The Olu of Itori, Ogun State, Oba AbdulFatai Akorede Akamo is 15 years on the throne and rolling out drums in celebration. In this interview by TUNDE BUSARI, Oba Akamo speaks on the journey so far.

 How have you fared in the past 15 years on the throne?

I have spent the last 15 years on the throne praising God for putting me here at a time I did not have any idea of becoming the Olu of Itori. Even though a traditional ruler in Lagos, the Ologba of Ogba had earlier told me to get prepared to ascend the throne when vacant, I did not take him serious because I was not interested in any venture that would distract me from pursuing my corporate goal in Lagos. To sound modest, I was doing well in my business. But when the call came from family after the passage of my predecessor and the Ologba also insisted, I did not have a choice than to oblige them. Today, I am appreciative to these people for having faith in me.

What lessons have the past 15 years taught you?

I need to clarify to you that there are so many lessons awaiting every oba-elect in the palace. And he must be ready to learn from those lessons, failure of which would be counter-productive. The throne is an institution on its own, an institution which teaches traditional rulers all sorts of subjects on daily basis. To succeed on the throne, you must be open to these lessons.

I am using this opportunity to encourage my fellow traditional rulers to try as much as they can to extend kindness to their subjects. Doing so is like empowering the subjects to make it. If they make it, they would come back to the palace and say ‘thank you, kabiyesi.’ But as I said we should not do more than our resources can afford. I am doing strictly based on what God has blessed me with. That is a lesson I also teach others, and to God be the glory for what I have achieved in this regard.

What can you say has changed in Itori in the past 15 years?

I am not in the best position to give you this assessment. People, especially travellers who pass through Lagos-Abeokuta expressway, are in the best position to give fair and objective answer to this question. But for the purpose of this interview, I think I should tell you that God has been so kind to me to witness the steady transformation which Itori has since witnessed since I came. Let me start from this palace. Where you are seated here used to be a swampy land. It took us tons of sand to get the foundation erected before it became what we have today. We have many schools now including an ICT Polytechnic sited along Lagos-Abeokuta expressway. Itori is the headquarters of Ewekoro Local Government Council. By the time the new Lagos-Ibadan railway is completed, Itori is going to be a Terminus. In terms of human resources, God has blessed me with good number of children who are showing determination to contribute to the development of not only Itori or Ogun State but also Nigeria as a whole.

Okorocha meets Buhari, awaits Certificate of Return from INEC

Why are you devoting much energy to your 15th-anniversary celebration?

I am not devoting much energy to this event. All you see in me as regards this preparation is my true picture. I don’t do things in half measure. It is either I do something to my taste or I don’t touch it at all. I am a lover of the adage which says ‘what is worth doing is worth doing well.’ I can tell you that I am enjoying what I am doing, even though it also has its other side, which is pressure. But, again, I am used to it. I can say that I have mastered combining pressure with result. Most importantly, the celebration is meant to give thanks to God for having seen me thus far. Whatever credit anybody may want to attribute to me regarding physical transformation of Itori, actually belongs to God, who created me to come to the world and become whom I am today. And to him also belongs my future. I am not one who wastes his time pursuing mundane things. I work and work very hard to realise that only God caps that effort with success. I just mentioned how just a ticketing turned things around for my travel agency 23 years ago. That is the workings of God. So, basically, the coronation anniversary is to express my gratitude to God and seek His face for a better future. That is why it is a week-long anniversary with the grand finale holding about five days to this time when those Obas you mentioned earlier would be my guests.

There will be public presentation of my autobiography titled ‘Journey Through Time’ with Alhaji Aliko Dangote in attendance. There is also going to be installation of my new chiefs including yourself. Then K1 will entertain us. The activities we have held so far since last Friday when I hosted a battery of journalists from about six media houses from Lagos and Ibadan, have been successful. They have shown an indication that the remaining events would also turn out well.

Can you share with me the secret behind your ability to freely access notable traditional rulers, especially the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, the Alake of Egba, Oba Michael Adedapo Gbadebo and others?

There is no secret other than my principle, which is built on promoting peace among Yoruba traditional rulers. Before the Ooni of Ife ascended to the throne, we knew ourselves, and the Alaafin has always played a fatherly role to me. I can recall how I went to invite him to the 70th birthday of the Alake. He honoured the invitation. As regards the Alake of Egba, he is my direct father as the paramount ruler under whose consenting authority Itori exists. In Abeokuta, there still is Itori quarter, meaning that we founded this land from Abeokuta.  It is also my search for peace that led me to initiate what is called Progressive Obas Forum. I am naturally a peace-loving person even before I became the traditional ruler. I don’t like confrontation.

Can you explain this better?

I was living with the former President of Nigeria, Chef Olusegun Obasanjo till when he said those of us under his roof should get ready to join the army. I knew what army meant and did not show interest. My mates who accepted the offer are still in the military today. I know myself as though ambitious but peace lover.

How did that journey to your dream look like?

It was not an easy ride. The journey took much sweat from by body but I thank God that I got what I wanted. I left home for Lagos and started a life of hustler, which later led me to ticketing training abroad and finally my own company. In this history, somebody plays a prominent role, and the person is my wife. She provided shelter for me and also worked as secretary in my company. I was on the road while she was in the apartment we used as office. Her support gave me the confidence I needed to break barriers. Another important person in that journey was Dr Rafiu Ladipo, the President-General of Nigerian Football Supporters Club. When Nigeria was preparing for the 1996 Summer Olympics tagged ‘Atlanta 96’, he gave my company right to do ticket for about 5,000 people. He was so impressed with the way I carried out the transaction.  I promised to give him First Class ticket for the trip, which I did to his amazement. That was the breakthrough of my company, and I will continue to give God the glory for making it possible.

The post Every traditional stool is an institituion —Oba Akamo appeared first on Tribune Online.

As the August celebration of the annual Osun Osogbo festival draws near and people look forward to the fanfare, Yejide Gbenga-Ogundare, who visited the Osun Groove in Osogbo, reports that though the event is being rebranded for wider reach by a new consultant, Esquire Global, the traditional rites which herald the event remain the same and are already on.

To many, especially tourists who have made Osogbo their destination every August to partake in the annual Osun Osogbo festival, the countdown has begun for the 2019 celebration. And for them, it is a time to have fun while some , especially the worshippers and many foreigners see it as a time to commune with their inner being through the Osun deity.

However, few people know that before the August celebrations, there are many rites that have to take place before a successful festival. Indeed, the traditional rite for the festival span a period five months as it starts in March when many people that will be a part of the festival are yet to start planning.

JAMB explains the admissions process, gives statistics

Though the festival is being rebranded this year for wider reach to further boost the economy of the town, spread the tentacles of the event and increase its appeal, with a new consultant; Esquire Global, taking over, the essence of the celebration remains the same.

Speaking with Nigerian Tribune, Esquire Global, the consultant for the 2019 Osun Osogbo festival, represented by Williams Derrick, stated that though they are working on various new things to further make the celebration bigger, they are not in any way touching the traditional aspect or the essence of the celebration which is steeped in traditional belief and is part of the history and heritage of Osogbo town.

According to him, Esquire Global is not just going to jump in and say it is changing the face of Osun Osogbo festival. “We are not just going to come in, jump on it and say we are bringing this and this on board. What we intend to do is to carry the people of Osogbo along because anything we are going to do, we will be using the citizens from Osun. Though we will get one or two help from outside but 80 per cent of the project we will work with will be Osogbo indigenes on ground; be it in wood work, printing, tie and dye, metal work, exhibitions or whatever.

“We are doing our homework and we will ensure we work together with the indigenes to get things in shape and retain the essence of the festival while giving it a new look. The first step is to see the Ataoja and the Ataoja- in- council to know their expectations and how best to work things out without deviating from their plans, tradition and expectations to have a fantastic outing in terms of culture, tourism and preservation of heritage.

“We have done this; we know what they want and how to blend it into our own plans. But with time, you will see the new things that will evolve and definitely, everyone will know a new consultant is on board,” Williams stated.

And indeed, for the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun Oyetunji and the Ataoja-in-council, the Osun Osogbo festival has already commenced as the Ataoja, as the custodian of the Osun Osogbo tradition and heritage, has commenced the rite in preparation for celebration.

Speaking with Nigerian Tribune on activities in preparation for the 2019 celebration, Oba Oyetunji confirmed that indeed, he has started the rites in preparation for the festival, starting with the Oro festival which observed at Ontoto, the third settlement of the Osogbo people under King Larooye Gbadewolu based on the instruction of the Osun deity.

“I did the Oro for 2019 barely a month ago. I have begun the festivities for this year’s Osun festival with the collection of River Osun bullets, we call it Ota Osun; it appears as stone but is not an ordinary stone. It is the spirit that will shape the stone in its abode deep inside the river, you cannot see that abode but the spot is where we collect water every year for delivery from sickness, infertility and the likes. The bullet is collected every year and we will keep it till the last year that human exists. The ceremony is called the Ikota Osun and it has gone and other activities will follow before the date is announced,” the Ataoja stated.

Other activities that will take place before the celebration include clearing the path that visitors would tread. This, according to the Ataoja was done in those days when Osogbo was not a city. “Every family head will send representatives of their family who will come with cutlasses and hoes to prepare the path people will take to celebrate the grand finale but the construction of roads as a result of civilization and modernization had replaced the path with big and major roads like the one from Okefia to Ilesa but the spot where the king used to sit then to receive homage from the people and visitors while this is on is the Gbemu junction, called Orita Gbemu.

“Now, the king will seat there, the chiefs will come and bless him while he will bless them in return and various groups from compound to compound and society to society and visitors from various towns will come and receive blessings from the Ataoja, then the Ataoja will trek back to the palace with singing and dancing. That is the sign that the town is set for the festival and that will officially mark the commencement of the festival, it is the scene one.

“Three days later, there will be assemblage of crowns used by the incumbent king, they will be exhibited, then sacrificed by the means best known to the Ikolaba to the Ataoja. The Ikolaba will perform the ritual aspects of that ceremony inside with the Ataoja then the beaded materials; crown, staff or sword that is the horsetail, necklace and others will be brought outside for the people to see but the normal rites would have been done. The remnant of materials used would now be brought outside for the princes, princesses, chiefs and visitors to taste out of it because the Ataoja would have tasted all before coming out. That is the assemblage of old crowns and new ones,” Oba Olanipekun explained.

This is however not the end of the rites, the Ataoja added that, “four days after which is the seventh day, we have the Iwopopo, the cleaning of the town with the atupa olojumerindinlogun, the name given to the ancient 16-point lamp that was collected by the great hunter Timehin from the spirits dwelling in the forest at the groove which they used to celebrate annually as tenants of Osun in the groove. The lamp collected is still used annually as directed by Osun and the spirits also join in the celebration to sacrifice together with the king using the lamp.

“The palm oil used in lighting the lamp is collected from the palm trees in the groove forest and that has been the practice since. I will do the same thing this year by the grace of God. This part of the rite; that is the lighting the 16-point lamp is done at night; you know spits don’t move by day. The chief in charge of the lamp is called Baale Oba; that is the head of the chiefs in the palace. He is the only one that knows where the lamp is kept, the Ataoja will not go there because having danced round with the lamp three times on three different occasions, the king will not see the lamp again until the next year, it will be in the possession of the Baale Oba who would be feeding it, consulting it and bringing its message to the Ataoja as it had been done since,” Ataoja stated.

It is indeed a lineup of traditional rites before any celebration takes place annually. This is contrary to belief in some quarters that the festival just comes up every August as routine. Confirming the reason the celebration is a must, Oba Oyetunji stated that the Osun deity must receive its homage annually because it is the reason there is Osogbo today.

“What the deity has done for the indigenes of Osogbo is beyond what can be enumerated. So annually, the Ataoja will never fail to pay homage to Osun and give her sacrifice. The Osun deity is a spirit, it remains where it is, it is static and cannot be moved, it remains where it is. Ordinary eyes can never see Osun. By divinity, Ataoja knows the time he will meet Osun where he used to meet her from time immemorial. Osun is still with me, I cannot show it to anybody. Osun is the deity my predecessors left for me as heritage and I am protecting it and preserving it for the next generation. It is a must to pay homage to the Osun deity because Osun Osogbo founded Osogbo.

And as preparations for the festival continue, Osogbo indigenes are looking forward to how Esquire Global will merge the tradition with funfair and make the 2019 celebration one with a difference without undermining the essence of the Osun Osogbo festival.

The post Osun Osogbo festival: New look, same traditional rites appeared first on Tribune Online.

After a visit to Isanlu, Kogi State, the birthplace of the late Professor Pius Adesanmi and other iconic figures, YINKA OLADOYINBO writes on the various impressions that people the growth and development of the celebrated writer, animated academic and indefatigable teacher, while detailing the many infrastructural deficits crippling the development of the community.

Isanlu, also known as Isanlu-Makutu, is the headquarters of Yagba East Local Government Area of Kogi State. The town also serves as the political and sociocultural centre of the Yagba people in Yagba federal constituency comprising of Mopa, Yagba East and Yagba West local government areas. It is populated mainly by the Okun people (sub-group of Yoruba ethnic people).

History pegged their existence to the 17th Century. Located on latitude 8°10’N and longitude 5°48’East, it has an estimated population of 200,000 people (as of 2016) majority of whom are farmers, traders and few hunters. The town also boosts of two popular rivers: Oyi and Erigi; it has a thick river forest reserve called Ebba. Isanlu is a large territory of about 20 miles, much like a country home with many communities that are labeled with the affix «Isanlu». Some of the communities around the town are Itedo, Ijowa, Mopo, Idofin, Ilafin, Ilotun, Odogbe, Iddo and Amuro.

The town has produced many notable and distinguished people like a former minister of health, Professor Eyitayo Lambo, a business magnate, Jide Omokore, among others. But 47 years ago, precisely February 27, 1972, providence made it the birthplace of an iconic academic who drew renown to the community; it was the birthplace of Pius Adesanmi. Born to a father, who was a teacher and a mother who was an administrator, Pius rose to become a professor at 37. He had his first degree at age 20, graduating with a First Class. Little wonder that his death, though tragic and painful, was turned to a celebration of sort across the state, country and beyond.

Oshiomhole jeopardising APC’s chances in future elections ― Okorocha

Pius had his primary education in Kabba, the headquarters of Okun – the Yoruba speaking part of Kogi State and his secondary education was at Titcombe College in Egbe, the most populous town in Yagba federal constituency. One could guess that being the only male child of an academic, his holiday would be so filled with indoor educational activities, reasons for not being a familiar face in his community. But Pius never failed to associate and reflect his community in his numerous write-ups which projected the town long before his death.

