The Egba Traditional Council has suspended the Olu of Obafemi, Oba Taofeek Owolabi, for six months over allegations of land grabbing brought against him by a community association in Ogun State.
In a letter dated December 13, 2024, signed by the Alake of Egbaland and President of the Egba Traditional Council, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, the council cited Oba Owolabi’s failure to honour invitations by both the Ogun State House of Assembly, OGHA, and the council’s Ethical Committee.
The council noted that after its unsuccessful attempts to mediate through its Ethical Committee, invoked Section 36 (1) and (2) of the Ogun State Obas and Chiefs’ Law of 2021 to justify the suspension.
It declared that Oba Owolabi’s actions constituted behaviour entirely unexpected of anyone who has any claim to being a traditional ruler.
The suspension, effective immediately, bars Oba Owolabi from attending government functions or presenting himself publicly as the Olu of Obafemi during the six months.
The suspended Oba had in October been arraigned before a Magistrate Court sitting in the Owode-Egba Area of the state for allegedly defrauding one Michael Adeyemi to the tune of 75 million naira and assaulting a police officer.
People of Egba Zone, comprising 6 local government areas of Ogun State have called for urgent government interventions in upgrading road infrastructure across the zone.
They made the call at a town hall meeting, convened by the State Government as part of the process of generating inputs for the preparation of the year 2024 budget.
Prominent traditional rulers and political leaders as well representatives of workers unions, professional bodies, artisans, social organizations and religious groups attended the town hall meeting held at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto Abeokuta.
All the speakers at the event were particular about the need for government’s attention on different roads across the zone, while also calling attention to the poor state of primary health care facilities and many school infrastructure, including those at the state owned tertiary institutions.
The Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo who spoke through the Osile Oke Ona Egba, Oba Adedapo Tejuoso called for concerted efforts towards fixing the Lagos-Abeokuta road and expressed optimism that the existing cordial relationship between the state government and royal fathers in the state would be sustained.
In a contribution, a former Senator for Ogun Central Senatorial District, Gbenga Obadara, urged the state government to rehabilitate the roads leading to Laderin train station in Abeokuta, as well as the Lafenwa – Adatan road.
Other speakers highlighted the road networks that needed urgent attention of the government to include, Saje, Mokola, Ilugun, Ajitaadun (remiremido), Bode Olude, Elega, Iberekodo, as well as Adatan Car-Wash, Obantoko, Osiele, MAPOLY-Ojere road linking the new housing estate at Kobape and Coker, Ifo, Ibogun roads.
The Speakers appealed to the relevant organs of the government to ensure that the projects were adequately captured in the 2024 budget of the state.
Earlier, the State Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Mr Olaolu Olabimtan had emphasized that the present administration was committed to delivering good governance, adding that 215 projects were completed in Egba Division, within the last 12 months.
Responding, Governor Dapo Abiodun, Represented by his Deputy, Mrs Noimot Salako-Oyedele, said the policies and programmes of his administration were in the best interest of the people, irrespective of ethnic, religious and political affiliations or social status.
The Governor gave the assurance that all the demands and inputs from the people would be included in next year’s budget, promised to consolidate on his open door policy and all inclusive style of governance, to better the lots of the people.
The town hall meeting in Egbaland was the fourth and last in the series of the programme which had been held in Remo, Ijebu and Yewa divisions of the state.
The Medical Director of Federal Medical Centre Abeokuta, Professor Adewale Musa-Olomu has called on well-meaning Nigerians and corporate bodies to assist the hospital to refurbish the Accident and Emergency unit Facility of centre.
Professor Musa-Olomu made the plea during the official handing over of hospital equipment and consumables facilitated by the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) from an international donor.
The Medical Director noted that a large number of patients visiting the facility has made the equipment and personnel to be overstretched and called on Nigerians to support the centre.
Professor Musa-Olomu commended the JAMB Registrar Professor Ish’aq Oloyede for facilitating the new equipment and consumables.
He also explained that the centre has medical facilities across the senatorial districts in the state.
The JAMB Registrar Professor Ish’aq Oloyede in a remark stated that the board will continue its commitments to both Education and Health sectors across Nigeria.
He also stated that ten other Federal Hospitals across the Six Geo-Political Zone are benefiting from the Equipment donation.
The Alake and paramount ruler of Egba Land, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo represented by Baaroyin of Egba Land, Chief Layi Labode commended JAMB for the gesture.
