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  • Traditional festival day turns bloody in Osun over alleged sacrilege

    Traditional festival day turns bloody in Osun over alleged sacrilege

    Olua festival is a very sacred and peculiar festival in Otan-Ayegbaju community, headquarters of Boluwaduro local government area of Osun State. However, the yearly turns bloody, reports TOBA ADEDEJI 

    Otan-Ayegbaju is wildly known for its yearly festival called Olua or Oroke as the priest called Aworo Olua will lead the procession of the people of the community including the chiefs and the king to different spots where rites will be made to the gods including the forebears of the three ruling. 

    According to tradition, the Olua festival came to existence after the first king of the town turned himself to be the god of the community, but before his transmogrification, he assigned duties on how sacrifices would be made to him. 

    He assigned duties on how libation of palm wine will be poured, how meat would be provided and how divination Kola nut would be made during the yearly sacrifice. 

    For the festival, participants, indigenes and members of the three ruling houses will wear intricately colored dresses as others will wear white. Traditional rhythmic drum and music will spice up the joyful atmosphere of the town which terrain consists of hills, mountains, dense forest, vegetation and gullies. 

    However, the 2024 festival of Oroke or Olua experienced conflict which made the celebration go awry for some sections of the community. 

    The Nation learnt that crisis started when the head of Elemu ruling house whose duty was to pick date for the festival informed Aworo-Olua who later informed the king. However, the king, Owa of Otan-Ayegbaju, Oba Lukman Fadipe, had reservations for the said date because he claimed that it will clash with the activities of other religions. 

    It was gathered that the Head of Elemu proposed May 23rd and 24th 2024 but the king made adjustment to 22nd and 23rd which the priest for the festival, Aworo-Olau agreed to. 

    The festival held on 22nd and 23rd led by the king and Aworo-Olua, Chief James Egunfemi. But other ruling houses who ought to be part of festival kicked against the date. 

    The Elemu and other ruling houses held another Olua Festival on Thursday on the ground that according to the tradition, it must be held on the market day of the community which the king failed to consider while making date adjustment. 

    It was learnt that while the other section of the community were holding the Olua Festival according to the edict of the tradition, they were attacked by thugs which led to scores injured. 

    A source in the community Shina said: “There were gunshots during the attack on Thursday during the Olua Festival. Many people were hack by the thugs. I learnt that those thugs were brought into the town by one of the chiefs who was not pleased with the ruling houses conducting another Olua festival after the one that Kabiyesi and Aworo-Olua championed a day before. They felt it is sacrilegious to hold two Olua Festivals in within one year.” 

    One of the injured adherents Tosin Akintunde explained how he and seven of his friends were attacked and injured severely. 

    According to him: “We were at the Olua’s forest on Thursday when I was hacked by thugs. I was equally stabbed to the extent on my chest. I nearly bleed to death. About seven of us were taken to hospital for treatment while others were detained in police station. They claimed that what we are doing is a taboo. They are wrong, we are right.”

    Spokesperson of Elemu and Onigbo Ruling Houses, Prince Tunde Adeleke explained that it is the duty of the head of Elemu ruling house to pick date for Olua festival and he would communicate it to Aworo for the king to prepare. 

    His word: “However, the king and Aworo connived with each other to adjust the date to an earlier date which is a taboo. The festival must be held on the market day of our community.” 

    He added:“it is an abomination for us to join the festival on the day they fixed, so we observed that festival on the date fixed the Elemu which was a day after the theirs.”

    Adeleke alleged that Aworo-Olua led thug to the forest where they were holding the festival to attack worshippers and adherents, saying, “one of our people was shot and was nearly killed while other were severely injured. Police also arrived at the scene to make arrest. They arrested Chief Elemu, Jerome Omotoso, Chief Onigbo, George Adeyemi and Rodiat Kazeem at the Olua Forest. These people arrested were above 80-year-old.”

    He alleged that policemen took side against them which made them to detained the chiefs for about two days before they were released. 

    “The Osun State Government must quickly intervene  before it snowball into major crisis. The actions of  the king and the priest are sacrilegious which have great consequences on the town if the needful is not done on time.”

    However, Aworo-Olua, Chief Egunfemi denied involvement in mobilizing thugs to the other Olua Festival conducted by Elemu ruling house. 

    He said, “I stand for peace and want peace to reign in our community.  The law is above everybody, there shouldn’t be crisis. The history of Otan-Ayegbaju is not complete without Olua festival because it need to do with the origin of the community.”

