The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Oyomesi

  • Oluwo warns Oyomesi, chiefs against opposing Alaafin as Oba Owoade visits Iwo

    Oluwo warns Oyomesi, chiefs against opposing Alaafin as Oba Owoade visits Iwo

    The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, has cautioned Oyo traditional chiefs, particularly members of the Oyomesi, against opposing the reign of the new Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade, urging them to cooperate and respect the authority of the newly installed monarch.

    Oba Akanbi issued the warning on Tuesday during a courtesy visit by the Alaafin to his palace in Iwo, accompanied by several district heads and chiefs from Oyo State.

    The Oluwo stated that any attempt to sabotage the Alaafin’s reign would bring misfortune to the conspirators.

    “Alaafin has emerged in Oyo, and he must be accepted by all,” he said. “Anyone plotting against Oba Abimbola Owoade should begin to watch their wealth, health, and life, because they will begin to deteriorate. I speak from experience; it has happened in Iwo before.”

    He added, “Any member of the Oyomesi who refuses to support the king will perish, no matter how influential they are. Your Majesty, you have the authority to remove such individuals. Give them a one-week ultimatum. If they’re not satisfied, let them go to court—do you know how long the court will take? I’ve been on the throne for ten years, and a case against me is still pending.”

    Oba Akanbi also condemned the use of media by some monarchs to malign their peers, urging an end to such practices.

    Read Also: Osun/Oyo boundary: Disputed areas belong to Osun – Oluwo

    “Kings must support each other; any king sponsoring media attacks against fellow monarchs must desist immediately.”

    In response, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Owoade, expressed gratitude to Oluwo for his unwavering support and pledged to strengthen the historic bond between the thrones of Oyo and Iwo.

    He also called for unity among Yoruba traditional rulers, emphasising that collective effort is essential for the development of Yorubaland.

    “We need each other to move Yoruba land forward,” the Alaafin said.

  • Refrain from defaming us on Alaafin throne Oyomesi tells Makinde

    Refrain from defaming us on Alaafin throne Oyomesi tells Makinde

    Kingmakers in Oyo have challenged Governor Seyi Makinde to present any evidence he has against them in court and refrain from defaming them

    Makinde, disregarded recommendation of the Oyomesi’s nomination of Prince Lukman Gbadegesin, appointed a new Alaafin of Oyo. 

    In his speech at the presentation of staff of office to the new Alaafin, the Governor made claims that the Kingmakers have now described as unacceptable. 

    They expressed displeasure in a letter to the Governor by their legal representative, Adekunle Sobaloju SAN. 

    The Kingmakers include High Chief Yusuf Akínade, Bashorun of Oyo; High Chief Wakeel Akindele, Lagunna of Oyo; High Chief Hamzat Yusuf, Akinniku of Oyo; Chíef Wahab Oyetunji, warrant chief stand-in for Asipa of Oyo, and Chief Gbadebo Mufutau, warrant chief stand-in for Alapinní of Oyo. 

    “We recognise Your Excellency’s right to defend your actions in court, given the ongoing legal challenge to your recent decision. However, we respectfully remind Your Excellency that the court is the appropriate forum for presenting evidence and arguments. 

    “The Oyomesi, in their respect for the high office of the Governor of Oyo State, have refrained from joining issues with you in the public arena. It is, therefore, disheartening that Your Excellency continues to make public statements that cast aspersions on their integrity.

    “We urge Your Excellency to refrain from resorting to a trial by media or the court of public opinion in a bid to confer legitimacy on recent unlawful acts of the state, under your command. If there is any evidence to support these allegations, we respectfully advise that it should be brought before the court, where it can be properly examined and addressed.

    Read Also: Makinde presents instruments of office to Alaafin

    ” Publicly maligning the Oyomesi, who custodians of tradition and highly respected in the Oyo Kingdom, undermines not only their reputation but also the sanctity of the ongoing judicial process and defamatory of our clients.”

    They added that they have maintained their integrity and remained committed to upholding the traditions and customs of the Oyo Kingdom and as such consider the continued attempt at public trial of their character as unwarranted and unbecoming of the high standards expected of the office of the Governor. 

