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Tag: Oluwo

  • Recognise Tinubu’s visionary leadership, Oluwo tells Yoruba

    The Oluwo of Iwo land, Oba Abdul-Rasheed Adewale Akanbi, Telu I, has urged the Yoruba to recognise the visionary leadership of All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    The Oluwo stated this while hosting Vice-President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo at his palace.

    The frontline monarch also advised the Yoruba to support Asiwaju Tinubu “because he means well for the race”.

    Oba Akanbi noted that the APC stalwart had largely demonstrated the capacity to sustain legacies of the former leader of the Yoruba and the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, adding that his leadership style will take the Southwest very far.

    Describing Asiwaju Tinubu as the envy of other geo-political zones, the Oluwo urged the Yoruba to rally support for his leadership and work with him in his “strategic planning to position the race for future prospects and challenges”.

    He added that Asiwaju Tinubu had made the Southwest competitive.

    Oba Akanbi noted that the APC stalwart is an incarnate of Pa Awolowo because he has achieved the political feat of the late sage by building world-class human and political structures that can stand the test of time.

    The Oluwo acknowledged the bridge-building capacity of the APC National Leader, noting that for the first time in the history of Nigeria, he led the Southwest to achieve a political alliance with the North and is currently enjoying substantial goodwill with the Southsouth and the Southeast.

    He said: “Asiwaju Tinubu is an all-season leader of note who deserves the support of all true Yoruba persons. His contribution to the survival of Nigeria and reconstruction of a united and peaceful nation is unequalled.

    “We must not miss the opportunity the leadership of Asiwaju Tinubu has provided for the Yoruba. So, I will advise that we don’t fritter away this great privilege. We should all open our eyes and minds to see the tremendous opportunities and respects the Southwest lately enjoys because of the visionary, courageous and innovative and all-inclusive leadership style of Asiwaju Tinubu and his team.

    “Asiwaju Tinubu has made many things out of nothing. He built human structures across board. Human development is his primary asset. Vice-President, ministers, governors, chief executive officers of agencies and corporations, captains of industry, doctors, lawyers, business magnates, traditional rulers, among others, are products of Asiwaju Tinubu.

    “All this was achieved by him to the glory of God. You don’t become a leader by amassing wealth but by building and making better leaders out of your associates. He is enigmatic and I profess that no darkness will be able to hold down his vision for the Yoruba race.”

  • Oluwo to participate in Africa Commonwealth summit

    The Oluwo of Iwo land in Osun State, Oba Abdul-Rasheed Adewale Akanbi, Telu I, has been invited to attend the 6th Commonwealth Africa Summit (CAS) in London, the United Kingdom (UK).

    A letter by Dr. Adonis Abhoud, the Co-Chair for CAS 2019 Steering Committee and dated January 6, stated that the Oluwo was invited as a Very Important Personality (VIP) to deliver a key note address at the summit with the theme: In Our Common Future in Health, Security, Education, Enterprise, Infrastructure, Agriculture, Tourism, Women and Youth, at the Millennium Gloucester Hotel, London, from March 11 to 13.

    The letter added: “Every year since 2014, organised by the Commonwealth Africa Initiative, the Commonwealth Africa Summit brings together African and Commonwealth policy makers, business and industry leaders, civil society representatives and emerging African leaders from around the world to address challenges facing the continent and share information.

    “The Commonwealth Africa Summit provides an opportunity to not only to contribute to reimagining what the continent might be but an opportunity to network, strategise and mobilise valuable resources to bring the Africa dream to fruition.

    “We will also like to specially invite you to participate in the Commonwealth wreath-laying cremony at the Memorial Gate with Commonwealth leaders on Monday, March 11, the summit opening ceremony on Tuesday, March 12 at 9 a.m, your panel session and the gala award dinner on the 13th March at 6 p.m…”

  • Oluwo to Osun residents: pay your taxes for development

    Osun State Governor Gboyega Oyetola at the weekend visited Iwo in continuation of his “thank you” tour of the state’s nine Federal constituencies.

