Security

Customs, Monarchs Unite to Tackle Smuggling

By Web News 217

By Oluwatoyin Adegoke

As part of efforts to strengthen national security and suppress smuggling activities across border communities, the Nigeria Customs Service has emphasised the need for closer synergy with traditional rulers, in line with the Comptroller-General of Customs’ policy thrust on community engagement and strategic partnership.

Acting Customs Area Controller of Ogun I Area Command, Mr Oladapo Afeni, made this known during a strategic courtesy visit to the Onipokia of Ipokia Kingdom, Oba Yisa  Olaniyan. 

Mr Afeni noted that traditional institutions remain critical partners in the suppression of smuggling and the enhancement of national security, particularly in border communities like Ipokia.

He reiterated the core mandates of the Nigeria Customs Service, including trade facilitation, revenue generation and anti-smuggling operations, while urging the traditional council to continue sensitising residents on the dangers of illicit trade and its negative impact on national security and economic growth.

In his remark, the Onipokia of Ipokia Kingdom, Oba Olaniyan, commended the Comptroller-General of Customs for his transformative leadership anchored on global best practices.

The monarch encouraged the Acting Area Controller to discharge his duties without fear or favour and reaffirmed that Ipokia is a peaceful, law-abiding community committed to supporting the Federal Government’s economic and security objectives.

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Security

Yoruba Monarchs Call for Redesigning of Security Architecture

By Web News 321

By Zion Oyelade 

Following the recent security threat occasioned by the suspected invaders, Yoruba traditional rulers have called for a redesigning of the security architecture that would recognize the peculiarity of each region.

This is contained in a communique read on behalf of the Yoruba Crowns at the end of the Security Summit put together by Ile Oodua held at Ojaja Arena, Ife Grand Resort and Industrial Hub, Ile Ife, Osun State.

The Summit which attracted over one hundred and fifty Kings led by Ooni of Ife Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi including Aare Ona Kakanfo, Iba Gani Adams, Araba Awo of Osogbo, Ifayemi Elebuibon, Amotekun Commandant of Ondo, and host of others converged on Ojaja Arena to deliberate on the security challenge facing the region.

Speaking, Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke who described the summit as timely and non-partisan said bringing the Yoruba race back to her cultural values and uniting against traditional threats were the way to go.

Senator Adeleke who was represented by his deputy, Prince Kola Adewusi maintained that it was high time the traditional rulers re-embrace the traditional science and language for total development.

In his submission, the Summit Converner, Ooni of Ife Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi said the summit was organized to arrest the coming threat aimed at destabilizing the peace and progress of Yoruba land.

Delivering his paper on Kidnapping and Banditry by the Chairman, Police Service Commission, Mr Solomon Arase and Araba Awo of Osogbo, Baba Ifayemi Elebuibon who spoke on ‘Yoruba Legacy of African Science: Overcoming the Twin Menace’ said the main motive behind this had been for economic expansion by some marauders, saying the menace had largely been responsible for the recent food insecurity ravaging the Yoruba land.

They said any attempt by modern religion to brush off Yoruba of her culture, especially traditional science should be rejected.

Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yoruba land, Iba Gani Adams who advocated a law forbidding any king that refused to be cultured before being enthroned, added that Amotekun and other local security outfits should be properly structured to involve the forestry department that would take the fight to them.

According to the communique which was read by Professor Siyan Oyeweso, Yoruba traditional rulers who also demanded that the country be returned to a Parliamentary System of government said this would not only confer them a legal role but would make each region develop at their pace as it was in the first Republic.

The summit resolved to present a bill to President Bola Tinubu as an executive bill to the National Assembly to legalise the resolutions of the traditional authorities of Yoruba.

Other notable personalities at the summit were Chief Sunday Adeyemo popularly known as Sunday Igboho, Chief Akin Oshuntokun, Chief Shuiab Oyedokun, Nigerian Security Agencies, local security outfits and others.

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Environment

Ogun Demolishes Shanties, Warns Monarchs

By Web News 384

By Oluwatoyin Adegoke

Ogun State Government has warned traditional rulers in the state against allocating road setbacks and public spaces to unauthorized users for pecuniary gains.

Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Environment, Alhaji Farook Akintunde gave the warning when he led the state Taskforce on Environmental Compliance and Enforcement to carry out the demolition of shanties and makeshift structures in the Akute area of the state.

Alhaji Akintunde said the illegal structures erected around the Akute Under- Bridge and along the fence of a primary school in the area had exposed residents to environmental hazards and noise pollution while putting the school pupils at risk of social vices and unnecessary distraction.

