The Nation Newspaper

Tag: OSUN

  • Osun community picks Oyelakin as monarch-elect

    Osun community picks Oyelakin as monarch-elect

    Weeks after Governor Ademola Adeleke sacked three monarchs in Osun State, Prince Ibraheem Oyelakin has emerged as the Oba-elect after a selection process.

    The Nation recalls that Adeleke sacked Owa of Igbajo, Oba Adegboyega Famodun; Are of Iree, Oba Ademola Ponle and Akirun of Ikirun, Oba Yinusa Akadiri, after faulting their selection process. He also ordered fresh process to nominate new kings.

    Later, Oyelakin from Oyekun ruling house emerged as the Oba-elect for Iree community in Boripe Local Government.

    Read Also: JUST IN: After Adeleke sacked three Osun monarchs, new king emerges in Iree

    A statement by the Oba-elect praised his co-contestants and sought their support.

    He said: “I will never take this privilege for granted. I commend the Iwarefa mefa of Iree kingdom, Aree in council, princes and princesses, Asiwaju of Iree, IPA National President, among others, for their support.

    “The rain we pray for is here, the good news we pray for is here. We all need to bury our past either full of differences, calamities or fairly tales. The bond that strengthens us is stronger than the differences that almost consume us. Iree kingdom is known for relative peace as we all know. Let us revisit the history and bring back the memory of a peaceful coexistence we used to enjoy.”

  • Why Osun judiciary paralysis lingers, by SAN

    Why Osun judiciary paralysis lingers, by SAN

    A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr. Musibau Adetunbi, has said failure to recall the wrongfully suspended five court workers, was the only clog in the wheel of the process of ending the industrial action embarked on by court workers in Osun State.

    The strike has brought untold hardship to litigants, suspects, lawyers and other stakeholders, who are unable to access court services.

    Members of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) embarked on an industrial action on November 22, last year to press home their demands for the recall of the five members of staff, who were suspended by the chief judge, and other sundry issues.

    The other issues are stoppage of workers training since 2015; inadequate implementation of workers promotion, advancement and regularisation; non-payment of wardrobe allowance as well as poor working conditions and maintenance of court infrastructures.

    Read Also: House invites CBN Gov over REMITA leakages

    According to JUSUN in the state, the five members were suspended for periods running into 57 months and 46 months, with all efforts to recall them proving abortive, even after two of them tried for criminal offences had been discharged and acquitted by a magistrates’ court.

    Adetunbi told reporters after hearing the issue at the National Industrial Court (NIC), Ibadan that contrary to what many people think, Osun State Government has met all the conditions stipulated by the striking workers, except the recall of the five workers, a decision, he explained, was in the purview of the state’s Judicial Service Commission (JSC) and the Chief Judge.

  • Court may summon CJ, JSC over Osun JUSUN strike

    Court may summon CJ, JSC over Osun JUSUN strike

    • Case adjourned to March 4

    Osun State Chief Judge (CJ) Justice Adepele Ojo and the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) may be summoned by the National Industrial Court (NIC) sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State, should respondents in an originating summon suit filed by Chief Gboyega Awomolo (SAN) decide to file an application for the purpose.

    The proposal was raised by Awomolo’s counsel, Mr. Adebayo Adenipekun (SAN), during hearing yesterday.

    The senior lawyer took the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), its leaders in Osun State, Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice as well as Police Commissioner to court over the ongoing indefinite strike by the union workers, which has paralysed judicial activities since November 22 last year.

    Justice Dele Peters adjourned hearing, which is moving of originating summons, to March 4.

    Read Also: Court to rule on Kanu’s bail application March 19

    The workers embarked on an indefinite strike over unlawful suspension of five of their colleagues by the Chief Judge; stoppage of workers training since 2015; inadequate implementation of promotion, advancement and regularisation; non-payment of wardrobe allowance as well as poor working conditions and maintenance of court infrastructure.

    According to JUSUN, the five members were suspended for periods running into 57 months and 46 months, with efforts to recall them proving abortive, even after two of them tried for criminal offences had been discharged and acquitted by a magistrates’ court.

