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Tag: Oyo state

  • Pains, losses as Oyo communities clash

    Pains, losses as Oyo communities clash

    Oke-Amu and Ipapo (in Itesiwaju Local Government Area) and Isalu community in Iseyin Local Government Area of Oyo State have been on each other’s jugular over boundary issues. The dispute has left pains and destruction on its trail as brothers attack brothers 

    Things are no longer at ease between two neighbouring communities in Oyo State. Members of the two communities have lived peacefully together as brothers for several decades. Suddenly, they have turned against each other as a result of land boundary matters.

    Farmers are worst hit as they count their losses in series of attacks launched on their various farmlands.

     

    Tales of woes and pains

    Bolaji Sulaiman, a trader in Arokoyi Compound, Oke Amu, was on his way to Iseyin en route Lagos when he noticed a gang of about 100 hoodlums some 200 metres ahead. He said they possessed some dangerous weapons that included guns, machetes, axes and cutlasses, among others.

    He revealed that he also reported the matter at the Ipapo Police Station but it was obvious the security officers on ground could not overpower the hoodlums because they possessed sophisticated weapons.

    The following day, the mission of the hoodlums was clearer as they had invaded the nearby farms, beating farmers, farm workers, destroying farm produce, cutting down cash crop trees and wreaking as much havoc as they could.

    Mr Jimoh Lawal, a farmer and indigene of Oke Amu said he was in his farm the following day when he received calls from two of his friends who are indigenes of Iseyin, alerting him that some hoodlums had set out to storm some farmlands in Oke Amu and with a threat of killing anybody who dared to stop them.

    When reality dawned on him, he was the only one left in the farm in that axis as all others who got a similar alert had left for home.

    Several others who spoke to Southwest Report narrated similar alleged ordeals in the hands of Iseyin indigenes. While some alleged that their farmlands were destroyed, some had their vehicles vandalised.

    A former councillor, Ojo Monsuru, who had always been involved in every community meeting involving the town with Iseyin on the matter said except for the peaceful nature of the Oke Amu people, the Iseyin people had done enough to attract their wrath and anger.

    He narrated the case in which the police authorities instructed that five representatives from each community should accompany the community leaders to the areas in contention but that even the police authorities were shocked when more than the required number from Iseyin had gone to lay siege to Oke Amu people, thereby frustrating any bid to resolve the issue permanently.

    He added that the territories in question are just less than two kilometres to Oke Amu Main Market. He wondered how Iseyin could be claiming ownership of such a place that Oke Amu people had lived in and cultivated for many years.

    But the Chairman of Isalu Council of Indigenes, Alhaji Waheed Shittu, disagreed.

    Confirming that there is a serious crisis between the two communities; Shittu said it was wrong for the Oke Amu people to have instituted a case against Iseyin to claim ownership of most of the lands that belonged to Iseyin.

    He, however, faulted the complacency of the police in handling the matter, noting that Oke Amu was trying to cede the land to itself through the influence of its indigenes in top government positions.

    He stressed that the lands in question belonged to Iseyin people who were cultivating them before they were attacked and chased out by the Oke Amu indigenes.

     

    Fanning the embers of violence 

    One of the factors that have not helped matters is the different historical views on the boundary matter. While the Aseyin of Iseyin, Oba Adekunle Salau believes that the Oke Amu indigenes were originally their guests, the Olugunwa of Okeho, Oba Kasali Omotoso, faulted Aseyin’s account.

    The Aseyin, who also doubles as the Chairman, Conference of Oke Ogun Obas and Chiefs, accused the people of Ipapo and Oke Amu of erroneously claiming ownership of the land belonging to the people of Iseyin.

    He reiterated his stand that the people of Ipapo and Oke Amu communities were given their present location by the Aseyin.

    His words: “For those who care to know the history, Ipapo and Oke Amu and several other communities in Itesiwaju were given their present territory by Aseyin.

    “Which year was Oke Amu established? Which year was Iseyin established? Where did they migrate from before settling at Oke Amu and how did they get there? Ask them how was Basorun Gaa related to them up till Ibadan? Now, where did this crop of generation in Oke Amu come from? What pursued them from Igbojaye and who led them to their present site? Let them answer the questions.”

    But the Olugunwa of Oke Amu would not agree with such historical ‘distortion’.

    Olugunwa said: “We migrated from Oke Amu Okuta near Igbojaiye, Itesiwaju to Ipapo during the Dahomey War and the people of Ipapo accommodated us for almost three years. During that period, we discovered that there were culture and norms of Ipapo people which did not fall in line with our own culture. There were dos and don’ts, which we felt were not compatible.

