Culture

No date yet for coronation of new Olubadan – Ladoja

By Web News 655

The Olubadan-in-Council, on Friday, said there was no specific date yet for the coronation of the new Olubadan of Ibadanland.

A former governor of Oyo State and Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Chief Rashidi Ladoja, made this announcement shortly after a closed-door meeting with the Olubadan-designate, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, at his Alalubosa residence in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

The meeting followed the death of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, whose reign ended Thursday after two years on the throne.

He died at 81 at the University College Hospital in Ibadan, Oyo State capital.

Ladoja explained that Ibadan already has Olubadan-designate and there is no question about that.

He said, “The departed monarch (Oba Balogun) came from the Otun line, the next monarch will be from the Balogun line. So, the head of the Balogun line is the Balogun of Ibadanland, who has become the Olubadan-designate.

“We all know that Ibadan does things accordingly, if a king dies, we already know who is next, and we refer to him as designate.

“We are here to formalise what is next after the burial rites of the deceased would have been completed. We also discussed how to give a befitting burial to the deceased.

“Since the deceased is a Muslim, he has to be buried in the Islamic way, and the Islamic way is that he has to be buried today (Friday). So, it has been decided that he will be buried today at Aliiwo, which is his ancestral home by 4 pm today.

“There is no date yet for the coronation of the new Olubadan, but the date shall be announced as soon as the burial rite for the deceased is completed.”

Among members of the Olubadan-in-Council at the meeting include Ladoja; Oba Hamidu Ajibade; Oba Adebayo Akande; and Oba Abiodun Kola-Daisi.

Punch/Simeon Ugbodovon

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Politics

PVC Extension: Olubadan Pats INEC on the Back

By Web News 549

*Calls for Credible Polls

The Olubadan of Ibadanland Oba Sen. Lekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade II has lauded the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for its decision to extend the collection of Permanent Voter’s Cards by eligible Nigerians by one week.

The monarch while lauding the electoral umpire also used the occasion to charge Nigerians yet to collect their cards to take the advantage of the extension.

Oba Balogun, in a press statement made available to journalists in Ibadan by his Personal Assistant (Media), Oladele Ogunsola spoke in his Alarere residence while hosting the new Resident Electoral Commissioner in Oyo State, Dr. Rahmon Tella Adeniran.

The monarch said the decision to extend the collection of the PVC by Nigerians of voting age was a welcomed development and in the interest of Nigerians.

 He said, “I want to commend you people for the great job you are doing. Whoever witnessed ‘operation wet e’ of the first republic and the horrendous reactions that trailed 1983 general election, especially in this part of the country would appreciate your activities in INEC since 1999 when this experience began.

“It is a known fact that each election since 1999 has always been an improvement over the previous one. I want to charge you to ensure the one being looked forward to in a couple of week’s time is also better than what we had in 2019. It is gratifying to note that Nigerians are coming to terms with the ideals of democracy and it behoves all of us stakeholders to ensure that we contribute into efforts to deepen the system.”

“On our part in the traditional institution, I promise to reach out to all our people, through my members of the Advisory Council, the Mogajis and Baales towards sensitizing our people on the importance of the PVC’s collection and usage when the time comes. I implore you too to do your bits and with our combined efforts, Nigeria would surely come out better and greater after the elections”, Olubadan stated. 

In his homage, the new Oyo REC said “it is the tradition of the INEC helmsmen to pay homage to the traditional father’s in their respective domains as soon as they are posted. It is keeping the tradition that he has decided to come to the palace. In addition to that, his upbringing as an Osogbo Prince bestows it upon him to understand and appreciate the sacred positions our Obas hold. “

He remarked that the Obas own the towns and the people, which is why they are seen as part of the critical stakeholders in driving the cause of credible electoral process.

Dr. Adeniran used the occasion to enjoin the monarch to help reach out to his subjects in the state on the need to collect their PVCs, noting that “the essence of voter’s registration is defeated if the enabling material to cast votes on elections day (PVC) is allowed to waste away in the custody of the electoral body. 

INEC, which had earlier given 22nd of this month as the deadline for the collection of the PVCs in large numbers in its custody, announced a week extension on Thursday with 29th of this month as the new deadline, less than four weeks to the presidential election slated for 25th February.

Dayo Adu

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Politics

2023: Olubadan Tells Politicians to Play by the Rules

By Web News 588

It is high time for politicians, political parties and Nigerians as a whole to play their roles according to the rules to achieve success in the 2023 general elections. 

Olubadan of Ibadan Land, Oba Sen. Lekan Balogun stated this at the celebration of the 15th year anniversary of Radio Nigeria Amuludun FM, Moniya held at Eledua Multipurpose Event Hall along old Ojoo – Moniya road, Ibadan.