    Awomolo, former Commissioner for Justice in the state, in his originating summons, dated January 30, 2024, is seeking a declaration that JUSUN and its leaders at the time lacked the power to declare and maintain the industrial action by reason of a combined interpretation of Section 18 (1) of the Trade Dispute Act 1976 read in conjunction with sections 4 and 6 of the Trade Dispute Act 1976, Section 31(6) of the Trade Union Act 2005 and Rule 29 (1), (II), (III) (IV) of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (Amended Constitution 2016).

    He is also seeking a declaration that the strike was unconstitutional, null and void.

    Consequently, he is praying the court for an order of mandatory injunction compelling them to call off the industrial action and direct JUSUN workers to resume work, having paralysed judicial activities in the state since November 22, 2023.

    He is also praying for an order directing the state’s Attorney General “to ensure, facilitate and maintain reopening and continued function of the Judiciary of Osun State by doing all that the Government of Osun State is expected under the law; and an order directing the Commissioner of Police to provide security for Osun State Judiciary workers with a view to ensuring full compliance with the order and judgment of the court.”

    Moving the motion on the originating summons yesterday, Adenipekun (SAN) said the 3rd and 4th respondents have not been properly served. He asked the court to give a date to hear the originating summons, saying the 3rd and 4th defendants would have been properly served before then.

    However, Mr. Musibau Adetunbi (SAN), who is counsel for the second defendant and former chairman of JUSUN in the state, Comrade Kunle Eludire, called Adenipekun’s attention to a memorandum of agreement dated February 16, 2024, which was signed by the Osun State Government, National Executive Council and Osun State branch of JUSUN as well as Osun State Judiciary as a move to end the crisis.

    Adetumbi said contrary to what the claimant wanted to impress on the court that Osun State Government refused to sign the agreement to call of the strike, the state government has fulfilled the resolutions in the agreement except recalling the five workers, which is not in its purview.

    According to Adetunmbi, Osun State Government did not refuse to endorse the memorandum, neither did it refuse to take up liability of previous administrations.

    He said Osun State Government has paid the salaries of the five workers that were unpaid till December 2023, with the total outstanding sum being N8, 623,600.00

    “The executive arm of Osun State Government has been very cooperative with JUSUN and has been making effort to see to the calling off of the lingering strike.

    Justice Dele Peters adjourned hearing, which is moving of originating summons, to March 4.

  • Osun First Lady unveils skill acquisition programme

    Osun First Lady unveils skill acquisition programme

    Osun First Lady Erelu Ngozi Adeleke has unveiled a skills acquisition programme that attracted no fewer than 30 young women selected from each of the Local Government Areas. 

    They were inducted at the flag-off of a skill acquisition programme under her NGO ‘Esther Adeleke Humanitarian Foundation Empowerment and Skills Acquisition Programme.

    With the programme tagged: ”Empowering communities, building a better tomorrow,’ Adeleke whose foundation has been consistent with humanitarian activities in the State, initiated a full-year training programme aimed at unlocking abundant potentials and opportunities in skill acquisition as a means of empowering youths and women in Osun State.

    The training will see the lucky beneficiaries engage in intensive skill acquisition training that includes computer training and graphics design, soap making, catering and shoe making, photography, fashion design and cosmetology among others.

    Read Also: Osun community, kingmakers shun Adeleke’s letter ordering fresh appointment of king 

    The participants will at the end of the programme be supplied with working tools and start-up funds to establish their businesses. 

    Mrs Adeleke, while speaking at the training flag-off, noted that it is what the youths of today need to advance in life. 

    According to her: “The multifaceted initiative is a product of Esther Adeleke Humanitarian Foundation, Empowerment and Skill Acquisition Programme targeted at aiding the interest of trainees on beauty, cosmetology and hair-dressing.

    “I picked the participants from across each of the local governments in Osun State. The criteria is that the participants must be young, vibrant and passionate about developing skills that will carry them on in life. 

    ”They will be engaged in intensive training in various vocations listed for the programme. We want to train impactful youths who will be change agents in society. 

    ”Today, young people are vibrant, creative and exhibit lots of energy to do positive things. I initiated the project to channel such energy meaningfully and also empower them to be self-reliant and independent,” she said.

