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Tag: Ondo monarch

  • 22-year-old Ondo monarch warns public against addressing him as “bro” or “blood”

    22-year-old Ondo monarch warns public against addressing him as “bro” or “blood”

    The palace of the Arujale-Ojime of Okeluse Kingdom, Ondo State, has warned the general public against disrespecting and addressing its 22-year-old traditional ruler, Oba Oloyede Adekoya Akinghare II. 

    Oba Oloyede ascended the throne of his forefathers at age 16 as a secondary school student.

    A statement issued on behalf of the palace on Friday, the Chief of Staff to the monarch, Prince Adefemi Olorunfemi, noted that the king must be addressed strictly as His Royal Majesty at all times, noting that any deviation from this would no longer be tolerated.

    According to him, some people are hiding under the guise of addressing the monarch as “bro or blood” particularly to disrespect him.

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    The statement read, “I write in my capacity as Amb. Prince Adefemi Michael Olorunfemi, Chief of Staff to the Arujale-Ojima of Okeluse Kingdom, Ondo State, to address an important matter that requires the attention of the general public. Kindly note that Alayeluwa Oba Oloyede Adekoya Akinghare II is to be addressed strictly as His Royal Majesty at all times.

    “Any other form of address is unacceptable. The fact that His Royal Majesty is the youngest king in Yoruba land does not give room for disrespect in any form.

    “Addressing our revered monarch with terms such as ‘bro,’ ‘blood,’ or any casual or demeaning expressions is highly inappropriate and will no longer be tolerated. Such actions will be met with strong and decisive measures. His Majesty’s leniency and calm disposition should not be mistaken for weakness, nor should it be taken as permission to do the wrong thing. Especially for those who call themselves Yoruba, we should know better. Culture, tradition, and respect for constituted authority are values we must uphold at all times.

    “Regardless of your status, age, or position in society, the king must be respected. This is non-negotiable. His Royal Majesty is not just our father; he is Igbakeji awon orisa, the representative of the gods on earth. The throne he occupies is sacred, and respect for the throne is respect for our heritage and identity as a people.”

    The palace called on residents of Okeluse Kingdom and the general public to always uphold the dignity of the throne, stressing that respect for the monarch remained central to the preservation of Yoruba culture and tradition.

    “We urge everyone, within and outside Okeluse Kingdom, to conduct themselves accordingly and uphold the dignity of the palace and the person of His Royal Majesty. Respect for the throne is non-negotiable,” the statement added.

  • Election results will show our promise, Ondo monarch assures

    Election results will show our promise, Ondo monarch assures

    The Jegun Olu-Ekun of Ile-Oluji, Oba Olufaderin Adetimehin, has said next month’s governorship election results would show that the promises of his subjects to vote en masse for Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa were not empty words.

    Oba Olufaderin said Governor Aiyedatiwa has been divinely chosen to lead Ondo State. The Ile-Oluji monarch spoke when Governor Aiyedatiwa led the All Progressives Congress (APC) to campaign across communities in Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo Local Government Area..

    He, however, appealed to Governor Aiyedatiwa to tackle illegal mining activities in his domain and restore the power supply.

    “When the election results are announced, you will see that our promises are not empty words,” the monarch assured.

    Read Also: Ondo polls: SDP Deputy governorship candidate joins APC

    Addressing the community’s concerns, the governor assured the gathering that his administration was actively tackling illegal mining, adding that his government would address other issues as they arise, within the limits of available resources.

    At Oke-Igbo, the Regent of the community, Princess Olusola Olufunke Babajide, who presented the community’s needs, praised Governor Aiyedatiwa for his leadership style within the short period since he assumed office and commended him for appointing indigenes of the area into his administration.

    Governor Aiyedatiwa said his administration remained committed to the development of all parts of Ondo State. He assured that he would tackle the challenges faced by the coalition of LCDAs.Aiyedatiwa promised to ensure that they were established and operational to bring governance closer to the people. The governor said all outstanding development projects would be completed.

    A former Commissioner for Finance, Wale Akinterinwa, canvassed support for Aiyedatiwa and assured the people that they would benefit more from an APC-led administration.

  • Ondo monarch laments declining cultural festival celebration

    Ondo monarch laments declining cultural festival celebration

    The Owa-Ale of Ikare, Oba Adeleke Adegbite- Adedoyin II, has expressed sadness over the decline of celebration of cultural practices and festivals in many communities.

    Oba Adedoyin II said any community without an identified heritage and culture would never command respect while its future generations would not have an identities to be proud of.

