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Tag: Oyo state

  • Oyo Lawmaker declares free weekly medical service in constituency

    Oyo Lawmaker declares free weekly medical service in constituency

    A member of the House of Representatives representing Lagelu/Akinyele federal constituency of Oyo state, Hon. Olatoye Sugar as set aside every Wednesday as a day for free medical services for old people and pregnant women across his constituency.

    The free medical services include ultrasound scanning for pregnant women, eye treatment with glasses and drugs, malaria treatment for children and adults as well as blood sugar level, HIV, Urine and stool test aimed at reducing the astronomical medical fees for rural dwellers in the constituency.

    In a statement signed by his Media Aide, Sola Omotayo and made available to newsmen in Abuja on Sunday, the lawmaker appealed to wealthy Nigerians to also support less privileged members of the society.

    The lawmaker urged citizens to remain patriotic and committed to the Nigerian project even in the face of economic hardship, assuring that better days lie ahead of all of them.

    Hon. Sugar commended the spirit of togetherness, oneness and peaceful coexistence exhibited during the just concluded sallah festivity, saying that, it is only in an atmosphere of peace devoid of political, ethnic and religious acrimony that Nigeria could achieve the desired greatness.

    In his words, he said: “People should exhibit a high level of care and concern to fellow human being during the Sallah celebration and beyond as only the living can partake in the joy of the season now and afterwards”.

    While urging members of the public to celebrate in moderation and be security conscious to avoid any form of disaster as criminals take advantage of this kind of season to perpetrate evil, he charges all security agencies to be at their best in ensuring a hitch free Celebration.

    Hon Sugar however congratulated the President Muhammadu Buhari, Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State, Senate President Bukola Saraki, Speaker of House of Reps, Yakubu Dogara, Chief Imam of Ibadanland, Alaafin of Oyo, Olubadan of Ibadanland, Aseyin of Iseyin and all Muslim faithfuls across Nigeria on this year’s Eid – el-Kabir celebration.

  • Ajimobi, Chief Imam of Ibadan, preach love, peace at Sallah

    Ajimobi, Chief Imam of Ibadan, preach love, peace at Sallah

    Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has called on Nigerians particularly Muslims to imbibe the spirit of love, togetherness and peaceful co-existence as exemplified by Holy Prophet Muhammed.

    He spoke with newsmen after the Eid prayers on Friday at Agodi prayer ground, Ibadan.

    Ajimobi, who said he prayed for the peace and progress of the state and the country, stressed the need for the people to accept meaningful development.

    “I pray that God accepts our supplications and grant our hearts’ desires. I pray that God bless us all.

    “This is a time for us to forgive and accept in good faith what God has ordained. The peace and development of this state and Nigeria is sacrosanct,’’ he said.

    Ajimobi said it was only in an atmosphere of peace and love that the country and its people could thrive and attain their potential.

    “I enjoin you to continue to exhibit love toward your fellow human beings and rededicate yourselves to the service of Almighty Allah and humanity as demonstrated by Prophet Muhammed during his earthly sojourn.”

    Ajimobi commended the people for their understanding and continued support for his administration in its quest to redefine governance and take the state to greater heights.

    He added:“I want to assure the citizenry that this administration will continue to introduce people-friendly policies.”

    The governor, however, congratulated the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji, and prayed to God to continue to strengthen him and grant him wisdom.

    Ajimobi, who described the monarch as a father of all, urged him to continue to play his fatherly role and shun “external political influence”.

    Similarly, the Chief Imam of Ibadan,  Sheikh AbdulGaniy Abubakri, urged Muslims to embrace love, peace, perseverance and total re-dedication to God as they celebrate the Eid-el-Kabir.

    “Development thrives only in an atmosphere where peace and harmony exist.’’

    He called on Nigerians to fervently pray for the prosperity of the state and the nation and urged them to eschew acts capable of denying them blessings from God.

  • Ajimobi inaugurates N2.23bn Oluyole-Apata road, bridge

    Ajimobi inaugurates N2.23bn Oluyole-Apata road, bridge

    Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State on Thursday in Ibadan inaugurated the 5.5km Mobil-Oluyole- Apata Road and bridge.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the reconstruction of the road was awarded to M/S Adold Engineering Development Company Ltd in March 2015 at a cost of N2.23 billion.

