The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Yinka Ayefele

  • Demolition of Fresh FM: Impunity taken too far – NLC

    The Nigeria Labour Congress ( NLC ) has said that demolition of Music house owned by Yinka Ayefele by the Oyo state government is impunity taken too far which is not acceptable and cannot be tolerated in any civilized society.

    President of Congress, Comrade Ayuba Wabba said in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja that the action of the government shows a lack of capacity to manage public outrage for which the governor will bury his head in shame.

    The Congress said further that the conduct of the Oyo State Government represents an audacious affront to the Court that earlier gave a restraining order and an assault on public morality.

    The statement reads “We at the Nigeria Labour Congress join other well-meaning Nigerians in condemning the demolition of Music House by the Oyo State Government, the building belonging to Yinka Ayefele, the physically challenged music maestro.

    “The conduct of the Oyo State Government represents an audacious affront to the Court that gave a restraining order and an assault on public morality. This level of impunity is not acceptable to us and cannot be tolerated in any civilised society.
    “We believe the government acted maliciously, premeditatively, and with clear intent to cause grievous injury and hurt, the motive of which it is yet to make public.

    “Smarting from the round condemnation of the state’s criminal conduct, the Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi in a remorseless outburst gloated that curses placed on him in respect of this matter would not affect him.

    “We consider this as another level of impunity and pettiness unbecoming of a Governor and a clear demonstration of lack of capacity to manage public outrage. He should bury his head in shame.

    “We hope and pray Governor Ajimobi experiences a rebirth, rediscovers his humanity as well as reconnects with his people in service and humility instead of opening a new war front every other day.

    Read Also: SERAP to Ajimobi: Repair Ayefele’s building or face legal action

    “In our view, the Yinka Ayefele building, other than providing multiple sources of livelihood to many, represented a strong message to our youth that disability is not a barrier to industry or self-actualisation. It is a shame that the government is killing this dream in a state with a reputation for individual industry and commerce.

    “In light of the foregoing, we call on the government to tender an unreserved apology to Mr Yinka Ayefele, compensate him for his losses as well as promise to be of good behaviour to its citizens.

    “We similarly call on the court entertaining this matter to act appropriately against the Oyo State Government for its willful disobedience to its clear and unambiguous order. The court needs to do this to protect it’s authority as well as reassure the citizenry that truly no one is above the law.”

  • Why there is so much hardship – Ladoja

    Berates Oyo govt over demolition of Ayefele building                   

    Former Governor of Oyo State and the Osi Olubadan of Ibadanland, Senator Rashidi Ladoja has explained why there is so much hardship  and groaning among Nigerians .

    He said that the economic condition in Nigeria is hard because those in government have refused to accept the truth of the hardship being experienced by Nigerians.

    According to him, the failure to accept that there is a problem is the main reason why the government cannot search for solutions to it.

    Ladoja who stated this on Tuesday while speaking with newsmen after observing the Ramadan prayer added that the salary earners in Nigeria are suffering the most under the present government.

    The Osi-Olubadan of Ibadanland who noted that the civil servants who started earning N18,000 minimum wage in 2003 when dollar exchanged for N150 are still earning the same amount when dollar now exchanges for N370,  saying civil servants are now earning less than half of their salaries 15 years after.

    While praying for a better country and Sallah celebrations for all Nigerians next year, Ladoja lamented that the hardship in the country has heightened and called for urgent steps to address the disturbing trend.

    Ladoja who recently dumped the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for the African Democratic Congress (ADC)  stated that the way out of the woods was for the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) to accept the fact that there is problem so as to find solutions to it but noted that the government was living in denial.

    On the demolition of the Music House of Yinka Ayefele, the former governor who described it as unfortunate said that the government should have called on the owner for regularization of his approval papers and fined him for negligence if he went outside the approval.

    Read Also: ‘Ladoja’s, Koleoso’s ADC alliance strange’

    “Let’s say he (Ayefele) contravened the law. The only thing they said was about documentations. He did not ask for approval for certain things. What I would have expected a government to do is to regularize it and give him penalty for it for not been diligent enough to ask for approval. Because the building is not crossing any carnal, it is not disturbing the flood plain. It does not constitute an environmental crisis to anybody. They can penalize him but not to pull down any part of the building.