    The Owa-Ale spoke when he led residents of Ikare to the sacred Olokemeji tako tabo hills to celebrate the
    Olokemeji festival.

    It was a festival where Ikare residents,  claded in white attires, climbed the historic Olokemeji tako tabo hills for prayers.

    Oba Adedoyin said the festival symbolised resilience and unity of Ikare people from time immemorial when their progenitors first settled on the hills.

    He called on government at all levels to invest mote to preserving and promoting indigenous culture and heritage for economic gains and prosperity.

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    According to him: “Olokemeji festival is a source of pride and identity for our people, There is the need for government at all levels to encourage and develop cultural activities that will attract investment from tourists and investors, as a way of boosting the nation’s economy.

    “Cultural preservation is essential. I  am delighted in the involvement of the people to revitalising various yoruba cultural heritage and festivals. This year’s Olokemehi festival celebration, shows a hopeful future for cultural continuity in yorubaland.”

    A tourist, Barrister Peter Ijigbo, said he attended the festival because his prayers at last year’s Olokemeji festival
    were answered.

    “This festival is a time-honored tradition, and people have been coming to this hill to pray for generations.

    “Even members of the Cherubim and Seraphim church come here to seek spiritual answers. Despite my faith, this is our heritage, and we cannot turn our backs on it,” he said.

  • Ondo monarch leads protest over sea incursion

    Ondo monarch leads protest over sea incursion

    The monarch of the Ayetoro community in the Ilaje local government area, Oba Oluwanbe Ojagbonmi, the Ogeloyinbo of Ayetoro, led his subjects in a peaceful protest, urging the federal government to rescue the community from continued ocean surge.

    During the protest, residents marched through the streets of Ayetoro carrying placards with various inscriptions such as “Save our souls, save Ayetoro community”, “oil exploration has become a curse”, “N6.5 billion shoreline project awarded by NDDC yet not executed after 16 years”, “We cannot access our school again”, and “more than 700 houses have been destroyed”.

    They also highlighted that community-owned factories have been washed away and demanded shoreline protection.

    Oba Oluwanbe appealed to governments at all levels to come to their aid, emphasizing the urgent need for a shoreline protection project to commence before the upcoming rains.

    He expressed hope that the government would find a lasting solution to the problem of ocean surges.

    “The community has been experiencing frequent ocean surges which have led to the destruction of homes, farmlands, and other properties. The residents are now living in fear of losing everything they have worked for.

    Read Also: Court dethrones Ondo monarch after 29-year legal tussle

    “There is an urgent need for the government to intervene to prevent further damage and provide relief to the affected residents.

    “We want the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Ondo State Oil Producing Company, (OSOPADEC) and the state government, Lucky Orimisan Ayedatiwa to take immediate action to protect the community from the devastating effects of the ocean surge.

    “All efforts in reaching out to federal and state government and agencies concerning the devastating reflects of sea incursion that is caused by climax change and of the oil exploitation proved abortive.

    “Hopefully our voices will be heard and the government will respond to our pleas for help at this time.

    A female community leader, Mrs Mofeoluwa Arowolo, said the ocean surge has washed away their markets.

    “Economic-wise, we can no longer trade, because our main occupation here is fishing, and we women can no longer have our kitchen where we dry fish, all have been washed away by the sea surge”

    “In terms of shelter, thousands of buildings have been wiped out, and we have lost many properties. No indigene can sleep with his or her two eyes closed. I could remember when it came to my house, two big freezers were washed away, and many other things that I cannot list. Our pupils could no longer go to school again due to the sea surge”, she said.

    Youth leader of the community, Thompson Akingboye, said all the factories built by communal efforts were no more.

  • Ondo monarch urges youths to shun cultism

    The Osemawe and paramount ruler of Ondo Kingdom, Oba Victor Adesimbo Kiladejo, has urged youths to shun cultism in order to become responsible citizens and develop the community.

    He said a workshop on youth empowerment was being organized to educate youths on the need to shun cultism and other vices.

    Dr. Kiladejo, the Jilo III, who spoke yesterday on Victoria Island, Lagos at the workshop said it was regrettable that Ondo town, which in the past hosted many multinational companies, had become a shadow of itself.

    He said: “Ondo community has become but a shadow of its old self and there is not much to write home about by way of economic, industrial and social development.

    “When everything is put together, there seems to be but superficial quality to our joint attainment, whereas, for sustainable corporate growth and future enviable strength, what we need is a strong structure to anchor our society upon.

