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Tag: Oyo state

  • Overhauling education in Oyo State

    SIR: There are tough decisions that the public sector must make from time to time based on the changing realities of the moment. We must not be afraid to make those decisions because they are in the best interest of the citizens. And so, even when it means that we have to change our policy on an issue, it is done for the  ultimate good of Oyo people.

    Due to the current realities of the Nigerian economy and Oyo State’s fiscal status in particular, the state government engaged financial experts to provide guidance on how best it could spend what limited resources the state has. One of the things this resulted in is re-evaluating some of the financial burdens government has taken upon itself over many years. For example, the State Government decided that it will no longer bear the financial cost of sending people on pilgrimages.

    An unexpected thing also came out of the exercise. It provided fiscal advice that caused us to look intently at the education sector, not just in terms of its funding, but more importantly in terms of how to put in place measures that will improve the performance of our children.

    Henceforth, there will be a mandatory attendance bar set at 80% because for a student to truly gain an education, he or she must have been present during classes. This is the first prerequisite for promotion, which will no longer be automatic. The system is broken if we are shuffling our children from class to class year-in year-out, regardless of if they have met the criteria to proceed to the next class. That same merit system was the backbone of the founding fathers of our country. To ensure that students have all the help they can get in their studies, extramural classes have been introduced for all JSS3 and SS3 students in Public Secondary Schools.

    Many are asking if this means the state government is going back on its free education policy but I assure you that it is not. What it has done is introduce an Education Development Levy. This development levy is not to be confused with school fees. It’s a token sum of N3,000.00 which will be paid per student on annual basis, and which can be paid in three equal instalments of N1,000 per term. The Parent Teacher Association (PTA) has been doing a lot to support the Oyo State Government’s efforts in the education sector, and this is an easy, institutionalised way the state government is introducing for all parents to join in these efforts. The funds from this levy will be reinvested into the sector, specifically to complement government’s effort in the improvement of infrastructure in Public Secondary Schools.

    With effect from the upcoming 2015/2016 academic session, the Oyo State Government has decided that it will no longer pay the WAEC Registration fees. This is because the state is not in a fiscal position to pay the fees, and because past experience has shown that the quality of education, as it is, is being hindered by the attitude of parents to their children’s education. Many are neither financially nor emotionally invested in the education of their children. This is detrimental to Oyo State’s future because these children are our future.

    Our Governor, Abiola Ajimobi, is constantly preaching the value of ‘Ajumose’ (collectiveness) to the people of Oyo. I want to use this medium to also preach this because there is not much that a government can do if it lacks the support and contribution of the people it seeks to serve. I want to enjoin parents, teachers, administrators and all people of Oyo to join the government in its quest to make sure that our children are properly equipped for the future. Help the government to raise the standard so that we can see an astronomic rise in the percentage of students that graduate from secondary schools with results that will enable them to have the best available tertiary education.

     

    • Sikiru Akinola,

    Oyo Town.

     

  • Buhari’s anti-corruption crusade best for Nigeria – Ajimobi

    Buhari’s anti-corruption crusade best for Nigeria – Ajimobi

    Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has expressed full support for the anti-corruption crusade of President Muhammadu Buhari, saying it is the best for the country.

    Ajimobi, at a radio programme monitored in Ibadan on Saturday, said that Buhari’s anti-corruption crusade would take Nigeria to greater heights.

    “I fully support Buhari. I thank God now that we have him in power. He is a man that is determined to wage relentless war against the malady of corruption.

    “If we do not fight corruption as a nation, then we cannot grow,” the governor said.
    Ajimobi attributed the non-constitution of his cabinet to the economic situation of the state, adding that he had decided to settle down for three months before appointing his cabinet members.

    `We will appoint 10 Special Advisers and Commissioners this month, by God’s grace. We have reduced our ministries to 13,” he disclosed.

    Speaking on the bailout fund for states, the governor said that the state governments would pay the money back at about nine per cent interest.

    “The money we are getting is strictly to pay salaries. It is illegal to use it for any other thing.

    “Even with that, about N17 billion is to be paid to the state government workers.

    “We are supposed to pay local government workers N9 billion. As at today, we owe workers N21.3 billion.

    “This means that after using the bailout fund to pay salaries, we will still be owing and we will continue to owe until our allocation or internal generated revenue increases.”

    Ajimobi said that the allocation to the state from the Federal Government on assumption of office in 2011 was N5 billion.

    According to him, however, the state hardly gets N3 billion now.

    He said that the financial situation of the state was the reason he met with representatives of workers to consider the next line of action.

    According to him, the next line of action of the state government will be to reduce workers’ salaries, retrench or restructure.

    “We will block all loopholes from where government loses revenue. Civil servants found guilty will be dealt with after following the due process,” he said.

    The governor said that the people of the state had started complaining that the streets were now dirty again.

    “Our people complained that we were too harsh on street traders, so we calmed down.

    “Now, the same people have been coming to us to loudly register their embarrassment over the condition of our environment.

    “We have decided that from Oct. 1, it will be fire for fire with street traders. There will be no turning back this time around.

    “We will clean everywhere. We will use Oyo Youth Empowerment Scheme (OYES) personnel to achieve that,” he said.