    Ajimobi said the completion of the project was another fulfillment of his administration’s promise to decongest roads and ease intra-city transportation.

    “I am highly elated that we are able to convert our dreams into reality. We are building road networks because they are important for socio-economic development,’’ he said.

    The governor said that his administration had constructed several roads in Ibadan including Challenge-Toll Gate, Challenge-New Garage, Eleyele-Dugbe- Jericho- Aleshinloye, Iseyin and Ogbomoso.

    He said the Idi Ape- Bashorun-Akobo Ojurin, Ologuneru-Eleyele, Oke Adu-Iwo road, Gate-Adegbayi, Challenge-Orita Challenge-New Garage, Saki- Ilesha-Ibaruba roads were undergoing reconstruction, dualisation and expansion.

    “As we are doing these, we have been witnessing massive arrival of foreign investors in the state. We must develop Ibadan and Oyo State,” he said, commending residents and commuters for enduring the pains of  reconstruction.

    Mr Wasiu Dauda, the State Commissioner for Works and Transport, said the road which has pedestrian walkway and a three-span bridge over Alaro river, had considerably reduced travel time and raised the values of properties in the area.

    In his remarks, Oba Lekan Balogun, Otun-Olubadan, one of the 21 newly inaugurated traditional rulers, commended the governor for the execution of the project, describing him as a builder.

    Mr Gbenga Opaleye, the Caretaker Chairman, Ibadan South-West Local Government, also thanked the governor for reconstructing the  road.

  • How Ibadan got 32 new obas

    The administration of Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi made history on Sunday when it crowned 21 of the 32 obas whose thrones were newly created by the review of the Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration. BISI OLADELE gives details of how the thrones were created amidst misunderstanding and power play

    When Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi inaugurated a commission of enquiry to review the 1959 Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration on May 9, this year, some stakeholders within the high echelon of the city’s traditional system raised eyebrows. They  accused him of attempting to tinker with the 50-year-old system for political gains.

    They said Ajimobi was planning to prevent some people from ascending the throne of the Olubadan, rupturing the peaceful ascendancy system and ultimately creating confusion among indigenes.

    Former Governor Rashidi Ladoja, who is also the Osi Olubadan, sued the panel and the governor to court. The plaintiffs prayed the court to issue an order restraining the panel from sitting or taking any decision on the Declaration.

    While the court followed the process of hearing the case, Ajimobi sought an audience with the Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Saliu Adetunji, and the 12 members of the Olubadan-in-Council, explaining to them what he described as the pressing need to review the 50-year-old system to reflect modern realities.

    According to him, he made them see very clearly that he had no hidden or political agenda for making the efforts.

    Consequently, the Otun Olubadan, the then High Chief Lekan Balogun, who is the next-in-line to the throne of the Olubadan, withdrew from the suit, leaving only Ladoja as the plaintiff. Balogun told reporters that after listening to Ajimobi, he saw his sincerity and the great benefit the review would bring to the stool of the Olubadan and Ibadan as a town.

    The panel completed its sitting and submitted its report which created 32 new stools for Obas earlier in August.

    But Ladoja is still in court, pursuing his opposition to the review on the strength that the Declaration is purely traditional, hence only the Olubadan-in-Council and other related Ibadan interest groups can tamper with it. Ladoja told our correspondent on Friday: “The Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration is a native, local law, not a state law. So, the state government has no right to tamper with it. It is the business of only Ibadan people.”

    On why he did not show up to collect his letter as one of the new Obas, he quipped: “I am not interested in anything they are doing because it is illegal,” referring to the subsisting court case.

    However, 21 of the 32 Obas were coronated in a mass ceremony at the historic Mapo Hall on Sunday.

     

    Why the review

     

    In an advertorial published by the state government on Sunday, it explained that the decision for the review stemmed from attempts by previous administrations as well as request to do so from the majority of members of the Olubadan-in-Council, the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) and other major stakeholders. The government recalled that attempts to review the system began in 1974 during the military era, and that the changes brought to the system were effected. The same happened in 1981.