    “By the time we settled here, it was only Ipapo that existed and we shared a boundary with Oyo Alaafin.”

    However, the monarch did not deny the fact that his community shares some close affinity with the people of Iseyin before things went awry.

     

    Government’s failure

    After perceiving what he described as an illegal and wrong mapping of the area, the Aseyin had written to the state government to call its attention to the apparent anomaly. The letter, dated July 2013 was entitled “Complaint of Encroachment on Iseyin Communities’ Land, Iseyin Local Government Area Through the use of a Provisional Local Government Map of Oyo State”. The letter was written and signed by the current Aseyin.

    The monarch also sent a high-powered delegation to the then Commissioner for Lands, Housing and Survey. No doubt, government’s delay in responding in view of that has not helped matters. But in a terse response from the authorities, the government directed that “status quo must be maintained pending the time the state government would resolve the boundary dispute amicably.”

     

    Peace moves

    Interestingly, despite the turbulent nature of the crisis, neither of the monarchs is unaware of the danger that awaits the people and the community at large if the matter is allowed to degenerate into full-blown disaster or go beyond what it is. Thus, both monarchs claimed they are ready to ensure that peace reigns even though none of them expressed willingness to let go the parcels of lands in contention.

    “In another development, the Area Commander, Oyo Zone, invited us for a peace meeting and urged both parties to go back and resolve the issue amicably and we both agreed to do so. Even the Oniro of Otu, Oba Sunday Adepoju volunteered to lead the move.”, Oba Omotoso stated.

    On his part, the Aseyin expressed willingness to initiate a peace move with the Olugunwa but accused the people of the community of preventing their monarch from reaching out to him in order to facilitate a peace meeting.

    Aseyin said: “I can only appeal to Oke Amu people to allow their monarch (Olugunwa) to see me. I cannot force him to see me and it is not possible for me to just storm the place. They should allow him to see me. Olugunwa truly wanted to see me but his people are the ones stopping him from doing so. I wish they would listen to their monarch and let him see me so that we can talk and address the issue. I am not in support of the criminality associated with the attacks. Whosoever has destroyed another man’s property unduly is a criminal.”

     

    In search of lasting peace

    However, as the matter lingers, one thing that is common in the request of the warring communities is for the Federal Government, through the appropriate agencies, ministries or departments, to urgently intervene and resolve the boundary issue by letting each community know the extent of its boundary as an aftermath of the new creation of the local government that happened about 21 years ago. This seems to be the lasting solution both communities expect from the government and all relevant authorities.

     

    Police reaction

    The spokesperson of the state’s Command, Superintendent Adekunle Ajisebutu confirmed that the case was logged at the Oyo Area Command and that both monarchs (Aseyin and Olugunwa) and community leaders were invited to a peace move but that the effort did not yield the desired result. He said the matter had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation.

    While confirming that some arrests were made from both communities, Ajisebutu revealed that police have intensified patrol within the affected communities, pointing out that peace has been restored. He warned that the police would not condone any form of criminality in any part of the state.

    If left unresolved, this communal scuffle is sure to balloon into a bigger violence that will affect agriculture and food production as well as create a serious security threat to the state.

  • Oyo approves N2bn for rehabilitation of 100 schools

    Oyo approves N2bn for rehabilitation of 100 schools

    Oyo State Government has approved two billion naira for rehabilitation of 100 public secondary schools and construction of four compartments VIP toilets.

    This was announced in a statement by the State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr. Toye Arulogun and made available to newsmen in Ibadan on Sunday.

    Arulogun stated that the projects, which cost N2 billion would be handled by 10 contractors across the state.

    He said that the upgrading of infrastructure in schools to facilitate the provision of enabling learning environment and fast track transformation and repositioning of education sector in the state, was non-negotiable.

    The commissioner emphasised that the Ajimobi-led administration had prioritised education as one of its legacy sectors.

    He explained that 34 schools would be renovated in Ibadan, 30 in Oke Ogun, 15 in Ogbomoso and 12 in Oyo zones while the remaining nine were in Ibarapa zone.

    “Among the schools to be rehabilitated with the construction of four compartments VIP toilets are Emmanuel Grammar School, Samonda; Anglican Grammar School, Kudeti and Otun Agbaakin Community Grammar School, Akinyele.

    “In the list are Fiditi Grammar School, Fiditi; Orayan Grammar School, Progressive Grammar School, Tede; Community High School, Alarere; Lagelu Grammar School, Agugu and  Jericho High School, Eleyele, among others.