A drive around the town however shows that its popularity only thrives on paper. Aside the linear road from the entrance of the town from the Kabba axis to the exit towards Ilorin that offers some resemblance of a motorable stretch with lively activities, every other road across the community is in deplorable condition. Despite the town’s popularity in the state, lack of government’s presence is quite noticeable, with a larger chunk of the community overtaken by gully erosion. The township feeder roads are in bad shape, no street light, no potable water supply.

With a former Minister of Finance (Professor Eyitayo Lambo) and the state’s current Commissioner for Finance and Economic Matters (Idris Asiru) and many others, one would have expected some modicum of commensurate developments in the community.

The pitiful condition of the community was reechoed by the president of Isanlu Progressive Union, (IPC), Ayo Friday. While speaking with the Nigerian Tribune, he decried the paucity of development in Isanlu.

Friday said not only has the community suffered physical neglect, the educational needs of its students were being threatened as there was no single computer-based centre in the town. He noted that power outage was a major setback for the community for three years at a stretch.

According to him, lack of good roads has affected the economic activities of the farming population of the people. The IPC chairman also bemoaned the current state of civil servants in the community saying, “Many of the civil servants are local government workers who have been placed on percentage salary payments for many years now. This development has affected the economic viability of the community.”

He however spoke with nostalgia of the glory, honour and fame that the late Pius Adesanmi brought to the community despite living a short time on earth.

Pius was the last of three children and the only male child of his parents. For the family, words and tears could not define their emotions. For Pius› sister, Mrs Iyabo Toluhi (nee Adesanmi), the death of her brother was a great loss to the family and community. Toluhi spoke on the sideline of the memorial mass held in honour of the deceased at St. Joseph Catholic Church, in his home town in Itedo-Ijowa, Isanlu, Yagba East, LGA, Kogi State.

The elder sister to the late professor, with tears rolling down her eyes, said it was really difficult for her to talk about her younger brother who died along with 156 others on board the ill-fated Ethiopian Airlines flight ET302 on Sunday March 10, 2019.

“We appreciate the whole world the way they have celebrated our brother, Bola (Pius) the last born and only son among the siblings of our parents. Pius was a very hard working and a highly intelligent man, right from the nursery, primary, secondary and tertiary schools. He was an excellent child in school. We thank God for the life he lived and that is what we are seeing now, how people all over the world are celebrating him,” she said.

The paramount ruler of Isanlu – the Agbana-elect, Oba Moses Babatunde, promised to immortalise the scholar by organising an annual lecture in his honour.

According to him, “We will bring everybody from all walks of life to the lecture and that will encourage our youths to be able to write about the society and how the country can develop from where it is. We are going to immortalise Adesanmi, he will be remembered in the community.”

The Kogi State government also raised the idea of celebrating Adesanmi by ensuring that all his books would be made available in the state’s school libraries. Mrs. Rosemary Osikoya, the Kogi Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology disclosed this during a tribute organised in honour of the deceased.

The commissioner said that Adesanmi represented what Kogi indigenes were known for as very talented people, adding that the scholar exemplified all the virtues “you would like to see in Nigeria.”

His former classmate and debate partner at Titcombe College, Egbe, Mrs Olamide Adesoro (now Special Adviser on Media to Kogi governor›s wife) stated that “Pius Adebola Adesanmi and I were paired to represent Titcombe College for a secondary school debate in the old Kwara and standing with him that day in 1985 to receive the prize a thought crossed my teenage mind that this brilliant, skinny looking boy would go places, and in the last 34 years I have watched him  brilliantly climb up the ladder of success in his career confirming my thought that windy and rainy day in Ilorin.

“In the years that followed, Pius and I became  quite close as we held sway in the literary and debating club in Titcombe college where Pius as the lead debater would always say ‘With me today to oppose the motion that is my co-debater Olamide Babalola ..’ And at the end, like this very tragic end I can almost hear Pius say like those days, ‘I hope with these few points in this short time of mine on earth, I have been able to convince you all that the world must change for the better with my satiric work.’ He preached the philosophy of conceptualisation of the Nigerian society. In his work, he tried to create in every Nigerian the need to develop a sense of contempt for chaos, urban rot, rural decay and the Nigeria culture of accepting half good for good like his parable of the bad shower.

“In 2016, Pius and a few of our Titcombe College friends in Kogi State took time out after a retreat for political office holders where he was a  facilitator to catch up on old times where he shared his vision and dreams and advised me in particular not to dump the classroom totally because of politics.

“He was indeed an African genius with language. In the short time he spent with us on earth he pulled weight across the globe with his brilliant ideas. He came, he saw and he conquered. Pius’ death was a great blow! It is devastating. The pain of his passage to glory is excruciating and heart renting.”

His mother reportedly appealed to him to tune down his criticism of government because of fear of being attacked or killed. The emotional trauma foisted on her following his death could only be imagined. There are reports that since her retirement as a civil servant under Kogi State, her pensions were yet to be paid.

This prompted Reverend Kunle James, of the St. Joseph Catholic Church, Isanlu, to appeal to the Kogi State government to pay the gratuity and pension of Pius’ mother. “The government has said so many great things about the late professor, but we are appealing to the government to pay his mother’s pension and gratuity,” he said.

However, Dr (Mrs) Folashade Ayoade, the Secretary to Kogi Government, said the state government would expedite action on the payment. “We learnt that she retired from Kogi civil service, and her gratuity had not been paid. We will make sure as a government we expedite action on the payment of her gratuity, and we shall be in constant touch with his daughter and wife,” she pledged.

The late Professor Pius Adebola Adesanmi was born on February 27, 1972. Before his death he was the director of the Institute of African Studies at Carleton University, in Ottawa, Canada. He joined the university in 2006, after spending three years at Pennsylvania State University in United States America, where he was assistant professor of comparative literature. He was educated at University of Ilorin, University of Ibadan and University of British Columbia.

The post Despite icons as indigenes, Pius Adesanmi’s Isanlu lacks basic amenities appeared first on Tribune Online.

Over time, many people have lamented the erosion of culture in the society and its impact on the younger generation, attributing it to the rise in social vices and decadence experienced in the nation at present.

The need to impart cultural values in children to ensure they have a holistic education was the focus of the Cultural Day Programme held by Sonbeam preparatory school in Ibadan, where eminent Nigerians gathered to celebrate the culture of the land and also encourage parents on the need to embrace their culture and impart cultural values on their children.

Dignitaries at the programme to encourage the children include Professor Bolanle Awe, Oloye Lekan Alabi and Mr Jide Olubamgbe among many others.

Senate Presidency: I won’t step down ― Ndume, meets Osinbajo

The Agbaakin Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oloye Lekan Alabi, led the call for a revival of cultural education and values among parents, adding that a child that is properly trained in the culture of his people is not likely to deviate from the right path.

He held that not teaching the children their culture is not only cheating them out of knowing who they are but also giving them a wrong sense of identity that may cause internal conflict for them in future.

According to him, bringing up children with the right cultural values will create a society that will be filled with children that will grow up into responsible adults and bring glory to their families and the society at large.

He stated that teaching a child his native language will not put the child at any disadvantage but will aid the education and sense of worth of such a child, adding that a child that doesn’t know where he is from or the values of his heritage is likely to grow into a conflicted adult and this he said transcends through generations and may lead to erosion of the cultural heritage of the people.

Speaking on the vision behind the programme, the proprietor of the school, Mr Adesegun Obajimi, stated that the trend of children not understanding their native language or their cultural values is a dent on the education of a child, adding that it is difficult to instill moral values in a child that knows nothing about his culture and what he represents.

He explained that the need to ensure any child that passes through the school has an all-round education that will put them in good stead in the future is the reason the school ensures they have cultural education.

The programme according to him is not only to celebrate cultural values or educate the children but also to change the wrong orientation in some parents who feel that if their children are exposed to their language and culture, they won’t be good in English Language.

“This is not about the children alone but also for parents and guardians to know that culture is part of who we are and it should not be relegated to the background. We want children to have an understanding of where they come from and the way of life there. This is the reason for the culture day celebration,” Obajimi stated.

The headmistress of the Sonbeam preparatory school, Mrs Wunmi Obajimi, while speaking on the programme stated that it is also to build tolerance and understanding.

“Today, we are marking and observing our cultural day because we want the awareness of our culture in Nigeria for the pupils of this school as they are growing; from their foundational age, we want them to know that Nigeria has a culture. A diverse culture and we want them to know that they are from different parts of a whole, that they are from different origins so they can understand themselves and respect each other’s culture and way of life.

“We want them to know the basics of our culture, like in the southwest, greeting is important. We want them to understand our different way of dressing, cuisine and beliefs so they know their identity. We want our students to have that background, that is why we like to observe this cultural day annually to exhibit our cultural heritage,” she stated.

Highlight of the programme is cultural presentation and dances from various tribes by students of the school and invited schools like Francis M and Rosegate schools.

The post Dignitaries task parents, pupils on cultural heritage appeared first on Tribune Online.

Relief came the way of about 100 indigent patients suffering from hernia, breast lump, lipoma and appendicitis as the wife of the Osun State governor, Mrs Kafayat Oyetola, through her pet project, Ileri Oluwa Development (IOD) Initiative, sponsored free medical surgeries to address health challenges.

Relatives of the patients and others, including traditional rulers, converged on the premises of the Comprehensive Health Centre, Iragbiji in Boripe Local Government Area last Tuesday, where surgeons performed the operations that lasted several hours. Many of the beneficiaries of the free surgery, who had hitherto been in a state of despair regarding their health challenges heaved a sigh of relief as they underwent free surgeries which they could not afford due to financial handicap.

19 persons in search of ‘bulletproof’ charm die in auto crash

Speaking during the free medical outreach, Mrs Oyetola said the resolve to sponsor free medical surgeries was to assist the needy in the society, most especially individuals who could not afford the cost of paying the required money to treat their ailment, stressing that attending to their medical needs would go a long way in giving them hope.

According to her, “We are determined to follow this doggedly, especially for the benefit of our women and children. We consider health as a major social protection factor that would enhance better living standard for everyone in this state. It is when we are in good health that we can generate great economy for our state. The initiative has undertaken quite a number of medical interventions for individuals. These interventions are in the areas of intrusive surgical needs and mental health.

“Today, some of the ailments that would be attended to are such that ordinarily should not keep our people away from care. However, the cost of attending to these ailments vis-a-vis attending to other daily needs has made many of our people to suffer treatable pain.

“This is why we have come out for this intervention. I am delighted to note that the present administration has intensified efforts at expanding the coverage of the health insurance scheme in the state. I urge you all to take advantage of this scheme as it would afford everybody necessary access to medical care for some categories of needs.”

While appealing to civil society organisations in the state to rev up the awareness among the people in the communities and sub-urban areas to get registered for the health insurance scheme, Oyetola contended that “with the improvements being made to health facilities in the state, our people should complement the efforts of the present administration by accessing care at the medical facilities.”

In his remark, the former Commissioner for Health in Osun State, who is also the current supervisor for the Ministry of Health, Dr Rafiu Isamotu, commended the wife of the governor for the medical outreach, noting that many indigent patients would benefit from the free surgery.

He assured that the state government would spare no effort in improving the quality of healthcare delivery in all public hospitals and Primary Health Care (PHC) centres in communities as part of the measures to promote effective physical and mental fitness of the citizenry.

Also speaking during the free medical outreach, the Aragbiji of Iragbiji, Oba Abdulrasheed Olabomi lauded Oyetola for coming to the aid of the people in terms of medical intervention, just as he implored wealthy individuals in the society and corporate organisations to emulate the gestures by giving back to the society. Some of the beneficiaries of the free surgery who spoke to the Nigerian Tribune expressed gratitude to the governor’s wife for footing the bills of the surgical operation, saying other prominent people in the society should assist the underprivileged to improve their living conditions.

Other dignitaries at the occasion included the Akirun of Ikirun, Oba Abdul Rauf Adedeji, the Alaagba of Aagba, Oba Rufus Olayinka Ogunwole, the Olororuwo of Ororuwo, among others

The post In Iragbiji, initiative offers free surgeries for the indigent appeared first on Tribune Online.

HAKEEM GBADAMOSI looks at the health implications of quackery in Ondo State and the resolve of the state government to fight it.

It is not business as usual for operators of illegal hospitals and pharmaceutical stores in Ondo State as the state government is set to curb the activities of quacks and eradicate quackery in the health sector. Apart from this, the state government has warned against the training of auxiliary nurses in private facilities across the state.

To this end, officials of the Ministry of Health, on monitoring the activities of the private hospitals, last week, sealed off some hospitals in the state while issuing warning to some others to comply with the regulations as laid down by the state government and the ministry.

A private hospital, Arib Hospital located at Iretolu Street in Okitipupa, headquarters of Okitipupa Local Government Area of the state, was sealed off by the state government with a promise to prosecute the owner of the facilities to serve as a deterrence to others.

Apart from the failure of the owner of the hospital, Dr. Odusola Aribo, to properly register the facilities, he was said to be training auxiliary nurses in the hospital. No fewer than 52 unqualified nurses were said to be undergoing training in the hospital while several others had passed out from the hospital and certified to operate as nurses.

Speaking on the closure of the illegal hospitals, the acting permanent secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Dipo Durojaye, who described the development as unacceptable in the state, said the state which has been a cynosure of all eyes in the health sector would not hesitate to deal with any operator of illegal hospital.

Xenophobia: 2 Nigerians stabbed to death in South Africa

He said the operator and owner of the Aribo hospital would not go unpunished saying the state government was ready to prosecute Dr. Odusola Aribo, to serve as lesson to others.

He said the ministry had received incessant complaints about increasing quackery practices in the area.

He explained that the illegal clinic was established by Dr. Aribo, without following the laid down regulations, saying Aribo failed to register the hospital with the state’s Ministry of Health.

Durojaye disclosed that the state government had put some measures in place to curb the activities of the illegal operators of health facilities in the state, adding that  “the state government will not allow the lives of the people to be endangered.” He however warned patent medicine stores operating as hospitals and treating patients, to desist from such act as it poses great threat to the well-being of the society or face the wrath of the law.

Also speaking, the Director, Hospital Services, Dr Richard Adesoji, complained over the rising number of quacks in the health sector, noting that despite the negative effects, people still ignorantly patronise them. “This is unacceptable to the government,” he said.

He warned hospitals that cannot employ qualified nurses to engage the services of Community Health Extension Workers (CHEW) as contained in the agreement of the National Council on Health rather than leaving the lives of their patients in danger.