    “The Oloko Commission of Enquiry was set up on April 1, 1993 by Governor Kolapo Ishola to review Chieftaincy Declarations across the state. The recommendations were accepted by Governor Lam Adesina. Upon becoming Governor, Senator Rasheed Adewolu Ladoja suspended the White Paper and ultimately the recommendations of the Oloko Commission were abrogated by him.” The advertorial read in part.

    It further explained that Ladoja’s administration also set up another commission whose recommendations did not ‘see the light of the day.’

     

    Details of the new system

     

    All 11 high chiefs who are members of the Olubadan-in-Council, are now Obas with the title ‘His Royal Majesty.’ But they still retain their original titles of ‘Otun Olubadan,’ ‘Osi Balogun,’ ‘Ekerin Olubadan,’ ‘Ashipa Balogun’ among others. Because they retain their ranks within the Olubadan-in-Council, they will ascend the ladder until the next-in-line mounts the throne after the death of any current Olubadan.

    Besides, each of the Royal Majesties has a local government in the city as his domain. There are 11 local governments in Ibadan. Because they now wear beaded crowns, only a beaded-crown Oba is eligible to become Olubadan from now.

    With the review, the Olubadan is now known as His Imperial Majesty because he has lower Obas under him. He also retains the consenting and prescribed authorities for the entire Ibadan land. Consequently, only the Olubadan has ‘of Ibadan land’ in his title, meaning that all other Obas, who include former baales, are traditional rulers of their communities which are in Ibadan land.

    The implication is that the Olubadan is the supreme ruler of Ibadan land.

    For emphasis, the White Paper states: “Any Oba in Ibadan land who shows disregard or disrespect to the position or authority of the Olubadan through refusal to pay necessary customary obeisance and flouting of superior customary authority shall be investigated by a committee of traditional chiefs and appropriate sanction will be recommended against any guilty offender. A very serious infraction of the tradition can be reported to the state governor through the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters.”

    With the review, the two lines to the throne of the Olubadan (Olubadan and Balogun)  are retained but with the Olubadan line now known as the Otun Olubadan line.

    While the 22 steps in Otun Olubadan line have been reduced to 11, the rungs in the Balogun line have also been reduced from 23 to 12. The reduction was aimed at allowing younger people to emerge as the Olubadan.

    The senior chiefs, who are next to the high chiefs in rank, have also been elevated from customary senior to recognised chiefs “under Part II of the Chiefs Law in order to maintain the customarily cherished seniority of the senior chiefs over the various baales who are already recognised under the Part II of the Chiefs Law, including ancient baales.”

    The Olubadan-in-Council has been changed to Council of Obas in Ibadan land.

    Those coronated at the weekend were His Royal Majesty (HRM) Oba Senator Lekan Balogun -the Otun Olubadan of Ibadan land; HRM Oba Akinloye Owolabi Olakuleyin – the Balogun of Ibadan land; HRM Oba Tajudeen Ajibola – the Osi Balogun of Ibadan land; HRM Oba Eddy Oyewole – the Ashipa Olubadan of Ibadan land; HRM Oba Latifu Gbadamosi-Adebimpe – the Ashipa Balogun of Ibadan land; HRM Oba Abiodun Kola-Daisi – the Ekerin Olubadan of Ibadan land; HRM Oba (Dr) Kolawole Adegbola the Ekarun Balogun of Ibadan land and HRM Oba Amidu Ajibade, the Ekarun Olubadan of Ibadan land.

    While two high chiefs died in the last two weeks, Ladoja, who is the 11th member, shunned the elevation. The Iyalode of Ibadan land is the 12th member of the council.