    He said that the state’s Bureau of Public Procurement had issued the certification for the renovation of the one hundred schools, warning that contractors should abide by the project specification and duration.

    The commissioner stressed that  government would not relent in its resolve to positively turn around the education sector.

    Arulogun pointed out that government’s efforts were already yielding fruitful results with the recent 54.4 per cent pass rate in WASSCE, being the best in the last 18 years.

    He said that students from the state also emerged first and second best in the 2017 WASSCE in Nigeria as well as the best 2017 WASSCE students in public schools.

  • Oyo hands over 21 refurbished patrol vans to security agencies

    Oyo hands over 21 refurbished patrol vans to security agencies

    The Oyo State Security Trust Fund Friday handed over 10 refurbished patrol vehicles to the Oyo State Police Command.

    They were a tranche of a total of 21 vehicles refurbished by the fund which are being handed over as they are ready.

    Friday’s 10 vehicles went to the police but heads of other security agencies were in attendance. Five had been given to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) while the DSS got one. Another set of five is being refurbished for the police.

    Presenting the vehicles, the Special Adviser to Governor Abiola Ajimobi on security, Mr Segun Bolarinwa, explained that government refurbished the vehicles to enhance patrol and other related security activities in the state.

    He said government was convinced that no meaningful socio-economic activity can take place without peace and security.

    He pointed out that the security agencies have challenges in several areas, pointing out that the fund helps in areas of communication gadget, emergency call centre, armor vests and pepper spray in addition to vehicles.

    “We need to maintain all our facilities to ensure all security agencies are working well in the state.” He said.

    Bolarinwa put the cost of refurbishing the vehicles at N25 million.

    The Executive Secretary of the Fund, Mr Femi Oyedipe, explained that the vehicles were refurbished as a way of encouraging maintenance culture in addition to exorbitant cost of buying new ones.

    Oyedipe said others would soon be handed over in the second phase. He thanked all the security agencies for cooperating with the state government in its efforts to keep the state safe for all residents.

    Responding on behalf of all security agencies, the Commissioner of Police, Mr Abiodun Odude, expressed gratitude to Governor Ajimobi for coming to the aid of the command by refurbishing 10 patrol vans.

    “We know this is the first phase. This further confirms state government understands of our challenges. We shall ensure that the vehicles are well maintained to make Oyo State safer.”

    At the event were heads of the DSS, Air Force and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

  • Ajimobi seeks CBN support for Oyo agricultural development

    Ajimobi seeks CBN support for Oyo agricultural development

    Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has sought the support of the Central Bank of Nigeria ( CBN ) for the agricultural development of the state, particularly in cassava and maize production.

    The governor made the call on Wednesday in Ibadan during the inauguration of the State Project Monitoring Team and State Technical Advisory team of the Federal Government’s Accelerated Agricultural Development Scheme ( AADS ).

    The Federal Government launched AADS, as part of its efforts to diversify the nation’s economy, boost food security and transform agricultural production.

    Ajimobi, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Chief Moses Adeyemo, said that Oyo State could develop to become the richest state in the country if its agricultural potential was fully harnessed and utilised.

    He urged the CBN, a principal partner in the scheme, to increase funding for the production of cassava and maize, in which the state had a comparative advantage.

    He also charged the committee members to put in their best in efforts to eradicate hunger in the country and create job opportunities for the youth.

    “The purpose of this inauguration is to quickly heed the call of President Muhammadu Buhari on the diversification of the nation’s economy from oil towards agriculture.

    “The president has made it clear to all that agriculture is our surest alternative to oil.

    “Our state is leading in the production of maize and cassava and with the support of the CBN; we can be the best producer of these and other crops in the country.

    “We want to call on the CBN to look into how to increase its budget for this scheme, especially in the South West (geopolitical zone) as the vegetation here is quite different.

    “Our farmers will have to clear thick bushes and trees to cultivate their crops,’’ he said.

    Mrs Tolulope Sadipe, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Projects and Bureau of Investments Promotion ( BIP ), said that maize and cassava were picked for Oyo State because the state had in comparative advantage in the cultivation of the two crops.

    “The targeted commodities under the scheme include rice, maize, cassava, cotton, soy beans, wheat, cocoa, oil palm, fishery, poultry and dairy production, as well as tomatoes and piggery.

    “Each state is expected to identify a maximum of two commodities where it enjoys a comparative advantage.

    “Our state has identified maize and cassava as the two commodities of preference,’’ she added.

    Sadipe said that the newly inaugurated committee would ensure the sustainability of the state’s efforts to empower farmers and provide employment for the youth in the state.

    The special adviser commended the CBN for the visit and the inauguration of AADS Project Monitoring Team.