    Speaking on the petition instituted against him by the ACCORD Party at the tribunal, he expressed optimism that he would win at the tribunal.

    “Even though I should not be talking about the tribunal issue, but I can say it here that there is no case.

    “I am confident that we will win. I am not afraid. We won that election,” he said.

  • Oyo suspends sponsorship of pilgrims

    Oyo suspends sponsorship of pilgrims

    Oyo state Governor Senator Abiola Ajimobi has reiterated the determination of his administration to suspend the sponsorship of pilgrims to the holy land until the economy of the state improves.

    Governor Ajimobi stated this while receiving the Executive Secretary and other officials of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission at the Governor’s office, Agodi, Ibadan.

    Governor Ajimobi explained that individuals who are interested in holy pilgrimage should endeavor to sponsor themselves since the purpose is for spiritual rejuvenation and not a compulsion.

    He recalled that the Government maintained the same stand during the 2015 hajj exercise by sending only the medical staff to monitor the health of the pilgrims in Saudi Arabia.

    He said the present state of economy in Oyo state called for a cut down in the financial spending’s of the state.

    Earlier in his remark the executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission Mr. John Kennedy said the purpose of the visit was to sensitize the Government and well to do members of the society on the need to support their brethren and finance their pilgrimage to holy land.

    He said the Christian Pilgrim Commission had also introduced youth Pilgrimage and skills acquisition in Jerusalem which according to him would enable the youths to acquire some vocational trainings in the Holy land of Israel.

    He explained that the Commission is also working in conjunction with the National Lottery Commission to ensure that all intending pilgrims obtained a lottery ticket with a view to sponsoring the lucky winner to the holy land with the proceed of the lottery.

  • Man to court: My wife is an unrepentant drunk, smoker

    Man to court: My wife is an unrepentant drunk, smoker

    A middle-aged man, Kunle Isalu, has urged a Grade “C” Customary Court in Iseyin, Oyo State to dissolve his 10-year-old marriage to his wife, Lara, over allegations of drunkenness and smoking.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the complainant, Isalu, made the allegations at the Court sitting in Iseyin Council Area of Oyo State.

    He told the court on Wednesday that the union, which had produced four children; ages eight, six, four and two, started having problems when Lara started keeping bad friends.

    “Lara has always been a very good wife until of recent when she started keeping a bad company of friends.

    “The first day I came home from a month’s journey was when I first noticed that her mouth smelled of alcohol and cigarette.

    “She has since grown to be an unrepentant smoker and drunk; she now drinks at will to the extent that they know her in all the beer parlours in Iseyin here.

    “She does not even have respect for her marital status or the integrity of our children; the situation has forced me to chase her out, but now I want the dissolution to be formalised.

    “All our children are still with me and I’m sure they don’t want to go with her. I really can’t explain what the problem is.

    “We have summoned various family meetings to make her change, but all was to no avail.

    “I want her to drop my name after this dissolution, my lord,” he prayed.

    Responding, the President of the court, Mr Raimi Oyegbenle, decried the absence of the respondent in spite of series of court summons.

    He, however, ordered a fresh summon to be served on Lara, compelling her to appear in court on the next adjourned date.

    Oyegbenle adjourned further hearing on the matter till Sept. 14.

  • Photo: Oyo Police parade fraudsters

    Photo: Oyo Police parade fraudsters

    a suspected fake police officer, Mr.Olatunbosun Olayinkabeing paraded by Oyo State Police Command at Police HEadquarter Eleyele, Ibadan
    A suspected fake police officer, Mr.Olatunbosun Olayinka being paraded by Oyo State Police Command at Police Headquarter Eleyele, Ibadan
    Oyo State, Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Adekunle Ajisebutu parade suspected fraudsters with their charms and a recovered car during the parade by the Oyo State Police Command at Police Headquarter Eleyele, Ibadan
    Oyo State, Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Adekunle Ajisebutu parade suspected fraudsters with their charms and a recovered car during the parade by the Oyo State Police Command at Police Headquarter Eleyele, Ibadan
    Oyo State, Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Adekunle Ajisebutu parade suspected fraudsters during the parade by the Oyo State Police Command at Police Headquarter Eleyele, Ibadan
    Oyo State, Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Adekunle Ajisebutu parade suspected fraudsters during the parade by the Oyo State Police Command at Police Headquarter Eleyele, Ibadan
  • Ibadan crime diary

    Ibadan crime diary

    For 5 weeks towards the last conducted general elections, men of the Nigerian Police Force were able to arrest and expose various crimes committed in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital.

  • Four arrested with 500 PVCs in Ogbomoso

    Vigilant residents of Ogbomoso in Oyo State yesterday nabbed four occupants of a vehicle for allegedly being in possession of 500 Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs).

    The development created pandemonium at the Orita-Sekoni part of the town.

    Police officers had to shoot sporadically to rescue the suspected electoral thieves from irate mobs.

    An eyewitness told The Nation that the suspects, who occupied a Honda Accord car AR 892 LUY, were stopped by residents on a tip-off.

    The timely arrival of police officers saved the suspects from being lynched.

    It was gathered that only the driver of the vehicle managed to escape the ire of the residents.

    Another eyewitness said the suspects were known political associates of an Ibadan-born governorship candidate of a leading political party.

