Security

Ooni Advocates Constitutional Role for Hunters

By Web News 393

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, has called for constitutional recognition of the Nigerian Hunter and Forest Security Service, NHFSS in the nation’s security architecture.

According to a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday, the monarch made the call when the Commander General of NHFSS, Joshua Osatimehin, visited him in his palace in Ile Ife, Osun State.

The traditional ruler, who commended the efforts of the commander-general over the years in complementing the activities of other security agencies in tackling insecurity in the country, said giving constitutional recognition to NHFSS would go a long way in reducing banditry, kidnapping, Boko haram, terrorism and other forms of security challenges confronting Nigeria.

The Ooni, who spoke in Yoruba language, said, “All well-meaning Nigerians can attest to how officers and men of the NHFSS are providing needed intelligence and other information as well as the manpower in collaboration with the police, the military and other security agencies towards the arrest and prosecution of criminals in Nigeria, especially those happening within forests and farmlands.”

According to him, the activities of NHFSS have helped in checkmating criminality, especially in forests surrounding Osun State.

The Ooni further promised that the Nigerian Hunters and Forest Security Service Bill, seeking to legalise the activities of various hunter groups in Nigeria would be discussed during the meeting of traditional rulers and presented to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as well as provision of logistics towards realising the mandate of the organisation.

While advising men and officials of NHFSS to continue to render their service with diligence and patriotism, Oba Ogunwusi called for more measures to address insecurity in the country.

Punch / Titilayo Kupoliyi

Politics

Tackle Nigeria’s Challenges Thoroughly, Ooni Urges Tinubu

By Web News 491

By Adenitan Akinola

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II has called on the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to waste no time in tackling the challenges confronting the country as a man of action that he is known to be.

This is contained in a statement by his Director of Media and Public Affairs, Otunba Moses Olafare to congratulate the new Nigeria’s President And Commander in Chief Of The Armed Forces.

Ooni Ogunwusi tasked the president to engage capable Nigerian youths who have the capacity to take the country to its rightful position within the committee of nations globally.

The monarch stressed the need for president Bola Tinubu to work on uniting Nigerians by taking policies and steps that give all Nigerians sense of belonging wherever they are.

“Mr President, congratulations from The House of Oduduwa to you and your amiable wife who is now the mother of the nation as you have officially taken the mantle of leadership as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“As we celebrate this remarkable day of your inauguration with you, we wish you monumental success in all the policies of your administration so that Nigeria can become great again and maintain her rightful position not only as truly the giant of Africa but also as a leader within the committee of nations globally.

“We trust that your administration will be marked by good governance characterized by transformational economic growth, adequate security, and progress for all Nigerians both at home and in diaspora.

“We also trust that you will leverage your wealth of experience as a man of progressive action in mobilising resources and managing diverse interests to unify Nigeria across political, ethnic and religious lines”. Ooni said.

The Ooni who doubles as Co-chairman, National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN) charged president Tinubu to carry the Nigeria traditional institution along, especially in tackling the security challenges in the country.

“The traditional rulers in this country are the closest to the people as there is nobody in Nigeria who is not a subject of a particular traditional ruler, this is why it is important for the government to empower us with more strategic constitutional roles especially in the area of security management and conflict resolutions.” Ooni said.

In working for Africa, the Ooni urged President Tinubu to partner the progressive African leaders and friends of Africa across the globe like President of Brazil, Luiz Inácio LULA da Silva, who recently hosted the Ooni and his team in Brasilia, Brazil for the unveiling Annual African Traditional Religion Day celebrations.

“As truly the giant of Africa, Nigeria must first of all be great for Nigerians under your watch, and Nigeria must provide progressive leadership of unity and peace for the greatness of Africa under your watch. I have interacted with some African presidents who are truly looking up to Nigeria under your watch as the big brother Africa. This of course dominated our discussions during my meeting with President Williams Ruto at the State House in Nairobi, Kenya two months ago.

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Education

Don’t Take Laws into Your Own Hands – Ooni Cautions Indigenes

By Web News 492

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi has cautioned his people against taking laws into their hands while registering their grievances over the selection of a non-indigene as the new Vice Chancellor for Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.