    The elevated baales were His Royal Highness (HRH) Chief Lasisi Akano – the Onijaye of Ijaye; HRH Oba Ismaila Opeola, Oniroko of Iroko; HRH Oba Moses Akinyosoye; the Onikereku of Ikereku; HRH Oba Mudasiru Adebayo, the Ololodo of Olodo; HRH Oba Victor Okunola, the Elegbeda of Egbeda; HRH Oba Gbolagade Babalola, the Onido of Ido; HRH Oba Olabamiji Thomas, the Alakufo of Akufo; HRH Oba Wahab Okedina, the Oloke of Okelade-Okin; HRH Oba Dauda Omotoso, the Alawotan of Awotan; HRH Oba Adeboye Salako, the Olofa of Offa; HRH Oba Rafiu Alawusa, the Onilagun of Lagun; HRH Oba Tiamiyu Ladipo, the Alaba of Aba-Nla and HRH Oba James Obisesan, the Alakanran of Akanran.

  • Aso-Ofi: Weavers appeal to government, traditional rulers for support

    Aso-Ofi: Weavers appeal to government, traditional rulers for support

    Weavers of Aso-Ofi from Iseyin area of Oyo State have appealed to the State Government and traditional rulers to intensify the promotion of Aso-Ofi as part of efforts to attract investors.

    Mr Kazeem Adewuyi, the Chairman, Iseyin Weavers and Marketers Association made the appeal in Ibadan on Thursday after an inter-ministerial briefing by the State Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the association is partnering with the state government on the hosting of the second edition of `Aso-Ofi Day’ scheduled to hold on Sept. 15 and 16 in Iseyin.

    NAN reports that the association also partnered the state government in September 2016 to host the first edition of Aso-Ofi day in commemoration of World Tourism Day.

    Adewuyi said that the fabric was yet to gain the expected prominence across the world, saying its acceptability across the world would boost the nation’s economy.

    He said that the association had developed the fabric into various designs and style, which was now being used for several products, ranging from bags, shoes, suits to mention a few.

    The chairman called for more collaborative efforts to make the product attractive and to be accepted worldwide.

    Adewuyi also charged the state government to ensure that the international market was built as promised, pledging its support to government’s industrial initiatives.

    Meanwhile, Oyo State Government has approved 13.5 hectares of land for the establishment of Aso-Ofi International Tourism Market in Iseyin area of the state.

    Mr Toye Arulogun, the state Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism said that the foundation of the international market would be laid by the governor on Sept. 16.

    “The Aso-Ofi International Tourism Market will contain 500 weaving sheds and workshops, 500 exhibition shops, a warehouse, the first indigenous textile museum in Nigeria, a fire station, a clinic and a police station,’’ he said.

    He said that the state was determined to fully reap maximally from the economic potentials of Aso-Ofi.

    According to him, Aso-Ofi Festival is conceptualised to showcase and celebrate the locally made fabric that is now an internationally accepted brand.

    “The celebration opened our eyes wider to the potential that abound, which include trade and commercial activities likewise employment and job creation.

    “Financial institutions have also been having serious and genuine engagements with the weavers and marketers while export opportunities are also being exploited.”

    Arulogun said that 2017 edition was expected to attract Iseyin sons and daughters at home and in the Diaspora as well as national and international tourists and traders.

    He said that the state government through the ministry currently operated Identity, Package, Promote and Partner (IPPP) policy.

    The commissioner said that data base for all the cultural tourism potential in the state had been created to package and make them more attractive.

    Arulogun said that the government was now in the process of short listing companies for the Public Private Partnership engagement of major cultural tourism sites across the state.

  • Street trading: Ajimobi vows to sanction recalcitrant traders

    Street trading: Ajimobi vows to sanction recalcitrant traders

    Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has warned street traders who display and sell goods by the roadsides and under the bridges across the state to vacate or be sanctioned.

    He gave the warning on Tuesday in Ibadan, saying that a clean and beautiful environment has advantages to individuals and the state as a whole.

    The governor appealed to the traders to make the environment more attractive and clean in line with the desire of his administration.

    “Aside from making the environment beautiful, clean and attractive, not trading on the roads or motorways is also a way of protecting the people from unforeseen circumstances like road accidents and mishaps,’’ he said.

    Ajimobi lamented the refusal of the some traders to relocate to markets built by his administration and allocated to them without charge under the clean environment initiative.