    “Please recognize that you remain liable to prosecution for the defamatory acts committed by you in office, for which you may be held accountable after your period of immunity is over,” they added.

  • Alaafin: Oyomesi files fresh suit against Makinde, others

    Alaafin: Oyomesi files fresh suit against Makinde, others

    The Oyo State High Court sitting in Awe has adjourned for hearing a fresh suit filed by kingmakers in Oyo (Oyomesi) against the Oyo state governor, Seyi Makinde and two others on the vacant stool of Alaafin of Oyo till December 14, 2023.

    Others joined in the suit as co- defendants are, the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and the Commissioner for Local government and Chieftaincy Matters.

    The claimants in the suit no, HOY/41/2023 are High Yusuf Akinade Ayoola, (Basorun of Oyo town) High Chief Wakeel Akindele Oyedepo, (Lagunna of Oyo town) High Chief Amuda Yusuf, (Akinniku of Oyo), High Chief Waheed Oyetunji (Aare Ago Basorun), and Chief Gbadebo Mufutau (Baale Alapo).

    The claimants in a suit filed on their behalf by their lead counsel, Barr. Kazeem Sobaloju after the withdrawal and subsequent strike out of the similar case by the Court approached the court again on Thursday with a fresh suit.

    Read Also: Military adopts gender policy to protect women, children during conflicts

    In his address, Sobaloju reminded the court that he had two pending applications filed on November 1, 2023 on the subject matter before the Court.

    He argued that the counter affidavit to the notice of preliminary objection and interim order of injunction were served on him barely 45 minutes ago.

    Sobaloju prayed the Court for maintenance of the status quo in spite of the notice of the preliminary objection filed by the defence counsel.

    He equally submitted that he has filed a counter affidavit to the notice of the preliminary objection.

    But the defence counsel, Barr. L.A. Abiola who doubles as the Director, Department of Civil Litigation and Advisory Council at the Oyo State Ministry of Justice assured the court of his preparedness to move the application for his notice of preminary objection.

    He added that they are not running away from the legal battle.

    All the claimants were present in the Court.

    Meanwhile, Justice Ladiran Akintola said following agreement of the two counsels, the matter is adjourned to 14th December, 2023 for the hearing of notice of preliminary objection filed by the defence counsel.

    Recall that the stool of Alaafin became vacant following the demise of Oba Lamidi Atanda Adeyemi III.

  • Oyomesi remains neutral on presidential poll, says Alaafin

    The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, has denied backing any presidential candidate for the February 16 election.

    In a statement yesterday, the eminent royal father said he and the highest decision-making traditional body, the Oyomesi, remained neutral on the issue.

    Oba Adeyemi said he had also not stopped any candidate from visiting his palace.

    In the statement, titled: Tragedy of Fake News, the Alaafin said: “In recent time, I have been hurt by the pain inflicted on me by the circulation of fake news, especially on social media. Some users of the social media have been taking advantage of anomie to do a lot of havoc in our social life.

    “Ordinarily, I cannot imagine how some people will be crediting statements supposedly from me, even in total falsehood without my consent and permission. The most recent and indeed most injurious of such stories was the visit of Mrs. Titi Atiku Abubakar to me.

    “Anybody familiar with my public life would not believe the language of the story… This is because all aspirants to all public offices at all tiers of government are children of Oyo Palace, the political capital of the Yoruba.

    “Be that as it may, however, the Oyo Palace remains neutral as it leaves the ultimate choice to the people under the democratic tradition.

    “The Oyomesi, the Oyo traditional cabinet, and I accorded Mrs. Atiku Abubakar all courtesies befitting a distinguished Yoruba daughter, a loyal wife and an example of virtuous womanhood, who gathered hundreds of Nigerian girls (sex workers) away from the streets of various Italian cities, brought them back home, rehabilitated and gave them vocational training and occupations.

    “She restored their dignity and pride as women. They became better women, good housewives and mothers to their own children. These, she did through her individual initiatives and personal resources. Nothing can ever dim the achievements of Mrs. Atiku Abubakar in this regard and ours.”

  • Oyo Govt hands over new model schools to school boards soon – Ajimobi

    Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State says the newly constructed model schools in the state will be handed over to the Schools Governing Board (SGB) by Match ending.