 Oba Ogunwusi in a statement by his director of media and public affairs, Mr Moses Olafare assured workers and students of the institution of the safety of their lives and property.

 The Ooni urged the people to avoid acts capable of truncating peace and security in the ancient city and promised that their request would be given adequate attention.

 He vowed that the host community would continue to partner the institution through the house of oduduwa on programmes and projects capable of projecting Ile-Ife to the outside world as an ancient city ready for progress and development.

 The monarch maintained that relationship between the town and the school remained as strong as ever, particularly to the benefit of the younger ones in and outside the university.

 Meanwhile, report says normalcy has returned to the campus as the masquerades and other protesters have left the campus to allow resumption of academics and non-academics activities.

Don’t Take Laws into Your Own Hands: Ooni Cautions Indigenes

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi has cautioned his people against taking laws into their hands while registering their grievances over the selection of a non-indigene as the new vice chancellor for Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.

 Oba Ogunwusi in a statement by his director of media and public affairs, Mr Moses Olafare assured workers and students of the institution of the safety of their lives and property.

 The Ooni urged the people to avoid acts capable of truncating peace and security in the ancient city and promised that their request would be given adequate attention.

 He vowed that the host community would continue to partner the institution through the house of oduduwa on programmes and projects capable of projecting Ile-Ife to the outside world as an ancient city ready for progress and development.

 The monarch maintained that the relationship between the town and the school remained as strong as ever, particularly to the benefit of the younger ones in and outside the university.

 Meanwhile, report says normalcy has returned to the campus as the masquerades and other protesters have left the campus to allow resumption of academics and non-academics activities.

Isaac Haastrup

Culture

Osun Government Plans Review of Chieftaincy law

By Web News 1104

Osun state government has expressed readiness to set up a tripartite committee to review the existing Chiefs Law of the State.

Governor Adegboyega Oyetola stated this at the government house, Osogbo while receiving a proposed letter aimed at effecting the review of the State Chiefs Law written by members of the State Traditional Council of Obas.

The Committee, according to the Governor, will include a representative each from the members of the State Executive Council, Legislature and Traditional Council, with a mandate to review and analyze critically, the palpable grey areas in the said Law.

He said the Committee when constituted would come up with suggestions and proffer workable solutions to some of the identified challenges in the existing Law, thus helping to ensure possible amendments that would suit the collective interest of the people of the State.

Presenting the letter on behalf of the Chairman of Osun Council of Obas, Aragbiji of Iragbiji, Oba Abdul-Rasheed Ayotunde Olabomi, said the call to review the State Chiefs Law was arrived at having painstakingly assessed and evaluated the grey areas of the existing Law.

Oba Olabomi who is the leader of the Committee on State Chiefs Law set up by the members of the Traditional Council of Obas, said the review of the Law would help to innovatively reposition the traditional institution in the State.

The Aragbiji of Iragbiji said the Chairman of the Council and Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, was pleased with the decision of the Committee to get the Law reviewed.

Abiodun Adeoye

Politics

Osun@30: Osun Has Come A Long Way – Monarchs

By Web News 1003

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III wants Osun State government to implement the outcomes of its thirtieth anniversary colloquium within the relevant timelines.

Alhaji Abubakar who participated in colloquium virtually said it was no surprise that in Osun’s 30 years of statehood had recorded tremendous achievements in all sectors and produced a galaxy of stars in all areas of human endeavour.

The Sultan who was the Chairman of the Osun 30th anniversary colloquium, lauded the government for electing to celebrate its landmark anniversary with an intellectual discussion, adding that the initiative was a significant strategy for linking the past with the present and the future to build a sustainable enterprise.

He noted that if Osun which started from the scratch 30 years ago could attain this height despite the obvious challenge, with development on ground, the message is that the state should be able to compete with others in the knowledge and technology-driven century.

The Sultan lauded Governor Adegboyega Oyetola who he described as a gentleman governor, man of peace, man of honour, a statesman, a bridge-builder, a lover of development and a believer in one, strong and indivisible Nigeria.

Also speaking at the colloquium, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, paid glowing tributes to the past and present leaders of the State, adding that Osun State is now better than how it was at creation.