Olubadan, represented by Maye Olubadan of Ibadan Land, Agba-Oye Lekan Alabi, Oba Balogun, advised the electoral umpire to conduct free and fair elections to ensure the success of the forthcoming general elections.

Delivering his lecture entitled ‘Insecurity and Implications on 2023 General Elections’, the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, Ogun State, Barrister. Niyi Ijalaye noted that citizens need to do away with vote buying and vote for candidates of their choice.

In a remark, Zonal Director, Radio Nigeria lbadan, Mr.  Dominic Mokikan, represented by Head of Engineering Services, Engr. Gabriel Ajayi felicitated members of staff and enjoined them to set new goals to attract more listeners.

In a goodwill message, the Director, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Oyo State, Mr. Kayode Odedokun, represented by Deputy Director in the agency, Prince Sola Sanda called on supporters of politicians to shun violence during the election period.

Earlier, in a welcome address, the General Manager, Amuludun FM, Mr Steve Agbaje expressed gratitude to God, the staff of the station and the audience for their support, stressing that the station would live up to expectations in conformity with the mission and vision of the corporation.

Highlights of the event included the award of excellence in the Amuludun Hall of Fame bestowed on dignitaries who had contributed to the development of the station.

Funke Ajayi/Oluseys Arowolo

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Religion

Olubadan greets Muslims on Eid-el-Fitri

By Web News 439

Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade II, has felicitated Muslims on the successful completion of this year’s Ramadan Fast with the prayer that their supplications during the Holy month would be acceptable to the Almighty Allah and their labour of self denial would be bountifully rewarded.

This was contained in the statement made by the Olubadan in his Alarere residence to mark the end of the compulsory Islamic religious rite in which he also charged the Islamic faithful to be guided by the lessons in the Ramadan Fast as they resume their normal lives.

Recalling that the purpose of Ramadan Fast among others is to share the feeling of the have-nots so as to know how to relate with them by ministering to their needs, Oba Balogun said, “the 30 day experience should not be made to end with the breaking of the fast which we are today joyfully celebrating, but to permanently guide our relationship with others.

“It is an incontrovertible fact that Muslims shun all acts known and acceptable as vices during the Ramadan Fast. But, I’m asking that we should let our lifestyle during the Ramadan period be our permanent way of life. By that, we will show love and compassion to others, especially the less privileged ones.

” If we allow the Ramadan Fast principle of total submission to the will of Allah through our self-denial for a whole month to permeate our lives, we will be more responsible and responsive in the society. Greed and avarice would depart from our system and the society would become better for all of us to live”, Oba Balogun added.

He enjoined the Islamic faithful not to go back to their old ways of life considered antithetical to Islam which they willingly and obediently dropped during the Ramadan Fast, stressing that “if you didn’t find it difficult to do away with those things while the Ramadan Fast lasted, it should be difficult to go back to them after the Eid-el-Fitri”.

While praying that the Almighty Allah would grant all the grace to be partakers of similar exercise next year and beyond, the monarch also prevailed on the celebrants to celebrate with caution and consideration for others. “We should all be grateful to the Almighty Allah for the opportunity to peacefully and joyfully end the Ramadan Fast and do whatever we want to do with utmost moderation”, Olubadan stated.

PR/Adewumi Faniran

Politics

Presidential race: “I have experience to serve you if elected” – Osinbajo

By Web News 621

Vice president, Professor Yemi Osinbajo says the experiences and opportunity gathered in his seven years of service in the present administration has equipped him to deliver as a president if given the mandate.

Professor Osinbajo who is also running to pick the presidential ticket under the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, made this known in Ibadan while meeting with party delegates, leaders, and faithful in Oyo State.

The vice president believed that the opportunities to understand governance at the highest level of government, both within and outside the country was an exposure that had impacted and prepared him for future responsibility to serve.

He said “All that I have learnt was not just to sit down and write my memoir, no, it was to come handy one day, I believe the time has come and I have the responsibility to my country, to you, to all our children and coming generation, to give all what I’ve learnt and to serve our country faithfully, honestly and transparently”.

Professor Osinbajo said the experiences as the vice president was an advantage to hit the ground running immediately the mandate of the people were given to him as the president.

Vice president Osinbajo while commending Oyo state APC members for their support for the party promised to prioritize reward system for party members.

“When we go into politics we expect to be rewarded with positions, opportunity to serve which is why I’m saying to you all, all delegates, all our politicians, that as far as I’m concerned they must be the priority whenever we are making political appointments, you must be a priority ” he explained

Professor Osinbajo said there will be partnership that would be based on trust with the political class .