    “The country is hard. By the time i woke up this morning those outside my house were more than 2000. That shows the situation in the country. We need to pray that next year should be better than what we are experiencing today. It is true that the Imam said we should sacrifice but there should be limit to what we would be sacrificing. May Nigeria be better for all of us.

    We have to start from the acceptance of truth. But if you don’t accept there is problem there is no how you will be looking for solutions to it. When you are campaigning you can say whatever you like but when you are in government it is another thing. We were alive when you said naira will change for one dollar.

    We were alive when Tam David West told us petrol will sell for N45naira per litre. We were alive but we know the situation today. The situation is terrible but who are those that are losing more? The salary earners are the one losing in Nigeria.  The person who was on N18, 000 minimum wage in 2003 when the dollar was exchanging for N150 naira per dollar is still on N18,000 salary today when dollar is now exchanging for N370 naira. So it means that the salary earner is earning less than half of what he was earning in 2003 now. What is happening here is known to everybody because the world is a global village.”

    “And then the various competitions between the various groupings is not helping situation to get better. We have competition among the political parties. We have competition among the ethnic groups. We have class competition. These are not helping us. The government did not accept that we had Boko Haram problem, they did not accept we have Fulani herdsmen problem. We are now talking about bandits. The next time they will say it is people from Libya that has come to invade us. So it is the fault of not accepting the truth and that is why we are not getting the solution.”

     

  • Demolition: Notice landed me in hospital for five days – Ayefele

    Contrary to insinuations that he dared the government by not responding to correspondents that eventually led to the partial demolition of Music House which houses his radio station, Fresh FM, popular gospel musician Yinka Ayefele, on Monday evening said he was hospitalised for five days when he received the notice from Oyo State Government to demolition his N800million worth building.

    He said he was on hospital bed from Tuesday August 14, till Saturday August 18.

    Speaking during a press conference at the hall located inside the partly demolished building, the gospel artiste disclosed that his wife was at the resident of the Oyo state governor Abiola Ajimobi, from around 11p.m on Saturday August 18, till round 4a.m Sunday August 19, pleading with the governor on her knees, not to allow the supposed demolition take effect.

    He said, he couldn’t go on the mission with his wife as he was at the time recovering on his hospital bed.

    Addressing the press conference, Ayefele in company of top officials of the organisation said: “Immediately, I got this demolition notice last week Monday, August 13, 2018, I started making moves on how we can overcome it. All I can see is the demolition taking place, after we have gone to court.

    “They were served with the court processes on Thursday and the case was fixed for Monday August 20, which is today. But before today, we saw that they have carried out what they said they were coming to do.

    Read Also: Oyo government demolishes Ayefele’s Music House

    “On Saturday, my wife was with the governor of Oyo State.  My wife was on her knees for almost five hours with the governor around 11p.m till 4a.m, in the governor’s house. I was on my hospital bed because I have been down since Tuesday that I got the demolition letter.

    “I would have followed them to the governor’s house, but I couldn’t go because I was on the hospital bed. So, I asked my wife to go there and solicit on my behalf. My wife was with the governor for almost five hours.

    “The governor said she should not worry, everything would be settled, resolved. As a matter of fact, the governor gave my wife $1,000 and two other people that followed her to the place, he told them everything was over. What we saw was the demolition on Sunday morning.

    “I don’t know precisely what went wrong.  What has been my offence to deserve this? I have close to 200 people that work with me here, and all my labour, what I have laboured for, for over 20 years in pain, was just pulled down in minutes.

    “So, I don’t know if there has been any way that I have wronged the government, I would have gone to beg or pray for forgiveness,” adding that he acted promptly on all the letters he received from the government and that before the demolition notice was served on him, he had asked for the way out and the government said “we should put up another plan for approval, which I told my architect to do. It is not a day job. It’s almost done when we get this demolition notice.

    “As it stands, we are going to abide by the ruling of the court. Aside this, we are also suing the government for unlawful destruction of our properties. We have relocated our studio and Fresh FM is fully back on air. It is only NBC (National Broadcasting Commission) that can stop us from broadcasting. They can only try but they can’t succeed.”