    He explained’ “Any reigning Oba in any community in Yoruba land is the chief custodian of the tradition and culture and has total prerogative which can’t be challenged. The Kabiyesi has the right on whatsoever that goes on in his domain, he made appeal that he want Friday and Sunday which for other religion to be respected to avoid inter-religious crisis. I believe any reasonable person should agree with him. So we all agreed 22nd and 23rd May 2024 but the other section felt it is not pleasing to them, then they went to organised theirs.”

    Oba Fadipe alleged that the Elemu and Onigbo houses are the one fanning the ember of discord in the town by holding separate festival which is a taboo to the culture.

    Read Also: Osun hospital owner narrates how nurses framed him for rape after N3m fraud 

    According to him: “I am in charge of the custom and tradition in this community. Aworo is the priest who should led the festival joined by me. It is unfortunate that those people gathered themselves to cause conflict in the town. I adjusted the day because I don’t want it to clash with other religious activities. One of the two days they shifted it to fall on Friday. 

    “Those involved are miscreants. Their action is sacrilegious because they entered the front through a route that tradition stated it that we should exit. This has grave consequences on the town. I am in charge of the community and any other person who want to object to my command and the verdict will be dealt with by law of the land.” 

    “We only reported them to the police who arrested them, we do not do take laws into our hands, security operatives are involved in our own festival. Any other festival without my permission is illegality and a taboo to the tradition of the land.”

    Osun Police spokesperson Yemisi Opalola promised to get back to The Nation when contacted over the incident. 

  • N200m Ifa temple unveiled in Osun

    N200m Ifa temple unveiled in Osun

    • Why Fed Govt must recognise African traditional religion, by Elebuibon
    • Makinde inaugurates LOC for World Sango Oyo Festival

    Traditional religious worshippers yesterday unveiled a N200 million worth Ifa Temple named Ile Ajuba Idin Ileke in Osogbo, Osun State.

    Unveiling the edifice at Atelewo area, foremost Ifa priest, Chief Ifayemi Elebuibon, urged the Federal Government to recognise African traditional religion as it will further generate revenue in billions for the country.

    He said: “The Federal Government must recognise African Traditional Religion; it is our only means of cultural identity. Besides, if properly recognised, it can generate revenue in billions of dollars for the country.

    “This building is the first of its kind in the country; it is our moderate contribution to traditional religion with a view to enriching our heritage as a people.”

    Treasurer of the Building Committee Ogundeji Elebuibon said: “We raised funds for this project through donations by adherents of traditional religion in the state and beyond. We have god-children all over the globe and they all contributed money. We spent about N200 million on this project and the construction was completed within 22 months.”

    Read Also: Osun Assembly passes bill increasing stipends for political office holders, others

    Head of Peers of Heaven (Egbe Emere), Chief Oyelola Ajibola, noted the significance of the temple saying, “With this kind of place of worship, we won’t lose more members to western religion. It is important for us to have a place where we can worship Olodumare. It will keep our members together. We have our worship on Saturdays from 10am to 12pm.”

    Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has inaugurated the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) for the annual World Sango Oyo Festival.

    Makinde, represented by Deputy Governor Bayo Lawal, said his government is committed to creating an atmosphere for religious harmony in the state.

    The governor assured the committee of maximum support and robust engagement to make the festival more attractive to both the local and international communities. He added that the festival would enhance the state’s tourism potentials.

    Commissioner for Culture and Tourism Wasiu Olatunbosun said the World Sango Oyo Festival would begin on August 8, while the grand finale would hold August 17, at the Alaafin’s Palace in Oyo town.

  • Man bags two years imprisonment for possessing 600g Tramadol in Osun

    Man bags two years imprisonment for possessing 600g Tramadol in Osun

    Justice Mashkur Salisu of a Federal High Court, Osogbo, Osun state, has sentenced a traveller, Nwoke Ifeanyi, to two years jail term for illegal possession of 600 grams of tramadol.

    Ifeanyi was arraigned on May 15, and he admitted to the offence of illegal possession of the drug.

    During the arraignment, the Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) prosecutor, Olufemi Ijimakin, disclosed that the convict was arrested along the Gbongan-Ibadan expressway with 1,010 capsules weighing 600 grams of tramadol, contrary to the provision of section 19 of the NDLEA Act, 2004.

    Justice Salisu delivering the judgment on Monday, May 20, said that the confessional statement of Ifeanyi and his admittance of guilt alongside other pieces of evidence tendered by the prosecution were enough to find him guilty.