    The Police Public Relations Officer, Adekunle Ajisebutu, confirmed the incident but said the suspects were in possession of 10 Temporary Voters Cards (TVCs) and four PVCs.

    He added that only one person identified as Rotimi Okediji was caught and arrested.

  • Ibadan: A city of 100 masqueraders

    Ibadan: A city of 100 masqueraders

    As the masqueraders’ season in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, draws nearer, TAYO JOHNSON takes a look at a tradition that is as old as the ancient city itself and presents some of the 100 or so masquerades that make Ibadan tick. 

    In Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, devotees of masquerades or Egungun in Yoruba are getting set for their annual festival, a socio-cultural event that captures the essence of this ancient city of over three million people.

    The festival which takes place throughout the month of June and part of July, kicks off later this month when the Oloolu, the most revered of the 100 or so masquerades in Ibadan carries a pot full of ritual ‘sacrifice’ round some designated areas in the city to ward off calamities and cleanse the land to usher in peace and prosperity.

    The Oloolu is expected to take the ‘sacrifice’ from its ancestral home at Ode Aje in the heart of the city by 1 pm to Idi Ape, Beere, Oja’ba down to the Olubadan of Ibadan palace before depositing it at Idi Ape by midnight.

    It is the belief among the locals that without the Oloolu carrying this sacrifice every year and depositing it at Idi Ape which is of spiritual importance to the city, Ibadan would not know peace and no Olubadan dares toy with this tradition.

    After the Oloolu must have cleansed the land with the sacrifice this month, the other masquerades take the stage one after the other in June before the Oloolu returns in July to close the masquerades’ festival.

    Who are the masquerades?

    Masquerades literarily and ordinarily depict grotesque figures that should be feared, but in our clime, the Yoruba race in particular, they represent a bevy of beauty and colourful costumes.

    Through drumming and dance, it is believed that these robed performers get possessed by the spirits of the ancestors, as manifested as a single entity. Their festivals are usually a huge destination for tourists and locals alike. As a matter of fact, some people travel home from far and near to behold the spectacle presented by the masquerades.

    However, their essence is believed to be more than the colours and glamour, singing and dancing. It is also believed that they spiritually clean the community. They also expose the strengths and weaknesses of the community to encourage behavior more befitting of their descendants.

    Ibadan, with no fewer than 100 masquerades being ‘worshipped’ by devotees so to speak, the head of the Egungun clan in the city Chief Soladoye Fadeyi, lends more voice to the essence of these masquerades.

    He said in the early years of Ibadan when the whole place was in disarray, scattered by war, crisis everywhere and nothing was working well in the land, “our forefathers consulted the oracle ýand the oracle said Ibadan will become famous and great only if the families can start worshipping masquerades. So that was how they started it at Ile-Lapapo at Ita Baale and each families in Ibadan contributed clothe for the outing of the first masquerade”

    According to Fadeyi, there are over 100 masquerades in Ibadan and all the families rooted in Ibadan have a link with these masquerades one way or another.

    Giving a brief background of the masquerades, Fadeyi said the first masquerade in the land was named Labala and it came out over 120 years ago. His coming, he said brought peace, progress, prosperity and goodwill to Ibadanland. And whenever that masquerade comes out, he said, no other masquerade or any other person crosses his path.

    He listed the other masquerades including Alagangan, Alapasapa, Ogundeji, Oloolu, Olunlade, Atipako, Abidi-Elege, Godogodo, Ferebiekun, Anikulapo, Lobanika, Telebiitan, Gbebolaja among others.

    These masquerades have different family backgrounds, costumes, rituals and taboos.

    Oloolu

    Recalling the history and importance of one of the greatest masquerades in Ibadanland, the head of Aje family where the Oloolu masquerade originated, Chief Raheem Oyerinde, disclosed that their ýgreat forefather, Ayorinde Aje, who was a warrior along with Ogunmola, Ogbori-efon, Ibikunle, Oderinde, Oderinlo went to fight in Ogbagi in Akoko, Ondo State and Oloolu was a great war masquerade in that town and was so powerful such that no one could confront him during the war.

    ”Nobody could defeat Oloolu during that war but it was our father, Ayorinde Aje that fought him and removed his regalia and costumes, before he was brought to Ibadan as a slave. During his stay in Ibadan, there was famine, ill-health and crisis in the land and all the elders and chiefs were looking for a way out, that was how Ayorinde Aje suggested that Oloolu should be used to carry the ritual to appease the gods, so immediately he carried the ritual, there was rain and everything got back to normal in Ibadan. Oloolu helped Ibadan to be what it is today. Since then anybody that is the head of the Aje family becomes the custodian of Oloolu masquerade.

    According to Chief Oyerinde, ”any area in Ibadan where the people ýtry to fight the Oloolu anytime he is out, such areas will continue to experience bloodshed, and that is what is happening in Opopoyeosa area till date, because they tried to beat Oloolu there sometimes ago. Oloolu is so great that he gives the barren children, he provides for the needy, he prospers business among other good things he can give to an individual who is ready to serve him”

    He further revealed that in time past and presently many politicians seeking elective positions have started coming to seek Oloolu’s assistance for victory at the polls, adding that their wishes are always granted once they can also fulfill their promises.