    Ayefele, however, insisted that he got approval from the government, saying: “In the approved plan of the music house, we requested an approval for a business complex, with proposed two studios, which was approved. This building is more than 10 years. Are you now saying that radio license, which costs several millions to obtain, is not a business venture?

    “They also alleged that we contravened the town planning law. How? We waited for the government to finish their road expansion before erecting the metal fence. They have concluded the road finished the erosion control, gully before we decided to fence it around.

    “We know this is beyond all the cook up stories. It is political and we are not seeking political solution to it. We believe we will get justice at the court as the last bastion of hope for the masses.”

  • Demolition of Ayefele building: Court adjourns till Sept 12 for hearing

    Justice Iyabo Yerima of the Oyo State High Court, Ring road, Ibadan has adjourned till September 12, 2018 a case filed by the popular gospel musician, Yinka Ayefele over the demolition of his property, Music House.

    The case which is between Evangelist Yinka Ayefele/ Yinka Ayefele Nigeria Limited has the Oyo state government , the Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Oyo state as the first and second defendants among others.

    Others defendants in the suit are, Ministry of Physical Planning, Ministry of Environment and Habitats, K.I. Apampa and Alhaji Waheed Gbadamosi, DG Bureau of Physical Planning and Urban development.

    The ruling was in favour of the request of the lead Counsel to the first and second defendants, Yomi Alliyu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria who pleaded for time to be able to address the issues raised by the court.

    There was a heavy deployment of police personnel in and around the court premises, as all who drove into the premises where an Armoured Personnel Carrier and three police patrol vehicles were stationed were stopped and searched by the policemen on duty.

    Drama and heated arguments characterized the court session as Ajimobi’s lawyer told the court that he was appearing in protest because the governor and the Attorney General were not personally served.

    He argued that service of hearing notice and other court processes would be deemed properly effected on the governor through either the Head of Service or the Chief of Staff to the governor not a clerk in the governor’s office.

    The SAN also said the Ministries of Environment and Habitat, as well as Physical Planning and Urban Development which were joined as defendants were non-existent as the law establishing them was repealed in 2015.

    Read Also: Outcry as Oyo demolishes Ayefele’s Music House

    But Justice Yerima told the governor’s lawyer that he should not expect the bailiff the ask to see the governor to effect the service, showing the SAN the acknowledged proof of service in her custody stamped at the governor’s office and in the ministries.

    Alliyu, upon verifying the proof of service, called for investigation of those who signed and stamped for the ministries, saying “dead people must have done the signing and stamping as the ministries are not known to the state government.”

    Ayefele’s lead counsel, Bolanle Olayinka, expressed dismay that despite the pendency of the matter the state government went ahead to carry out the threat contained in the three days notice served on the property by demolishing it in the wee hours of Sunday.

    He, therefore, prayed the court for an order directing maintenance of status quo as contained in a further affidavit filed on Monday so that the state government would not return to the property to continue what it started on Sunday.

    The request was countered by Alliyu SAN, who argued that Ayefele’s case was not properly brought to court, adding that he would also need time to file responses to all the processes served by the claimants’ counsel.

    Giving a short ruling, the Judge while noting that the matter was at a crossroad because the threat is already carried out and the property destroyed, requested the counsels to address the court to reach a consensus on the next step to take.

    After both counsels addressed the court and agreement reached on the need to adjourn, Ayefele’s lawyer insisted that a commitment be extracted from Ajimobi’s lawyer that no further demolition would be done to the building, a request to which the SAN stylishly objected on the grounds that the claimant has a record before the court, claiming that the building has been demolished.

    The matter was consequently adjourned to September 12 for hearing of all pending applications and issues to be determined.

  • Oyo denies knowledge of demolition of Ayefele’s music house

    The Oyo State Government on Monday denied demolishing the music house of gospel musician, Yinka Ayefele, in Ibadan.

    The state government, through its counsel, Mr Yomi Alliyu, made the denial when he appeared before Justice Iyabo Yerima of the State High Court, Ring Road, Ibadan, on Monday.

    Alliyu appeared for the first and second defendants, Gov. Abiola Ajimobi and Mr Bola Abimbola (State Attorney-General), in a case instituted by Ayefele against the defendants.

    The counsel said his clients were shocked to read about the reported demolition on Sunday morning.