    “We need this strong durable structure, particularly as far as our teeming youths are concerned, for we must not for one moment lose sight or the fact that our youths are our future.”

    Read Also: Monarch proffers solution to insecurity

    Oba Kiladejo added: “There is the need to generate ideas that will awaken the sensibilities of our people and rekindle in them the desire for corporate growth through self-help projects.

    “There is the need to empower people through philanthropic gestures targeting our youths.

    “Youth-centred programmes are required to redirect the minds of our youths from crimes towards profitable and sustainable pursuits.

    “Youths need to be assisted to acquire the needed education through scholarship schemes and bursaries. While we appreciate such programmes on ground, a lot more needs to be instituted.

    “There must be a deliberate effort to empower youths through skill acquisition programmes and provision of requisite tools to keep them gainfully employed and redirect them from criminal tendencies.”

    The Ruwaji of Ondo Kingdom, Chief Oludolapo Akinkugbe, decried the insecurity in the country, saying it was retarding development.

    He urged the federal government to tackle it.

    Prof. Ibi Ajayi of the Department of Economics, University of Ibadan, Oyo State, said it was imperative for youths to be empowered to discourage them from crimes.

  • Ondo monarch marks 20th coronation

    The paramount ruler of Ikale in Ondo State, Oba George Faduyile, is celebrating his 20 years on the throne

    He is also marking his 80th birthday.

    The event, which began on Monday, is also meant to showcase and celebrate the rich cultural heritage and unique spirit of the Ikale nation spreading beyond the southern part of Ondo State and other parts of the Southwest.

    Eminent dignitaries expected are: Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu; the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi; Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi and Oba Ewuare II of Benin in Edo State.

    A statement by the Chairman of the Central Working Committee (CWC), Chief Henry Olatuye, said various activities had been lined up for the celebratin.

    These include a book launch, a football competition, a Jum’at service and others.

    The grand finale of the event comes up tomorrow while a church service will hold on Sunday at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Ikoya.

  • Court remands Ondo monarch, four others for alleged stealing

    Court remands Ondo monarch, four others for alleged stealing

    A Magistrates’ Court sitting at Idanre Magisterial District of Ondo State at the weekend remanded a traditional ruler of Bolorunduro, near Egbede-Owena in Idanre Local Government Area, Oba Oluade Adeniyi.

    The monarch was remanded alongside his four accomplices for alleged stealing, defrauding and malicious damages of people’s property.

    The charge sheet reads: “Oba Oluade Adeniyi, 54, and four others – Eniola Isaac, 49; Olajimi Akinyosotu, 40; Ade-Olubodun, 35 and Olowogbade Moyinoluwa, 38, sometime in September 2016 and March 2017 at Idanre in the Idanre Magisterial District, did conspire together to commit felony to wit obtaining money under false pretence/stealing, assault/malicious damages.

    “The accused persons on the same day and time in the aforementioned magisterial district did, with intent to defraud the following persons of their property, including a cash sum of about N1 million from the inhabitants of Agbelere camp through collection of illegal fees under the name of Bolorunduro Development, also stole N1 million from the inhabitants of Agbelere camp.

    “The monarch and others did steal N22,000 property of Ajigbade Samson and another cash of N6,000, property of Kola Oladayo.

    “The accused also did steal N10,000, one Tecno handset valued at N22,000, property of Ojo Omolekulo and threatened the lives of some people, including Ajetomobi, Kola Oladejo, Ajigbade Samson and Ojo Omolekulo by attacking them with a gun and cutlasses.”

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    The accused were said to have unlawfully and maliciously damaged two motorcycles, one Honda and Haojue motorcycles valued at N200,000, property of Ojo Omolekulo and Ajigbade Samson.

    The alleged offences contradict and are punishable under sections 516, 419, 383, 390, 86 and 451 of the Criminal Code Cap 37, 1 Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria 2006.

    The state government’s lawyer Olorunfemi Ayegbusi said since the matter was taken over by the police, the Office of Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) was consulted for legal advice.

    He prayed the court to act on the recommendation of the office of DPP, dated January 29.

    Counsel to the accused, Adeyinka Adeyosoye, called for the report of the DPP and asked for a copy.

    Chief Magistrate Mrs Yinka Omole said: “Consequent upon the earlier bail granted the accused, which the court lacked jurisdiction to grant, it is hereby revoked because the court lacks the jurisdiction over the case.”

    The court ordered the five accused to be remanded in prison custody till they are arraigned before a competent court of jurisdiction.