The Director, Nursing Services, Mrs Alice Ogundele who led the monitoring team to Okitipupa, noted that most hospitals in the area had more than 50 auxiliary nurses under training.

Ogundele said apart from employing unqualified personnel as nurses , endangering the lives of the innocent patients, she said the trend was dangerous to the nursing profession, as it will not allow qualified nurses get jobs while quacks who are a source of cheap labour get employed.

She said the auxiliary nurses constitute danger to humanity describing them as half baked, while some of them also operate illegal medicine stores.

The ministry also issued warning to three other hospitals in the town to stop the training of auxiliary nurses while fake pharmaceutical stores were also sealed off by the ministry.

Some residents who spoke with the Nigerian Tribune hailed the steps taken by the state government. According to Pa. Samuel Akingboye, many people in Okitipupa have lost their lives to the quack doctors and nurses operating these hospitals.

He recalled that two pregnant women lost their lives, losing a lot of blood during delivery, saying they gave up before they could reach another hospital they were referred to.

He said a maternity centre was sealed off some few years ago during an inspection visit to the facility, while one self-acclaimed health personnel was also arrested.

But he noted that the centre resumed operation some few months after it was sealed off without adding any equipment or complying with regulations as laid down by the state government and the ministry.

He however called on the state government to upgrade the General Hospital in Okitipupa with modern equipment in order to discourage people from patronising quacks in the area.

“The state government should help us to upgrade the general hospital in this town, many people visit these quacks and illegal hospitals because of lack of some medical equipment while the quacks usually charge less to keep their business running. We must discourage these quacks from operating,” Akingboye said.

A nursing mother, Mrs. Wuraola Abodunrin, also lamented the loss of one of her twins in a private hospital in the town. She explained the 14 months old Kehinde developed temperature in the middle of the night and was attended to by some nurses before the doctor arrived in the morning and recommended blood transfusion for her but said the little girl gave up immediately after the transfusion.

She however said another doctor informed her later that the doctor that infused the baby with the blood failed to carry out screening and said her girl died due to negligence of the doctor saying they had to pay through their nose to settle the hospital bill.

The chairman of the Nigeria Medical Association, (NMA), Dr. Bola Arohunmolase, said the association is against quackery because of the danger it portends for the society.

He hailed the action of the state government, describing it as a welcome development to the profession.

He advised that government to be thorough in its bid to flush out quackery in the medical profession while urging government officials not to be sectional.

He said “for us in NMA, we support the development. There are standards. These standards should be set and quackery should be discouraged.”

He advised members of the public on the need to seek medical care from qualified medical personnel in duly registered private and public health institutions.

“I want to advise the members of the public to always seek medical care from qualified medical personnel who operate in the duly registered public health institutions for safer medical care. Let me also warn those involved in the illegal and sharp practices to desist from the act or face the wrath of the law,” he cautioned

The post Trouble for quacks: As Ondo clamps down on illegal health facilities appeared first on Tribune Online.

The Ataoja of Osogbo in Osun State and custodian of the Osun Osogbo heritage, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji Olanipekun, is passionate about the cultural heritage and history of Osogbo town. In this interview with Yejide Gbenga-Ogundare, he narrates how Osogbo was founded with the help of the Osun deity, the effect of Osun Osogbo festival and why it must be celebrated annually, balancing religion with his cultural belief and other issues.

What is the significance of the Osun Osogbo festival?

Osun Osogbo festival is a unique one that is associated with Osogbo community and no other community and UNESCO has made it international, which means that Osun has become a festival of the world. The town originated from a situation; there was scarcity of water at Ipole Omu, the abode of the founder of Osogbo, King Gbadewolu Larooye; the first. During the scarcity of water, one great warrior who was a companion of the king, Timehin, while hunting in the forest came across a large body of water, he didn’t know the name but for the fact that they would be able to overcome the water problem, he went back to Ipole Omu and invited King Larooye and the peple, who followed him there and when they got to the site, they were happy and decided to resettle there. One will agree that as a matter of necessity, they would have to get somewhere to hide their head. So, in the attempt to construct huts, they were felling trees, one unknowingly fell in the river and destroyed one of the pots the spirit of the river was using to prepare dye. There was a voice from the river, ‘Oso igbo o, Oso igbo o, Oso igbo o, you have destroyed the pot I am using to make dye.’ They were shocked, it caught them unawares and Laro responded that ‘ore yeye o, ore yeye o, ore yeye Osun o’ meaning Osun, the water that is gushing out from unknown source and they decided to plead with the spirit that they were sorry and never knew it would destroy her property under the water. They asked for forgiveness and the spirit said they were forgiven and the offence forgotten, that she knows they need water which is why they stayed with her but it will be advisable they move a bit upland so that when her bank overflows, it will not take their life or that of their children. They agreed and moved upland and Laro constructed a hut there and that was the first settlement of Osogbo which was coined out of Oso igbo, the name which the spirit called them. Oso means wizard and igbo is forest. The spirit called them wizard of the forest and that’s where the name Osogbo came from. Oroki, the name of their first settlement changed to Osogbo; that was how the settlement came into existence at the grove of Osun River

19 persons in search of ‘bulletproof’ charm die in auto crash

Is this why you worship the deity annually?

Like I said, they heard the voice of the spirit giving them instruction. At that spot where they heard the voice of the spirit, they used to go there to fetch water for their domestic purposes and then her voice came again that because Laro was obedient, she will give him a gift and presented King Laro a very big fish, mysterious fish because it was not just a big fish, it was a fish that could be said to be the size of a small baby. On collecting the fish, the spirit told him, you have stretched your hand to collect a fish from me; you can now go and continue living where you have settled. That is where Atewogbeja which became Ataoja came from; the spirit said you have collected fish from me today and prayed for him that he will be successful where he had settled. In appreciation, Laro promised that every year, he will be coming to the spot where he collected the fish to pay homage to the spirit in acknowledgement of the gift. And that is where every Ataoja must sit on the first seat used by King Larooye Gbadewolu, it was a stone, a natural stone seat and it is still there. Every Ataoja must sit there every year in celebration of Osun and in acknowledgement of King Laro Gbadewolu’s efforts in establishing the settlement.

Is this the only reason the deity is worshipped annually?

No, then, Timehin, the great hunter did not stop hunting because that was his occupation and one day when the population had increased and the spirit did not want to offend them, she told them they would continue to expand so they should move further upland, so they had to leave that settlement and move about half a kilometre away from former settlement to set up a new place far from the groove, that second settlement is named Ontoto and that is the Iledi of Larooye Gbadewolu, the place where the Yoruba spiritualists called Ogboni used to meet, the king of every Yoruba land then was the head of Ogboni cult in his environment. And because of their amazing development and growth, people from far and near started learning about the existence of that settlement, their association with Osun and the blessings they have been receiving from the deity. So people started visiting them whenever they wanted to celebrate to sacrifice with them and make rituals at Iledi, their population continued to grow and they established a market at Ontoto. Archeological findings have revealed prove that the place had been in existence for over 500 years, relics of that period can still be found in Ontoto, you will still see their grinding stone.

It did not end there, Osogbo continued to expand and became a city that has taken over surrounding settlements. What the deity has done for the indigenes of Osogbo is beyond what can be enumerated. So annually, Ataoja will never fail to pay homage to Osun and give her sacrifice. The Osun deity is a spirit, it remains where it is, it is static and cannot be moved. Ordinary eyes can never see Osun. By divinity, Ataoja knows the time he will meet Osun where he used to meet her from time immemorial. Osun is still with me, I cannot show it to anybody. Osun is the deity my predecessors left for me as heritage and I am protecting it and preserving it for the next generation. Osun is immortal; cannot be held, moved or sold like some nonentities claim.

How do you balance Osun worship with your faith and your relationship with Christians and Muslims in the town?

What is culture? That is what I expect to be asked first before asking what is religion; then how do I combine the two successfully? I am the custodian of culture in Osogbo and this culture embraces way of life, religion, association even the food you eat and the type of cloth you wear and all these are embedded in culture, so it is culture that gave birth to religion. No culture, no religion because all you need to make sacrifice for your religion will emanate from the culture of the land. For instance, see what nature has done for Saudi, the intensity of sun is almost unbearable so you will hardly see them wearing black dresses, they usually appear in white because it reflects the ray of the sun but in this place where the weather is variable, when there is heat, we wear things that give space for air but when it comes to religion, religion is belief. And what is religion? It is faith. Larooye Gbadewolu was the first Ataoja of Osogbo, if you believe that it is part of your religion, if you don’t believe it, you don’t have religion because Islam teaches that you cannot accept the existence of God unless you have good faith. What do Muslims believe? They believe in what they do not see. Why are you asking me about my God then? You can only perceive the existence of your God through your inner being and that is inspiration. And once that is established you can only pass it on from generation to generation and it becomes a religion. Though there is no compromise in religion but as the custodian of religion, culture and tradition, Ataoja is the father of all, so I don’t have any challenge in the worship of Osun Osogbo because Osun Osogbo founded Osogbo. Without Osun, there is no Osogbo. That mosque that you see over there, the land belongs to Laro, it was Ataoja that gave it to the Muslims then and it is their children that are now enjoying the mosque for prayers now. So if you see any Ataoja that happens to be a Muslim, he will go there and pray; that doesn’t stop him from performing his traditional rights. I am a Muslim; I was born a Muslim and an Osun faithful. My mother was a worshipper of Osun, my father, Prince Oyetunji was a worshipper of Osun, I had a pot that my mother used to collect the water from Osun grove every five days and it was the water they used to nurse me to a full adult before I knew that I should learn about Islam and I went to learn Arabic as a Muslim. I was named Osundagbonu, that’s the name I have been bearing right from birth, I cannot use hot or warm water for bathing like some do, otherwise I will fall sick. My mother was faced with what people know as Abiku or ogbanje in series. When it got to the 17th time, then I survived, that is where the name Osundagbonu came from. That’s why the issue of the water pot came about. My parents believed in it, if they didn’t, maybe I would also not have survived. And after I learnt Arabic and I learnt the meaning of Jamiu, that it is someone that brings people together, I loved the name because I like seeing myself in the midst of people and I started using the name. Our father Kabiesi Samuel Oyedokun  was a Christian during his time because of his education; when he read about Christianity and found it useful, he joined  Christianity and was succeeded by another Christian, Oba Samuel Adenle, they attended All Saints Cathedral, that is where every Ataoja on the throne must go every year for thanksgiving. When it came to the turn of the immediate past, Oba Iyiola Oyewale Matanmi, he was a Muslim by accepted religion but became an Oba and must perform the duties of an Ataoja, so he was combining Osun with his mosque. During Eid-el-kabir, he will go to the Eid, when it is Christmas, he will celebrate Christmas in the palace and then the first Sunday of every year, he will be at the Cathedral of All Saints. So every Ataoja is a unique king in Yoruba land because no Ataoja will say he is a complete Christian or Muslim but a complete traditionalist whose belief is sandwiched with foreign beliefs.

How does annual celebration of Osun help the town in terms of security, economy and peace?

Osogbo had been peaceful before it became a city; right from the time of acquaintance between Larooye Gbadewolu, Timehin and the Osun deity. What she prayed for them was peaceful coexistence and don’t forget I said by the time she gave them the live elephant which Timehin tied at the Ogun shrine over there, the elephant did not die until its time was up, it wasn’t killed by anybody. That had been giving Osogbo the opportunity to expand till the state it is today. That peaceful coexistence was to be truncated during the Fulani jihad that extended to Osogbo, it nearly captured the Yorubas when they faced the troop of the Fulanis but the Ataoja through his worshippers consulted the deity and Osun told them what to do which they did and succeeded in subduing the jihadists. We were able to get rid of the Fulani through the support of Osun Osogbo deity. So the warriors then knew what they faced before Osun helped them and rescued the Yorubas from the Fulani warriors or jihadists. The deity had been helping us in that way for many years and there are many ways in which we benefit economically, Osogbo bear the name state capital today with the help of the deity; we did not have children in the forefront, we know the position of some Obas in the state then in terms of wealth but our wealth and our source is the deity, having consulted the deity, she helped us and gave us assurance that we will be given the state capital which we now have. And since we got that, you can imagine the buoyancy in our economy. And during Osun festival, you know how much the festival is fetching individuals and groups; you can imagine the number of vehicles, influx of people and how it affects the economy. Trade and crafts; tie and dye, woodwork, metal work, carvings and hospitality  are boosted during this period. Everybody benefits and the town is affected positively. Osun has helped us a lot in everyway, we cannot enumerate the success of Osun in developing Osogbo

The post Without Osun deity, there is no Osogbo —Ataoja appeared first on Tribune Online.

For the people of Ipaja and its environs in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State, it was an experience that would be relished for some time to come in the community’s history.

Recently, residents gathered at the Victory Branch of the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), located on Ajiboye Street, in the Pleasure Area of the city, to be part of the annual health programme organised by a Lagos-based not- for-profit organization, Destiny Focus, in collaboration with a renowned optical medical centre, the Eye Foundation.

The annual health event, which included health talk, medical screening and distribution of glasses to  over 400 residents of the area present, according to the Chief Executive Officer of the Ikeja-based NGO, Mrs. Titi Fasuyi, was informed by the need to reach out to residents, especially  indigents, who are in  need of medical attention, but are without the financial wherewithal.

School teacher bitten to death by mysterious snake in Kwara

The intention of the programme, she added, was to fill the medical gap. “You know there is this common saying that health is wealth. But in this society of ours, only a very negligible few can afford to seek medical help when they are sick, because of the expenses that go with such venture. So the aim of this initiative is to reach out to such people and lend a helping hand. That is why we were very strategic in our choice of venue for the event, because besides being densely-populated, the Ipaja-Abule Egba axis of the metropolis cannot be said to be an upscale area.

“We knew this was where we could find the type of people we were actually looking for,” Mrs Fasuyi stated.  Interestingly, the turnout at the event and a closer look at those that showed up for the exercise bore testimony to the fact that the organisers were on point in their choice of venue.

For instance, it was obvious from the attendance that the one-day health initiative would require a review, perhaps a further extension, to be able to accommodate the huge number of people with various medical issues that came up for the exercise.

An attestation to this is the fact that despite being on their seats for the better part of the event, it was difficult for the six-man medical team from the Eye Foundation Hospital to attend to all residents, who kept thronging to the venue of the event, especially those that came after the organisers had closed registration for the day.

“Though we couldn’t attend to everybody; especially those that came in the later part of the day when we had closed registration, but what we did was to ensure that we attended to every registered person that came to seek medical help at the venue,” the Destiny Focus’ boss said.