    According to him, the state government is planning to set up a panel of enquiry to find out those responsible for the demolition.

    ”My clients are men of honour that respect rule of law and constituted authority and will have no reason to demolish the said property,” he told the court.

    Alliyu, who had earlier denied that his clients were served with court processes, quickly reversed himself when the judge showed him evidence of actual service on the first and second respondents.

    Read Also: Oyo government demolishes Ayefele’s Music House

    The defence counsel, however, urged the court to adjourn the case pending the time the claimant would be able to file and serve his clients with notice of the ex-parte motion since the court was on vacation.

    He said that filing of motion on notice and letter of urgency alone by the claimant was not enough.

    But the claimant’s counsel, Mr Olayinka Bolanle, had informed the court that the respondents had gone ahead to demolish the structure in spite of a court’s restraining order

    “Even after the defendants had become aware of this proceedings, it is sad and unbelievable my Lord that the defendants in the wee hours of Sunday, Aug 19, went to the property in dispute and demolished it,” he told the court.

    The claimant’s counsel urged the court to reiterate its earlier order restraining the defendants from further demolition of the rest of the structure pending the determination of the suit.

    Justice Yerima adjourned the case until Sept. 12 for hearing of applications and urged parties to file necessary processes before the adjourned date.

  • Ibadan residents lament Ayefele’s music house demolition

    Residents of Ibadan on Sunday lamented  Sunday’s demolition of the Music House owned by popular musician, Yinka Ayefele, by the Oyo State Government.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the structure located on the Challenge-Toll Gate dual carriageway in Ibadan houses the popular Fresh FM radio station owned by the musician.

    A  NAN correspondent reports that hundreds of residents had thronged the scene wielding placards with various inscriptions criticising the state government over the exercise.

    Ayefele,  on his Facebook page after the demolition,  said:  “Oyo State Government did at last…..my pains, my sweat…So help me God.”

    Some of the early callers at the scene of the demolished building were Mr Seyi Makinde, a PDP governorship aspirant and  Dr Wasiu Olatunbosun, the Secretary of  Unity Forum, a splinter group in the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress.

    Also present at the scene was Hon.  Olusegun Olaleye representing Ibadan North State Constituency in the State House of Assembly.

    Makinde, Olatunbosun and Olaleye, however, appealed to the irate residents at the scene of the demolished structure to remain calm, urging them not to resort to self-help.

    Calls made to the Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr  Toye   Arulogun, were unsuccessful as his two cell phone lines were switched off.

    NAN recalls that the state government had marked the structure for demolition, insisting that it contravened the state ’s planning laws.

    But Ayefele had approached an Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan seeking to stop the planned demolition.

    Ayefele’s counsel, Mr Olayinka Bolanle, in an exparte motion filed before the court, sought for an order of the court restraining the state government from demolishing the property pending the determination of the suit.

    Bolanle also stated that due process was followed in the construction of the structure while relevant approvals were obtained from the state’s departments and agencies associated with land and housing.

    Justice I. Yerima ordered the claimant to ensure service of the court process on the respondent and adjourned the case till Monday for the hearing of the exparte motion.

  • Yinka Ayefele to mark 20th anniversary of car accident

    Yinka Ayefele to mark 20th anniversary of car accident

    Popular gospel singer, Yinka Ayefele is set to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the ghastly auto accident that confined him to a wheel chair and changed his life forever.

    According to the musician, in appreciation of God’s mercy, he has concluded plans to mark two decades of the accident with a week-long series of activities in Oyo and Ekiti states between December 12 and December 17.

    Ayefele said he believes the incident, though a sad one, was what transformed his life and he has to reach out to people in order to appreciate God’s magnanimity in his life over the last two decades.

    Hence, on Tuesday, December 12, Ayefele and his friends will be in his hometown of Ipoti, Ekiti State, to commission a multi-million naira hall he will be donating to his alma mater, Ipoti High School. Also on that day, the musician, through his Yinka Ayefele Foundation, will be putting smile on the faces of 100 women of Ipoti stock by empowering them with various cash gift.

    Ayefele and his team will also visit various orphanages, old people’s homes and hospitals, particularly, the University College Hospital, UCH in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, where he will present buses, cash gift and food items to the less privileged in the homes and patients in the hospital.