    Ajimobi made the disclosure during an inspection tour of the school’s projects in Ibadan.

    The Newsmen reports that Ajimobi visited two of the projects situated at Oremeji area of Mokola and Bashorun in Ibadan metropolis.

    Newsmen reports that Ajimobi also visited the   newly constructed model schools at Oba Akinbiyi High School, Ibadan and Islamic High School, Bashorun, Ibadan.

    He, however, did not visit Baptist High School, Saki.

    The governor said that the projects were expected to be completed soon and would be received from the contractors in few days for handing over to the board.

    He said his administration was poised at constructing six model schools, adding that three additional schools would be constructed before the expiration of his tenure.

    “Our administration is poised at ensuring the modernisation of the state. This is part of our method of modernising education in the state.

    “We are modernising education in terms of content, curriculum and quality environment for students, which we believe is very essential,” he said.

    Ajimobi said that his administration had improved upon the curriculum in schools and several other educational reforms evolved.

    The governor said that the efforts were aimed at bringing overall improvement in the quality of education which had already been yielding fruitful results.

    Read Also:  Oyo shuts eight facilities for ‘quackery’

    According to him, you will recall that in 2017, we have the best result in West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).

    in the last 18 months.

    “No matter the rhetoric of our detractors, we have improved on education in the state. “We have the overall best students, both male and female from the state.”

    He said the model schools were another feathers to the cap of educational improvement in the state, adding that they had disappointed those who never believed they could do it.

    “We are doing Catch them Young, School Feeding Programme supported by the Federal Government and Oyo State Model Education System Intervention (OYOMESI) aimed at improving upon the character of students.

    “We have also evolved the school governing board to encourage participation of parents, associations, communities and students in the management of schools,” he said.

    Ajimobi cautioned the detractors, whose stock-in-trade was to lie against the government, to desist from such and embrace developmental politics.

    NAN

     

  • Oyo sets up Fund to rebuild dilapidated schools, others

    Oyo sets up Fund to rebuild dilapidated schools, others

    Oyo State Government Friday unfolded the establishment of its Education Trust Fund (Oyo ETF) aimed at primarily rebuilding schools with dilapidated facilities and training of teachers.

    The Chairman of the Fund, Chief Mrs Onikepo Akande, told reporters at the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism yesterday that the fund would be primarily applied to schools with dilapidated buildings and other facilities to support works of School Governing Boards (SGB).

    While pointing out that the state of education in Nigeria today is appalling, Akande said  Oyo ETF was established to revive quality education in the state to the level that it can comply with global standards.

    She said the fund would assist the state with the financing of education and provide for the management of the fund as well as other related matters.

    According to her, the fund would be applied to education at all levels and also ensure completion of intervention projects.

    An amount equivalent to five per cent of the Value Added Tax (VAT) accruing to the state and its local governments would go to the fund. One per cent of Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of public institutions in the state as well as any other money appropriated by the House of Assembly would also go into the fund. These would be in addition to donations and grants by organizations and charitable individuals.

    Akande further revealed that schools in need of urgent intervention are being collated for consideration, adding that many public and private schools have also been responding positively to the call to pay their statutory dues to the fund.

    She further explained that the work of the fund would complement those of OYOMESI and SGBs for overall improvement in public education in the state.

  • Oyo unveils Oyomesi education model

    Oyo unveils Oyomesi education model

    The Oyo State government has unveiled a new model of educational intervention, Oyomesi, to complement the School Governing Board (SGB) model of the Abiola Ajimobi administration.
    The Oyomesi model is an initiative of the Office of the Special Adviser on Education in collaboration with Efficiency Unit and Office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG).
    The Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Dr Bisi Akin Alabi, unveiled the new model yesterday at the House of Chiefs auditorium of the state secretariat in Ibadan, the state capital.
    She said: “Part of the vision and mission of the Oyo State model education system interventions, otherwise referred to as Oyomesi, is to promote students’ achievements and preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access for all, through character education, localised education contents and improving teacher competence.
    “It covers everything that will help us to access funds from individual and international community. It will prepare ýOyo State for a knowledge-based future, usage of technology to create participative, transparent and responsive learning environment.”