    Members of the State Monitoring Team include Sadipe, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr Oyewumi Oyewole and the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Mr Victor Atilola,.

    Others are Mr Musibau Olatinwo, the Branch Controller of CBN, Mrs Fadekemi Akande, Mr Adegoke Adenrele, Mr Emmanuel Akinola and Mrs Titilayo Folorunso.

    Members of the State Technical Advisory Committee of AADS include the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Olalekan Alli, and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Agriculture, Prof. Segun Adekunle.

    Others are Mr Sikirullahi Fajimi, Ms Ganiyat Olawoore and Dr Morounkola Thomas.

    NAN

  •  Ajimobi’s wife donates to charity

    No fewer than 30 orphanage homes in Oyo State benefitted from donations by the wife of the Oyo State governor, Mrs Florence Ajimobi. They were presented with various gift items.

    Speaking at the presentation ceremony, Mrs. Ajimobi, who has made the gesture an annual event since the past six years, said her office, in collaboration with the state’s Ministry of Women Affairs, has always celebrated the special day with the citizens of Oyo State, especially the less-privileged. The essence, she said, is to show them love and give them a sense of belonging which, according to her, will further build their self-esteem.

    Items distributed to the beneficiaries included rice, semovita, biscuits and garri. Others were juice, sugar, spaghetti, soap, toiletries and cash, among others.

    Some of the orphanage homes which benefitted from the gesture were Winnie Castle Orphanage, Orita Challenge, Covenant Children’s Home, Akobo Access to Basic Medical Care, Ring Road, His Heritage Home, Oluyole Extension, Living Word Mission (LIWOM), Ososami and Oluwakemi Orphanage Home, Omi Adio.

    Others were New Dawn Home, Ejioku; Royal Dominion Home, Egbeda, Aduke Olaidibo Orphanage Home, Elebu, Rehabilitation Centre for Disabled Children, Moniya, Centre for the Blind (NTCB), Ogbomosho and Bethlehem Orphanage Home, Ipapo, Saki.

    According to Mrs. Ajimobi, the children, despite their vulnerability, remain hopes of the country, adding that the celebration of the country’s independence must also be extended to the less- privileged and vulnerable people so as to give them sense of belonging as future leaders.

    She said: “The children are the leaders of tomorrow. They are our hopes and what we look forward up to. Particularly, we are celebrating them because they are very special and dear to me. The fact that they are vulnerable children does not really make them less-privileged than the others. And that is why any opportunity that I have to put smile on their faces, it gladdens my heart.

    “Every October 1, as we celebrate the nation, as we celebrate freedom, as we celebrate moving from underdeveloped country to a developing country, as we celebrate the peace that reigns in the country and our good leadership, I also want to celebrate these children because they are the leaders of tomorrow.

    “My advice to the children, which is the same advice I will give to my biological children, is that they should have the fear of God. They should continue to work hard and not limit themselves. The only road to success is hard work and there is no limit to what they want to do. They cannot get to the top without hard work. I want them to work hard and we as a state and as mothers, we will support them to achieve their dreams, God helping us.”

    Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, the Coordinator, Children of Promise Ministries (CHIPROM), Ibadan, Mrs. Funmilayo Eden, thanked Mrs. Ajimobi for her thoughtfulness and bringing all the homes together to commemorate Nigeria’s independence.

    While acknowledging that despite the economic challenges Mrs Ajimobi still remembers the less-privileged and vulnerable. She called on other individuals to always remember the needy.

    “Orphanages cannot do all they do in isolation. We need the help of individuals, organisations and institutions. They should contribute in one way or the other to our welfare. No matter how small it is, it will be appreciated in any home you go to.

    “I am calling on all Nigerians to help the less-privileged children as the orphanages cannot do it all alone,” Eden said.

  • Oyo Police chief denies shooting female workers of IAR&T

    Oyo Police chief denies shooting female workers of IAR&T

    Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Mr Abiodun Odude, says his men were not responsible for shooting of two female members of staff of the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training ( IAR&T ), Ibadan.

    Odude made the clarification in a telephone interview in Ibadan.

    The police chief spoke on the reports that policemen drafted to quell students’ protest at the Federal College of Agriculture ( FCA ), Apata, Ibadan, shot two workers of the institute.

    In his comments, Prof. James Adediran, the Executive Director of IAR&T, insisted that two members of staff of the institute were shot by the policemen drafted to quell the students protest at the college.

    “In the process of shooting, two personnel of IAR&T who have nothing to do neither with the students nor the college were shot with live bullets,’’ he said.

