The Nation Newspaper

Tag: regent

  • Youths chase away regent in Ekiti

    •Kingmaker accused of imposition
    •Palace shut

    Crisis erupted at Agbado-Ekiti in Gbonyin Local Government of Ekiti State at the weekend, as youths protested alleged

    imposition of a regent.

    The Regent, Bolaji Okunbobade, was allegedly appointed to occupy the

    throne vacated by her late father, the Owa Oro of Agbado, Oba Okunbobade, who joined his ancestors on March 19.

    Reports said yesterday that the demonstration was spearheaded by youths, who were joined by other indigenes.

    The protesters, who carried placards and leaves, blocked the Ado-Ikare Road for hours and accused one of the kingmakers of choosing Bolaji as the regent.

    They alleged that due process was not followed and “critical stakeholders” were not carried along in the choice of Bolaji, whom they described as an “illegal regent.”

    Chanting war songs, the protesters invaded the palace and reportedly chased away the regent and her aides.

    Their whereabouts were unknown last night.

    Youths have sealed off the palace.

    The Nation learnt that the community has been thrown into crisis following the alleged taking over of artefacts, shrines and duties of sacrifices by four kingmakers.

    The kingmakers’ alleged action led to tension, but the intervention of Gbonyin Local Government chairman restored peace.

    The Olori Omo Owa (head of princess and princesses), Prince Sunday Adelusi, said he was not carried along in the choice of the regent.

    He accused one of the chiefs of impersonating him.

    A youth leader, Mr. Adeola Odesanmi, condemned the manner the regent was allegedly imposed.

    He called for the reversal of the action.

    Another youth leader, Sanya Adeibi, urged Governor Ayo Fayose to intervene in the crisis “before it gets out of hand.”

     

  • Sierra Leone: Donor pledges pour in after deadly mudslide

    Sierra Leone: Donor pledges pour in after deadly mudslide

    Donor pledges are pouring in from countries around the world to aid Sierra Leone after a mudslide devastated the capital, killing no fewer than 400 people and leaving 3,000 homeless.

    Dozens of houses were engulfed by mud when a mountainside collapsed in the town of Regent, on the edge of Freetown, on Monday in one of Africa’s deadliest mudslides in decades.

    Aid agencies are racing to provide food, shelter and healthcare to the homeless, and prevent outbreaks of dangerous water-borne diseases such as cholera and typhoid.

    Countries including Israel and Ivory Coast announced they would send aid from food and medicine to water and blankets, while other nations such as Guinea, Liberia and Nigeria pledged their support but did not say how much they would spend.

    Britain pledged 6.5 million dollars, China, one million dollars; Togo, 500,000 dollars; Ireland 470,000 dollars and Switzerland, 415,000 dollars.

    Others are EU, 350,000 dollars, ECOWAS, 300,000 dollars, United Arab Emirates, 100,000 dollars and Senegal, 100,000 dollars.

  • Don’t pay N20m ransom, police tell regent’s family

    •Residents allege complicity

    The police in Ondo State have cautioned the family of the abducted Regent of Akungba- Akoko in Akoko South West Local Government Area, Princess Oluwatoyin Omosowon, against paying the N20 million ransom demanded by her captors.

    The 45-year-old regent and her aides were waylaid on Wednesday on the Owo/Oba-Akoko/Akungba-Akoko Road on her way from Akure, where she had attended a public function at the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA).

    The police reiterated their readiness to rescue the regent without payment of ransom by the family.

    Police spokesman Wole Ogodo warned the family not to contact the abductors without informing the police. He urged the family to “carry the police along”.

    His words: “The police are interested in the matter. We can only achieve success by working with the family.

    “Several kidnappers had been arrested in the state. This particular case will not be an exception. We shall not disappoint the people as the captors would be arrested.

    “If the family pays any ransom without informing the police, they are not helping matters and the police will not be a party to that.”

    Ogodo assured that the regent would be freed soon as the command has intensified efforts to rescue her.

    Residents have alleged a conspiracy theory in the abduction.

    They accused some of the candidates jostling for the throne of the Alale of Akungba-Akoko of alleged complicity in her disappearance.

    The Alale stool has been  vacant since 2005.

    Sources said the regent’s aides -a personal assistant and private security- are from her ruling house.

    Both of them have been released by the kidnappers and are helping the police with their investigations.

    It was learnt that the official driver of the Adekunle Ajasin University (AAU), Akungba-Akoko, who drove the vehicle, is still in capitivity.

    The Akungba Akoko Progressives Union has called on security agencies to ensure the safe release of the regent.

    Its president, Dr Lawrence Ekundayo, urged the police and other security agencies to speed up their rescue efforts.

  • Ikeja gets regent

    Following the passing  on of Oba Rauf Adeniyi Matemi Amore, the Olu of Ikejaland in Lagos State, the Council of Ikeja Traditional Chiefs yesterday announced the appointment of Prince Adekunle Isiaka Apena as Regent.

    The announcement was contained in the minutes of the meeting by the council to ratify the appointment of the new Regent.

    The Minutes was signed by the Chairman of the council, High Chief Lateef Yussuf Apena, and Secretary of the council, High Chief O. Titi-Thomas.

    Prince Apena, who is a lawyer, was selected after the council had completed the required traditional rites for the late Oba Amore.

    The Minutes read in part: “Deliberations exhausted on the next line of action and way forward by the surviving traditional chiefs present and welcomed nomination from amongst the royal chieftaincy family within and outside the council to enhance a suitable candidature for the stool and a quicker and smoother transition.

    “Having deliberated on modalities and qualifications of those intending and considerable nominees from the Amore Royal House to the coveted stool of the Regent as previously agreed upon that such position be zoned and preserved for the deceased  royal family as decreed traditionally in 1998.

    “The Council of Ikeja Traditional Chiefs deliberated and resolved that: Prince (Barrister) Adekunle Isiaka Apena be the Regent to the vacant stool of Ikejaland and with immediate effect from yesterday (July 18) and without any hindrance whatsoever and from any quatres.”