And for the over 400 beneficiaries of the day, it was an exercise worth their time. For instance, what made the initiative very unique, for many of them, was the fact that it wasn’t restricted to members of a religious organisation or denomination, despite having the programme inside the auditorium of a church.

“We had a foreknowledge of the event a few days ago. But we had thought it was going to be for members of the CAC alone, since it would be holding in the premises of one of their branches. It was therefore a pleasant surprise for us to discover that it was for all irrespective of religion, tribe or even social status,” stated Mrs. Ajayi, a Muslim, who lives within the neighbourhood, but had also come to check her blood pressure and seek medical advice on her failing vision.

But, the organisers believed the purpose of the event would have been defeated if such restrictions had taken place. “We all know that poverty and sickness do not have boundaries. Christians fall sick, so also are Muslims. The way we have Christians that are indigent, so also do we have Muslims that are indigent. So if you are really talking about impacting the lives of the people, positively, there is no way such initiative can be restricted. It is about restoring smiles on the faces of the people in the area, especially the struggling ones,” Mrs. Fasuyi stated.

A man simply identified as Mr. Kayode, who had brought his two kids around for eye tests, would not agree less. For him, the programme had brought him relief and doused the apprehension and anxiety he had been having concerning the eyes of his two kids.

“Ordinarily, we had made efforts, and a pair of glasses was even recommended for one of the kids for reading. But this medical initiative has availed me the opportunity of getting a top-notch medical advice and support.

“You know it would have been difficult for me to just stroll into the Eye Foundation’s Hospital in Ikeja, without having a deep pocket. But the initiative is bringing the experts from this optical centre to our doorsteps,” said Kayode, who came all the way from Ota, Ogun State.

A representative of the optical centre, who would not want his name in print, stated that though the cost of such medical services at their clinic could be on the high side, but the foundation would not hesitate to partner with honest organisations, whose pre-occupation is to serve the needy.

“We will always be there for this type of initiative. It is a way of giving back to our operating environment,” he said.

The post Lagos suburb benefits from foundation’s medical outreach appeared first on Tribune Online.

As part of efforts to create job opportunities for its youths and eradicate poverty within the community while contributing its quota to the development, Lanlate community in Ibarapa zone of Oyo State has donated 300,000 hectares to Italian investors.

The 300,000 hectares donated by the Lanlate community is to house a tomato processing factory that would specialise in cultivation, processing and export of tomatoes, tomatoes paste, juice, ketchup, among other tomato-based products.

The factory is being powered by a group of foreign investors‎ from Italy who are investing the sum of N544 million into the Oyo State economy for the purpose of tomato production.

To kick-start its operation, the investors, led by the representative of Fenco food Machinery in Africa, Mr Paolo De Sciscilo, ‎met with the traditional ruler of Lanlate town, Oba Abdul Lateef Olagoke, to deliberate on ways to ensure that the natives benefit from the operation and get support from the people

Oba Olagoke, who expressed delight over the prospect of the project and its effect on the people in the community stated that it will indeed be of long-term benefits to the socioeconomic activities of the town and the state in general and called on the investors not to turn the youths of the state to slaves in the factory.

Election tribunal: Buhari must tender his WAEC certificate, PDP insists

He further called on the incoming administration in the state led by the governor-elect, Seyi Makinde, to implement strategic policies that would stimulate agribusiness which he said will help attract investments into the state with a view to turning around the fortunes of the state.

De Sciscilo while enumerating what the project will look like stated that the tomato factory would also contain facilities such as healthcare centres, housing for workers, schools and other associated services, adding that the investment would create an estimated 2000 jobs for the people of the state in particular and the Nigerian unemployed population in general.

“The demand for tomato-based products is increasing as consumers continue to learn the health and nutritive values that tomatoes offer. This is a multimillion dollar investment, which will shortly commence as soon all paper work is completed. We hope to increase the local production of fresh tomatoes and tomato products including juice, paste and puree,” De Sciscilo stated.

In his remarks, Mr Adekunle Alliu, the Executive Director of the United States-Africa Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture Incorporation, said the project would contribute to efforts to promote industrialisation and job creation in the state.

Also expressing his thoughts, the chairman of the Lanlate Local Council Development Area, Mr. Yunus Olanrewaju, said the project would address the storage and loss problems faced by tomato farmers annually and boost the financial strength of individual farmers.

“We are glad that Lanlate is found worthy of such a project. We are excited and I can assure you that our people are accommodating; there will be no issue of security in this area, no violence or disruption of peace and economic activities, this is a relatively peaceful environment,” he said.

Heb further assured the investors that their investment is guaranteed and the community would give them maximum support in every way possible.

Also speaking during the meeting with the Lanlate traditional council, the facilitator and Manager of United States-Africa Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture incorporation, Mr. ‎Femi Odofin, said that the project would boost the economy of the town, create employment opportunities for the youth and improve the socioeconomic life of the people.

“Though I am acting as the facilitator of the project, I’m not doing so as an indigene of Lanlate but because of the potential of the town, especially the land mass which I believe will not only accommodate the project, but also serve as a boost to our economy and be a veritable source of employment opportunities to our unemployed graduates and other categories of people,” he said.

The post Lanlate donates 300,000 hectares for tomato production to boost economy, create job appeared first on Tribune Online.

In what was described as the best of Yoruba cultural display in Ghana, select traditional rulers recently attended a function in the country and demonstrated why Yoruba culture is ranked among the best. TUNDE BUSARI reports the relevance of the trip.

The arrival of a group of Yoruba traditional rulers in the East Legon Province of Ghana was an exhibition of Yoruba cultural heritage as the traditional rulers, selected from Ekiti, Osun and Kwara states, appeared in colourful traditional attires.

Nigerian Tribune gathered that the costume turned the royal fathers to object of attraction not only to their hosts but also to other guests that attended the function.

In company of their aides, the traditional rulers’ dressing was complemented with their crowns and horsetails, the paraphernalia which distinguishes Yoruba rulers from their counterparts in other regions.

Election tribunal: Buhari must tender his WAEC certificate, PDP insists

Specifically, the Ajero of Ijero, Oba Joseph Adebayo Adewole; Olojudo of Ido-Ekiti, Oba Augustin Obaleye; the Alayegun of Ayegun-Ekiti, Oba Aderiye  Folorunso Johnson; the Oluwo of Iwo-Oke, Oba Lamidi Abulkadir Olatunde; the Oluwo of Iwo-Ate, Oba Ogunmola Isiaka Ayoade; the Ologburo of Ogburo, Oba  Oba Asimiyu Agboluaje; the Olu of Ile Ogbo, Oba  Adetoyese Agbaje, the Obajisun of Ayede, Oba Abayomi Rotimi Olusegun and chiefs form the delegation including the Obanla of Iwo, Chief Abiola Ogundokun.

The Oloburo of Oburo said that he would always be proud of his Yoruba culture even if he were not a royal father, adding that Yoruba culture ranks among the best in the world and commending his fellow traditional rulers on the trip for their comportment throughout the journey.

“I could see satisfaction in the faces of our hosts as we walked to the venue of the event. There is no doubting the fact that God has blessed us with rich culture which encompasses what we eat and what we wear and other ways of our lives. It is this our culture that distinguishes us from other ethnic groups in Nigeria, Ghana and other countries,” he said.

Chief Ogundokun also spoke in the same tone and urged Yoruba traditional rulers to always uphold Yoruba culture home and abroad, commending them on that trip for being good ambassadors of Yoruba race in Ghana.

He averred that despite the pervading influence of western civilization in all facets of an average Yoruba life, he still stuck with propagation of Yoruba culture. He stated that it was a thing of joy for him watching foreigners at shopping malls buying traditional fabrics.

“This is saying that our culture is being appreciated by foreigners. Our journey to Ghana is another eye opener, particularly to me, seeing kabiyesis in their good numbers doing Yoruba culture proud,” he said.

What brought the royal fathers to Ghana, it was learnt, was the final rites of passage for the late Nigeria’s foremost businessman and philanthropist, Chief (Dr.) Olu Benson Lulu Briggs, who passed on in Ghana on December 27, 2018 at the age of 88.

The funeral, put together  by his long standing associate and very good friend, Nana Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, King of Ashanti, Ghana, witnessed reunion of old friends from Nigeria and Ghana and other countries who came to bid him farewell.

Also in attendance at the carnival-like burial were traditional rulers from Kalabari kingdom among who were, King Diamond Tobin West, the Amayanabo of Okpo, Iwari Bala, the Amanayabo of Krakrama, Chief Obrasua Ernest Briggs, Secretary, Oruwari Briggs Council of Chiefs, Abonnema and many other chiefs from Rivers State.

From the Igbo community in Ghana came the Eze Ndigbo of Ghana, Igwe Chukwudi Ihenetu, who led his people from the South East to the occasion.

King of Ashante described the late Briggs as “my friend in whom I am well pleased,” noting that death had robbed him of a great friend, brother and compatriot, with whom he did memorable things in life.

Aside sumptuous meals and variety of drinks, the reception for the guests was characterised by outpouring of tributes. Top on the list of speakers was a friend of the deceased, Dr. Patrick Dele Cole, who stated that most of the guests present owe it a duty to say that knowing the late Briggs was both a privilege and pleasure.

“It is the magnificence of his presence that matters. If chief is here, everybody will know he is here because his presence will suffuse this place. We were given the privilege of his particular presence.

“Please, remember that we will all leave here some day but that may not be too important. What is very important is knowing that we found love in OB Lulu Briggs. I am grateful for my association with him. I want all of you to contemplate how lucky you have been to have known OB Lulu Briggs,” he said.

Chief Ogundokun also spoke glowingly about the deceased, going down memory lane to their days as political associates. He added that he knew him at close quarters as a very humane, kindhearted, trustworthy and brilliant man who contributed to human development.

“He was very well respected by politicians in this country because he was loyal, trustworthy and patriotic. Once you are his friend, you can go to sleep, knowing he would always watch your back,” he said.

An in-law to the late Briggs, King Diamond Tobin West, was full of gratitude to the Ghana traditional ruler for the honour done on his in-law.

He said, “We thought we owned Chief OB Lulu Briggs but we didn’t reckon Ghana owned him. We thank you for your friendship. We are very grateful to you. We, the family of West in Buguma, Kalabari kingdom, from where his wife, Seinye, hails from, will miss him.”

After the praise moment, the scripture reading of Matthew 25:31-46 was taken by the daughter of the departed, Rachael. The  hymn followed also to be followed by citation moment which drew tears from the eyes of some members of the family.

For a brief moment, the hall witnessed an unusual silence when Pastor Peter Bawo, a nephew of the late Briggs, read his biography.

In his homily, the pastor noted that those close to the late OB Lulu Briggs would struggle with tears whenever the reality dawned on them that “ the great Opuda was no more.”

Church service held at The Chapel, Transition Place, in Haatso, Accra at about 11:25am with families, friends, well-wishers, top government functionaries from various countries, diplomatic corps and foremost traditional rulers from Nigeria and Ghana in attendance.

With venue decorated in beautiful flowers, the service started on a joyous note as the choir groups from both Nigeria and Ghana rendered hymns that lighted the solemn ceremony.

From Nigeria was the Port Harcourt-based Royal Male Choir and the Ghana ensemble was an all-star group of the Accra Youth Choir. Both groups thrilled the audience with tunes that kept the congregation singing and dancing.

In the opening prayer, another friend of the family and cleric, Venerable Dubem Okwuosa, said  it was noteworthy that Briggs ,” left something to celebrate about”, adding “Our late daddy was a great man who inspired so many of us. This was a man who created a place of worship for winning souls for Christ.

“We thank God for celebrating the life of a great sage God gave us. Let it be known that on a day like this, Chief OB Lulu Briggs made an impact on this part of the world (Ghana) and today, a grateful people are celebrating him.”

Taking a cue  from Venerable Okwuosa, Reverend  Eric Bosu of the Ghana Methodist Church who coordinated the service, also noted that the late Briggs “was a friend of Ghana” and as such, the Ghana people were not at the service to mourn the departed, but to celebrate a life well lived.

With his admonition coming to a close, the song, “It is well with my soul” started the  praise and worship that made the hall erupt in praises and the well-wishers and family had a field day singing and dancing.

The post How Lulu Brigg’s burial brought S/west traditional rulers to Ghana appeared first on Tribune Online.

For residents of Akoko communities in Ondo State, these are not the best of times. The rainy season has announced its presence to the communities with a devastating blow of ruin. HAKEEM GBADAMOSI presents their pain, frustration and cry for help.

A  rainstorm which ravaged Akoko communities of Ondo State penultimate Thursday has left many residents of the area  homeless, displacing them while  properties worth several millions of naira were destroyed by the torrential storm which lasted about three hours.

Three communities in Akokoland were badly affected by the rainstorm. They are Supare Akoko, Ikare Akoko and Ugbe, all in Akoko North East Local Government Area of Ondo State. Residents of these communities are counting their losses as a result of the havoc caused by the heavy rain accompanied by storms. No fewer than 250 houses and shops were affected during the storms in these communities.

These communities were devastated by an unprecedented weather condition accompanied by violent rain and storm destroying houses. Apart from private houses, some structures also affected by the storm included schools, police station, palace, mosques and churches. The storm which also uprooted some trees and scores of electric poles has thrown the communities into darkness.

el-Rufai reshuffles cabinet, appoints new finance commissioner, accountant general

Speaking to Nigerian Tribune, the traditional ruler of Supare, who is also a victim of the disaster, the Onisupare of Supare Akoko, Oba Adejoro Adedeji, described the experience as terrible for the residents of the community. He said though no human casualties were recorded, properties worth millions of naira were lost to the storm.

The traditional ruler said: “It was a terrible storm that affected a lot of houses here.

It has never happened since I assumed the throne of my forefathers. It affected over 80 houses here, electric poles and other valuables. If we are to cost the effect of the damages, it will amount to several millions of naira.”

He explained that he was away on an official engagement at Iju Odo when the rain started. “I started receiving calls from home on that day. But I thank God that no life was lost.

The most surprising thing is that the rain did not fall at Oba Akoko, Eti-Oro and Akungba Akoko that we share boundaries with.

People started coming to the palace for help and using the palace as contact to the state government, seeking assistance

“We have written to the state governor for assistance; we have written to our House of Representatives members at the National Assembly.

Some of them have sent some teams here to inspect the extent of damage.

The deputy governor visited here to see the level of damage and hopefully the state government will do something to cushion the effects on our people. We want to call on the state and federal governments to intervene as the degree of damage is beyond individual capabilities”

One of the pathetic sights was the destruction on the building of a centenarian, Pa. Akin Ogunyebi. The aged Pa Ogunyebi, who lives alone, expressed fear over his health condition saying sleeping around without a home would hasten his journey to his creator.