    Read Also: Oyedokun, Babayemi’s defection to APC will end Adeleke’s govt in Osun – APC chieftain

    The counsel to the convict, Alfred Adegoke, urged the court to be merciful with his client because he had promised to turn a new leaf.

    Justice Salisu in his judgement said the section under which Ifeanyi was convicted provided for a minimum of 15 years of sentencing.

    He considered the plea of the counsel and sentenced the convict to two years imprisonment starting from the date of arrest on April 4, 2024.

  • Passersby shot dead as rival Osun land grabbers clash over bounty

    Passersby shot dead as rival Osun land grabbers clash over bounty

    There is palpable tension in Osogbo, capital of Osun State after two land grabbing groups clashed over bounty from a site developer.

    The Nation learnt the groups have been clashing since Sunday around Gbeemu and Balogun Agoro areas of Osogbo after a developer paid bounty to one of the group’s leaders.

    Read Also: Two UTME suspects remain in jail five months after failing to meet bail conditions

    The collection of the bounty infuriated the other group who felt they were in charge of the area where the construction was ongoing.

    However, on Tuesday, during the clash, a passersby was killed by stray bullet at Balogun Agoro causing tension in the area.

    Osun Police Command, Yemisi Opalola confirmed the incident. 

    She said police operatives have been deployed to the area to restore law and order.

  • Tension in Osun over alleged imposition of Imam

    Tension in Osun over alleged imposition of Imam

    Amid lingering tussle at Inisa community in Odo-Otin Local Government of Osun State, over who becomes the Imam, the Muslim community has vowed to oppose any imposition with their lives.

    The community, including the former Vice Chancellor of Osun State University, Prof. Labo Popoola, addressing reporters in Osogbo yesterday, said they would resist political imposition of anybody who was not qualified.

    The leader of the community under the aegis of Inisha Muslim Elite Association (IMEA), Kasali Adeyemo, accused the state government and other stakeholders of legal abuse, following announcement of someone as the Chief Imam of the Central Mosque, despite court order.

    Read Also: Olubadan: Olakulehin’s enthronement takes another twist as Ladoja, kingmakers differ on terms of settlement

    He said the selection process should be in consonance with the dictates of the Holy Qur’an, Hadith and Sunnah and without any form of secular or political interference, vowing that “we are ready to lay down our lives to fight this injustice.”

    Prof Popoola, a member of the group, said Inisa deserved a person well-grounded in Arabic, Islamic and Western education.

  • Osun: When a co-conspirator betrays a traitor

    Osun: When a co-conspirator betrays a traitor

    By Jimoh Olorede

    Preparatory to the July 2022 governorship election in Osun State, and since thereafter, until recently, the ex-governor and immediate-past Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola, a top beneficiary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) party, as a two-term commissioner in Lagos, two-term governor in Osun, and minister consecutively, suddenly became an abettor and a conspiratorial ally to an opposition gubernatorial candidate, Senator Ademola Adeleke, against his party, APC, and his successor, Adegboyega Oyetola, who served as his Chief of Staff, succeeded him as governor, and was seeking reelection! The gubernatorial election was held, Adeleke won, Oyetola lost, but subsequently appointed as minister, while Aregbesola left the political stage as minister and got back home!

    Oyetola’s open and obvious sin for which he must be crucified, and was actually dealt with, at least, in the myopic estimation of Aregbesola and his co-conspirators, was ‘reviewing and reversing his Schools Reclassification Policy’, by which Oyetola actually rekindled people’s hope, and what they perceived as a retrieval of their ‘lost glory and education origin’, with his return and reversal of the changed public schools’ founder-cum-original names and unique uniforms to the status quo. This happens when a government is consent of the governed.

    His (Oyetola’s) hidden, how-do-we-say-it sin for which he must be punished was what Ogbeni would term ‘deployment of his magic wand’ with which he was able to pay full salaries of the state workers, which Aregbesola could not, or perhaps did not, given the inherited jugular-strangling and throat-squeezing debt into which he plunged the state. These were Oyetola’s obvious and hidden sins for which the ‘political structure and APC house’ built in Osun by Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, through Aregbesola and others, must be demolished and totally rent asunder.

    Read Also: Lagos unveils relief initiatives for vulnerable households

    Since the creation of Osun State, ten people have served as governor, with four military governors and six civilian governors. While the first (military) governor, Leo Segun Ajiborisha, served the shortest term of four months, from 27 August 1991 to 3 January, 1992, Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola so far, served the longest term of eight years as governor, from November 27, 2010 to November 27, 2018. However, within this period of eight years of the longest-serving governor, so many things had happened in and to the state. One of those things was the changing and renaming of the state from Osun State to “State of Osun”. The ex-governor must have seen an error which none of his seven predecessors who had ruled the state before him could see.