    Students of the College of Agriculture had on Monday morning staged a protest over the closure of their school.

    Protesting students blocked the gates to the IAR&T preventing vehicles and people from gaining access into the institute which shares the same premises with college.

    This, however, caused a gridlock on Ibadan-Abeokuta Road at Apata.

    “A woman was shot in the abdomen while a young lady, an intern with us, was shot in the thigh.

    “Two of them are lying critically ill at the Emergency Department of UCH, Ibadan,’’ Adediran said.

    Also, Odude said that the students blocked the Ibadan-Abeokuta Road during the protest, attacked vehicles and threw stones at the police.

    He said that four policemen were wounded as a result of the stones thrown at them by the students.

    “Police fired teargas to push the students to the extreme and were able to arrest some of the students that threw the stones.

    “There was no gun shot,’’ Odude insisted.

    NAN

  • Pastor impregnates house wife, begs court for forgiveness

    Pastor impregnates house wife, begs court for forgiveness

    A mild drama played out Friday at a Customary Court sitting in Mapo area of Ibadan, the Oyo state capital when a pastor in charge of a Celestial church accompanied his mistress to the court to witness the dissolution of her marriage to her legal husband.

    The pastor, David Adebayo, who had earlier told the court that he was the one responsible for the pregnancy his mistress was crying, however pleaded for forgiveness for impregnating Omolara Ojeyemi, a legal wife of Abiodun Ojeyemi.

    Adebayo who resides in Alakuko area of Alagbado, Lagos State confessed that Omolara was his concubine and had been sleeping with her for the past 12 years despite Omolayo residing in Ibadan with her husband in the last seven years.

    He said, “My lord, anytime Omolara left her husband in Ibadan, she used to come to meet me in Lagos where we usually have fun. Sometimes, she comes after her closing hour in her office and returned to Ibadan the following morning.

    “Omolara only told me that she and her husband were no more in good terms even though she already had two children for him. I swear to the holy bible, I didn’t intend to destroy her relationship with her husband, she is just my girlfriend.

    “The pregnancy in her tommy belongs to me. I was the one who disflowered her during my NYSC days. I followed her into the court to ensure that her union with Abiodun is dissolved today not that I am daring the court’s power.”

    Adebayo however, apologized to the court for causing so much disharmony to Abiodun, Omolara’s husband and for having unlawful sexual intercourse with a housewife.

    The president of the court, High Chief Ademola Odunade dissolved the seven year-old marriage between Omolara and Abiodun Ojeyemi but ruled that Abiodun should take custody of the two children their seven years marriage had produced.

    In his remarks before the ruling, Odunade lamented that the society was fast undergoing an unprecedented decay in morality especially how adultery was ruining marriages. He described as unprecedented how a concubine could be so bold to accompany his mistress to a law court despite knowing that the act is an illegality.

    “It is so tragic that a man can deliberately impregnate a housewife with children. It has never happened in the history of this court that a concubine will accompany his mistress to the court with the intention of daring us, saying nothing will happen.

    “In the interest of peaceful living, the union between Omolara and Abiodun has ceased to be henceforth. Abiodun shall take custody of the two children produced by the union,” the Arbitrator stated.

    Narrating his ordeal to the court, Abiodun, a staff of Nigeria Brewery said that Omolara, his wife, was an unrepentant fornicator despite his genuine love for her.

    “My lord, ever since I got married to Omolara seven years ago, little did I know that she had been occupied with all sorts of escapades in the name of going to church vigil. What I know is that she usually told me that she was going for church vigil and I never had any reason to suspect her because I trusted her.

    “However, since around June this year, Omolara started starving me of usual sexual intercourse between husband and wife. Before I eventually knew the truth, Omolara had told me that her concubine was her uncle and I was relating with him well as an in-law.

    “One day, I got home and discovered that she had packed all the property away including mine. In fact, I have never failed to perform my responsibility as a husband to her and as a father to our children.

    “It will be wrong for Omolara to hide under any stupid disguise to be neck deep in adultery. Omolara’s concubine is a Priest at a Celestial Church, Emmanuel Parish Elewiodo-Ojo Ibadan,” Abiodun explained.

    Testifying in the matter, Omolara’s father confessed that Abiodun was a complete gentle son in-law whom he liked so much. He confirmed that he usually renders Abiodun and Omolara monetary assistance anytime they were in need.

    “I know that Abiodun has a great future ahead of him and I used to tell Omolara, my daughter to keep calm. If there was any problem, Abiodun never hesitated to inform me.”

    “I never gave any wife to that naughty concubine and I know that he only wants to cause disaster to the happy relationship between my daughter and Abiodun,” Omolara’s father said.