The 101-year-old Ogunyebi said he lived alone after losing his wife some few years ago while all his children lived in the city. “

I have been living alone since I lost my wife some years ago, all my children are not living here but I have informed them all and they promised to be home soon.

“The rainstorm destroyed all I have including this house. My box where I keep my valuables and belonging, especially clothes, has been destroyed.

I am now begging to live and sleeping in a neighbour’s house. I pray help comes on time before I die of cold. I am left with virtually nothing,” he said.

He however cried to the state government to quickly attend to the need of the people affected by the disaster, noting that many houses were affected in the community.

A physically-challenged Balogun Murtala was close to tears while explaining his challenges after the wreck. The fashion designer said his shop and home were destroyed by the storm while his machine, the only source of his livelihood, was also destroyed during the rainstorm.

Muritala said “as a physically challenged person, it has not been easy for me. It has been tough since this incident. I am a fashion designer and my machine has been destroyed including clothes given to me by customers.”

He however appealed to the state to come to their aid, saying, “we are waiting for the government to assist us with roofing sheets and other things to help us live again.”

In Ikare Akoko, where the disaster was more severe, one of the community leaders, Chief Oluke Olamomiara, said “it was quick and sudden; within some 50 minutes of the downpour the roofs of many houses were blown off. Many houses were reduced to rubbles and several others were cracked and pulled down by the rainstorm.”

He said more than 100 houses were destroyed rendering over 1,400 people homeless as they were forced to take shelter in the premises of some schools and homes of neighbours. He said most of them lost properties, domestic animals and other possessions worth hundreds of millions of naira.

While lamenting his loss, 29-year-old Tamiyu Taofeek said “I have a wife and two children. On that fateful day, we were not at home; we returned home from shop to rest after the day’s work only to meet the whole structure destroyed.

“It destroyed houses, shops, chairs, refrigerators, which will amount to over N1.5 million to get most of things destroyed back, including the building. We are begging the government to assist in any capacity they can. With my family now, we are living with friends, which is not convenient for us. Many things such as my mattress, all my electronics were destroyed. We are sleeping outside now since the rainstorm.”

A resident of the affected area, Johnson Owoeye, also lamented that the economic situation had been affecting his business before the incident which destroyed his shop and goods. According to him, “the rainstorm has run me aground. We are only begging the government to assist us at this crucial period.”

Another victim, 84-year-old Madam Felicia Famuwagun, who has turned her neighbour’s house to home for over a week, expressed fear that her children might not be able to put back the structure to shape on time.

The octogenarian who said the community never experienced such storm added that “I was surprised to discover that no death was recorded except the destruction done to properties and domestic animals.

“The rainstorm destroyed everything in my house; we don’t have anywhere to sleep now.

We are only staying in our neighbour’s house, which is not convenient for us. I am begging the government to assist us, I don’t have anything again.”

Moved by the plight of the people within the local government, the chairman of the council, Rafiu Eniayewu, moved round to inspect the affected areas, with a promise to table the challenges to the state government and relevant agencies to provide relief materials for the people.

He described the storm as devastating saying it was a natural disaster which could have happened to any area but called on the people of the area to imbibe planting of trees in the community to serve as wind breaker.

He assured the victims of government’s assistance.

The state deputy governor, Agboola Ajayi, visited the area and communities affected by the rainstorm, saying the state government received the news of the destruction with sadness, but assured that the government would not fold its arms and turn its back on the victims.

Agboola disclosed that the state officials of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) visited the area to ascertain the level of the damage caused by the rainstorm in order to ameliorate the plights of the victims.

He assured that the state government would provide immediate response in order to cushion the effects of the incident, but stressed the need for the residents of the state to be vigilant and conscious of the fact that the rainy season had just begun and attention should be geared towards adequate protection of lives and property, while he urged the people to desist from dumping refuse and other items that can hinder easy flow of water.

Meanwhile, Nigerian Tribune gathered that most artisans in the community and building materials merchants have hiked the price of building materials. The prices of roofing materials had been jacked up by the merchants while the masons and carpenters charged exorbitant amount for the rebuilding and renovation of the destroyed by the rainstorm.

Most of the people renovating their building after the storm said they had been paying through their noses to renovate their houses. According to one of the victims, the price of cement had been increased and the workers’ charges doubled for their workmanship. They called on the state government to quickly come to their aid.

The post Nature versus man: Many displaced, properties destroyed as rainstorm wreaks havoc in Ondo communities appeared first on Tribune Online.

For the Owa of Igbajo, Oba Adeniyi Olufemi Fasade, his past 28 years on the throne have been admixture of pleasure and pains, depending on which perspective the journey is viewed. However, he would always attribute his staying power to his strong faith in God and total submission to His power over him. In an interview by TUNDE BUSARI in his palace located on elevated surface, the outspoken monarch reflects on his life as he clocks 80 years. Excerpts:

I learnt you served in the Nigerian Army. How did it happen when you already had a job not related to the Army?

How I joined the Army was funny and interesting. I saw the advert in a newspaper and asked our messenger to buy the newspaper for me at Broad Street. I got it, read the advert and wrote my application, which the same messenger helped me to post. I got a reply to come for interview. I attended the interview. Commodore Wey, who was the second in Command to the Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, was the chairman of the interview panel.

What did he ask you during the interview?

The first question was ‘why do you want to join the army?’. I said to keep Nigeria one is a task that must be done. That was the popular slogan then on radio before and after news broadcast. I told the panel that as a young man I needed to contribute my own quota to the unity of Nigeria. So, I was commissioned a full lieutenant in the engineering corps. I can remember that day when I left home in the morning with tie and returned later in army uniform. My mother could not believe her eyes. She shouted and ran to my wife, asking her questions she could not answer because I did not carry her along while I was applying and attending interview. We were taken to Kainji for 14 weeks training, after which we returned to Lagos and were posted to Nigerian Army Engineer Corps, Ede. From Ede we were drafted to Third Marine Commando then prosecuting the civil war from the southern end. I was at 3 Field Engineer Regiment, Port Harcourt.

Can you remember one of the remarkable moments you had in the military?

I can recall the role the former President Olusegun Obasanjo played after I had been enlisted. He was the Inspector of Engineer ing who received us. I walked up to him with a complaint of the salary approved for my rank. I showed him the pay slip of my previous job. He listened to my complaint and said I should forget my previous pay slip, adding that my new job would offer me better opportunities. There is another thing I remember about Obasanjo when he was the Garrison Commander in Ibadan. Nigeria Army Engineer Corps, Ede was under him. Some soldiers stole tyres on their way from the war front. They were fished out by the owners of the tyres. The authorities then took them to Ibadan. Obasanjo listened to them and later asked for the reason they stole the tyres. He spoke with them like a father. Suddenly he changed and said ‘You are bad boys who should not live among the good ones. Take them to Agodi Prison.’ He ordered and they were taken away. Something happened after this experience. One of us said he could not stay again and ran away from the army. You took the bull by the horn early in life and found your way to the United Kingdom. What really informed that decision?

There was nothing that informed my decision to travel to the UK than my search to be a better and successful person in life. I found myself as the first born of my parents, and that position put me in a tight corner, so to say, to help my parents in raising my younger ones. And to have enough resources to take up that task, I needed to develop myself. That is one of the reasons behind my journey abroad.

Can you recall your life in the UK, especially what you did for a living?

Don’t forget that I had a mission in the UK, which was to develop myself after my secondary education at the Kiriji Memorial College, Igbajo in 1959. To develop myself meant I needed to study further. And to study further also meant I needed to work and work very hard because I had no sponsor. In the light of this, I took my destiny into my hand from the day of my arrival and committed everything I had to actualize my dream.

What exactly were you doing?

I sought and got a job first in a factory and later a bank. I got a job at British Savings Bank where I gathered a lot of experiences as machine operator. Unlike in the factory where I wore an over all, I was in shirt and tie in the bank. Though the pay was slightly lower than what I earned in the factory, it was a job which afforded me better opportunity. During that period, I was attending evening classes first at Tottenham College, London where I had Ordinary National Certificate in Building Engineering. Later I proceeded to Hammersmith College, London and had my Higher National Certificate in Structural Engineering. The two certificates are equivalent of what we call OND and HND here. As a matter of fact, they also ran OND and HND up there. The difference was that ONC and HNC were reserved for evening classes’ students. Full time students bag OND and HND.

Were you married before you travelled or in the UK?

I was not married before I left the country but my parents performed necessary marriage rites in Nigeria after which my wife joined me in UK? A friend was coming to Nigeria and I made arrangement with him to obtain her passport. They both joined me, and I started my life as a married man. We had our first born thereafter. We had our second about two months before we returned to Nigeria.

Was there any challenge that the new status brought to you in foreign land?

There was no serious challenge because the system was favourable. I was working and earning a living with reasonable savings. There was no problem.

Can you recall your return to Nigeria and what happened at the airport?

It was not airport. It was sea port at Apapa. We came by water and it was a tortuous journey, having a stopover at every French speaking West African country before we finally landed in Apapa. I recall seeing my family members including my mother who could not contain her excitement as she was rolling on the floor for seeing me again after almost 10 years.

Why did you return to Nigeria when you should have stay back and further develop yourself?

Don’t forget we are talking of Nigeria of the 60s. Staying back did not cross the mind of many of us who were studying there. We had a bigger picture of our country and also had assurance of greater future. Unfortunately, when I returned, there was no job. I was staying in my uncle’s place in Surulere. I later had my own two-bedroom flat because I wanted to carry my responsibilities and faced the reality of life. My uncle was not happy but I made him to see reason for my decision.

It is unbelievable that there was no job then.

It was during the civil war. The job available in places I went were reserved for the Igbos who had gone home because of the war. The thought was to reserve the job for them hoping they would return.

How did you survive that condition?

I eventually got one with Omisore and Afolabi Partners Consulting Engineers. The office was in the Western House, Marina. They interviewed me and found out that I attended the same college they attended in UK. They picked interest in me but could not offer me a full time job. Another company on the same Western House building, the company owned by a son of the late Ooni of Ife, Oba AdesojiAderemi, gave me a better offer.

As the Owa of Igbajo, how can you describe your reign?

To God be the glory that I am still alive today because I faced health challenge. But I am happy today that I have overcome it. That challenge made me to have stronger faith in God. It was during the period developments I desired came to the town. Igbajo Polytechnic, for instance, is our pride today. The school is currently ranked 25 in the country, which is a good one.

Can you, therefore, say you are fulfilled?

If I say I am not fulfilled, I am an ingrate. God has been so merciful seeing me attaining 80 years.

Specifically, what do you think aided your long life?

My strong faith in God helps me a lot. I am a Christian of Baptist denomination. I rose through all ranks from childhood till today. I am a deacon. My experience has taught me that there is nothing anybody can do without the consent of God. God owns everything.

The post Obasanjo encouraged me to stay in the army —Oba Fasade appeared first on Tribune Online.

There is a pocket of PhD holders currently on the stool of their respective towns in Yorubaland. However, there are only few among them who are Professors. One of that tiny few is the Alapa of Okin-Apa, Oba John Akinola Akintola, who teaches at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTHEC), Ogbomoso. In an interview by TUNDE BUSARI, the unassuming monarch explains what the palace has taken away from him. Excerpts:

During your teenage years, did it occur to you that you would one day mount this stool?

It never crossed my mind because I was too engrossed with my academic works, not traditional stool.

How can you describe your father?

It may interest you to know that my father, Oba David Akinloye Akintola, was my immediate predecessor. He was the last Alapa of Okin-Apa having reigned for 15 years. When I was a young boy, my father was a no-nonsense man, who was in total control of his home. He ran a polygamous family and was in full control of the whole family. He was a disciplinarian who would not tolerate any form of misconduct from any of his children. The training he gave us has impact in our development as adult. My mother, Olori Grace Akintola is still alive to witness my becoming the Alapa. I think it is design of God that she would be around to see me on the throne.

Driver kills ex-boss’ wife for sacking him

It is unusual for a son to enjoy such a quick succession. Is it only one ruling house you have in Okin-Apa?

We have three ruling houses but my emergence was a design of God. At times, I look at myself and see the transformation, especially on the day I completed the seven-day seclusion (Ipebi) after my installation held following the appointment on March 10, 2016.

What exactly were you doing during the seven days?

I was undergoing traditional tutorial conducted by the elders. I was being taught ethics and other things related to the stool. It is an experience which shows that Yoruba culture is deep and preserved. I found the seven days very interesting in that it marked my transition to kingship. And the transition was sharp; so sharp that everything does not appear usual again.

How did your coronation and presentation of staff of office look like?

That held on August 4, 2017 and drew what I can call crème-de-la-crème of the society to Okin-Apa. There were traditional rulers from different towns also in attendance. The LAUTHEC community was led by the immediate past Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sulaiman Gbadegesin. Members of academic and non-academic staff came in large numbers to celebrate with me.

Can you share your academic profile?

I started my education at Are Ago District School. From there, I attended Ogbomoso Baptist Modern School and later Anglican Grammar School. Thereafter, I was at the Ogbomoso Grammar School for my HSC (Higher School Certificate). I was the senior boy at OGS between 1985 and 1987. I later gained admission into the University of Ilorin where I bagged a BSc in Botany. I returned to the school for my Masters in Crop Production, specialising in Entomology. Still in Unilorin, I did my PhD in Zoology. I became Professor as a senior lecturer in the LAUTECH, Ogbomoso, where I still teach till date.

It is also unusual having a traditional ruler teaching in the ivory tower. What has the experience been?

As I said earlier, the transition is so sharp and evident in the level of our interaction. The students are all conscious of my new status and adjusting to it. They comply with my schedule. They know the enormous workload I have back in the palace. Some of them are somehow scared to maintain old intimacy, thinking that a traditional ruler is a special being. Even my colleagues too now treat me in a special way.

Are you comfortable with this new development?

It is not a matter of being comfortable or not comfortable. To a large extent, it is a matter of the reality, even though their fear is not actually real. But because of their appreciation of the culture, they know that a traditional ruler occupies a special position in the society.

How beneficial is your academic status to the palace?

There is no doubting the fact that my academic attainment would be an asset to my town. I am not one given to say what I won’t do. I am also not one who raises people’s hope unnecessarily. But I can tell you that I will stop at nothing in making my academic position a great benefit to my town and my people. Already, my children who are doing well in their different professions, are ready to return home and join me in developing the town.

Then you must be missing some things you used to do and enjoyed before you became the Alapa?