    He also created and introduced a different state anthem, logo, crest and flag. Apart from the humongous loan repayment, Oyetola also inherited these “Aregbesola-personified legacies” about which he had to be silent, as it was a moral burden, and rather maintained and sustained the status quo throughout his administration, feigning pretense as if he didn’t see anything wrong just to avoid crisis or rift with Aregbe.

    Alas, Governor Ademola Adeleke eventually betrayed his ‘mission-fellow’, an abettor and co-conspirator, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, who maliciously joined forces with him against his own party and successor. He has obliterated all Ogbeni’s known legacies in the state. No sooner the governor took oath of office than he started repealing Aregbesola’s legacies right at the venue of his inauguration. While delivering his inaugural speech, governor Ademola Adeleke publicly said: “Consequently, I hereby issue the following directives which will be backed up with appropriate Executive Orders.

    “. . . Three, and immediate reversal to the constitutionally recognized name of our state – Osun State. All government insignia, correspondences, and signage should henceforth, I repeat, should henceforth reflect ‘Osun State, rather than ‘State of Osun’, which is unknown to the Nigerian Constitution.”

    Nigerian politics is a treacherous game. There’s no permanent friend or enemy in politics, as politicians deceitfully use and dump each other. Adeleke knew Aregbesola was smart; he consequently cynically stooped to outwit his smartness, and Ogbeni unwittingly misconstrued his betraying kindergarten dancing posture for stupidity.

    Also, while Oyetola maintained and sustained the legacy, and retained the nomenclature “OYES” (Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme) as birthed and christened by Aregbesola, Governor Ademola Adeleke dissolved the OYES Corps to be renamed after his ‘Imole Youth’. The governor, through his spokesperson, condemned what he referred to as ‘content of the programme’ which, according to him, turned people to grass-cutters and market sweepers. Similarly, on many occasions, I have heard Adeleke-led PDP condemn Aregbesola’s government in the media, bemoaning that he failed to complete any road in eight years, and so on.

    Eventually, the scenario turned out to be Adeleke paying Aregbe in his own coins! Based on malice and ill-will, and for his immediate ego satisfaction, Aregbesola sacrificed his party’s future gains, jeopardizing the fortune of many, thinking he was ‘dealing’ with, and whipping Oyetola with political lashes. Paradoxically, as Ogbeni whips, Oyetola laughs while many, including Ogbeni himself, weep as direct recipients of the whipping! As a Yoruba adage says “Papa npara e, o lo np’aja” meaning a tick, like a sheep-ked, is unwittingly ruining itself thinking is undoing its host-dog by sucking its blood.

    In June 2023, Ogbeni Aregbesola while speaking at the palace of Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji Larooye II, after he had returned to Osun State consequent upon the expiration of his term as minister, said: “I was born in Ikare Akoko. It’s surprising that a boy born in Ikare Akoko became a commissioner in Lagos and governor in Osun. That’s the work of God. He used Asiwaju to lead me to the path of success. I thank God who brought me to Lagos through the assistance of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. He is the architect of my success.” He added that Tinubu directed him to come and take over “my fatherland – Osun State, that it was my next place of assignment.” Can you imagine, Aregbesola saying this after the deed (a grave damage) had been done! This is exactly how traitors behave – joining forces with conspirators to betray their benefactors.

    •Dr. Olorede, a strategic communication analyst, writes from Osun via oloredejimoh@gmail.com

  • Tales from Osun

    Tales from Osun

    There was public confusion over which of the two wives of Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke would host Nigeria’s First Lady, Remi Tinubu, who was scheduled to visit the state for an official event on April 23.  Each of the wives had claimed to be the state’s First Lady in conflicting posters regarding the visit.

    The governor’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, was forced to issue a statement, “for clarification,” saying “Chief (Mrs) Titilola Adeleke, the First Lady of Osun State, is officially hosting” Mrs Tinubu.  He added: “The flier circulating purportedly from the Office of Erelu Ngozi Adeleke, the wife of the State Governor, is fake news and the person behind it was nabbed and questioned.”  According to him, the said flier was “never authorized by Erelu Ngozi Adeleke,” but was “manufactured and shared by elements who wanted to sow discord and create an atmosphere of confusion.”

    Who was “nabbed and questioned”? Who “manufactured and shared” the flier? In order to be believable, the state government must go beyond presenting vague information. 