    Omolara’s mother also added that her daughter has been expelled from the church after hearing that she got pregnant for a concubine.

    All those who gave oral testimony corroborated Omolara father’s testimony. They all in their evidences confirmed that Omolara was deeply into extra-marital affairs even with some other men.

    Abiodun’s younger brother told the court that he had at various times caught her in different hotels with different men on adulterous mission in town. He however, said that he refused to tell his brother in order not to be seen as a distractor.

    But, Omolara who was the plaintiff in the case had earlier informed the court that she was no longer interested in continuing in the marriage with Abiodun because he was threatening her life with scissor attack and irresponsibility.

    She claimed however that Abiodun, her legal husband was the responsible for her pregnancy because she took in shortly before she moved away from her matrimonial home.

    “My lord, I can no more endure hunger and lack of care in Abiodun’s home. My parents have been responsible for our daily needs including feeding, clothing and our children’s education.

    “Worst still, Abiodun used to unleash mayhem on me. My lord, enough is enough, please, separate us,” Omolara stated.

     

  • Okeho: Celebrating 100 years of unity

    Okeho: Celebrating 100 years of unity

    The ancient city of Okeho in Kajola Local Government Area of Oyo State has just marked the centenary anniversary of the return to its present location. YINKA ADENIRAN was at the colourful ceremony

    When an Ilaro crown prince, Ojo Arona, left his father’s kingdom in anger for a distant place in present-day Ogun State because his younger brother was made king in his stead, he was oblivious that he was actually going out to start a life that would rewrite his name in history, a century later.

    Although 10 communities had lived within the vicinity together, the leadership qualities and royal blood in Arona encouraged the neighbours to form a common front to tackle their problems head on. This is so because they had suffered similar security challenges that threatened their survival.

    The decision of the people to form a common alliance gave birth to a town known today as Okeho in present-day Kajola Local Government Area of Oyo State.

     

    The first generation Okeho

     

    According to sources, Old Okeho was founded in 1750 by villages that included Ijo, Bode, Olele, Isale Alubo, Isemi, Imoba, Gbonje, Oke-Ogun and Pamo. Each of the villages had their traditional heads.

    But the villages and towns came together in 1830 in order to form formidable force against the Fulani and Dahomey warriors who attacked them incessantly. Their coming together and sacrificing some of their honours and freedoms, a source said, was as a result of the Onjo of Ijo’s effort, Arilesere Arojojoye, who later became the first Onjo of Okeho after the unification. Indeed the Fulani and Dahomey warriors were put at bay.

    Historically, Owolabi Olukitibi was the last known Onjo of Old Okeho who was assassinated on October 19, 1916. History had it that no Onjo died peacefully or naturally in the Old Okeho. They were either killed or died in mysterious circumstances. In order to stop what was described as the senseless killing of their rulers and supporters, the British administration arrested the arrow-heads of the last uprising in the kingdom and executed them.

     

    The journey of a hundred years

     

    Located on a valley area and surrounded by hills and mountains, Okeho means an area inbetween mountains and hills. The town enjoyed some level of security during the Fuani Jihadists’ and Dahomey wars.

    Tracing the genealogy of the town, the current Onjo of Okeho, Oba Rafiu Osuolale Mustapha noted that the town was founded around 16 A.D when a Crown Prince from Ilaro, Ojo Orona came down here.

    “He left Ilaro because he could not be made king. His younger brother was made the Olu Ilaro and he left the town in annoyance. On his way, he met people who later became his chiefs, he settled, firstly at Omogudu and later at Oke-Ijemu.

    “There were up to 10 communities around the area. They were faced with a common problem of insecurity and were driven away from their original homes during the Fulani/Dahomey wars. When the war was over, the then Onjo, named Onjo Arilesere called all the other communities together and advised them on why they should form one, united town.

    “He also advised them to move to a more secure place. Then, the 10 communities moved to Okeho-Ahoro, a hilly area surrounded by mountains which hid them from the marauders.

    “After the war, there were a number of misunderstandings among the chiefs and the Onjo.

    “Some of the chiefs believed they were also entitled to the supreme stool of Onjo of Okeho and then Onjo’s were either killed or sent on exile.  The kingmakers began to install anyone they liked as Onjo”, the retired Custom chief-turned monarch explained.

     

    The British intervention

     

    In 1916, Onjo Olokibiti was installed and later killed in October that year. This led to a serious civil war among the people of the towns. The crisis attracted the attention of the then colonial administration. The then Divisional Officer of Oyo Province Captain Ross waded into the crisis with the help of the Alaafin of Oyo and asked all the communities to move back to their former places, which is the present day Okeho. The process began in 1916 and by October 1917, the movement was completed and another agreement was reached which still made the Onjo the head of the confederating towns.