    The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdul-Rasheed Adewale Akanbi, Telu I, urged the people to pay their taxes promptly to generate funds for the development of the state.

    “There is no other way than to pay tax. We cannot continue to rely on funds from the Federation Account if we want to develop this state. What if there is no oil money?” he asked rhetorically.

    The first-class monarch offered to lead the government’s campaign to persuade the people on the need for them to pay their tax promptly.

    He said: “If you don’t pay tax, it is a shame. But if you pay, the government will fix roads and put other infrastructure in place.”

    Oba Akanbi noted that developed countries rely on tax payment, saying: “Even at home here, Lagos functions because of payment of tax. Our people must be ready to pay tax.”

    The Oluwo added: “Tax is a vehicle of development; it is as important as government itself in any society. It defines the rate of development in any state.

    “If there is no fund, no iota of development can take place. So, if we want our basic needs, like good roads, electricity supply, potable water, among others, to be championed by the government, then, the time has come for us to be paying our taxes regularly.

    ?”Also, if we want genuine development, continuity of good governance and real ‘change’, all hands must be on deck to support the government with tax payment.

    “As for me, I understand the importance of tax to government and good governance because in the years past, it was traditional rulers that mobilised people to meet their civic responsibilities to government?.

    “I will volunteer myself to actualise the dream of Governor Oyetola-led administration to improve on Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) for the betterment of all. So, I am advising Mr. Governor not to be afraid of taking loans, as long as it is for the development of the state.

    “There is nothing wrong in taking loans for infrastructure development. Go ahead and access facilities to develop this state, as long as the loan is not for consumption.”

    Oyetola, who assumed office on November 27, last year, told the monarch that he was ready to sign a pact with the people to utilise whatever is paid as tax in any community to develop the place.

    He said: “As it is being suggested, I’m ready to sign an agreement with the people to use whatever they pay as tax to develop their community. Payment of tax is cardinal to development.”

    The governor urged the people to continue to cooperate with the government.

    Besides Iwo, the tour, which started in Osogbo, the state capital, took Oyetola to Ila Orangun, Ikirun, Ede, Ikire, Ile Ife, Ijebu Jesa and Ilesa.

    At all the stops, the governor visited traditional rulers before holding town hall meetings.

  • Oluwo plans seminar for youths intending to travel overseas

    The Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Abdul-Rasheed Adewale Akanbi, Telu I, is planning a seminar on legal processes and procedures for young Nigerians to travel and relocate to foreign countries.

    The monarch said the seminar is part of activities to mark his third anniversary on throne.

    In a statement by his press secretary, Alli Ibrahim, the Oluwo said there will also be distribution of food items, including rice, beans, noddles, garri, milk, among others, to widows and orphans in Iwo Federal Constituency of Osun State to mark the anniversary.

    According to Oba Akanbi, the seminar holding on Wednesday 16th January, 2019, in Iwo, will expose aspiring Nigerians, especially the youths, to “regimented procedures” of securing access to advanced countries.

    The Oluwo said he will impact on the youths through his vast experience of tours of many great countries of the world.

    The monarch, who noted that there are ample opportunities overseas for youths to make them expand their human development capacity, maintained that the programme will be an eye opener for them to improve themselves and be ready to add value to Nigeria.

    The Oluwo said he will always ensure he raises the hope of the hopeless in the society, adding that the third anniversary is to restore optimism of travelling abroad for the youths and providing a platform for the widows and orphans to access quality life.

    He stated that the anniversary succours are part of his short-term programmes for his constituents, assuring beneficiaries of more fruitful future as his long-term plans are ripe for fruitfulness.

    Oba Akanbi condemned reported cases of aspiring youths falling victims of swindlers while trying to secure access to foreign countries. He, therefore, said that “accurate enlightenment” for prospective immigrants will decimate the occurrence.

    He said that the training will intimate participants with countries and their associated prospects, challenges and most importantly means of survival after securing access. He implored prospective participants to come to the seminar with their laptops or tablets.