    Obadimeji

    According to Chief Ojetunde Asoleke, one of the two claimants to the title of Olori Alagbaa (Head of the masquerades) in Ibadan, Obadimeji masquerade is worshipped by the Opayinka, Opadiran and Ojesanmi family in Ibadan and any member of the family can ‘carry’ the during the festival, adding that any member of the family that

    abandoned the family tradition of worshipping the masquerade will be in trouble for the rest of his life.

    ”For instance, I once abandoned this masquerade but shortly after, I had series of problems. I lost all the wealth I had accumulated over the years and things were not going well for me until I returned back to worship him. Evil befalls anyone ýthat does such” he said

    Obadimeji masquerade according to Asoleke was one of the warriors deployed to the front by Ibadan during Kiriji war and assisted greatly in swinging victory in favour of Ibadan soldiers.

    And as part of the preparations for the outing of Obadimeji, the families concerned usually offer sacrifices to appease the masquerade using such items as He-goat, ram,  , corn meal, alcoholic drink, dry pepper, kolanut, and beans cake.

    Its costume or Eku is usually sown with such materials as red lace, damask, and other types of unique materials except white.

    Giving the taboo associated with this masquerade, Asoleke said;” during his outing, Obadimeji’s clothe must not be torn by anyone and there must not be any fighting behind him, or the persons that fought behind him will die.”

    Owolewa and Owolaake

    The two masquerades are under Obadimeji because in Ajia town where they are based, Obadimeji was worshipped before they came into being. Owolewa is a statue masquerade, while Owolaake is not. Their costumes are similar with red and black materials tidings.

    The ritual performed for the two are the same, as the worshipers use kolanut to enquire from the masquerade what he demands for the festival before he comes out.

    It was learnt that he may demand vegetable oil, ram, alcoholic drink, ýor more kolanut. This masquerade is used it to seek peace during any turbulent time in the land.

    Aladin-Osogbo

    Worshipped by the Aladin Osogbo family in Ita-ege, Olomi area of Ibadan, the masquerade is open to all members of the family to ‘carry’ the costume on the day of its festival. The Alaagba of Idi-Aro, Chief Ojelabi Aladi-Osogbo told The Nation that the masquerade bestows prosperity on its followers. “I have been carrying it for 35 years and it has brought prosperity to me.” He said.

    He explained that the masquerade was brought from Osogbo by their fore-fathers during a war to Ibadan.

    Before it can come out, he said the family will ýfirst worship the god of iron and devil and if he refused to come out that means there is danger on its way. “The only thing we do afterwards is to eat and drink and leave this masquerade alone” he said

    Aladi-Osogbo stated that it’s costume is unique with shades of red, yellow, and black.

    He explained that the taboo associated with the masquerade is that it forbids any member of the family from eating pounded yam and yam flour together at the same time. Aladi-Osogbo said anybody that does that would suffer terrible stomach ache that may take his life except the anti-dote was given to such a person.

    The Alaagba of Idi-Aro lamented that the masquerade festival would have been more glamorous and colourful if the families involved are given financial support by the government.

    “As bad as it remains, even if we request police escort during our outing, ýwe will be forced to pay them a token before they can accept. Our traditional religion is the first, as such it demands all the entitlement being given to the modern religion worshippers” he said

    Adaradoun

    The Alaagba of Oremeji, Chief Ojemuyiwa Olubuade said this masquerade is worshipped in Eesarun compound in Agugu area of Ibadan, adding that the masquerade determines who among the family members wears its costume during the festival.  If anyone stubbornly carries it without its approval, he said there will be problem for such a person and the masquerade only be appeased with alcoholic drinks.

    Olubuade gave part of the ritual materials for the worshipping of the masquerade to include ram, fowl, corn meal, beans cake and vegetable oil.

    Adaradoun’s significance to Ibadanland according to him, was that it gives barren women children but the mother and child must worship it forever.

    Speaking on its taboo, he said:” In a year, if the family refused to carry the masquerade and worship him, there will be thunder strike on us. Also, we must all agree in unison for the masquerade to go out, or else his outing will not be successful”

    Olubuade stated that his costume is reddish, along with all colours except white.

    Adinimado-Ire

    The Adinimado-Ire masquerade is the responsibility of the Korukoru family in Oje area of Ibadan. Speaking with The Nation, the Alaagba of Oje Chief Aderinto Ojeyemi said he was in charge of leading the masquerade out every year for 24 years before he became the Alaagba.

    “Before we could ascertain the next person to carry it, we used kolanut to consult the masquerade and he chose Ifasina after me but if he is not around, it’s Oluwagbemiga that carries it.

    “Anyone in our family who abandons this masquerade for another religion will have problem” he said

    It is forbidden for any member of the family to eat a parrot, and any member that does that will writ in pain and would only be relieved after consultation with the masquerade to know the antidote.

    On its significance to Ibadan land, Ojeyemi stated that it’s a war masquerade that was brought from Owu kingdom to fight and win many wars for Ibadan. It’s costume is barely the same with other masquerades.

    Areweyo

    It is worshipped by Olosa-Oko family in Idi-Aro area of Ibadan.  According to the Chief Security guard of all ýmasquerades in Ibadan, Chief Ojetokun Areweyo, it’s a he-goat that is used to appease the gods to decide whom to carry the masquerade.