    1917 signified the end of the bitter battles among the towns that made up Okeho.

    The present-day Okeho has 15 different communities, 14 headed by Baales and Chiefs and the Onjo as the overall head. The communities are Ijo, Isia, Bode, Ogan, Olele, Isale Alubo, and Isemi.

    Others are Asin, Imoba, Gbonje, OkeOgun, Pamo, Sangote, Ogbinte and Ojete.

     

    The Funfair

     

    To commemorate the centenary anniversary of their return to the original location, sons, daughters and friends of Okeho recently rolled out the drums in a-nine-day event which climaxed with the launch of a book on the history of the community to its present day.

    The theme for the centenary celebration was “Taking Okeho to Greater Heights”.  The book entitled Okeho in History was written by the Asiwaju of Okeho, Prof. Segun Gbadegesin to mark the anniversary.

    The book launch which had the All Progressives Congress National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the Chief Launcher was attended by traditional rulers from within and outside the state, Minister of Communication, Adebayo Shittu, top government functionaries, prominent individuals and lovers of culture.

    While Tinubu was represented by Alhaji Akeem Popoola, Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi was represented by his Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Isaac Ishola, the Alaafin of Oyo; Oba Lamidi Adeyemi was also represented by three members of the Oyomesi-in-Council.

     

    Why the celebration

     

    Justifying the need for the celebration, Oba Mustapha said he was  privileged to witness the historic event of the 100 years that the forefathers brought the people back to the present location. He, however, did not shy away from the reality of an important concern prodding his heart as the celebration lasted.

    “Yes, it was 11 different towns that destiny forged together to become one. We have been living together for over 100 years. But, we have reached another bend in our journey together as a people.

    “Building a great town is not by mere wish or fanciful desire. Building a great town requires real work. The kind of work that calls for collective inputs which will spare no one of us-young, old, men and women. One thing that will help our Okeho Project, is to come together in unity and oneness. And, if you will agree with me, we have just begun another round of dancing together in this community.

    “In other words, let us begin to speak with one voice in order to move forward. I want us to know that we cannot all be in the same religion or political party. We are different individuals with different backgrounds and upbringing and we must respect this.

    “But notwithstanding, we can allow genuine love to reign in our hearts among ourselves and for our town. It is in the atmosphere of love that unity will thrive. Where there is unity, progress and development become easy to accomplish.”

    Corroborating the monarch’s view, the Chairman, Centenary Planning Committee, Mr. Moyo Ajekigbe said the event was unique in the sense that it was one-in-a-lifetime for “most of us”, noting that the occasion called for celebration and thanksgiving because the people have lived peacefully together for a century at the present location without threat to the peace and security from internal and external forces.

    He said: “The occasion also presents an opportunity for our people to get together in a festive mood to make merry and showcase our culture. It is an occasion for our youths who have never met one another (except on Facebook and other ICT platforms) to interact with one another and strengthen their relationships.

    “But the celebration is not just about entertainment and merry-making, it is an opportunity to project the image of Okeho in the consciousness of the people within and outside the community, and to rekindle the bond of friendship and community that has always existed among our people.”

     

    Climax of the celebration

     

    Not unmindful of the importance of the place of records in history, a book which documents the antecedents and history of the town was launched at the event’s grand finale which held at the popular LA School Olele.

    The book entitled Okeho in History, written by the Asiwaju of Okeho, Prof. Segun Gbadegesin was presented to the public. Despite the academic and scholarly efforts put into the work, proceed from the book launch was to be channelled to the development of the town.

    “Prof Gbadegesin, in his usual magnanimity, has not only borne the cost of publishing the book, he has also donated 1,000 copies of the book to the community.

    “The proceeds of the book launch and subsequent sales will be spent on community development projects namely: completion of Onjo’s palace, construction of blocks of classrooms for the School of Health Technology and provision of premises for the proposed branch of National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN)”, the planning committee chairman said.

     

    Thinking forward

     

    Despite the glitz during the celebration, the people were not carried away to chart a new course that will redefine the future of the town. The monarch did not hide his passion for the rapid development of the town, as he urged the sons and daughters to collaborate on taking the town to its next level of development.

    He said: “Egbe Omo Ibile Okeho and Okeho Development Association (ODA) should not rest on their oars. They should bring up laudable projects and programmes that will bring development to Okeho within a short time. I am looking forward to more institutions and production companies to begin to spring up in Okeho community.