    “We will soon commence strict enforcement of environmental laws. We will ensure that recalcitrant traders are arrested and their goods confiscated.

    “There will be no more warning, except to plead with our people to comply with the laws. If our environment is clean, it is in our best interest,’’ Ajimobi said.

    The governor said that his administration had been on the campaign since assumption of office.

    “We built markets for them, yet they did not go there; they are busy doing it their own way by disobeying government, but when we start enforcement, they will start crying foul.

    “We can only appeal to them, and that is what we are doing now, so that they won’t turn around and start saying something else later,’’ he said.

    The governor had on Monday evening toured some major routes of Ibadan metropolis, among which were Molete under-bridge, Challenge and Mokola roundabout.

  • My wife threatened to set me ablaze, husband tells court

    My wife threatened to set me ablaze, husband tells court

    A Mapo Customary Court in Ibadan, on Tuesday dissolved an eight-year-old marriage between, Akibu Oyewole and his wife, Omolara over threat to life.

    The President of the court, Mr Ademola Odunade, in his judgment, awarded custody of the two children to Omolara and directed Akibu to pay a monthly feeding allowance of N8,000 for the upkeep of the children.

    Odunade also directed that the petitioner would in addition be responsible for the children education and other welfare.

    Akibu, a commercial motorcyclist, said that his wife made an attempt to set him and the children ablaze.

    “My lord, I have never seen a trouble making wife like Omolara before.

    “Due to her trouble making and devilish behaviours, she left my home for two solid years before I pardoned and remarried her.

    “Though my relatives objected to my action but I ignored them and admitted her.

    “When she was going then, Omolara went with my clothes.

    “Recently my lord, she started her trouble making as usual when she locked up the door, brought out a sharp knife with a keg of petrol, threatening to set me and the two children ablaze and kill herself.

    “There was nothing I could do and I was held ransom for hours before God rescued me and the children.

    “I am tired of Omolara’s inconsistency and bad behaviours, please separate us,” Akibu pleaded.

    But, Omolara, who consented to the divorce petition, told the court that she was merely scaring Akibu.

    “My lord, I never meant threatening to set him and the children ablaze.

    “I also lied to him that I got pregnant while it was not true.

    “Now, I know that there is no more love between us,” Omolara said.

  • My wife is a prostitute, dissolve our union, husband tells court

    My wife is a prostitute, dissolve our union, husband tells court

    Mr Ademola Odunade, the President of a Mapo Customary Court in Ibadan, on Monday dissolved a two year-old marriage between one Kabir Bakare and his wife Funmilola over adultery.

    Odunade while dissolving the marriage said that the court had nothing more to do since both Kabir and Funmilola had agreed to the dissolution.

    He however, used the opportunity to advise married or intending couples to be faithful to their spouses in order to enjoy lasting union.

    “In the interest of peaceful coexistence, the union between Kabir and Funmilola has ceased to be henceforth.

    “Custody of the two year-old child produced by the union is awarded to the father since Funmilola herself had dumped the child for many months now.

    “Funmilola shall approach the court anytime she wants to see the child,” the Arbitrator said.

    Earlier, Kabir who earned his living as a businessman had explained to the court that his wife Funmilola was an unrepentant prostitute and a troublemaker.

    “When I was exchanging vows with Funmilola two-years ago, I thought that God had answered my prayers for a faithful wife whom I can trust till the end of time, but I was very, very wrong.

    “As a businessman, I go around to ensure that Funmilola and our baby are very comfortable in every aspect of life.

    “However, Funmilola decided to pay me with evil by turning herself to a sex machine whenever I am out of the home allowing herself to be rough handled the way I would never have done.

    “I was told by relatives and friends in the neighbourhood.

    “We caught her red handed in a hotel and what more evidence do I need.

    “When the series of events started unfolding, Funmilola suddenly got pregnant and for the fear that I might query her, she aborted it.

    “I did everything possible to inform her parents about her escapades, but they always backed her actions.

    “The most painful aspect of the whole episode is that it was a popular riffraff that was sleeping with her in the neighbourhood.

    “When she saw that there was no more secret about her waywardness, Funmilola dumped the child that is less than two years on my mother and took to her heels,” Kabir explained.