    “I have been carrying this masquerade for over 16 years. It was nine of us that wished to carry him but I was the youngest among them all and I was later chosen to carry it. Its significance is that it gives the barren children and they usually come back the next year for thanksgiving. The materials used for ritual before its outing includes; vegetable oil, beans cake, corn meal, kolanut, he-goat, dry pepper among others” he said

    Areweyo disclosed that it is forbidden for any woman to move closer to the masquerade or hug him, if not she will be barren forever.

    Sodo

    It is a dancing masquerade worshipped by the Oro family of Ita-Ege area of |Ibadan. Any member of the family chosen by the gods is allowed to lead the masquerade out during its annual festival.

    Giving an insight into the masquerade, a member of the family Mr Ojeyemi Sodo said the elders consult the masquerade with a kolanut to decide who to carry it, and if they do otherwise and chose anyone themselves, the person will die.

    Sodo stated that it is a taboo for anyone on the entourage of the masquerade to fight with a whip or cutlass during its outing stressing that if they do the person will die immediately.

    “We use He-goat, fowl, beans cake, kolanut, dry pepper, and alcoholic drink to appease the masquerade before he comes out. Its significance to Ibadanland is that it blesses people in need and boost the socio-economic condition of the town. If he doesn’t come out in a year there will be hardship for the people.

    ”Its costume is the same with red damask, lace, Ankara and guinea, but white is not part of its clothes. None of the members of the family must abandon it, if not there will be calamity for such a person” ýhe said

    Sihaba

    It was brought to Ibadan from Ighoho during the war and it is worshipped by the Olodo family in Oja-Igbo area of the city.

    According to the Secretary of the masquerades in Ibadan, Chief Ifayemi Awodele the custodian of the masquerade uses kolanut to consult him to decide who to carries it during its outing.

    “It is a taboo for anyone who is not from our family to stand in front of this masquerade for 30 minutes, if anyone does that the person’s blood will drain off immediately. Its significance is that anyone that needs a child comes to him to beg for one and he answers their prayer immediately and it’s mandatory that they come back the next year for thanksgiving.

    “The costume is same with other masquerades and there must be red colour among the clothe he will put on except white. The ritual performed is done with he-goat, corn meal, beans cake, alcoholic drink, vegetable oil, moin moin among others.” he said

    On the festivals, he said: “We do celebrate our masquerade festival in June of every year and during this period there will be six strokes at the top of the palm tree instead of normal three. It is the blood of the ram, cow or fowl that is used for the sacrifice along with eko, cake beans, moin- moin among others.

    According to him, during the masquerade’s outing, the custodian known as “Atokun” controls his movement and directs him. He is the one that curbs him from causing trouble anytime he gets annoyed.

    He also stated that the ‘Alagbaa’ý was responsible for the upkeep of the masquerade’s regalia and clothes, adding that he is the  one in charge anywhere he goes with his supporters.

    Alapansanpa

    Speaking on the features, and importance of ýthe Alapansanpa masquerade, its former custodian Asimiyu Ogundeji stated that the Ogundeji family is responsible for the worship of the masquerade.

    According to him, the Alapansanpa masquerade was used in the past to fight and win many wars in and outside Ibadan.

    “This masquerade is a renowned one and it’s importance to Ibadan cannot be over emphasised. It comes out once in a year, June to be precise, and it must go to the Olubadan palace where he whips the Olubadan with his whip three times before the Monarch will now bless him with gift and other items. If he doesn’t go to the Olubadan Palace, there will not be peace and prosperity in the land and that means the Olubadan is a bad person” he said

    Ogundeji listed items that are used for its rituals to include Kolanut, bitter-kola, plam oil, salt, ram, cornmeal, among others.

    He said its costume is very unique because it is very smart on him and it’s full of shades of red and black.

    On the taboo attached to this masquerade, he said:” No woman must enter his power house and if any woman enters his power house during mentration, such woman may die or may be barren for life”

    Atipako

    This is a load carring masquerades, mostly followed by women. A family elder known either formally or informally as “Alaagba” presides over its ancestral rites. He may or may not be initiated into the local Egungun society.

    A priests and initiates who are trained in ancestral communication, ancestral elevation and funerary rites are assigned to invoke and bring out the ancestors through the pouring of alcoholic drinks with kolanut. They wear elaborate costumes for the masquerade masquerade.

    It comes out in June of every year, and it spiritually cleanses the community; through the dramatic acting and miming of the robed priests, they demonstrate both ethical and amoral behavior that have occurred since their last visit. In this way, they expose the strengths and weaknesses of the community to encourage behavior more befitting of their descendants. When this performance is completed, the Alaagba gives messages, warnings and blessings to the assembled spectators.

    Atipako masquerade always carry on his head stones, mortar and pestle  which portrays it’s significant for blessing the masses and the land.

    Attack on Oloolu

    Speaking on the attack on the Oloolu masquerade in 2012 at Gbodu junction, Popo-Yemoja, Ibadaný, the head of Aje family where the Oloolu masquerade was originated, Chief Raheem Oyerinde, explained that there was a fidau being held in honour of a late chief Imam, Rafiu Fasasi, a.k.a Lorisirisi, but the Oloolu needed to pass that route to pay homage to one of the traditional title holders in the area, popularly known as Kunmi.