  • Ondo monarch, chiefs bicker over alleged diversion of salary

    Ondo monarch, chiefs bicker over alleged diversion of salary

    Six traditional rulers in Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State have petitioned the government on the alleged non-release of their monthly stipends running into millions of naira by the Ajobu of Araromi Obu, Oba Aderemi Adelola.

    They demanded the immediate refund of the unpaid salaries to the beneficiaries.

    They urged the government to stop Oba Adelola from meddling with their statutory entitlements.

    The Ajobu insisted that the allegations were lies and ridiculous.

    Oba Adelola, who was not aware of the petition, said two of the traditional chiefs – Ibrahim Akintunde, the Oloja of Koseru and Adenikinju Robinson, the Oloja of Ago Alaye – were suspended for alleged fraudulent activities.

    But the chiefs accused Oba Adelola of using his position as the prescribed authority in the Constituency II of the Odigbo Local Government Area to perpetrate fraud.

    They said he had been persecuting those he perceived as opposiing him.

    The six olojas are: Ibrahim Akintunde, the Oloja of Koseru; Charles Basorun, Oloja of Imorun; Akinbolusere, the Oloja of Kajola; Ipaye, Oloja of Ajebamidele; Onokun, Oloja of Ayetoro and Robinson Adenikinju, Oloja of Ago Alaye.

    In an 11-paragraph petition, titled: “A case of fraud, criminal conversion and abuse of office by Oba Aderemi Adelola (Ajobu of Araromi Obu Kingdom)”, dated January 4 and signed by their lawyer, Mr Tunde Ajayi, the chiefs regretted that for several years, the Ajobu, despite signing for and collecting their salaries, had refused to pay them.

    This, they insisted, is a breach of the statutorily provisions of stipends for traditional rulers and chiefs by the Constitution.

    The Ajobu was also accused of diverting their monthly stipends into his personal use.

    The chiefs said he had allegedly been collecting the salaries of dead chiefs and pocketing same.

     

  • Ondo monarch hails judiciary over verdict

    Ondo monarch hails judiciary over verdict

    The Zaki of Arigidi in Ondo State, Oba Yinusa Olanipekun, has  lauded the judiciary for its role in a protracted chieftaincy tussle in his domain. The High Court Akure had dismissed a suit filed against his appointment as the Zaki of Arigidi Akoko, for lack of jurisdiction and abuse of court process.

    The plaintiff, Joseph Olanipekun,  filed a suit  challenging the installation of Oba Olanipekun. Counsel to Oba Olanipekun, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa also filed a preliminary objection, and argued that the case was filed out of time. He said filing of the case was an abuse of court processes, as  it was filed outside the  time specified in the Chieftaincy Law of Ondo State.

    In his ruling, Justice Akintan Osadebey, upheld the preliminary objection. The court, he said, lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the suit. Justice Osadebey also emphasised that the filing of the case against the defendant was an abuse of court process. She explained that the case was a duplication of the one earlier dismissed by the court, involving the two parties.

    The judge also ruled that the suit was filed outside the statutory period allowed by law and that the plaintiff did not fulfill the necessary conditions before filing it. Oba Olanipekun, through his counsel, Adegboruwa hailed the judge and the judiciary,noting that in spite of its recent challenges, the judiciary still served as becon of hope to secure justice.

  • Ondo monarch allays fear on Akoko road abduction

    The Olubaka of Oka-Akoko, Oba Yusuf Adeleye, has said traditional rulers in the four local government areas in Akoko land will always work for peace and security.

    The monarch spoke on the apprehension among residents, especially those going home for this weekend’s Eid-el-Kabir festival, on abduction on Owo-Oba-Ikare Road.

    Oba Adeleye said he and his colleagues would not allow  kidnappers to take over the road.

    He urged security agencies to monitor the area and wage war against criminals.

    Also, the National Organising Secretary of Ansar-Ud-Deen (AUD) Society of Nigeria, Alhaji Ibrahim Kilani, condemned the abduction of four persons and the murder of a pastor at Oba-Akoko axis of the road.

    Kilani called for tighter security during and after the Sallah period.

    The Islamic leader said Akoko needs more policeme, as the area is the gateway to the North and Southeast.

    Kidnappers have turned Owo-Oba-Ikare Road into their haven, abducting travellers, traditional rulers, clerics and others.

    On Sunday, four travellers heading to Akure from Ikare-Akoko were abducted in a commercial vehicle.

    A pastor, who resisted the abduction, was reportedly killed on the road between Owo and Oba-Akoko.