  • Osun communal clash: Peace talk suffers hiccup as community withdraws from Adeleke’s committee

    Osun communal clash: Peace talk suffers hiccup as community withdraws from Adeleke’s committee

     The ongoing peace talk to end communal war between Ifon and Ilobu communities of Osun State suffered a setback yesterday as one of the parties involved withdrew from the committee set up by Governor Ademola Adeleke.

     The Nation recalled that Governor Adeleke intervened after the war surged again in late January 2024 leaving three people dead. The renewed war was premised on the October 2023 clash where several lives were lost and properties destroyed.

     Subsequently, Adeleke held meetings with the two community leaders and also inaugurated a 14-member Conflict Resolution Committee which has 4 representatives each in Ilobu and Ifon. Adeleke also included two representatives from the Okanla community.

     Meanwhile, the Olobu of Ilobu, Oba Ashiru Olaniyan through the counsel of the community, Olatoye Aminu wrote to Governor Adeleke to inform him of the decision of the town to withdraw from the Conflict Resolution Committee because Okanla was recognized as a town like Ilobu, Ifon-Osun, Erin-Osun.

    Read Also: Sanwo-Olu to flag off N750 million ‘trader money’ for 15,000 beneficiaries on February 14

     According to a copy of the letter obtained by The Nation, “Again, we hereby, on behalf of our Client, raise a serious objection to the inclusion and/or participation of the nominees of Okanla family in the Community Peace Resolution Committee. Our Client’s objection is predicated on the Okania family comprising a 2-house compound within llabu and does not and should not enjoy the status of a community like ilobu, Ifon-Osun, and Erin-Osun.

     “Azeez Bashir Abimbade, Okanla family’s first nominee in the list of the 14-man Community Peace Resolution Committee, has not, whether presently or in the past, associated himself with Okanla Compound, llobu; he is the  current Local Government Party Chairman for the Peoples Democratic Party, Similarly, Chief Taofik Lawal Arulogun(2nd nominee) is known to be a member of Arulogun family of Arulogun Village, Ibadan, Oyo State.”

     He noted that “Consequent to the above, therefore, our Client hereby gives notice to your Excellency of the withdrawal of ilobu representatives from the inauguration of the Community Peace Resolution Committee.”

  • Youths protest economic hardship in Osun

    Youths protest economic hardship in Osun

    Scores of youths in Osun State have protested high cost of living on the streets in Osogbo, the capital. 

    They converged on the popular Nelson Mandela Freedom Park, Osogbo before they marched to Old Garage through to Ola-Iya with placards and banners.  

    The protesters defied the warning by Osun Police Command against holding any protest in the State. 

    Read Also: Osun Assembly suspends council boss over indiscipline

    The leader of the protesters, Comrade Waheed Lawal, said: “Government must do whatever they need to do to make sure that the people benefit from the reforms of the federal government. We reject hardship in our lives, in our economic because Nigerians deserve the best.”

  • Tension as six die in Osun cult clash

    Tension as six die in Osun cult clash

    There is palpable tension in Ilesa and Osu communities of Osun State after six people were killed during a cult clash. 

    The Nation gathered that the incident started on Wednesday after members of the Aye confraternity engaged in a superiority fight with Eiye group over the killings of some of their members in Ilesa.  

    It was gathered a bread seller, Oluwaseun Igwe, was killed by the members of Aye in Ilesha resulting in a counterclash among the members which led to the death of another two people. 

    On Thursday there was a counter-attack at Osu in Atakunnosa West Local Government Area of Osun State when three people were killed. 

    Read Also: Osun Assembly suspends council boss over indiscipline

    The spokesperson of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps(NSCDC), Kehinde Adeleke confirmed six people have been killed so far in the cult clash and operatives have been deployed to restore peace to the affected areas and make arrests. 

  • Osun Assembly suspends council chair in Adeleke’s hometown over indiscipline

    Osun Assembly suspends council chair in Adeleke’s hometown over indiscipline

    The Osun State House of Assembly on Wednesday, February 7, suspended the caretaker chairman of Ede South local government area, Lukman Afolabi.