    “We didn’t disturb their ceremony but only wanted to pass through that place ýto greet the Ibadan high chief before they pounced on us, beating the custodian to stupor and later died, while the Oloolu himself escaped in anger with minor injuries on the head’ he said

    On the effect this terrible act will have on Popo-Yemoja area, he said calamities, chaos and rancour will continue to ravage the community yearly until they appease and apologise to the masquerade.

  • ‘I’ll break second term jinx in Oyo State’

    ‘I’ll break second term jinx in Oyo State’

    Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi, took time off from a packed campaign programme to speak with senior editors from The Nation. He addresses a tense contest involving two of his predecessors, his case for second term, allegations that his wife had an overbearing influence on government affairs and sundry issues. He spoke with Festus Eriye, Dele Adeosun, Lawal Ogienagbon and Bolaji Sanusi.

    WHY should Oyo State voters reelect you for another four years? I think first and foremost, when I came, I promised that I will do everything possible to improve the living standard of our people and to improve on the services that governance provides for people. Government is strictly to provide services to the people. The establishment of government was based on the provision of healthcare, provision of good road, provision of infrastructure. I promised that those services would be provided to the people. Having now been elected; when you look at the record of our performance; when you look at the key performance indicators that you use to measure good governance, I believe that using our own period of 2011 to 2015, we have done a lot better than either of the two previous administration of 2003 2007; 2007 to 2011. And we have used those key performance indicators to measure and compare ourselves with them. We intend to come back to complete those good works that we have started. Not only that, we intend to bring in new projects that will help in improving the lives or our people.

    What you have said is fine, but to get there, you need to deal with the politics. There is this myth that in Oyo State governors don’t get to do a second term. How do you hope to break this jinx?

    First of all, there is no jinx. But even if there is, there is always a first time. This will be the first that it will be broken, and I will be the first person to break it.  It’s also the first time a governor will be doing so much comparatively speaking. I’m the first governor of a civilian administration to construct a flyover. It had never been done prior to our administration. I’m the first governor that provided free bus transport to workers; I’m the first governor to pay 13th month salary for three years consecutively. No government has ever done it. I’m the first governor to remove people from the streets and provide them with alternative accommodation, free of charge. I’m the first governor to bring in eight big new companies to Oyo State. I’m the fist governor to dualise all the major entries to all the major cities in the state; therefore I will be the first governor to do two terms.

    The initial reaction to an ‘intellectual’ governor like yourself is… a l’akowe… ‘we don’t want all these ‘book’ people.’ How have you been able to make the switch from your background in the corporate world to dealing with people demanding for ‘stomach infrastructure’?

    Politics is about providing services; management is providing services. In any system, you have objectives and you have strategies and you must ensure that you structure your strategies to meet your objectives. I’m an MAA person. By training, I’m a Modular person and I’m an Adaptive person and I’m an Assertive person. If you find yourself in any situation, you study it and adapt yourself to it. Politics is a science of human relations. It’s a science of delivering services, and I’ve been in that all my life. So politically, when I came into elective contest, I just decided ‘what do people want, what do I have to offer them, what are they asking for?’ And looking at them, I strive to meet their demands and expectations. Adaptability is very essential. I’ve been able to adapt in any situation I find myself and politics is no exception. Besides I was born into politics; my father was a politician, my grandfather was a politician; my uncle was the first Minister of Works and Transport in the old Western Region. My father was a member of the House of Assembly. I have been a senator and now I’m a governor. So for me, adapting to it was easy because I grew up in it. Now when you look at the issue of stomach infrastructure, I believe it must be viewed holistically. Stomach infrastructure is about developmental infrastructure. It’s not about just giving rice to people; it’s about teaching people to fish. And when you look at it, I’ve always structured it to mean human capital development. It’s empowerment to be able to provide an enabling environment for people to be able to earn a living. And it starts with education. I’ve said it severally, education leads to skill acquisition. When you acquire skills, you have knowledge, when you have knowledge, you have capability, when you have capability, you have ability, when you have ability, you’re empowered. So as far as we are concerned, stomach infrastructure is simply empowerment. And human beings must be in a position where they can earn a living, where they can survive; where we can minimize the cost of living for them. I’ll give you an example: today in Oyo State, I have provided free buses to students and workers. Take a family of five: Husband, one wife, three children. Even on the Mass transit buses that we have provided, they are paying less than 50 per cent when they ride on our buses, compared to if they rode on commercial vehicle. So take it that for a family of five, we are saving an average of N100 a day per person. If you take N100 times five, you have five hundred naira. In one week, that amounts to N2,500; in one month, it is N10,000; in one year, it is N120,000. I am already giving out N120,000 to each family that uses the bus transport system to go on their daily business and activities. For me, that is stomach infrastructure because that money you could have expended on transportation, you now have in your pocket and are able to use it for other things.

    Two, we’ve provided free shops for traders. Not only that, we’re giving them money to trade. That is stomach infrastructure. There is no government that goes out on the street to distribute money to the people. But you must provide an environment for them to buy things cheaper, to earn a living and to contribute to society.

