Politics

This isn’t the Nigeria our founding fathers worked towards – Olubadan

By Web News 680

As Nigeria marks her 62nd year of independence anniversary, the citizens have been called upon to retrace their steps from the seemingly unproductive paths that had over the years stagnated the country’s growth and development.

This call was made by the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade II in the congratulatory message to Nigerians on the occasion of the Independence Day anniversary made available to journalists by his Personal Assistant (Media), Oladele Ogunsola on Saturday.

The monarch, who lamented that the hopes and aspirations of young Nigerians among whom he was then when Nigeria got her independence in 1960 were a far cry from what is presently manifesting, said the leaders owe it a duty to redirect and reshape the affairs of the country towards rekindling those hopes and aspirations.

According to him, “this is not the country we were looking forward to when we got our independence in 1960 and certainly, this is not the kind of country our founding fathers worked towards. The question to ask ourselves is where did we get it wrong and how did we find ourselves where we are now?”

“By answering these questions sincerely, we must be able to retrace our steps and chart a new path that would lead to the country of our dream. There must be concerted efforts to instil hope and confidence in the present and coming generations. A situation where travelling abroad to permanently live there is now the desire of both old and young says much about how frustrated people are.”

“Yet, we possess the capacity and capability to make this country better and livable for all and sundry if we have the will. That’s why we should all use this occasion of anniversary celebration to soberly reflect on how to change the present narratives of insecurity, corruption, unemployment, and low economy among others”, he added.

2023 elections very strategic to Nigeria’s future – Oba Balogun

Asking that the general elections holding early next year should be used to address all the nagging issues by voting for competence, integrity and antecedents, as against sentiments and stomach infrastructure, Oba Balogun described the election as a very strategic one that has the capacity to reshape the affairs of this country, depending on how altruistic people are in their choice.

He congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari, Engineer Seyi Makinde, Nigerians in general, both at home and in the diaspora and the Ibadan residents in particular on the anniversary with a charge that all hands must be on deck to make Nigeria great and a country that all could be proud of.

Adewumi Faniran

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Culture

2023: Olubadan Charges Nigerians on Unity, Growth, Development

By Web News 709

Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Sen. Lekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade II says Nigerians should lay less emphasis on religion and tribe, but, instead focus on the programmes of the various political parties angling to take over from President Muhammadu Buhari which would engender unity, growth and development of the country.

The monarch made this charge at his Alarere residence during the visit of the Presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Prince Adewole Adebayo in the company of other top echelon of the party ahead of the commissioning of the party’s South-West Zonal Secretariat on Monday at Eleyele in Ibadan.

Oba Balogun, who spoke through the Ekerin Olubadan of Ibadanland, High Chief Hamidu Ajibade noted that the situation of the country presently calls for concerted efforts of all to live it out of the woods, stressing that Nigerians’ choice of leadership in the 2023 general elections would go a very long way to determine what becomes of the country in the nearest future.

In a statement made available to journalists in Ibadan by his Personal Assistant (Media), Olubadan was quoted to have said that “our problem today should not be where one comes from or what mode of worship does one embrace, but, how the problems of insecurity, unemployment, wobbling economy, comatose education among others would be frontally tackled.

“What your party needs is prayers because, in your speech, you have touched and identified the concerns of the generality of the people and going by what you have said, it is not difficult to know that you have very good and genuine intentions for the liberation of our people. It is our prayer that the God Almighty would grant you your heart desires which we hopefully think would benefit Nigerians and replace the current forlorn hope with smiles and enthusiasm”, Olubadan added.

Earlier, Prince Adebayo had told the gathering that his party would have through the late MKO Abiola demonstrated what good governance should be, but lamented that the military aborted the good intention through the criminal annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election, which till date remains the freest and fairest in the electoral history of the country.

He disclosed that his coming out “is to bring back the glory of the country through five areas of security, economy, employment generation, unity of the country and rekindling of people’s hope and confidence in the government through granting of people’s rights and privileges to them. We are yet to evolve truly as a nation, even 23 years after uninterrupted democratic process, our party is out to correct all those militating against this.