The former President Olusegun Obasanjo represented by his wife, Bola advised the staff of FMC to imbibe good maintenance culture.
The Alake and Paramount ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo has advocated the need for values reorientation among youths in an effort to check the growing rate of killings for money rituals in the society.
Oba Gbadebo made the call while speaking with journalists ahead of the 35th Lisabi Festival held at Ake Palace Auditorium, Abeokuta.
The traditional ruler who expressed concern over the unfortunate incident in the society encouraged parents to be alive to their responsibilities in instilling good morals into their children.
Oba Gbadebo explained that the theme for the Lisabi day festival ” Youth inclusiveness: an emerging reality in the socio-economic development of Egbaland” was chosen to draw the attention of youths to channel their energy to meaningful ventures that would add value to society.
The Alake and Paramount ruler of Egbaland also emphasized the need for the youths to embrace entrepreneurial and vocational skills to reduce the growing rate of unemployment in the country.
He announced that the composer of Egba anthem, the Reverend Josiah Jesse Ransome Kuti would be honoured as the hero of the year during the festival.
Earlier, the Chairman, Lisabi Festival Committee, Chief Rasheed Raji said the 35th edition of the Lisabi festival would witness various activities including quiz and football competition, seminar, booming of guns at Olumo Rock, empowerment programmes among others.
Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has expressed his readiness to complete the 32-kilometre Ijoko-Alagbole-Akute Road to alleviate the sufferings of the motorists passing through the area.
Governor Abiodun who stated this at a virtual town hall meeting on the 2022-2024 Medium Term Expenditure Framework and 2022 Budget for Ogun Central Senatorial District, said the road was crucial to the socio-economic well-being of the people in the axis.
While pointing out that the Future City Project spearheaded by the United Kingdom Foreign Office was still on course, Governor Abiodun emphasized that the project would promote overall development in Abeokuta, the state capital.
Governor Abiodun also said his administration would partner private investors for the completion of the 250-bed hospital in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, adding that world-class equipment had been supplied to the hospital.
In his contribution, the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, who commended the state government for promoting Adire fabrics, urged the government to take action on Chinese Adire currently flooding the local markets in Nigeria.
In a remark, the Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Mr. Olakunle Oluomo gave the assurance that accelerated attention would be given to the budget when presented to the Assembly.
Ogun State Government has called for the contribution of all Nigerians towards building a virile and prosperous nation.
Governor Dapo Abiodun made the call in Abeokuta during a special Jumat Service to commemorate Nigeria’s 61st Independence Anniversary.
The commemorative Jumat service for Nigeria’s 61st Independence Anniversary which was held at the Central Mosque, Kobiti, Abeokuta, was part of activities lined up by the state government to celebrate the national day.
In a message to the service, Governor Dapo Abiodun noted that the task of building a united and indivisible Nigeria required the concerted efforts of all citizens, regardless of the people’s tribe, ethnicity or religion.
Governor Abiodun who was represented by his Chief of staff, Alhaji Salis Shuaibu said it was time for Nigerians to change the narrative of negative comments but to be optimistic that the country would get better.
Governor Abiodun also used the occasion to solicit the support of residents of the state in the efforts to deliver more democratic dividends to the people.
In a remark, the Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, encouraged Nigerians to continue to pray for the unity and progress of the country.
Earlier in a sermon entitled “Work and Pray”, the Mofasir Of Egbaland, Imam Taofeek Amolegbe had emphasized the need for government at all levels to intensify efforts towards addressing the nation’s security challenges.
The Jumat service witnessed by leaders of various security agencies, traditional rulers and top government officials, also featured special prayers for unity and peace in the country and Ogun State in particular.
Ogun State governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has called on the people of the state particularly sons and daughters of Egbaland to continue to work together towards building a viable future in the state.
Governor Abiodun made the call at a thanksgiving service to commemorate the 15th Coronation Anniversary of Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo held at Cathedral Church of Saint Peters, Ake, Abeokuta.
Governor Abiodun who urged sons and daughters of Egbaland to continue to contribute their quota for the development of Egbaland and the state in General, described Oba Gbadebo as a courageous monarch.
He pointed out that the style of ruling of the paramount ruler had attracted progress, development and positive change in Egbaland.
While pointing out that his administration had completed some of the abandoned projects inherited from the last administration, Governor Abiodun gave the assurance that the state government would continue to embark on people-oriented projects across the state.