There is no sacrifice that is too much to serving one’s town. That is how I see my being the Alapa. I am here on a mission and the mission is very clear; the mission is to ensure Okin-Apa is transformed to a bigger town which other towns would see as a model, in terms of growth and development.

Is there anything on ground to show where you are taking the town?

God has been faithful since I became the Alapa, and I am very positive that He will not forsake me in turning my dream to reality. The truth is that I did not meet the town in good shape, in terms of development. My father was on the throne for 15 years but he could not do much because he spent 10 out of the 15 years on sickbed. This is a challenge to me to ensure that the lost grounds are recovered. I guess you saw a mast outside to facilate reception. I have also built our secondary school. Already we have eight standard classrooms and one hall which is under construction. There are a principal, teachers and non-teaching staff in the school. Our primary school, opposite the palace, has also just been rehabilitated by the effort of Honourable Segun Odebunmi. We also have N10 million ultra modern Central Mosque built by an illustrious son, Alhaji Isiaka Hamzat. I have also built 20 lock up shops to boost commercial activities. Apart from that, I have instituted an interest-free credit facility to our women. This is an empowerment of sorts to ensure that their welfare improves. The women have formed a cooperative through which they access the loan. I can only advise them to make good use of the loan. In the area of security, I have also built a police station, which is going to be inaugurated when the Oyo State Police Command is ready.

My being the Alapa is not a joke but a business and service delivery to my people.

What are the challenges you currently face?

To be honest with you, I am happy doing all these things, only that I use my personal resources and contacts to put them in place. However, as I said earlier, there is no sacrifice I cannot make to build my town. And I am determined to do just that for the sake of posterity. There is nothing we do today which is not being recorded for tomorrow. I have a bigger picture of Okin-Apa and we are going to achieve that dream.

Can you tell me the state of the proposed Special School for Children with Disability?

This school is seriously giving me a concern now, if I must be frank with you.

Why is it giving you concern?

Our expectation, after the delegate from the Republic of South Africa and Dangote Foundation visited my town, was high; very high. Deputy Minister for Social Development, Ms Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu represented the Government of Republic of South Africa while a Manager of Dangote Foundation, Musa Bala, signed on behalf of the group. We were happy to the extent that I conferred a traditional title on Ms Bogopane-Zulu. Forty acres of land has been allocated for the project. But since then, there is nothing on ground, which is unfortunate.

What is the way out of this stillness?

I want the Federal Government to intervene by reaching out to the government of the Republic of South Africa to know what is delaying the project.

Have you a word to your subjects?

I want them to continue with their trust in me. They have shown love since I became the Alapa. If you were here during Easter, you would see my people celebrating with me in the palace. It was a historic gathering. We are happy that we all have one mission, which is to collectively develop Okin-Apa.

The post Being a professor on the throne is added advantage —Oba Akintola appeared first on Tribune Online.

In order to alleviate the suffering of the people in his community and empower his people, the Baale of Lisa community in Ogun State, Chief Oladele Odugbemi, has launched the Oladele Odugbemi Foundation, majorly to facilitate the development of his community which he believes has been abandoned by government.

Lisa village came to limelight in 2005, when the Boeing 737 of Bellview Airline crashed in the rustic community of Lisa, putting the hitherto unknown community on the radar.

After the plane crash, Lisa community got a temporary new lease of life as the attention of government and the whole country shifted to the community.

Federal Government immediately engaged in the rehabilitation of the only existing road linking the community to different parts of Ogun State. And the community had it good for a short period.

But today, the attention on Lisa has waned; no one remembers Lisa again and the road rehabilitated is a shadow of itself, making communal life hellish and crippling economic activities.

Grieved by this situation and with a passion to change the situation, Chief Odugbemi set up a foundation to cater for the needs of people in his community.

The baale stated that his major concern is to “breathe life into this once-upon-a-time healthy community almost overshadowed by years of neglect and lack of patronage.

“To achieve my plans for this community, I solicit the support of the people for the Oladele Odugbemi Foundation, positioned to make life better for Lisa rural dwellers. The foundation will raise the bar and I call on all well meaning Nigerians, philanthropists and people with like minds to help pull Lisa out of the dungeon of poverty and want,” he said.

According to him, the foundation will give back to the society by empowering students, artisans, traders, market women and elderly not only in Lisa but other neighbouring communities that are gravely threatened.

“Looking back, one will discover that our society has continued to witness a downturn in the standard of living. A higher percentage of the population is being emasculated by the effect of the harsh economic situation of our country. The oil boom we witnessed in our country over the years has not given us the required economic base that could lead to self-sufficiency of the citizenry.

“Democracy as a system has also not given the required frame to a working and buoyant economy that would have translated to good life for the populace. This is why I set up this foundation to make remarkable development and add value to life in Lisa community.

“We have done a little within the years that we had been in operation and we are launching now and calling on others to support the cause of humanity for the greater fulfillment. The journey as far as the vision of the foundation is concerned is still very far. The foundation has been able to spread its tentacles through the building of a police station in Lisa, healthcare centre, a five-day market, full financial support to students in tertiary, secondary and primary schools.

“It has empowered market women, Okada riders, the elderly and other artisans. Let me through this medium appeal to government at all levels to come to our aid concerning the bad Lisa road. We all knew what happened many years back when Lisa was in the news. The only road linking Lisa with other major communities was tarred.

“Today, the road is in a sorry state; the community is at the brink of total economic collapse. Visitors recall horrible tales each time they visit our community and are often discouraged from making a repeat visit. We call on relevant authorities to look into our plight, honour those who lost their lives in the ill-fated flight from Lagos to Abuja by making the monument erected in their memory evergreen.”

The launch of the foundation witnessed an award giving ceremony anchored by the Nigerian Top Leaders Magazine which bestowed on Chief Odugbemi the Kwame Nkrumah/Nelson Mandela award of integrity and good governance.

The occasion, also witnessed the display of the Igunuko Cultural

Troupe from Lisa while Chief Odugbemi’s was also made the patron of the Freelance and Independent Broadcasters Association (FIBAN), Lagos State chapter.

The post Baale Lisa foundation seeks development for Lisa village appeared first on Tribune Online.

In March, you attended the Commonwealth Summit in London and delivered a keynote paper. What was your impression about the summit?

It gave me the opportunity to address such a large audience from different countries formerly under British rule. The summit also enabled me to appreciate my ethnic group better, in terms of the reactions to my dresses. From the Heathrow Airport, it was greetings and ovation. I felt on top of the world being shown such appreciation. They showed me that Yoruba have a rich culture. All we need to do is to modify some parts of the culture to be in tune with the modern age. We cannot continue to do certain things the way of our forefathers. Our forefathers perhaps never dreamt of iPhone and other communication devices. They never boarded aeroplanes. They were restricted to their small environment and did things the way they met them. They lacked capacity to subject certain things to questioning. But this new age has afforded us opportunity to raise and ask questions on some issues that are not clear. In the days of our forefathers, some were blind when there was nothing like contact lens to enhance their vision. Contact lens is equally body enhancement product. We need not shun the grace of our era. As an African, you can decide to make your skin lighter through body enhancement products just like the white men are tanning to look darker or brown. It is your choice in as much as it doesn’t change your identity or who you are. Your look is your personal asset. I am not insulting our culture because I am a custodian of culture and tradition. But what is the essence of education if we cannot apply what we were taught in the classroom? Our culture is rich and it can be richer if we make it open to modification.

What was the central point of your speech?

The basic thing that I pointed out was the effort of the white in development and the need for blacks to join the race and contribute to world development. As I said, some aspects of our culture which are backward should be expunged to give way for the aspects that would move the world forward. Unfortunately, some people misunderstood my speech. But I am used to being misunderstood. What I can only say is that I won’t entertain blackmail or being lied against. I can’t lie against anyone. That is why I don’t say what I don’t know.

You are often a subject of criticism, especially on social media. How do you feel being bashed?

As far as I am concerned, I feel nothing. I can’t feel anything in-as-much as I am focused. In fact, I should be worried if they don’t criticise me. I am an unusual traditional ruler. This is a change, and the change must attract all sorts of reactions. I am not bothered about any reactions. What I am interested in is the goal I set for myself when I became the Oluwo in 2016. I am happy to tell you that in less than four years, the name of Iwo is everywhere. How many towns have the same privilege? And nothing can distract me from the line I am following.

Your recent visit to Chief Olu Okeowo in his Ikoyi residence stirred some reactions. What is your relationship with your host?

I am always very proud to see not only a Yoruba man but Nigerian breaking grounds. Chief Olu Okeowo is a pride to the Yoruba and to Nigeria in general. Why won’t I celebrate him when occasion requires? By now the public should understand the fact that I am above primordial sentiment. I am very proud of Chief Okeowo for the success he has achieved through hard work and being resourceful. My visit to his Ikoyi residence, on his invitation, was symbolic in the sense that I showed the world that I associate with successful people.

• Banditry: Seven Zamfara Emirs under security watch

Can same be said of your visit to Alhaji Aliko Dangote?

I have said it that I am a pan-Nigerian traditional ruler. It does not matter which ethnic group you come from, I will identify with you. For example, my visit to Alhaji Dangote is yielding result now. I may not want to say everything in the papers now but be assured that my town is going to benefit from these visits. I was in the North with the Sultan of Sokoto. I was there with the Emir of Kano. Do you think I was on tourism? By the time the results of my efforts start to come out, the public would understand that gone were the days when a traditional ruler would sit permanently inside his palace and wait for development to come. The world is becoming more competitive, and we need to realise and accept that reality. Times have changed. Traditional rulers who are really interested in expanding their domains should rise up and take their destiny in their hands. If they fail to take their destiny in their hands, they will be left behind.

Do your subjects respect you with your regular trips?

You should go to town and ask them this question. Go and ask them what they feel about me and the trips I make on their behalf. Let me tell you this, whenever I return to the town, I am welcomed with an ovation. All I know is that when the benefits come, everybody will have their share of development.

The elections have come and gone but the memories of the elections would linger for a long time. What is your overview of the elections?

As a traditional ruler, I should first of all give thanks to God for coming to the aid of the nation before and during the elections. There was tension in the air but God took control of the matter and gave us hitch-free elections. It is high time we played politics of development rather than politics of division. Despite the fact that I am a Canadian citizen, blood will remain thicker than water. Nigeria is our home, and we must all work together to ensure that the home is in peace. It is natural that one contestant must win. It means the other contestant may win in future elections. That is my understanding of democracy as it is practiced in developed countries of the world.

Before the elections, you made some comments about Lagos and national unity. What informed that statement?

A traditional ruler must show interest in what goes on around him, not only in his domain because his sons and daughters live at different places. A traditional ruler must pray for his children resident elsewhere so that they return home with investments. That was what informed my comments on Lagos. Lagos is mini-Nigeria where all ethnic groups that make up Nigeria are domiciled. We can even say Lagos is the capital of West Africa because all these West African countries visit Lagos on daily basis. What I said then was that it is barbaric playing politics with national unity. I said Lagos was naturally created to integrate and cement the unity of Nigeria. It accommodates all irrespective of your ethnic attachment. It was the first capital of Nigeria before ceding to Abuja. It has been like that before many were born. Lagos is the home for all. It is a centre of excellence in affinity, good governance and quality representation. The peace enjoyed  by Nigerians cannot be truncated by inciting  political statements. Politicians should be wise and stop fanning the embers of discord detrimental to our national unity.

Don’t you see that statement being political?

However you see it, the truth must be told. I cannot say because a statement is hard, I should keep quiet. Lagos has played and is still playing a strategic role to Nigeria. We should not allow politics to truncate that.

The post Yoruba culture can be richer if opened to modification —Oba Akanbi appeared first on Tribune Online.

Ajegunle community in Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Government Area of Lagos State is a community that lives by its own rules. Indeed, there seems to be an unwritten code that governs life in this ancient community which is a melting point for diverse ethnic groups in Nigeria

Ajegunle, popularly known as AJ city, covers a large land mass and is home to people from various tribes in Nigeria  – Isoko, Igbo, Hausa, Yoruba, Urhobo, Ijaw, Bini, Berom, Igala, Efik, Ibibio and a host of others living together without any tribe being more prominent than the other.

AJ city is a country on its own with diverse streets that stand like council areas for residents with each street having an individual that has one way or the other become identified as the authority on that street. All through the streets of Ajegunle; from Boundary to Orodu Street to Goriola street, Fatimo lane, Salami Street, Bale Street, Rorobi Street to Tolu and Garuba street; or from Goriola link to Ojo road, Zacheus street, Ikenne Street to Sogbesan and Onibaba Street among others, the whole environment reeks of abject poverty, squalor, infrastructural decay and an unshakable impression that the area is a no man’s land where only the brave carries the day.

The Ajegunle environment is in direct contradiction to its name which in Yoruba means wealth has landed. Even to a first time visitor, it is immediately obvious that life in Ajegunle is about struggle and people hustling in various ways to earn a living. And while there are various ethnics in the community, the official language is Pidgin English. The struggle to make ends meet cuts across various endeavours in this community and often, the line between wrong and right is blurred as people, especially youths, cross the line frequently while prostitution, cultism, armed robbery and other vices thrive.

Ajegunle is seen as a notorious slum by many for obvious reasons, and in spite of producing countless football stars and showbiz celebrities, the characteristics that make people see it as the natural habitat for criminals and prostitutes remain unchanged.

Every situation is an opportunity to make money in Ajegunle as residents capitalise on every situation to make quick money; getting information comes with a price and how much one pays depends on what is at stake and the bargaining ability of each individual. Any attempt to take pictures is looked on with suspicion and the average resident automatically presses an unseen mute button once you are trying to record their conversations. It seems they are only willing to talk when there is no risk of revealing their identity.

Nigerian Tribune’s attempt to get 10 people on record gave the same results: once the recorder and camera came out, some walked away while others kept quiet. Not even increasing the agreed fee did not change their mind until a young man gave reasons for the action — no one wants to be identified in case the story makes some people in the community uncomfortable.

Moving around the inner streets of Ajegunle requires guts, and a strong instinct to know when to go back or blend with the elements. One cannot afford to act like a stranger in some streets, else the streetwise people in the money from community will see it as a fast chance to extort the newcomer.

During work hours, while many are at their place of business, many youths in the area loiter in streets and others sit idly in front of their houses idle and waiting for any opportunity to make quick cash. Unemployment, prostitution and crime seem a major part of life in AJ city and prostitution is a trade that is passed down the generation in Ajegunle community.

Because most houses in Ajegunle have no amenities, business-savvy individuals make money by providing services that are not available. Those that do not want to visit the canal are saved by modern public toilets where they pay N50 to pee and N100 to defecate, but these  services are usually used by outsiders and not Ajegunle residents.