Alhaji Akintunde said the Anigilaje Community Development Association and the management of Zumuratul Primary School had earlier petitioned the government on the illegal allocation of the public spaces in the community by a traditional ruler as well as the unwholesome activities of the traders.

He cautioned the displaced traders against going back to the recovered spaces, pointing out that Environmental Marshals had been detailed to apprehend anyone caught.

In a remark, the Chairman of Ifo Local Government Council, Mrs Kikelomo Delano who commended the state government for dislodging the illegal occupants also pledged that the local council would enforce the no-trading order in the demolished areas.

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Politics

Tinubu Pledges Turnaround In Nigeria If Elected

By Web News 674

The National  leader of the All Progressives Congress APC Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has promised to turnaround the fortunes of Nigeria if elected as president in the 2023 elections.

The former Lagos state governor gave the assurance during his visit to traditional rulers in Ondo state in continuation of his consultation over his presidential ambition.

Asiwaju Tinubu met with the monarchs in Owo, Okitipupa and Akure representing the three Senatorial districts of the state.

He said his resolve to vie for the nation’s number one position was borne out of the need to transform the country economically urging the monarchs and the people of Ondo state to support his ambition.

Asiwaju Tinubu promised to give priority attention to Agricultural development, industrialization, Education and other sectors that would help the country and Ondo state in achieving their full potentials. 

While welcoming the former Lagos state governor on behalf of the traditional rulers, the Deji of Akure Oba Aladelusi Aladetoyinbo, the Olugbo of Ugbo, Oba Fredrick Akinruntan and the Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Ogunoye acknowledged the impact of Asiwaju Tinubu in breeding leaders and transforming Lagos during his tenure expressing hope his leadership ability.

On the APC National leader’s entourage was the coordinator of Southwest Agenda For Tinubu, SWAGA, Senator Dayo Adeyeye and other prominent politicians in Ondo state and southwest in general.

Various social groups added colour to the event with their melodious political songs in welcoming Asiwaju Tinubu to Ondo state.

Isaac Afolabi

Culture

Ekiti Monarchs Risk Suspension Over Land Dispute

By Web News 1463

Ekiti State Government has warned three Traditional Rulers in Ijero Local Government to desist from installation of Chiefs in disputed areas along their common boundaries.

The Deputy Governor, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi gave the warning in Ado-Ekiti While mediating on Chieftancy titles and Boundaries issue among Ipoti Ekiti, Ejiyan Ekiti and Owatedo Ekiti.

Otunba Egbeyemi maintained that Government would not hesitate to suspend any Traditional Ruler caught promoting crisis or sponsor issues that could cause disaffections in their domains.

The Deputy Governor noted that despite repeated warnings and appeals in December last year for the three Monarchs to maintain peace and allow Government to make it findings in order to settle dispute among them, one of them ignored the government directive.

Otunba who emphasized that administration of Governor Fayemi was known for peace and would always do everything to sustain it, threatened that, henceforth any Monarch caught ignoring the government directive risk suspension.

Radio Nigeria reports that several Petitions had been received by the State Government from Oloja Owa of Owatedo, Oba Olawunmi Olofinlade and State Department of SS on possible crisis among the three Communities over boundary issues and Chieftaincy titles which had the nomenclature of history, norms and values of their existence.

Oriola Afolabi

Culture

Nigeria Lost one of its Longest Serving Monarchs- PMB

By Web News 890

President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed shock and grief over the death of the Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Shehu Idris.

The President’s condolence is contained in a statement by the Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu.

President Buhari says Nigeria has lost one of its longest reigning traditional monarchs, whose contributions to the promotion of unity and peaceful co-existence among Nigerians cannot be forgotten for years to come.

He noted that the Emir of Zazzau, who ascended the throne in 1975, had used his long reign to serve his people with dedication and identified with their aspirations at all times.

President Buhari prayed to Allah to forgive the late Emir and grant his family and subjects the fortitude to bear the loss.

The president has also delegated his Chief of Staff, Professor Ibrahim Gambari to lead a group of Ministers and senior government officials to Zaria to represent him at the burial of the Emir, Alhaji Shehu Idris.

According to a statement, the delegation comprised the ministers of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, Environment, Dr. Mahmud Mohammed and that of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika as well as the President’s spokesman, Garba Shehu.

The team was received on arrival at the School of Aviation in Zaria by a Kaduna State delegation led by the Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufa’i.

Conveying the condolences of the President, the Chief Staff said the late Emir had paid his dues to the nation.

In his response, Governor Nasir El-Rufa’i who said the people of Kaduna State have lost a caring father also thanked President Buhari for sending a powerful delegation to the burial ceremonies.

Frcn, Abuja