    In her response, Funmilola agreed to the divorce but was silent on all the allegations leveled against her.

    She however, told the court that Kabir had prevented her access to the child.

    Funmilola who earned her living as a hair dresser prayed the court to direct Kabir to allow her remove her remaining property from his home.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Kabir resides at Ojo-Ekun Village, Oluyole Local Government Area of Oyo State, while Funmilola resides at Bode area of Ibadan.

  • Ibadan to have 32 obas as Olubadan remains paramount ruler

    Ibadan to have 32 obas as Olubadan remains paramount ruler

    Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State Friday vowed to implement every recommendation put forward by the judicial Commission of Inquiry on the review of the existing 1957 (1959) Declaration of Olubadan of Ibadanland and Other Related Chieftaincies in Ibadanland, promising to begin the implementation next month.

    Receiving the formal report of the commission at the executive chamber of the governor’s office, Ajimobi noted that implementation of recommendations had always been a big challenge for all governors who had set up similar commissions to look into the review of the chieftaincy law in the state.

    Meanwhile the commission recommended 11 high Chiefs and 21 baales to wear beaded crowns in the state while also reducing the long steps required for individuals ascending the throne of the Olubadan of Ibadanland among others.

    The commission, set up on May 5, 2017 with seven members and an initial four weeks to submit its report later requested for additional time while additional four members were added, making a total of 11.

    According to the governor, implementing the recommendations will not only justify the efforts, commitments and resources committed into the course but would also give answer to the yarnings of the numerous stakeholders and prominent indigenes who were calling for the review.

    Ajimobi who traced the genesis of effort to review the law to the time of General David Jemibewon up to his immediate predecessor in office, Otunba Christopher Alao-Akala said, just like himself, his predecessors were requested by concerned stakeholders including prominent individuals, socio cultural based groups and others, to look into the chieftaincy laws, which compelled his administration to take the bold step to look into the matter.

    He described as “fortunate and unfortunate” the situation in which virtually all his predecessors could not implement any of the recommendations of the panel they set up assuring that his administration will be remembered for implementing the review

    While assuring that the intention was never to demean the office or status of the Olubadan in anyway, Ajimobi reiterated that it is to upgrade the office and make it in tandem with modern realities as practiced in all other states of the region.

    He said: “We set up this panel out of the request of many members of the Olubadan-in-Council, the CCII and many other stakeholders just the same way they requested many other governors before us.

    “Since the time of Jemibewon, all the governors that were in office set up commission of enquiry to look into the matter but unfortunately and fortunately they were unable to implement the recommendations of the commission.

    “Even Governors Alao-Akala and Ladoja regime also set up the enquiry to review the same law but what we are doing is not new but what is new about it is that we will be placed on record as the government that will implement this review.

    “The review is necessary to review the status of Olubadan but not to deminish him. It is to upgrade and make it in line with what obtains in Lagos, Osun, Ogun and other states. Particularly to make it in line with current trend. By reviewing this law we are democratising traditional rulership in our state”

    The governor who commended the members of the commission, members of the Centre Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) the Olubadan-in-Council and the Olubadan of Ibadanland for their overwhelming support for the review noted that the support gave him the necessary philip and conviction that he is on the right path on the matter.

    He stressed that the revelation that over 120 memoranda were collected on the matter shows the enormity of individuals who are interested and are in support of the review adding that the number remains the highest ever received on any issue and subject whose the views of the people were sort.

    While presenting the report, Chairman of the commission, Justice Akintunde Boade disclosed a total of 120 memoranda were received, three struck out on the basis of not relevant to the terms of reference while nine of the people who submitted memoranda refused , failed or neglected to give oral evidence in support of their memoranda.

    He added that after a careful assessment of all the memoranda submitted, 106 of the 120 memoranda were given due consideration.

    Noting that the report was prepared in three volumes for convenience, the Chairman said, the main report, containing the findings and recommendations of the commission is in volume I, the memoranda received by the commission compiled in volume II while volume III of the report contains the day to day proceedings of the commission.