By its location, Ajegunle community should ordinarily be a rich one considering the fact that it borders two of Nigeria’s biggest sea ports; Apapa Wharf and Tin Can Island. But this is not the case; it seems immediately wealth lands in the area through the ports (as the name of the area indicates), it takes flight to other areas to settle, leaving  Ajegunle, a community rich only in name.

It is said that nothing is constant except change. And Ajegunle community is not an exception to this. For months now, there has been continuous change in the setting of the area; new structures pop up almost on a daily basis, standing out like sore thumbs in the midst of the lines of brown unstructured houses.

On every street, there are new houses replacing old structures; storey buildings standing tall amidst the low family compound structures that used to be lumped together. The beautiful new structures stand aloof yet not alone on every street in the community. Among the new structures that create an uneven terrain in the community is the beautiful Goriola Primary School 2 in Boundary, Ajegunle.

This school, a beautiful complex, can be likened to a spot of colour in a sea of brown as it is bordered on both sides by low extended buildings that confirm the status of slum conferred on Ajegunle long time ago. Nigerian Tribune learnt that the government converted what used to be the dumpsite on Goriola Street to the beautiful building for the school. Pupils that attend the school from down the street, however, have to journey on a terrible road which was damaged by the inability of water to find a path to cross into the canal since its path has been blocked with houses.

A visit round the community reveals countless houses under construction. Some families have started changing the structure of their buildings from the brothel-style buildings to normal flats while some shop-like structures within the community are being renovated into normal residential homes.

Many believe this development is a sign of good things to come and predict that in years to come, the old Ajegunle may cease to exist as there is a likelihood of all the houses being sold to give room for new buildings. This sentiment is, however, not shared by many residents who believe that the new structures will only increase and exist alongside the old ones.

For them, it’s unlikely that all houses in the area will be sold out as some families are entrenched and will not sell off their properties. Their sentiment is easy to believe. Nigerian Tribune found out that the new structures springing up have in no way affected the way of life or essence of the ghetto called Ajegunle.

Some houses are even being renovated by the indigent families as the owners rather than sell off would rather polish it up to get higher rents. The people that spoke with Nigerian Tribune were unanimous in their view that though many old structures will still give way for new ones, Ajegunle will remain Ajegunle in spirit and culture.

The Seriki Hausa community in Goriola, Ajegunle, Muhammed Bello, relocated to Lagos from Jigawa without his family in 1985 during President Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida’s regime as Head of State and has remained a constant factor in the area for over 30 years.

He lives in a shed where he houses other Hausa people who ply different trades. Some are shoemakers, some tailors that move round the community plying their trade, some are water fetchers that move to other areas to work, some sell food and other items while many ride motorcycles.

• Ajegunle: A city in motion

He told Nigerian Tribune that he used to live in one of the houses before influx of new buildings created a spike in price of things in the area. He decided to live the way he does so that the standard of living of his family members back in his village will not be affected as he has to send money home regularly.

“I rented a room here on this street, but I later left it because my family is back in Jigawa State, I have plenty children back in my village in Jigawa and I pay rent on the house they stay. I was paying rent here and back home before but now, I can’t because this place is now expensive. The new houses coming up are making rent expensive.

“I can’t explain how old tenants that were living in the houses affected feel because most of them moved away and we don’t know where they went after they were sent out when the old houses were sold. I heard stories that some went to Lekki, some Ajah but I have not met anyone of them since they left so I can’t confirm.”

When asked how those that left could afford houses in Lekki and Ajah since the areas are expensive, he said, “That’s what I heard. I have not seen any of them since to confirm. It may be true, it may be false.”

When asked about the new building directly beside his domain, he stated that, “This building beside me is surprising. I went home just few weeks and came back to see this one here, the old house was gone. A neighbour of mine called Alaba, a carpenter, was living there and his carpentry shed was there just beside me. when I saw him, I asked what happened since I didn’t hear anything before I left, he said the problem is that the building is a family house and some family members wanted it sold and the money shared so everyone can move on with their shares and though some didn’t want to, they had no choice than to sell. And immediately it was sold, the new owners demolished the structure and put this up. So, all the old tenants left and we haven’t seen them since.”

Bello confirmed that most of the houses in the area are family houses that also accommodate tenants, adding that the new buildings in the area are not a threat to anyone.

“Most houses here are family houses, but there are also many tenants living in rooms in the houses. We see new houses every day but we are not affected by the new houses; they do not disturb us. Everyone goes on with his business. What I want is that government should fix this road. I want this Goriola road fixed,” he said.

And when asked whether he is not afraid that if the road is fixed, it will attract more people and all these houses will be sold leading to his relocation, Bello said, “this community is not an area for big people; it is occupied by old residents like me. They cannot pursue us from here; nothing can send us away, even these new houses cannot; we will either stay together here or they will put tenants in the new buildings.”

45-year-old Sunday Emekpoti from Delta State knows Ajegunle like the palm of his hand, having lived there all his life and he did not mince his words.

“I was born in this Ajegunle and I have always lived around here. Ajegunle has always been like it is now and this Goriola that you are in has always been a condemned area. They don’t reckon with us because they see this street in particular as a brothel street because before now, all these buildings, they used to put rooms for girls to use as brothel but now it is becoming a residential area.

“That primary school over there was a dumping ground before, so when government was going to build school on it, they demolished some houses behind the dump site to expand to the size they wanted. Though this area had always been relegated, we didn’t have issues with road before but now, the road is terrible. You can see how difficult it is to pass that spot. Now imagine when it rains how it will look,” he said.

When asked what went wrong with the road, he said, “before, water used to pass from the road through that path down to the canal behind the street, but the landlord of that house blocked the path and water cannot have free passage again. We have a councilor on this street but we have never seen him do anything. The little done on this road is done by the people; we try to fill it up frequently.”

Nigerian Tribune asked Emekpoti: now that new houses are springing up, how has it affected the area?

He said: “The new houses are cropping up but then, nothing has changed here. No positive developments; no amenities have been introduced. Houses are being built, but it does not affect us; life here remains the same. Even government that turned the dumpsite to a school didn’t think it was necessary to fix this road. Everyone does his thing here, that’s the life, no one disturbs others.

Are residents not afraid they may have to leave the area with the way old properties are being sold?

Emekpoti quipped: “Yes, it’s possible. Because every day, we see new structures going up, many will still lose their homes but there’s no way they can buy everywhere up; some old people will remain here forever. That is the Ajegunle way; if you lose your house here, you move to other streets, if you are lucky to get accommodation there. Here, we always find a way to survive. What we need is just this road to be fixed government should fix this road and do something about security around the whole Ajegunle.”

A trader at the Ajegunle boundary market, which is the commercial centre of the community, also spoke with Nigerian Tribune. The lady who sells fairly used belts refused to give her name because she didn’t want to be singled out in the market. She stated that though there have been new structures since she started trading at Ajegunle Boundary market for close to 10 years, the way of life has remained the same.

“It is true that we see new structures almost every day, but it has in no way changed anything. Life here remains the same; the way things are done has not changed. Ajegunle of 10 years ago is still the Ajegunle of today. The structures are just there but they really change nothing. See that roundabout there, that is where they still do their traditional rites. They go about their business and we sell our wares. If there is a need for secrecy, they do their thing at night.

“By 8.00pm, this place closes up and people go to their homes, so if they want to do anything, they do it then. Those new buildings come up everytime but it doesn’t affect our lives,” she said.

A resident that sells soft drinks in front of her house also spoke with Nigerian Tribune off camera on Orodu Street.

The middle aged woman said, “Let them be building their houses now. Is this not Ajegunle? Can they live here? Nobody can pursue anyone o; they either live with us or leave us alone. There’s no threat. I don’t know if anyone is threatened because none has said that to my hearing. I think people are comfortable with it. We are living our lives and they are building their houses. No one disturbs the other; life is just the same,” she said.

The story of Ajegunle is one of survival of the fittest in a community guided by unwritten codes. Indeed, Ajegunle is a well meshed inter-tribal community where the old is not threatened by the new.

The post Ajegunle: Mix of cultures where old ways scorn development appeared first on Tribune Online.

It was meant to be an evening of book reading, a special session, organised by the Nigeria-Britain Association (N-BA) to deepen relationship between nationals of the two countries and rev up their cultural values.

Tagged, ‘An Evening with the Storyteller Olola Olabode Ogunlana’, the intention of the event, according to the President of the Nigeria-Britain Association (N-BA), Mr. Shola Tinubu, was to bring the crème de la crème of  the two nations and  culture enthusiasts together, particularly of South West, Nigeria.

The guests, comprising members of the association, prominent individuals from the nation’s business circle, such as the President of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Mr. Babatunde Ruwase and others were to listen to extracts from Pa Ogunlana’s collection of books, which include, ‘Out of The black Pot’, ‘Selected Tales’, ‘Yoruba Love Stories’ and ‘The Quest for The Rare Leaf’.

Interestingly, the collection, on parade, depicted the author’s writing prowess and his experiences, over the last few decades. According to the N-BA president, the evening would also be used to go down memory lane, as far as the nation’s history was concerned.

According to him, the theme was to explore the nation’s colonial era and the legacies left behind by the colonial masters, through story telling.

“Storytelling is an integral part of many cultures around the world and an even peculiar one in Africa. I say it is the fine blend of history and the premonitions of the future; all wrapped up in the aesthetics of words and vivid imagery.

“Stories are universal in that they can bridge cultural, linguistic and age-related divides, globally; and can likewise be used as a method to teach ethics, values and cultural norms and differences.

“It is only the story that can continue beyond the war and the warrior. It is the story that outlives the sound of war-drums and the exploits of brave fighters. It is the story that saves our progeny from blundering like blind beggars,” Tinubu had stated, in his welcome address.

While commending the organisers for putting the event together, the author, Olola Olabode Ogunlana, believed the thematic thrusts of the evening, woven around the legacies of the nation’s colonial masters was rather apt.

The audience was thrown into frenzy when the author described himself as one of the ‘leftovers’ of the British rule.

“I’m surprised that everybody is busy talking and looking for left-overs of our colonial masters, when I’m here. Let me quickly say I’m one of the leftovers of the British rule,” the author stated.

Pa Ogunlana argued that British rule had its positives in the life of the nation, arguing that there were some deliberate falsehoods being peddled, especially by the nation’s leadership, with the aim of distorting history.

“It depends on who is talking about the British leftovers in the country. If we are to follow the language of the politicians, we will say the British came, pillaged the whole place and left us empty.

“But the fact remains that the British left some legacies behind after 1960.  For instance, they left the best trained armed forces in the whole of Africa, in Nigeria. Even the nation’s civil service was rated the best in Africa after Britain’s exploits in Nigeria. Besides I’m also an example of the legacies that the British left. We were trained in those days, and we had our opportunities,” he stated.

• Yoruba-Igbo ties: Oduduwa was never last child to any Igbo prince ― Oluwo

Taking his time to delve into the history of Lagos and how some of the city’s street names were derived, the author stated that it has become imperative for such history to be put in proper perspective, especially for the younger ones.

According to him, the popular Apongbon, on Lagos Island, derived its name from the advent of a white man, with a brownish beard, who was a cigarette merchant in the area, then.

“The white man sold all sorts of cigarettes, and you were sure in those days that you were going to get your choice as a smoker on getting to his store. So the word Apongbon simply means the man with a red beard (apon  lagbon).

“Besides, Lagos was the place to be, then, because of its serenity and beauty. And as a student then, we were told, by the uninformed that the white men were only using their culture to brainwash us and that they were not actually sincere about giving us quality education, but we know better today,” the author stated.

He berated today’s set of leadership for not giving due recognition to history, as a subject in the school’s curriculum, noting that such would only compound the myriad of challenges presently facing the country.

It was also an evening of poetry. Adebola Afolabi, a young poet urged individuals present to always identify with the culture of the community they belong to, while attributing some of the challenges the society is facing to serious identity crisis, due to neglect of culture.

The post Old Lagos comes alive as cultural values take centre stage at symposium appeared first on Tribune Online.

As part of efforts to reduce poverty and make life easier for people in Iganna community and environs, the Iganna Heritage Foundation, a nongovernmental organisation founded by the Sabiganna of Iganna kingdom, Oba Saliu Oyemonla Azeez, to among other things, support the rehabilitation and financial empowerment of widows, the handicapped, orphans, destitute and the elderly and equip the younger generation with skills was unveiled on Friday.

The unveiling took place in Iganna amidst pomp and pageantry as the first empowerment project of the foundation took place with the distribution of 510 smart charcoal stoves to widows in collaboration with Envirofit international Nigeria Limited, Ikeja Lagos.

The distribution to the widows according to Oba Azeez, is just a tip off the iceberg as the 510 beneficiaries were just the first batch of widows in Iganna Kingdom and there will be other beneficiaries.

Speaking during the distribution, the Sabiganna stated that the event which was the first of its kind in the history of the ancient Iganna Kingdom is just to signal the unveiling of his foundation in commemoration of his 10 years anniversary on the throne of his fathers, adding that the foundation is being positioned to turn the lives of people in his community around for the better.

“This is a new dawn in our community, I have been working to ensure there is socio-economic development for the people of my kingdom and this NGO is not just an association for fun, it is meant to empower my people in every way and bring development to the community in a bigger phase. On Sunday, May 5, I clocked 10 years on the throne and my experience in a decade I have spent on the throne revealed that poverty is the bane to effective human management.

“I resolved to fight it headlong and the many sleepless nights of finding a way out gave birth to the foundation. It is being unveiled today officially to herald the celebration of my 10 years anniversary on the throne but it is not going to end here. The main anniversary celebration is coming up in October and it is going to be a week-long which will also witness the formal inauguration of my foundation.

“We unveiled it today but it will still be launched during the anniversary week after which you will see the foundation moving stones to open up the community and empower the people,’ Oba Azeez stated.

He explained further that the 510 women that were beneficiaries of the smart charcoal stoves will still be part of other empowerment programmes aimed at giving financial independence to indigent women, youths and widows domiciled in the town to ensure they can stand their own among their peers.

• Church leaders must give youths chance to thrive —Otusanya

The anniversary celebration he stated will feature activities like a book launch, the official inauguration of the foundation, sporting competition, cultural exhibitions, chronicles of his first decade on the throne, lectures and documentary on the history of Iganna town among others.

He explained further that the foundation will provide educational assistance and scholarship to indigent students, provide mentorship programmes to the younger generation for a sustainable future, provide skill acquisition and economic empowerment opportunities for unemployed youths and women, encourage teaching of sound moral values  and help the younger generation to be self supporting members of the society.