     

  • Aregbesola, Oluwo to commission schools in Iwo

    The Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Abdul-Rasheed Adewale Akanbi, Telu II, will today Sunday commission two public schools in Iwo. The Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, members of his cabinet and supporters of the All Progressives Congress in the state will join the Oluwo to commission the Methodist Middle School, Araromi, Iwo and D.C Elementary School, Araromi, Iwo opposite Iwo Local Government Secretariat.

    In a statement by his media aide, Oluwo described Aregbesola as an architect of modern education in Nigeria. Oba Akanbi said Aregbesola’s intervention in education sector has taken formal learning to the doorsteps of the downtrodden and created a level playing field for the children of the rich and the indigent in the state. “Aregbesola has broken the barrier to quality education in Osun such that children of the rich are attracted to public schools.

    “I am happy to be part of the success story of the Aregbesola administration. The magnificent school structures across the state coupled with the free school feeding of his administration among other laudable policies and programmes are advertisement of his vision and courage in government. He is an an asset to those who value the future. Aregbesola’s performance has made me confer the honourary chieftaincy title of ‘Iyangan of Yorubaland’ on him few months ago,” he said.

  • Igbinedion, Oduduwa Varsities to honour Oluwo

    The Igbinedion Univer-sity, Okada, Edo State, is conferring an honorary doctorate degree on the Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Abudl-Rasheed Adewale Akanbi, Telu I. The premiere private university will confer the honorary degree on the monarch at its 16th convocation ceremony coming up on 24th of November, 2018. Meanwhile, the Oduduwa University, Ipetumodu in Osun State, yesterday conferred a honorary doctorate degree on Oba Akanbi.

    According to a statement by the Oluwo’s Press Secretary, Ibrahim Ali, the authorities of the two universities said that the award was in acknowledgement of the throne commitment to the service of humanity and his contribution to academic excellence in Nigeria.  The statement further quoted Igbinedion University as saying that “the award is also in recognition of your outstanding contribution as a traditional and cultural icon, outstanding and visionary leader, general role model and national builder.”

    Meanwhile, Oba Akanbi has said that the award tagged “The Human Prize of Service” is a challenge for him to serve humanity the more with all the resources at his disposal.

    The first class monarch said: “Traditional rulers have failed when they do not improve their people’s standard. Since we are the closest to the grassroots it is important that we commit our strength to the improvement of our people’s welfare.”

  • Tinubu, an asset to Nigeria, says Oluwo

    The Oluwo of Iwo Oba Abdul-Rasheed Akanbi has described national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as an asset to Nigeria.

    He said he was proud of him and his contributions to political, social and economic survival of Nigeria.

    The Oluwo, who spoke with reporters in Osogbo, Osun State capital at the weekend, said Tinubu as a progressive politician and a non-tribal nationalist and has committed his resources to national unity.

    According to the first class monarch, everything about Tinubu was provision of quality representation as exemplified in the digital turning around of Lagos during his tenure as governor.

    The Oluwo described Tinubu as the architect of modern Lagos.

    Oluwo further described the APC national leader as a symbol of unity, saying with his economic and political contacts as well as establishments across Nigeria he had contributed to a united Nigeria.

    Oba Akanbi appealed to Nigerians to pray for past nationalists and rally support for current nationalists to encourage them to pilot the nation to a constructive end.

    According to him: “Tinubu is an asset to Nigeria as a whole. He made the first mega city in Nigeria and turned it into a digital metropolis.

    “He is the architect of modern Nigeria and a rallying point to all even across geo-political zones of the country.

    “He is a leader of merit, committing his resources to national integration through his economic and political resources.

    “God has used him to make many Nigerians in different capacities. He is a complete Nigerian of no discrimination, nepotism or division.

    “He is a force and a rallying point. I am proud to have him as my son. He is making me proud. Spiritually and traditionally, I am his father.

    “I am proud to have children of national and international stature like Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola. I consider this as a blessing to me.

    “They all made me proud and I easily make reference to them. It is one thing to be influential and another thing to commit the influence to the growth of your country.