Earlier in their separate remarks, senator Teslim Folarin, Chief Niyi Akintola and a senator during the second republic under president Sheu Shagari, senator Jastimi Nado described Professor Osinbajo as the right candidate to become the next president.

Dignitaries at the occasion included former Governor of Edo state, Professor Osareme Osunbo former deputy governor of Oyo state, Chief Iyiola Oladokun, some members of the national assembly, Oyo state APC party executives and party faithful.

Meanwhile the vice president had earlier paid homage to the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Mohood Lekan Balogun at his alarere Ibadan residence and to seek his royal blessings.

Kayode Banjo

Culture

Egungun Festival: Be Peace conscious – Olubadan

By Web News 1685

Ahead of the 2022 annual Egungun festival in Ibadanland, the adherents of the festival have been called upon to ensure that the festival is held without the usual attendant thuggery and hooliganism.

Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun made the call while playing host to the heads of Egungun cults (Alaagbaas) under the umbrella of Ojesowapo in his Alarere residence,Ibadan. 

The monarch, who enjoined the Alaagbaas to help sanitise the festival towards making the purpose of the celebration which includes praying against evil occurrences and general entertainment of the residents to be fulfilled said the Palace would not tolerate the breakdown of law and order under the guise of Egungun festival.

Olubadan promised to give the group all the necessary support and assistance required of the Palace for the successful hosting of the festival whenever the time comes, but, insisted that everything must be done under the ambit of the law.

Earlier in his address, the head of the group, who is the Alaagbaa of Agugu, Chief Ojebiyi Adepoju told Olubadan that the purpose of the visit was to pay homage and sensitize the Palace on the annual festival starting next month.

He disclosed that efforts were being put in place to ensure that the festival was held without the attendant rancor, noting that, “we are conscious of the unpalatable image the festival had acquired in the past and we are ready to change it.

“The visit is made to the Palace is to inform Kabiyesi of our efforts in that direction and to solicit the Palace’s support because we need the cooperation and assistance of the security agencies to achieve our goal.

“We are fully prepared for a successful and hitch-free festival. We are ready to do away with the past ugly incidents associated with the festival and we are very happy with the promise of assurances received from our Kabiyesi”, Chief Adepoju stated.

Ridwan Fasasi

Lifestyle

Lam Adesina’s Family Mourns Late Olubadan

By Web News 796

The family of the former Governor of Oyo state,Late Alhaji Lam Adesina have joined other Nigerians to commiserate with people of Ibadan land and the nation at large on the transition of the Olubadan of Ibadanland Oba Saliu Adetunji,

The Lam Adesina family in a statement signed by the late governor’s son, Dr Ayobami Lam-Adesina expresses their condolences to the Ibadan, Oyo State and Nigeria.

They also prayed to Almighty Allah to grant His Royal Highness and other Royal fathers who had recently joined their ancestors aljanah firdaus.

The statement also appeals to every Nigerian to continue praying for the country as the election period is near.

PR/ Abisola Oluremi

Yoruba

Àbẹ̀wò Ìbánikedùn Ikọ̀ Alábútó Ilé Isẹ́ Radio Nigeria Ìbàdàn

By Web News 818

Ikọ̀ alábójútó ilé-isẹ́ Radio Nigeria àpapọ̀ ilẹ̀ wa, lẹ́kùn ìbàdàn, ti se ìbánikẹ́dùn pẹ̀lú àwọn èèyàn ilẹ̀ ìbàdàn àti ìpìnlẹ̀ ọ̀yọ́ lápapọ̀ lórí ìpopòdà Olúbàdàn tilẹ̀ ìbàdàn Ọba Saliu Adetunji, tó darapọ̀  máwọn babanla rẹ̀ lána òde yíì.

Ètò ìbánikẹ́dùn náà niwọ́n se lọ sáàfin olúbàdàn tó wà ládugbò pópó Yemọja tíkò alabojutonáà, èyí tí olùdarí àgbà pátápátá fúnlesẹ́ náà lẹ́kùn ìbàdàn arábinrin Bolatito Joseph léwájú fún.

Arábìnrin Joseph sàpèjúwe ọba Adetunji gẹ́gẹ́ bí ọba alayé tókó èèyàn mọ́ra, tó lo gbogbo ìgbésíayé rẹ̀ fún ìgbáyégbádùn ọmọnìyàn.

Bẹ́ẹ̀ ló si rọ gbogbo àwọn ẹbí ọba alayé náà láti máà yẹsẹ kúrò lórí àwọn isẹ́ rere tọ́ba Adetunji fisílẹ̀.

Folakemi Wojuade/Oluwakayode Banjọ