IN: Oyo monarch, Olugbon loses mother

    Deaconess Margaret Oyeronke Alao, the mother of the Olugbon of Orile-Igbon, Oba Francis Alao, has passed away.

    In a statement on Friday, the monarch announced that Mama Oyeronke Alao died in the early hours on Friday after a brief illness at the age of 81.

    Reflecting on her life, Oba Alao, the second child of the late Deaconess, described her as a devoted Christian who dedicated her active years to ministry alongside her late husband, Pastor Amos Alao. 

    He said the couple served as priests with the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) until Pastor Alao’s passing over 12 years ago.

    The monarch noted that his parents pastored churches in various cities and communities, including Akure, Osogbo, and Ogbomoso.

    Praying for the peaceful repose of his mother’s soul, Oba Alao added that burial arrangements will be announced in due course.

  • Our plan to unite Yoruba obas, by Ooni, Olugbon

    Our plan to unite Yoruba obas, by Ooni, Olugbon

    The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi and Olugbon of Orile-Igbon, Oba Francis Alao, have begun a collaboration on strengthening unity among Yoruba obas.

    The pre-eminent monarchs will also develop closer relationships with fellow traditional rulers and motivate them to work with governors in ensuring continued prioritisation of the security and welfare of their subjects across the six Southwest states.

    The Olugbon made this known in a statement yesterday, saying the collaboration would also promote ‘Omoluabi’ ethos in the region to ensure the current leaders bequeath a region that future generations will be proud of.

    Oba Alao countered social media reports suggesting that the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Adewale Akanbi, chased Oba Ogunwusi during a visit. He said Oba Ogunwusi confirmed to him that he never visited the Oluwo at any time.

    The statement said: “It is with great pleasure that I announce the commencement of a partnership with His Imperial Majesty, Arole Oduduwa Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, aimed at fostering unity among the traditional rulers (obas) of Yoruba land and promoting peace throughout Southwest Nigeria.

    Read Also; Again, the Rivers war!

    “This partnership heralds a new era in fortifying harmonious relations among the traditional rulers across the six states of the Southwest. We will also collaborate closely with the governors of the region to ensure the welfare and security of our subjects and residents remain paramount.

    “The foundation of this initiative was established during my recent visit to the Ooni in his esteemed palace at Ile-Ife, where I extended my congratulations on his 50th birthday. Our discourse was both productive and candid, and I was met with a gracious reception from the Ooni and his court. Our discussion encompassed the perceived lack of unity among Yoruba obas, as well as the pressing issues of security and welfare for our people in Yoruba land and Nigeria as a whole.

    “As pre-eminent traditional leaders in Yoruba land, we reached a consensus on the imperative to fortify the bonds of unity among our fellow obas. Furthermore, we acknowledged the necessity of counteracting the influence of fifth columnists among obas—those who seek to sow discord and pit one monarch against another over unfounded or emotional matters.

    “I hereby implore those who perpetuate disunity among Yoruba traditional rulers to cease their divisive actions forthwith. I assure them that, with the renewed resolve of both the Ooni and myself, the machinations of fifth columnists shall no longer prevail. We are committed to advancing Oba Ogunwusi’s unity agenda by engaging our esteemed colleagues across the six Southwest states, fostering closer relationships that will thwart any divisive efforts.

    “The house of Oduduwa is one, and we shall persist as one, working collaboratively to elevate Yoruba land as a source of pride for current and future generations.

    “His Imperial Majesty, the Ooni of Ife, is a true patriarch and an esteemed leader to the entire Yoruba race. I urge all fellow obas to unite in collaboration with him to collectively promote peace within our respective domains.

    “During our dialogue, Ooni Ogunwusi confirmed that he has never visited the palace of the Oluwo of Iwo, contrary to circulating social media reports suggesting that the latter spurned him and that he chose to ignore such reports like many others that do not contribute to his unity agenda.

    “In analysing the current economic challenges facing Nigeria, we contemplated all contributing factors and the circumstances that have led us to our present state as a nation.

    “It is our understanding that Nigeria’s current economic predicament is not dissimilar to the realities of numerous countries worldwide. We face a global economic crisis that is precipitating inflation in several nations, including the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada.

    “Moreover, the inadequate management of the economy in previous years has brought Nigeria to its present state, thereby compelling President Bola Tinubu to implement reforms that are essential for the revitalisation of our economy.

    “It is upon this premise that we appeal to the citizens of Nigeria, particularly our subjects across the Southwest, to exercise patience with the current administration as it diligently endeavours to rectify the situation in Nigeria. This period of inconvenience is indeed temporary. Government at all levels requires the support of its citizenry to achieve success.

    “Once again, we, as traditional rulers, shall collaborate with our governors to undertake further measures that will mitigate the adverse effects of these reforms while simultaneously promoting the ethos of ‘Omoluwabi’ in this generation.”

  • Most Nigerian clerics, monarchs, political leaders are corrupt, says Olugbon

    Most Nigerian clerics, monarchs, political leaders are corrupt, says Olugbon

    The Olugbon of Orile-Igbon, Oba Francis Alao, has stated that corruption among many Nigerian political leaders, clerics, and monarchs is a major reason for the country’s underdevelopment.

    The monarch, who serves as the Vice Chairman of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs, made this remark while speaking to reporters at his palace during a visit from Most Senior Special Apostle Emmanuel Alogbo, the leader of the C&S Church Movement (Ayo Ni o).

    The cleric, accompanied by his aides, shared plans for the church to build a university, medical centre, and other infrastructure in the town.

    Oba Alao urged the cleric to set a good example by following the teachings of Jesus Christ through actions, noting that many religious leaders in Nigeria have strayed from their primary mission of winning souls, focusing instead on material wealth and comfort.

    The monarch also called on Nigerians to pray for God to touch the hearts of the country’s political leaders, so they can lead with integrity and in the fear of God.

    He said: “Let us pray for Nigeria, that God should turn the hearts of our leaders to fear Him.

    “Ninety-five percent of Nigerian leaders at the federal, state, and local government levels are possessed.

    “Most of the Imams and General Overseers are corrupt and perverted; they can’t preach the gospel to people who need to be saved.

    Read Also: Enugu summons monarchs over alleged killing of two by masqueraders

    “We need to pray for them so that they can have the fear of the Lord to rule this nation. It is terrible that religious leaders do not fear the Lord.”

    Responding to Alogbo, Olugbon said: “May God strengthen you with grace and good health to accomplish your plans for the development of Orile-Igbon.

    I will grant you land and other resources to build all your planned development projects.

    “Some religious leaders are not spiritual. Some have spiritual gifts but no fruits of the spirit. This is contributing to what is troubling Nigeria. Some fake religious leaders are colluding with politicians to steal. Some of them are just flying private jets without preaching the true gospel. Some don’t ask for the source of the tithes members are bringing to church.

    I appeal to you to lay a good example because souls are perishing. There is hardly a difference between the behaviour of religious leaders and sinners today.”