    “So, I charge aspiring young Nigerians to emulate Tinubu in the promotion of national unity, survival and development of this nation.”

     

  • Osun poll: Oluwo cautions against violence

    The paramount ruler of Iwo, Oba AbdulRasheed Adewale Akanbi has cautioned his subjects against causing violence in today’s governorship election in Osun State.

    The monarch who spoke to our correspondent in his palace on Friday said: “If you cause violence and you are caught by the security operatives, you will go to jail.”

    “That is why I have been telling my people to ensure a violence-free election. Whoever wins should be accepted as our governor. Politics is not a do or die. We have a governorship candidate from Iwo. As a royal father, I cannot take side, all the candidates are my children whoever that emerges is our governor and I am ready to work with him.”

    The Oluwo charged the security operatives to be pro-active by quelling any form of violence promptly. He added that they should arrest and prosecute the suspects in court.

    He insists that “we don’t want any problem or violence in this election because it will create bad image not only for Iwo but the whole country”.

    He recalled that during the 1983 general elections, many people were killed in Iwo, many houses were burnt and some of them have not being repaired till date.

    The monarch also advised politicians against the winner takes –all syndrome; instead they should run an all-inclusive government. He said the winner should include the best brain from the opposition side in his government in the interest of the state.

    Similarly, the APC Chairman, Osun West Senatorial District, Hon. Amobi Akintola said the party had educated its members to guide against violence. According to him, we told them “go and vote, don’t fight”.

    Akintola said the APC was fully prepared for today’s election and he was sure the party would come out victorious at the end of the day.

  • Oluwo seeks use of monarchs in tax collection

    The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdul-Rasheed Adewale Akanbi, Telu I, has called for use of traditional rulers in the collection of taxes.

    In a statement by his media aide, Ibrahim Alli, the monarch said government could exploit the closeness of traditional rulers to the grassroots by involving them in tax collection to boost its internal generated revenue (IGR).

    He urged the state government to identify trusted and resourceful traditional rulers and work with them to assist in generating revenue into its coffers.

    Oba Akanbi said abundant opportunities attached to the authorities of traditional rulers had not been utilised by successive governments.

    He said: “Now is the time for the government to introduce creative measures to solve challenges of tax collection.

    “Government at all levels should be creative and innovative in their approach to tax collection by co-opting traditional rulers to serve as intermediaries to make their subjects be alive to their responsibilities to the government by paying their taxes promptly.

    “Tax is a primary source of revenue for the government; everyone must be made to be committed to the development of the state.

    “Lagos is one of the economic viable states and its strength is linked to effective taxation. Osun as a developing economy must devise creative measure to generate its own revenue too and sustain its growth. People must be encouraged and made to taxes.

    “Monarchs are the closest rulers to the grassroots. Many of us are trusted and respected by the people. They see us as fathers and they listen and follow our instructions. Whatever we say is authority without questioning.

    “Monarchs, in the past, were active and key actors to tax collection. I think we can revisit the past and learn from how traditional rulers used to support government policies and programmes and make them work in their domains.

    “Today, there are still trusted monarchs. I am one of them. My people listen to me because they know I serve them. One of the means we can assist the government is to serve as intermediary in tax collection but there should be regularised platform to effect the arrangement.”

  • Oluwo donates N1.5b medical tools to Osun hospitals

    The Oluwo of Iwo in Osun State, Oba Abdul-Rasheed Akanbi, Telu I, will today donate N1.5 billion medical equipment to some selected public hospitals in the state.

    Some of the equipment include electric beds, incubators, mammogram, X-ray machines and some consumables.

    A statement by the monarch’s Press Secretary, Mr. Alli Ibraheem, quoted him as saying the donation was to complement government’s commitment to quality health delivery in public hospitals.

    He said the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole; Governor Rauf Aregbesola; Osun State Commissioner for Health and the lawmaker representing Iwo/Ola-Oluwa/Ayedire Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, Gafar Amere, as well as other dignitaries are expected at the event.