Oba Ogunwusi observed that Osun State was greater than any single individual, hence it has become necessary for the people to be careful not to allow politics and other interests to cause disintegration of the state.

In a keynote address, a former governor of the state, Chief Bisi Akande, lauded the founding fathers and past leaders for what he described as achieving an optimum community and laying a viable foundation for the prosperous future of the state.

In separate remarks, former administrators of the state, Major General Leo Ajiborisha (rtd.), Captain Anthony Udofia (rtd.) and Theophilus Bamigboye, felicitated the government and the people of the state on the anniversary, urging all to continue to sacrifice for its growth and development. 

In a remark, the Governor of Osun State, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola, congratulated the citizens of the state, describing the state as a full-grown entity that has surmounted its challenges with resilience over the years of its existence. 

On the necessity of the colloquium to the state’s celebration of its 30 years of creation, Governor Oyetola said the colloquium was designed as the intellectual arm of the 30th Anniversary to interrogate the performances so far, examine possible gaps and project for a sustainable future.

The ten panelists at the colloquium took turns to laud Osun State’s sustainability in terms of infrastructure, health, security and education, despite of the paucity of funds.

One of them and the Group Head of Current and Public Affairs of Television Continental Communications, Mr. Babajide Kolade-Otitoju, commended the successive administrations since the state’s creation, hoping the state will take advantage of its large urban centers to stop migration of young people outside the state.

Adenitan Akinola

Lifestyle

Ooni Donates Fumigation Vans, Drone to Ekiti State Govt.

By Web News 980

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi has donated four Motorised Modular Fumigation Vans and one Fumigation Drone to Ekiti State Government to contain the spread of coronavirus in the state.

Presenting the fumigation vans, Oba Ogunwusi described the gesture as part of measures from the traditional institution to complement government’s efforts in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria.

The Royal Father, who challenged Nigerians on hygienic lifestyle, said that the current health situation across the world needed concerted efforts, urging individuals to always observe the guidelines and rules to prevent the spread of the virus.

He explained that the chemical in the vans was not poisonous or toxic, but had capacity to disinfect virus in the society.

Oba Ogunwusi noted that the Motorised Modular vans and drone could be used for Agriculture purposes, like spraying of liquid fertilizers, irrigation, disinfecting fungus on the plants among others.

Responding, the Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi appreciated the leader of the traditional institution in Yoruba Land and urged well-meaning individuals to emulate the Ooni of Ife.

Dr Fayemi stressed that the materials donated would go a long way to prevent, control and overcome the coronavirus in the state.

The four Motorised Modular Fumigation Vans and one drone is the initiative of Home Odudua Machine Tools.

Oriola Afolabi

News

Ooni Mourns Kyari, Tasks Nigerians on Adherence to COVID-19 Measures

By Web News 603

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, says the demise of the Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari is shocking.

Oba Enitan Ogunwusi stated this in a statement by his Director of Media and Public Affairs, Moses Olafare, on Saturday.

The Ooni extol late Abba Kyari as a calm gentleman, with due regard for the country’s traditional institutions.

The monarch described the late chief of staff as a committed public servant, who was strongly dedicated to the service of his fatherland.

The statement reads: “The House of Oduduwa under the leadership of the Arole Oodua Olofin Adimula, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, Ooni of Ife has received news of the death of Alhaji Abba Kyari with a rude shock and he sees it as a very unfortunate surprise.

“Late Abba Kyari was a detribalized Nigerian and coolheaded fine gentleman who had treated traditional institutions with love and respect and who had until his death undoubtedly dignified public service as Chief of Staff with dignity and dedication motivated by his fervent belief in and incorruptible patriotism to the Nigerian project”.

“Kabiyesi Ooni immediately after the news was confirmed, made a phone communication to the wife and children of the late Chief of Staff in which he prayed for the gentle soul of the deceased and the fortitude for the family to bear the irreparable loss.”

The statement says the Ooni, who is Co-chairman of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria, urges Nigerians to take the ongoing fight against the global coronavirus pandemic more seriously, adding the virus is a ruthless enemy of humanity that must be collectively defeated.

Culled from City Mirror