    Giving a hint into the key recommendations of the commission, the Chairman said the steps to ascendancy to the throne has been reduced from 22 to 11 and 23 to 12 on the Otun Olubadan line and Otun Balogun line respectively.

    He added that if the government will approve the recommendations, atleast 32 beaded crowns monarch will emerge while the Olubadan remains the paramount ruler and overall head of Ibadanland.

    The retired justice also said the age limit for a mogaji, the least on the wrung of the ladder has has been reviewed to between 25-35 and thereby placing an embargo on the appointment of new chiefs.

    However, the commission emphasised and restate the “unassailable fact that the Kabiyesi, the Olubadan of Ibadanland remains the only paramount ruler in Ibadanland”

    He said: “With reference to thr third term of reference on the wearing of beaded crown, the Commission received a total of 91 memoranda. Two of the memoranda were struck out for being irrelevant to the term of reference while five of the memoranda were not supported by oral evidence. The commission considered 84 memoranda on their merit.

    “In considering the various applications for the wearing of beaded crowns, the commission gave preference to the eleven high chiefs in the Olubadan-in-Council and the carefully identified nine ancient Baales which are found eligible and five baales who are members of the Oyo state council of Obas and chiefs.

    “We also considered four other baales on the basis of their historical antecedents”

  • Court dissolves 12-year-old marriage over threat to life

    Court dissolves 12-year-old marriage over threat to life

    A Mapo Customary Court in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Friday dissolved a 12-year-old marriage between Oluwatoyin Olanrewaju and her husband, Asimiyu Olanrewaju, over threat to life.

    The president of the court, Mr. Ademola Odunade, held that the union between Oluwatoyin and Asimiyu collapsed due to irreconcilable differences.

    “In the interest of peace and order, the union between both of you has ceased to be, henceforth.

    “The custody of the two children produced by the union is granted to Oluwatoyin.

    “Asimiyu shall pay a monthly feeding allowance of N10,000 for their  upkeep in addition to being  responsible for their education and other welfare,” Odunade said.

    Earlier, Oluwatoyin, a nurse by profession had told the court that her husband, Asimiyu, was threatening her life with machete.

    “My lord, ever since I married Asimiyu, I have never known anything called peace as he usually frustrated my stay in his house with the threat of hacking me to death.

    “From day one of our marriage, his mother stated that she was not going to accept me as her son’s wife because I was no match for him.

    “I told Asimiyu to let us terminate the relationship, but he promised that he would forge ahead with me.

    “I saw hell when I was to be delivered of our first child. Only the placenta was coming out from my vaginal while the baby refused to come out until God took charge.

    “After then, he turned me into a punching bag anytime he wished.

    “Worst still, Asimiyu often destroyed my clinic equipment, thereby denting my image before my patients or customers.

    “For years, he decided not to fend for the children and me until he sent us out of the house.

    “In fact, Asimiyu has no milk of human kindness in him,” Oluwatoyin said.

    Asimiyu, an employee of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in Ibadan, accepted the divorce suit.

    He, however, denied most of the allegations Oluwatoyin leveled against him.

    “My lord, it is absolutely untrue that my mother contributed to the marital problems between Oluwatoyin and me.

    “I must say that I made a terrible mistake to have ventured into the marriage.

    “Oluwatoyin has done everything within her power to pull me down from greatness and I am still facing the challenges till date.

    “I am a Muslim and I married her while she was a member of the Christ Apostolic Church.

    “All of the sudden, she started attending a white-garment church and was performing rituals for people in my house.

    “I got irritated because we never, ever discussed converting my house into a spiritual centre.

    “That was what she meant when she alleged in her submission that I was denting her image before her patients or customers

    “Oluwatoyin had no time to take care of our children because she devoted all her time to her spiritual activities.

    “The older of our two children was supposed to write his promotional examination in his school, but Oluwatoyin refused to let him go.

    “I became angry because of her action and I took the child away from her. She, however, reported the matter to the Orita-Aperin Police Station and some policemen from there to arrest me.

    “For the past one month, I have been taking care of that child which means that I am capable of catering for our two children in her absence,” Asimiyu said.