He however called on well meaning individuals, philanthropists and corporate organisation as well as prominent indigenes of Iganna kingdom and their friends to partner the foundation to help the people of Iganna and develop the town.

The women that benefitted from the distribution cut across diverse age groups and status but the underlying criteria for their selection according to the foundation, is the need.

“We just didn’t distribute for the sake of being seen, we gave to indigent women especially those in the hamlets and farmsteads as they are the ones that need this most,” Oba Azeez stated.

The post Sabiganna’s foundation donates 510 smart stoves to indigent women, widows appeared first on Tribune Online.

What is the significance of today’s event?

It is to acquaint the younger ones of the activities of the Nigeria-Britain Association (N-BA). You know the British had it a free game, when they were here. They had everything to themselves. Everything here was British, no competition. But with the approach of independence, people started to wonder how best to keep the relationship between these two countries going. So they started this association to consolidate the relationship between Nigerians and British, and the counterpart, the Britain-Nigeria Association was also started in England. I was a member of both. The idea is to strengthen relationship, and what we are doing here (book reading), today, is a way of reinforcing such relationship. You see good relationship is very important, even in a globalised world. I’m sure that back there in Britain they are having a second thought, concerning recent developments in the country. We begged them to stay with the commonwealth and not go to Europe, they refused. Now they have this problem of Brexit on their hands. And what it simply means is that after Brexit, they are going to need Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Uganda,  Kenya and all the people they had earlier rejected.

You talked glowingly about the British rule in Nigeria, during your presentation, earlier. But, many Nigerians would rather attribute some of the challenges facing the country today to what they term ‘British misrule’. How do we reconcile such opposing views?

There is nothing to reconcile. As I said earlier, it depends on your perspective. Many people walk around without opening their eyes. The British were our colonial masters, and like I said, they took away our oil, rubber and cocoa. But they also left us some things. They brought Christianity, western education, left us with very good armed forces. For instance, our politicians would readily say the British came here took out the wealth and damaged the whole place. But, the question is since they (the politicians) got there, have they done any better? I still insist Britain left us the best army, that is the best trained armed forces in the whole of Africa. Our  civil service, then, was rated the best in the whole of Africa. That is why I always emphasise the importance of storytelling. The need to know yesterday, today and tomorrow, that is the trinity of time.

That was why I used myself as a personal example of the legacies that the British left in Nigeria. You know today’s event is about examining some of those things that the British left behind. If you are  therefore looking for such British ‘leftovers’ in Nigeria, I’m one of them. I experienced British rule in Nigeria and I know some of the positives, compared to what we are having now. I believe it depends on who is talking about the British ‘leftovers’. The point remains that despite taking advantage of our resources, the British still left some solid legacies, in terms of quality administration.

You seem to place so much emphasis on storytelling, but how relevant is this art to our national life today?

Well if you look at it well, yesterday, today and tomorrow are like a trinity, and it is through story telling that we can weave this trinity of time  together. It  is through storytelling that we can connect the present with the  past, with the aim of  planning for the future. Story telling is to amuse, to entertain, to teach and tell the younger ones about the history and the culture of their people. For me, any country without history, well I better don’t say what I have in mind.

History is no longer being given a pride of place in our schools, what do you think would be the trickle-down effects of this on our society?

To start with, it’s a shame that we are even conversing in English. If it were possible, I would have loved the chat conducted in our local dialect; since that is one of the ways to identify with such culture. We should learn from the common saying that: He who does not know yesterday, would not value today, and for such individual to prepare for tomorrow will be difficult. We must learn from history. We have some bad leaders. They withdrew history from the curriculum. They felt by doing so they would be able to cover their track. But they can’t.

It is like a smoke, nobody can cover it. It will always filter out. So we must study history, we need it. For instance, we don’t have a Nigeria now, what we have is mere geographical expression. Do we have a Nigeria? Are you a Nigerian? I’ve asked these questions, severally, and nobody, including a university professor, could give a satisfactory answer to them. I think all these questions are coming out because of our disdain for history. We really do not care to know about our past. Our concern is only about the present. Many Nigerians today are more committed to their ethnic cause, rather than the national cause. The question we should be asking ourselves is, why?

• Present Nigerian constitution destroying us —Arogbofa

But what is the way out?

Our leaders must work very hard to put the various strands together. We have Federal Character Commission, but how active is the commission? So we have to get  serious as a nation.

A moment ago, you gave a picture of what Lagos looked like, while you were growing up, and how some of the streets in the metropolis derived their names. What would you say is the difference between Lagos, then, and now?

Let me tell you, it’s not only Lagos, for instance, that was birthed in history. Many other towns also did. For instance, Lokoja, in today’s Kogi State, was the first place the British settled in when they first came. The real name is Loko ja. ‘Ja’ in Lokoja here simply means red, and the same thing applies to Abuja, Suleija and all others. Talking about Lagos, you find it interesting how some of the city streets’ names were derived. For instance, the popular Apongbon simply derived its name from the  advent of a whiteman, with a brownish beard, who was a cigarette merchant in the area, then. The white man sold all sorts of cigarettes, and you were sure in those days that you were going to get your choice, as a smoker on getting to his store. So the word Apongbon simply means the man with a red beard (Apon  lagbon). In other words, where we call Apongbon today was the location the man with the red or brownish beard was selling his cigarettes, then. Besides, Lagos was the place to be, then, because of its  serenity and beauty. We had a more serene, beautiful Lagos during the British rule. It’s one of the legacies the British left. I remember, as a student then, that is during colonial period, we were told, by the uninformed that the white men were only using their culture (education) to brainwash us, and that they were not actually sincere about giving us quality education. Those saying that then weren’t very sure of the British intention in giving us education, but we know better today.

Our reading culture is waning and the internet seems to be a major challenge. How do we rekindle this very important culture in the younger ones, today?

We should lead by example. As a parent, when your children see you reading, they’ll emulate you. Children pick and do what they see the older ones doing. If they don’t see their parents reading, discussing, telling stories, they won’t do it. For instance, I still tell stories to my grandchildren, just like my grandfather who died in 1939 also did for me, while I was growing up. There is a vast opportunity for us to be better than what we are today, if we revive our reading culture.

What would you say inspire you as a writer?

Well I love story telling. I like to know about what happened before and how we can do it better. One of the things that still guide me today is a nursery rhyme I learnt in 1938 at St. Paul’s Breadfruits Primary School, Lagos. It says: ‘Good, better, best. May I never rest, until my good is better, and my better is best’. It was the principle in that rhyme that inspired me to build SCIB Insurance, then. Interestingly, I’m still guided by that principle. I’m still working towards making my better, best. That is why I’m still a student now, even at over 80 years.

The post Britain took away Southwest’s cocoa, rubber —Ogunlana appeared first on Tribune Online.

Crisis appears to be brewing between two communities: Odigbo in Odigbo Local Government Area and Ode Aye in Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State, over who should install the traditional head of the bitumen rich community of Agbabu, the Oloja of Agbabu.

When the state government perceived danger over the friction between the two communities laying claims to Agbabu, which would threaten the peace being enjoyed by the people of the state, it immediately called an emergency meeting of the two community heads, issuing warning to the two traditional rulers to steer clear of Agbabu community.

Speaking on behalf of the state government, the deputy governor, Agboola Ajayi, during the meeting with leaders from Odigbo and Ode Aye warned those planning to cause unrest in Agbabu, to have a rethink as the state government would not hesitate to deal with such people, saying “the government would not fold its arms and watch some unscrupulous elements ignite violence in the peaceful communities.”

The deputy governor said the meeting became imperative so as to nip the crisis in the bud as security reports revealed that the situation had reached the level of getting into a full blown war, hence the need to  halt the two traditional heads, the Orunja of Odigbo, Oba Rufus Olugboyega Akinrinmade and Halu of Ode-Aye, Oba Akinmusayo Akinlade, from installing community head in Agbabu.

The two traditional rulers had been at loggerheads over who has the right and power to install the community head in Agbabu, though the community which is known for its vast bitumen deposits reputed to be the second largest deposit in the world next only to Venezuela had been attracting attention lately because of the decision of the state government to tap the resources. It became evident that should the crisis degenerate, the state would be the worse for it.

However, in separate interviews with the two traditional rulers, they laid claims to Agbabu community, with each supporting their claims with supposed historical and modern day facts.

Oba Rufus Akinrinmade, while speaking on the development, described the action of Halu of Ode Aye, Oba Akinmusayo Akinlade, as encroaching into another domain by installing a community head in Agbabu. Taking a trip down memory lane, Oba Akinrinmade said Agbabu was never an indigenous town and it was a no man’s land from the beginning. He described it as a settlement of people, mainly traders from various towns and villages in the south-west states, which included Ondo, Odigbo, Oyo, Osun, Arogbo and Ikale, transporting woods to Lagos.

He explained that most of the traders came to the place for business and sold items to the white men who used to rest at the settlement before proceeding on their journey. He however said the place gradually became a community where traders made a stopover. He added that it eventually became a town.

He however said there was no contention over the community since then as it was a community under Odigbo. According to him, the community heads had been paying homage to Odigbo’s traditional ruler ever since then, adding that the last head of the land was installed by his father, whom he succeeded.

He said the last community head, Patrick Akinmulero, who died in February 2019, was installed by his late father in 1998 and was upgraded to Oloja from community head in 1999. “As the custom of the people of the community, the people visited the palace to inform me about the demise of Akinmulero while I advised them to formally inform the Orunja palace and the local government authorities which they did by writing to the palace and the council. We informed the local council and we were told to exercise some patience for the approval of the state government before selecting another community head,” he said.

He said he was surprised to learn about the installation of a head for the community by Halu of Ode Aye, saying “I cannot imagine the claim of Oba Akinlade that Ode Aye had installed a community head in Agbabu. The claim is not only false but unfounded; he claimed 22 heads and 14 Olojas had been installed in Agbabu. This is not true and not possible because the settlement came into existence in the early 50s. Mr father ruled Odigbo for 31 years and all the baales from Odigbo paid homage to him.”

He however said the claim of Ode Aye traditional ruler was nothing but a distortion of history. He pointed out that the contentious area, is in the same local government with Odigbo while Ode Aye is in Okitipupa Local Government Area of the state.

Speaking on behalf of the Halu of Ode Aye, Oba Akinmusayo Akinlade, Chief Wole Omogorioye said the community was established by a daughter of Ode Aye known as Ojajo who was the daughter of Durowo but said the community started expanding from time to time.

According to him, Odigbo indigenes flooded the Agbabu community on the invitation of one Lapoki who coordinated them as workers or labourers who worked on the farms then. He however said Ode Aye had installed many olojas in the community. He said Agbabu community falls under Odigbo Local Government Area for administrative convenience.

“Agbabu belongs to Ikale Aye from time immemorial and there is supportive document of the Western Region known as Ikale Assessment Report. The coming of Odigbo to Agbabu was on invitation of the Oloja of Ode Aye then known as Oloja Lapoki Akinsuroju. He invited the Odigbo people to come and partake in the market and this was on the advice of the white man then who observed that the place was a suitable place for a market,” he said.

Some Odigbo residents have called on the state government to ensure that it puts an end to the whole problem. In an interaction with Nigerian Tribune, Festus Durojaye, a resident of Odigbo, said that “we want peace and anything that would truncate the relative peace that has been in our various communities should be avoided. Should this problem escalate, we as residents will have ourselves to blame. We do not want to reduce ourselves to the crisis rocking some of the Niger Delta communities where things have gone awry.

“It is true that there is a large deposit of bitumen in the area under reference but we should know that this mineral resource should be used for the general good of all of us. Crisis has never done anyone good and we can rest assured that it will do us no good when the issues involved degenerate. We have nowhere else to run to when things go bad.”

• Kogites must do this for God!

Another resident of the community, who identified himself as Ajibola Atilayo, told Nigerian Tribune that he moved to the community in 1997. He confirmed that the last Oloja of the town was installed by the Odigbo traditional ruler.

According to him, “I came here to farm in 1997. I know that we have been living together here in peace since the installation of the last Oloja in Odigbo until the recent development. Why should we allow violence at this time? It is not in our interest in any way. Development is what we want and anything outside that should be thrown away. We want all those involved to give peace a chance.”

He however linked the discovery of bitumen and the determination of the state government to start exploration of the mineral as the cause of friction between the two communities.

“Attention shifted here since the present administration came on board in the state. Many people have visited here to show their interest in the bitumen discovered here. We appreciate the state government for taking the right steps at the right time so that these people will not turn our community to a theater of war,” he added.

Banji Ikuomenisan, an indigene of Odigbo, appealed to the traditional rulers to prioritise the well-being of their subjects. “Our traditional rulers are our fathers. It is incumbent on them to prioritise our well-being and see to it that they do the needful. It is only a madman that will see his house on fire and not run for cover. We need peace for our various communities to grow. We cannot afford crisis at this time. It is sad to note that there are some people who are bent on benefitting from the crisis. This is true because in every crisis, there are victims and beneficiaries. These beneficiaries will do all within their power to sabotage efforts that are meant to pursue peace. But as citizens that are intent on making our communities better, it is our responsibility to do all we can so that peace can reign,” he said.

A resident of Ode Aye, Idowu Ademidun, called on various stakeholders not to relent until all parties involved are brought to accept peace.

According to him, “we cannot afford any crisis at this stage where various communities are pushing for self-actualisation. I appeal to all stakeholders both at the community, state and federal levels not to relent in their efforts at ensuring that all warring parties are made to embrace peace. There are many communities at the moment that are in one crisis or the other. This is not what we want. We want peace, we want progress and we obviously want to advance in the various aspects of our lives. Natural resources are used in every sane society to advance the cause of humanity, why then should it be a reason to go to war in our own case? We must do all within our powers to push out those who only delight in crisis.”

However, during a meeting with the two traditional rulers, the deputy governor, Ajayi urged the communities to cease fire, just as he suspended the installation of the community head for Agbabu indefinitely.

He again instructed them to adhere to a circular sent by the state Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, which instructed traditional rulers to officially write and receive approval before installing heads in any community.

According to him, “the letter became necessary in order to forestall issues that could cause crisis in our communities.” He maintained that as long as the state government had not been informed officially on the choice of the community, no installation would take place, saying the action of installing a new head in Agbabu has run foul on the relevant rules.

He assured that the state government would make its stand known on who is eligible between the two traditional rulers to install the Oloja of Agbabu community. He enjoined communities in the state to avoid any act that could cause violence in their domain.

The post Trouble as traditional rulers bicker over Ondo bitumen community appeared first on Tribune Online.