“Those who know us would appreciate that our party loves peace and not given to the do-or-die tendency of some people, which we have identified to be the function of the government of exclusiveness that the country has over the years been having instead of government of inclusiveness which our party would promote if given the mandate to rule the country.

“When people know and feel it that a government that is in place caters for the interest of all without consideration for your tribe, language or religion, they won’t find it difficult to repose their confidence in such government and give the government its rights, because, in turn, the government would give them their rights”, the SDP presidential candidate stated further.

In his remark, the party’s gubernatorial candidate in Oyo State, Barrister Mike Lana, who spoke on behalf of his Ogun State counterpart, Engr. Tony Ojesina and Oyo North Senatorial candidate, Hon. Mulikat Adeola Akande said what SDP would do in government if given a chance at the next general election would not only bring back the glorious days of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo but do more for the people of Nigeria.

Lana, who was a Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General in the state some years back commended the initiative of Oba Balogun on the land dispute committee set up by him under the leadership of the President of the Mogajis in Ibadanland, Chief Asimiyu Adesola Adepoju (Mogaji Ariori) with a pledge to give the committee a legal backing if he’s elected the governor of the state.

The former Commissioner said the issue of land grabbing had assumed a very alarming dimension which was why the initiative by the Olubadan must be widely acknowledged, adding, “if given the opportunity to govern the state, I will give legal backing to the committee towards ensuring that people’s fear on acquisition of land in Ibadanland in particular and Oyo State in general is allayed. By this, the state would become more investors’ friendly”.

Adewumi Faniran/Titilayo Kupoliyi

Oyo State INEC REC, Mr Mutiu Agboke presenting the Olubadan with the “Online Voter Registration Steps” poster
Politics

Oyo INEC Boss Visits Olubadan, Seeks Royal Support

By Web News 844

Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Oyo State, Barrister Mutiu Agboke is seeking the assistance of traditional rulers and other critical stakeholders in the polity to sensitize voters to collect the over 700,000 Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVC) awaiting collection at the state office of Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

Barrister Agboke made the call during the visit made to the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Senator Lekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade II by him and his management team at the Alarere residence of the monarch.

Using the occasion to present the Olubadan with the “Online Voter Registration Steps” poster, the REC said the uncollected PVCs were enough to make somebody the state governor, noting that the total number of votes scored by the two governorship candidates that scored the highest votes in 2019 governorship election was not up to 700,000 votes.

He said the purpose of the visit was to rejoice with Oba Balogun for ascending the throne of his forefathers and to solicit his assistance and cooperation as a respected voice in the community on the need for residents’ active participation in electoral activities.

Aside from the collection of PVC by the residents, the REC also wanted the monarch to help appeal to the various political parties to play the game according to the rules of engagement, saying, ”INEC is doing everything possible to ensure hitch-free elections, but, we need the cooperation of the political parties by adhering to the rules”.

“When the law says no to vote-buying, it is not INEC that goes about with money at the polling centres, the political parties are the ones. We started preparations for the next elections immediately after the 2019 elections and the results of our preparations manifested in the successful conduct of elections in Edo, Kogi, Bayelsa and Anambra States”.

“In addition, we had other bye-elections that were successfully conducted and we are out again to ensure that the 2023 elections are without hiccups of any form, but, we can only achieve this with the support and cooperation of all the stakeholders which formed part of our visit here, Kabiyesi”, the REC stated.

Mr Agboke also told Oba Balogun that the commission would on Monday, next week begin the fourth phase of the Continuous Voter Registration, CVR, which he asked the monarch to help appeal to the residents to take the advantage of by participating in the exercise.

The Olubadan, who in his response assured the REC of the palace’s support for the commission’s programmes urged for enough sensitization of the general populace, asking the commission to be conscious of the political awareness level of the residents. 

The monarch equally appealed to both the politicians and the electorate to work towards making Nigeria great by following the political rule, adding, “There’s nothing special about the so-called advanced societies that makes them better than we blacks except that they do things right”. 

“Let’s fully participate in all the pre-electoral activities and vote peacefully during elections. Let us collaborate with ourselves and since INEC is ready, we as citizens too should be ready. I appeal to all, let’s see to the greatness of this country by doing things right”, Olubadan added.

Ridwan Fasasi