    When Governor Adeleke welcomed Mrs Tinubu, who was in Osogbo for the sod-turning ceremony to launch the Alternative High School for Girls, he told a story about their time in the Senate. 

    He said: “I remember that she was my senior colleague at the 8th assembly; there was a time the media caught me sleeping in the Senate, so they wanted to blackmail me. I told them how tedious our job is in making bills and having several sleepless nights over Nigeria.

    Read Also: BREAKING: First Lady arrives Osun for turning of sod of alternative school for girls

    “We don’t sleep till 4am most times. They (the media) were not listening to me; I almost fell for their blackmail. So, I ran to Mama (First Lady) when she was going to Lagos; I told her that I wanted to ask her something. I said I was sleeping and the media came to me that they saw me sleeping and it seemed they wanted to collect something from me.

    “She told me ‘Ma da won lohun’ (Don’t answer them), let them go and write whatever thing they want to write, tell them that you are a human being, because they have done that to her before. I made use of what she told me. That helped me out from paying a lot of money.”

    His uncomplimentary generalisation was unfair to the media.  If certain media practitioners had tried to blackmail him, such alleged blackmailers did not represent the whole of the media. He ought to know the difference between a part and the whole.

  • Osun warns youths on illicit drugs

    Osun warns youths on illicit drugs

    Osun State has warned youths against taking illicit drugs and vices. It said they portend danger for their health as well as their ambition as leaders.

    Speaking at the launch of Dr. Omolajaiye Foundation, Education Commissioner, Dipo Eluwole, hailed Sunday Omolajaiye, who unfolded plans to empower widows, the aged, and others through health, education, sport and social activities.

    Read Also: NDLEA destroys 304,436kg, 40, 042 litres of illicit drugs seized in Lagos, Ogun

    He said: “Many youths only believe in what they will receive or get. They don’t think of giving. This is why I say there is hope when we see people like Omolajaiye.

    Obawara of Iwara-Ife, Samuel Adedire, urged philanthropists to emulate Omolajaiye.

    Omolajaiye called on leaders to be sensitive to needs of the downtrodden, to give them a sense of belonging.

  • Osun security man nabbed for allegedly stealing nine air conditioners

    Osun security man nabbed for allegedly stealing nine air conditioners

    A 25-YEAR-OLD security man, Micheal Eze has been arrested by the corps of Osun State Security Network codenamed Amotekun after allegedly stealing nine air conditioners.

     The Nation learnt that Eze was arrested at GRA, Osogbo capital of Osun State when he was committing the crime.

     A statement by the Corps Commander of Amotekun, Brig. Gen. Bashir Adewinmbi (rtd.) on Saturday confirmed that the corps arrested the suspect who was stealing air conditioners and selling them to scrap buyers.

    Read Also: Osun sets up committee on sexual violence

     “He stole nine air conditioners from the house where he works as a security guard.

     “Eze confessed that perpetrated the act by selling the stolen items to his Hausa scrap customers. He has been handed over to the Director of State Security Service(DSS) for subsequent interrogation and prosecution.”

  • I urged my brother to leave Celestial church, says brother of slain Osun priest

    I urged my brother to leave Celestial church, says brother of slain Osun priest

    Taiwo Fadehan, younger brother of presiding Priest of Celestial Church of Christ, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Moris Fadehan, has disclosed how he urged the clergyman to leave Celestial Church before he was killed by his assistant.

    The Nation recalled that Evangelist Moris Fadehan was killed and burnt on the altar of the church he was presiding on by his assistant, Lekan Ogundipe, over disagreement of physical assault on female church member in February 2024.

    On Friday, the slain priest was buried amidst tears by his family and priests from Celestial Church. During the Service of Song programme held at Mokuro Idita in Ile-Ife, Taiwo lamented his elder brother’s death.

    He said: “Since his death, I have been sad. Although we lived far apart, anytime I had a problem, once I called him, he would help and pray for me.

    Read Also: Osun Speaker preaches patriotism

    “I was seriously sick at a time and he prayed for me for seven days after which I was healed totally.

    “My brother is not selfish. He doesn’t keep malice. He was a peacemaker.

    “When you talk about the work of God, there was a time I called him, I said, brother, please leave Celestial alone; come out of Celestial. He said no! I realise that everything about celestial, the doctrine, the faith is 100 %.

    “He doesn’t compromise. My apologies, I have been to a Cele prophet that asked me to bring this and that. But when I got to him, he urged me to pray and fast for three days. After that I got what I was asking God for.”

    Meanwhile, Morris Fadehan was later buried amidst tears at Iloromu quarters, Ile-Ife, Osun State.