    Three, there is no government that has provided welfare packages in terms of equipment, in terms of engines, fridges, freezers, for petty traders, for widows. We do empowerment for them every month, where we buy grinding machine, and all. We have given money as business capital; such as ‘Okay, you’re selling drinks. Here is a freezer; here is N25,000’ And we have done that for thousands. In fact the exact figure, if I’m not mistaken would be running to more than 86,000 that we have empowered in what I call Empowerment Scheme. Interestingly, we were breaking fast with an average of 2,500 people every day. They would eat and we would give them transport money every day for thirty days. No government has ever done that.

    Ibadan people are known to always vote for their own people in an election. You are an Ibadan man, and we also have other Ibadan men like Chief Rasheed Ladoja and Senator Teslim Folarin contesting. Don’t you see them as a threat, considering that their participation will lead to the splitting of votes amongst you?

    It’s not the first time Ibadan indigenes will be many in an election; the last time we had four Ibadan indigenes.  I was one of them, Senator Ladoja was also there and we had other people, and I still won. Senator Ladoja came third; Akala came second. But I’ll also get votes from other zones. I will get from Oke-Ogun, I will get from Ogbomosho, I will get from Oyo. So it’s democracy and I have no fear over their participation.

    There has been talk of a possible alliance between the APC and Labour Party. Is it really a possibility?

    Anything is possible in politics. I don’t rule our alliances with anybody. Tomorrow, we can have an alliance with Akala’s SDP, even PDP! You never know. We’ve had some PDP governors coming to join us. If governors can join us, then the aspirants can also join us.

    How are you coping at a time when states are having problems with vastly reduced federal revenue allocation?

    I put it on record that Oyo State is the only state that has never taken bond – even though we have applied. They may give us tomorrow or next week, but as I’m talking to you, we have never taken any bond. I read in the papers that Oyo State is owing N68 billion. It’s a lie. I don’t know why old people tell lies. If you talk of the normal banking transactions, yes, but to say that we have gone to a bank to take any loan, no. When we came in, the salaries and wages bill was about N2.9 billion. At that time, the Federal Government was giving us about N4.5 billion monthly. Today, the Federal Government is giving us about N2.8 or N2.9 billion. Our salaries and wages bill has increased to about N5 billion. So, ab initio, we have a shortfall of about N1.5 billion. What are we doing? Financial engineering. You talk to your suppliers, you reschedule your payment arrangement, you look for PPP (Public Private Partnership); you also look for suppliers and contractors, who are financially buoyant and can finance some of these projects. And lastly, you look for grants. You talk to the international community and those who are ready to partner; we call them development partners. The combination of these has ensured that we are one of the few states not owing salaries. The only thing we have not paid as I’m talking to you is the bonus or 13th month. We’re talking to our people and letting them know that you don’t talk of bonus when you don’t have money.

    What exactly is going on over the controversy between you and Senator Ladoja regarding refund of monies to EFCC?

    The true state is that, when you are the boss in a place, if they say the place has done well, you take responsibility. If they say it has not done well, you also take responsibility. And I’m stating it categorically that the government headed by Ladoja himself and some of his people – be it his workers, himself and suppliers or contractors refunded N546 million. And I’m saying this with all sense of honesty. It’s not politics. You can check with the EFCC if they indeed refunded money or not. And we wrote to the EFCC when we wanted to collect the money and they replied us. We have copies of the letters and we can publish them. I don’t know why somebody will turn around and be lying that ‘I did not refund money myself.’ You don’t have to refund it yourself. For all I care, you can refund it by proxy.

    Has the EFCC given the money back to your government?

    Yes they have given us the money and we opened an account with the money and we called it Ladoja’s Repatriated Fund Account in Fidelity Bank. You can go and confirm. We used that money to start the model schools. We wanted to make sure that money is used for schools.

    I was reading an interview that Chief Ladoja granted and he was talking about the model schools and wondering why you have to wait till the dying minutes of your tenure before you start building model schools? He also questioned your judgment in the way you managed the resources of the state. For example, he said despite the fact that Premier Hotel wasn’t being fully maximized, you went and spent N1 billion naira to construct a fence around a new hotel project somewhere near Premier Hotel. How do you respond to that?

    You see when politicians talk, I wonder whether they are just being mischievous or if they are misinformed. Let’s start with the model schools. You said we are doing it at the twilight of my tenure. Even if I do it on May 28, what does it matter? The fact is that I am doing it. Or is there a particular time that I must do it? It’s better than not doing it at all. There are things I will still have to do before May 29. Besides, I’m going to be there till 2019; so what is his business about when I do it? Why didn’t he do it? During his own time, he did Millenium Goal Schools. He did only one or two; we are doing six. So what does it matter when we’re doing it? We are to work for this first term till May 28. Is he saying we should fold our hands because time is going? We still have five months! And like people say, it is better late than never.

    You also spoke of the hotel. And that is why I say, it is either he is misinformed or been mischievous. He has been a governor before. Premier Hotel is owned by five states. It’s not Oyo State that owns it. And the research we have done shows that Oyo state needs at least 350 hotels. How many do we have? We’ve done our own research and found out that we are ‘under-hoteled’.  So we need more hotels. In fact, in the next two to three years, we need at least 20 to 30 new hotels – the same thing with housing. He’s asking me why I am building new houses; must we just sit back on only Premier that we don’t own; and that is run down? The fact remains that this is PPP. It’s not the state government that is building it. The state is only providing an enabling environment, in which the government would own 10 or 20 percent. That is the modern way of doing things. Even the one hotel, Lafia that the state owns has gone moribund. The state owns one at Jericho, Ibadan called Trans Hotel. Where is it now? So Oyo State needs as many hotels as we can have, and our plan is to bring in as many investors to come and help us build them. We are not wasting resources. It’s PPP and we’re going to continue with that arrangement.