    “All hands must be on deck because one success is not enough.  Each Okeho indigene must be ready to do his or her best for his or her town as a payback to the origin,” the monarch appealed.

  • Tipper crushes four, injured 10 in Ibadan

    Tipper crushes four, injured 10 in Ibadan

    Four persons were crushed to death Saturday in Ibadan when a tipper truck conveying sharp sand reported suffered break failure along the Moniya-Iseyin road, Ibadan.

    At least ten persons also suffered varying degree of injuries while five motorcycles and three tricycles were destroyed beyond repair.

    The victims include, a motorcycle operator, a woman, an underage boy and a trader at the Moniya Butcher market, Ibadan.

    Sunday Nation gathered that while all the victims met their misfortune at the point of doing business, the underage boy was said to be on errand to purchase vegetables at the market.

    Save for the woman who died while being rushed to the hospital by members of the public who stormed the scene of the accident, the other victims died before the dust settled.

    The driver of the tipper was said to have escape from the scene of the incident unhurt.

    Sources around the scene of the incident told Sunday Nation that the casualty figure would have been higher if not for a member of the transport union unit at the Moniya garage, who saw the haphazard manner with which the truck was descending the hilly road and who immediately alerted people to scramble to safety.

    According to the source, the tipper driver was seen struggling to gain control of the truck which was suspected to have left a tipper garage within the Moniya axis with the load of sand, but the bad situation of the road did not help matters.

    Chairman, National Union of Road Transport Workers, (Motorcycle), Moniya Garage Unit, Mr. Idris Oladoja described the incident as a sad development that could have been averted.

    Confirming the causality figure, Oladoja said the portholes on the road as well as its narrowness contributed to the number accident urging the government to come to the aid of the road users in the axis.

    His counterpart at the tricycle unit, Mr. Femi Adeniyi said he was the one who saw how the tipper was wavering in its movement while descending the hilly but rough road while it was about 200 metres away.

    He said despite his screaming and shouting that the motorcycles and tricycles parked by the side of the road be cleared, the noise from the environment and vehicular movement made it difficult for some people to get the message on time, after which the tipper swerved into the butcher market.

    Men of the police force from nearby Moniya Divisional headquarters and Ojoo were seen at the scene maintaining traffic flow and law and other.

    When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Oyo State Command, SP Adekunle Ajisebutu said two people were confirmed dead and their corpses deposited at the State Hospital, Mortuary, Ringroad, Ibadan for autopsy.

    The police spokesperson also added that the erring driver of the tipper has been arrested and the accident vehicle recovered to the station for VIO inspection.

    His response reads: “Two victims confirmed dead. Their corpses have been deposited at the State Hospital, Mortuary, Ring Road, Ibadan for autopsy.

    “The erring driver has been arrested, and the accident vehicle recovered to the station for VIO inspection. Investigation is ongoing”

  • Ajimobi’s adviser urges students of striking institutions to remain calm

    Ajimobi’s adviser urges students of striking institutions to remain calm

    The Special Assistant to the Oyo State Governor on Youth Affairs, Bolaji Repete has urged the students of striking institutions in oyo state to remain calm as the state government is doing all within her capacity to ensure that issues are resolved amicably.
    Mr Bolaji while commenting on the strike action embarked upon by institutions in oyo state noted that while the strike action is not that which has made the Government happy, their are concerted efforts to ensure that striking lecturers return to classes, he noted that the ‘disagreement’ would not last for a period too long.
    “I urge the students of the affected institutions to remain calm while the Government looks into resolving all disputes and lingering disagreements that may have led to the strike, while the Government will continue to priotise the welfare of students and youths, we would also continue to put in the front burner, resolving conflicts”
    He further said “what we seek from the students is their continued collaboration with the Governor Ajimobi led Government so we can reopen the Varsities and get things moving on, we appreciate their peaceful nature and hope to see more of it including suggestions on issues affecting the institutions as students are also stakeholders “.
    It would be recalled that some institutions in the state had downed their tools over alleged non-payment  of Salaries by the state government, although Commissioner of Education, Adeniyi Olowofela said the government is already making efforts to meet with the aggrieved staff Union members with a meeting reportedly scheduled for today, Adeniyi noted that the Government is already subsidizing the tuition fee for students in the institution but would do more to promote Education in the state.
    Some of the affected institutions that started their strike action today (Friday) include; The Polytechnic, Ibadan;
    Emmanuel Alayande College of Education, Oyo; Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology; The Ibarapa Polytechnic, Eruwa; The Oke-Ogun Polytechnic, Saki and College of Education, Lanlate.