    The Nation learnt that Afolabi was suspended over gross misconduct and disrespectful and unguarded utterances to the Speaker of the Assembly, Adewale Egbedun during a peaceful meeting with local government chairmen in the state at the Assembly.

    Read Also: NAFDAC officials begin enforcement of ban on sachet alcoholic drinks in Osun

    It was gathered that Afolabi was cautioned over his action but flayed corrections at the Assembly complex which resulted in the suspension.

    A release by Egbedun through his press secretary, Olamide Tiamiyu stated that Osun State House of Assembly has suspended the Caretaker Chairman of Ede South Main Council, Lukman Afolabi for misconduct.

    The suspended chairman is expected to hand it to his vice immediately.

  • Tension over alleged plots to relocate Osun institution

    Tension over alleged plots to relocate Osun institution

    There is tension in Esa-Oke community in Obokun Local Government Area of Osun State over purported plans to relocate Osun State College of Technology (OSCOTECH) to another town. 

    Youths in the community protested the alleged plots by the Osun State Government. They stormed the houses of chiefs and leaders of the community to warn against the plots, saying, “we may end up shooting ourselves.” 

    In a video sighted by The Nation, the youths visited houses of the chiefs in the community. The leader of the youths, addressing one of chiefs said: “We are going about to warn against the plan of government to relocate 10 out of 16 courses in OSCOTECH to Ibokun(community of Chairman Governing Board) and Ipetu. 

     “If the government goes ahead with the planned relocation, it will not be easy for them. We are going to besiege the entrance of the school and all masqueraders of the community will join us tomorrow. 

    “The government can mobilise against us, we might end up shooting and hacking ourselves. They can kill us but we won’t relent in this struggle. The Governing Board chairman, Diran Odeyemi is behind this move and we are going to resist it.” 

    But Odeyemi in a statement on Monday denied the allegation. 

     He said: “We are not relocating any department away from the main campus of the College. What we plan to do is to expand our academic scope through mounting of new programmes without adding more burden to finances of the institution.

    Read Also: Rumpus in Osun community over refusal of Adeleke to sack monarch

    “The council plans to seek NBTE approval for a proposed Mass Communication programme. The new programme being proposed will require setting up of necessary facilities for teaching and practicals. In Ibokun, we have a broadcast station owned by Osun State Government that can be used for the training of students, after accreditation has been secured.”

    Commissioner for Education, Dipo Eluwole in a statement explained: “It has come to our notice that there is a mayhem at Esa-Oke township, surrounding the rumour that the State Government is planning to site a satellite campus of Osun State College of Technology, Esa-Oke at Ibokun. 

    “The general public is hereby called to note that this assumption is far from the truth unfounded and entirely baseless. It must have emanated from anti-government individuals who are enemies of peace, tranquillity and progress of the State.“

  • Old students urge Osun govt to tackle infrastructure shortfall in schools

    Old students urge Osun govt to tackle infrastructure shortfall in schools

    The Association of Old Students of Obokun High School, Osun State has fingered the poor state of facilities in schools as part of the factors responsible for the surge in the number of out-of-school children in the state.

     The Nation reports that Osun State has the highest number of out-of-school children after Governor Ademola Adeleke sacked 1,500 teachers employed by the previous administration.

     Meanwhile, the ex-students of Obokun High School through their National Caretaker chairman, Pastor Oluwatobi Olorunsola, during a news briefing to mark the 70th anniversary of the school called for partnership between stakeholders and government to tackle the surge.

    Read Also: We did 90-km of roads in one year, says Osun Govt

     He said: “The state government need to rise to the challenge and rescue the education sector. I want to call on the state governor to save the education sector in the state. Unfortunately, Osun ranks high in the state for out-of-school children in the Southwest. The out-of-school children if not promptly brought back to class may end up being those who will trouble the state and its residents in the near future. There is a need to provide basic amenities in public schools in the state to make them attractive to students and parents.”

     “The state of schools across the state is not too good compared to our time and the government needs to help public schools to be able to compete with private ones.”

     Olorunsola appealed to old students in the state to assist the government by giving back to their alma mater, saying, “the old students need to help in rescuing the situation. As we are celebrating the 70th anniversary of our school, the old students have decided to help the school with projects that would assist the students in their learning.”