    Right from the First Republic politics in what is now Oyo State has been volatile and full of mischief. How have you been able to maintain the peace in this kind of environment? Secondly, how do you respond to insinuations that it is your wife – the First Lady  who actually controls affairs in your government?

    Let me start with the peace sustenance. I think that if you go anywhere, particularly in the Nigerian environment, everywhere you have violence, go and check it, the government has a hand in it. The violence we had during Ladoja’s time, during Akala’s time go and check; they were sponsored by those in government. I believe we did it by coming in and telling people that ‘Hey, we don’t want violence; we would not tolerate it’ and following it by our actions and support, not just by word of mouth, but by action.  We established a security agency made up of all the security outfits. We have the army, police, SSS etc, and we provided them with equipment, with ammunition. We bought three APCs and repaired all the existing APCs and also equipped the police with 122 vehicles.  Akala bought six. Ladoja did not buy any at all. I think in all, we’ve bought over 200 vehicles for the security agencies; we also bought ammunition, bullet proof vests, baton, handcuffs etc. We’ve supported the security agents and discouraged the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and all the likes to ensure that we don’t have violence. What I’m saying in essence is that people saw our determination and non-participation in violence and keyed into it. Provision of peace and security to the people is the number one function of the government.

    What about the story that any contract that is approved must have the consent of the First Lady?

    (Cuts in) Then my wife has become the State Exco (laughter again). Good enough, some of our EXCO members are here present; you may take time out to ask them. In fact there was a particular occasion when about twenty-two contracts had been awarded. I now asked the commissioner in charge who referred each of these people. And they started reeling names of different stakeholders, party stalwarts etc. At that point, my Deputy Governor responded that ‘these people are all wicked people o.’ And I asked why? And he said ‘when I came to you to introduce someone who can do these jobs, you said oga brought all the names, and yet you have counted 18 names now and none of them has come from oga.’ What I’m saying in essence is that people will always use the name of somebody in authority to get favour. But I can tell you with my hand on my heart that there have been no contracts that my wife came and said ‘give these people contracts.’ Of course once in a while, she can say ‘oh somebody came to me, can we help him?’ And these people complaining, would you believe that I have given their wives contracts?

    Aside the 13th month, what have you done in the area of welfare packages for the workers?

    As for welfare, we have done far more than any other government in the state. We have increased the salary of teachers three-fold since we came into government, and they’re happy. We have also trained many and given them promotion. We have removed the bar that was there when we came in, where they said that teachers cannot get beyond level 14. Now they can go as far as level 17. We now gazette their promotions and retirements. In fact, they have endorsed me overwhelmingly. The only area where the primary school teachers have a problem is in the area of pension, because the Akala regime took their money.

    The Governor of Central Bank has said that oil prices have crashed for good; we’re not going to get back the days of high oil prices. So how do you intend to run your state in the next four years in an era of declining proceeds from Abuja?

    There is what is called development economy.  You see, once you have the right combination; you know there is what is called a pyramid of development or hierarchy of development and you make your priority peace and security. Once you have that, then you must provide infrastructure that people will be using; you must provide recreational facilities; you must provide accommodation. Once these three, four things are provided, you will attract investment. And like I said, we have already started attracting investment and I make bold to say that we have attracted eight of the largest companies, either in Nigeria or in Africa or in the world,  they are establishing factories here. For instance, the largest

  • Crisis looms in Oyo over non-payment of severance to ex-LG chiefs

    Crisis looms in Oyo over non-payment of severance to ex-LG chiefs

    Crisis is brewing between former members of local government caretaker committees, special assistants and the incumbents in Oyo State.

    Following persistent appeals after the dissolutions of caretaker committees in 22 out of the 33 local governments of the state, the state governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, sometime in October, directed the caretaker chairmen of the affected councils to commence payments of 40 percent of initial salaries of the sacked members.

    The decision was said to have been taken at the House of Chiefs in Ibadan, the state capital, at a meeting held with the 33 council chairmen, including Chairman of Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Commissioner for Local Government, Special Adviser to the governor on Political Matters, Dr. Gbade Ojo, among others.

    The governor, said sources, took the decision to avoid future friction and internal crisis within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

    However, only a few local governments were said to have complied with the directive by paying a half-month salary to the ex- officials, while others are yet to comply with the directive.

    Consequently, the forum of the former council officials met a few days ago in Saki where they alerted the governor on the impending crisis due to what they referred to as “flagrant disregard” of the current local government chairmen of his directive.

    At a media briefing jointly addressed by Mr. Abduwaheed Salako (ex- caretaker member, Ibadan North LG, Mustapha Kazeem, former Special Assistant, Iwajowa LG, amongst others, the forum while lauding the various unprecedented policy initiatives of the Ajimobi administration across the state, threatened to take an unpleasant action if all their entitlements are not paid on or before the end of December.