    And the climax of the remembrance will be on Sunday December 17 with a thanksgiving service, launching of the 20th year remembrance album and public presentation of his first book titled ‘You and Your Spine’.

    The event will hold at the Music House, Challenge, Ibadan.

    On December 12, 1997, Ayefele was involved in a ghastly motor accident along Ibadan/Abeokuta Road. The tragic event in which he lost the use of legs has been the motivation for many of his songs.

    Ayefele is a recipient of over 200 awards, including the Member of the Order of the Niger, MON, a recognition bestowed on him by former president, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.

  • Yinka Ayefele to mark 20th anniversary of car accident

    Yinka Ayefele to mark 20th anniversary of car accident

    Popular gospel singer, Yinka Ayefele is set to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the ghastly auto accident that confined him to a wheel chair and changed his life forever.

    According to the musician, in appreciation of God’s mercy, he has concluded plans to mark two decades of the accident with a week-long series of activities in Oyo and Ekiti states between December 12 and December 17.

    Ayefele said he believes the incident, though a sad one, was what transformed his life and he has to reach out to people in order to appreciate God’s magnanimity in his life over the last two decades.

    Hence, on Tuesday, December 12, Ayefele and his friends will be in his hometown of Ipoti, Ekiti State, to commission a multi-million naira hall he will be donating to his alma mater, Ipoti High School. Also on that day, the musician, through his Yinka Ayefele Foundation, will be putting smile on the faces of 100 women of Ipoti stock by empowering them with various cash gift.

    Ayefele and his team will also visit various orphanages, old people’s homes and hospitals, particularly, the University College Hospital, UCH in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, where he will present buses, cash gift and food items to the less privileged in the homes and patients in the hospital.

    And the climax of the remembrance will be on Sunday December 17 with a thanksgiving service, launching of the 20th year remembrance album and public presentation of his first book titled ‘You and Your Spine’.

    The event will hold at the Music House, Challenge, Ibadan.

    On December 12, 1997, Ayefele was involved in a ghastly motor accident along Ibadan/Abeokuta Road. The tragic event in which he lost the use of legs has been the motivation for many of his songs.

    Ayefele is a recipient of over 200 awards, including the Member of the Order of the Niger, MON, a recognition bestowed on him by former president, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.a

  • YINKA AYEFELE: I DIDN’T CONVERT TO ISLAM

    GOSPEL musician Yinka Ayefele, has debunked the claim that he has converted to Islam. Recently, news of Ayefele’s conversion to Islam went wild and fans, both home and abroad, making calls to verify the claim.

    A release issued by Ayefele’s Publicist, David Ajiboye, said that Ayefele is still a Christian and has no reason whatsoever to renounce his faith and belief.

    “We believe the rumour must have emanated from the annual Ramadan Lecture which Fresh 105.9FM owned by Ayefele organised on Tuesday, in Ibadan,” wrote Ajiboye.

    “Our station, Fresh 105.9FM, had invited popular Islamic preacher, Alhaji Muideen Ajani Bello, as the guest preacher at our annual Ramadan Lecture which had over 4,000 people in attendance and because of this, some naïve minds went to town to spread the rumour about Ayefele’s conversion.”

    Ajiboye stated further that the station is for everybody irrespective of religion, race or colour.

    “We believe it’s part of our social responsibility to organise such a spiritual rebirth programme to sensitise our Muslim listeners on the ideals of Islam, most especially in this holy season.”

  • Yinka Ayefele gives dad final rites of passage

    Yinka Ayefele gives dad final rites of passage

    Tungba gospel sensation, Yinka Ayefele, drew people from walks of life to Ipoti-Ekiti for the final burial of his late father, High Chief Taiwo Ayefele, popularly called Baba Teacher.

    Top socialites stormed the venue among who were Princess (Dr) Toyin Kolade, Titi Abubakar and Abiodun Yuguda and other fans of the music star at home and abroad. The final rites of passage for the deceased who died on his 76th birthday in October 2014 began with a lying-in-state on Thursday, January 22, 2015 at the Ipoki Ekiti Civic Centre. This was followed by a service of songs on Friday at Orita Market, Iwaro Street in Ipoki Ekiti. The burial service was held on Saturday at Our Saviours Anglican Church.