Oyo APC Uncovers Plot to embarrass Oyo Gov with X - rated doctored video..

The Oyo State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has uncovered a plot by some individuals belonging to opposition parties in the state to release an X- rated doctored video. The fake video currently being edited in a studio in a discreet location in Ibadan contains images of nude ladies dancing for the Governor of Oyo state. This is in the characteristic malicious manner of attacking the integrity of top political figures in the state through outright falsehood. It would be recalled that a video of a lady spraying dollars at a party in Holland was recently recycled on the internet purportedly as Governor Ajimobi's daughter.
The Oyo State APC wishes to use this medium to alert security agencies, National Film and Video Censors Board, National Communications Commission and other relevant bodies with a call to action against the perpetrators.
In addition, the general public is advised to beware of such video materials, desist from uploading, sharing or broadcasting such illicit content.

The Oyo State APC urges the people to avoid being misled and misinformed by these unscrupulous elements, who are in the habit of spreading falsehood and fabricated reports to the unsuspecting general public.

The party is committed to unmasking those that are always in the habit of spreading falsehood in the name of politics. Signed Dr Abdul Azeez Olatunde, Director of Media, Research & Strategy.

By Akinyemi Onigbinde

In spite of my not favourable disposition to the style and content of Governor Abiola Ajimobi administration of Oyo state, made worse by his infamous ‘constituted authoriy’ outburst on the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology question, I find myself agreeing with his action on the obaship issue in Ibadan land, and his logic on the unnecessary self-demystifying response of Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji, the Olubadan on the matter.What is at play, under the guise of defending ‘the time-hallowed tradition of Ibadan land’,is no more than the expected reaction of an imperial power whose former expansive empire has been carved out and handed over to others.No Oba dances to Gbedu drum over loss of privileges, and no one should console the Oba with a honorific title of ‘ His Imperial Majesty’.Reality of our contemporary history is that the paramouncy of an Oba, over and above other Obas, outside of his geographical space, is no more than the respect the so-called lesser Obas are prepared to accord him, and what the political authority see of his conduct



It is indeed an irony, on the flabby wings of poverty of understanding, but much of sentiments, that you find supposed democrats encouraging a monarch, an unelected person, with no constitutional role, but merely occupying a ceremonial post by inheritance against an elected officer of state in a Republic. Let those urging Olubadan of Ibadan against his boss, the Governor of Oyo State and the trustee of his staff of office, be guided by the lessons of history.

Truth, as pointedly put by Ajimobi, is that what a governor owes an Oba is no more than respect, as no Oba, no matter how revered by the people and tradition can hope to win in a public fight with any of Nigeria constituted authorities, even against a local government, an Oba immediate overseeing authority. As no governor is expected to openly side with an Oba in any public disagreement with the Chairman of a local government, in the course of the latter exercising his authority over the former, it thus become a compounded tragedy for an Oba when he chooses to engage in a boxing duel, with the gloves off, with a state chief executive .Even under a regime of constitutional monarchy the king merely reign, he does not rule, and Yoruba history is replete with many Obas that lost their respective crown to arrogance, arrogating to themselves more importance than they have earned, just because people have learnt to tolerate them, in spite of their near-zero contribution to socioeconomic development of their so-called kingdoms, beyond deploying their respective stool for personal enrichment and self- aggrandizement.Yet, those among history-recorded deposed Obas, favoured with a return to the throne already suffered the indignity of banishment and separation from their ancestral homestead.

Let His Imperial Majesty, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji, the 41st Olubadan of Ibadan land not be misled that ‘heaven will fall’ if the governor of Oyo state is painfully encouraged to retrieve from him the staff of office, handed over to him as a temporary occupier of the throne Of Olubadan in Mapo.There may be thunder claps, but no rain will follow the lightning , as a new Olubadan will be crowned, with the normal fanfare.Then, and after then, the deposed Olubadan will become history told in small letters

Let Olubadan Apply Caution
By Akinyemi Onigbinde

In spite of my not favourable disposition to the style and content of Governor Abiola Ajimobi administration of Oyo state, made worse by his infamous ‘constituted authoriy’ outburst on the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology question, I find myself agreeing with his action on the obaship issue in Ibadan land, and his logic on the unnecessary self-demystifying response of Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji, the Olubadan on the matter.What is at play, under the guise of defending ‘the time-hallowed tradition of Ibadan land’,is no more than the expected reaction of an imperial power whose former expansive empire has been carved out and handed over to others.No Oba dances to Gbedu drum over loss of privileges, and no one should console the Oba with a honorific title of ‘ His Imperial Majesty’.Reality of our contemporary history is that the paramouncy of an Oba, over and above other Obas, outside of his geographical space, is no more than the respect the so-called lesser Obas are prepared to accord him, and what the political authority see of his conduct



It is indeed an irony, on the flabby wings of poverty of understanding, but much of sentiments, that you find supposed democrats encouraging a monarch, an unelected person, with no constitutional role, but merely occupying a ceremonial post by inheritance against an elected officer of state in a Republic. Let those urging Olubadan of Ibadan against his boss, the Governor of Oyo State and the trustee of his staff of office, be guided by the lessons of history.

Truth, as pointedly put by Ajimobi, is that what a governor owes an Oba is no more than respect, as no Oba, no matter how revered by the people and tradition can hope to win in a public fight with any of Nigeria constituted authorities, even against a local government, an Oba immediate overseeing authority. As no governor is expected to openly side with an Oba in any public disagreement with the Chairman of a local government, in the course of the latter exercising his authority over the former, it thus become a compounded tragedy for an Oba when he chooses to engage in a boxing duel, with the gloves off, with a state chief executive .Even under a regime of constitutional monarchy the king merely reign, he does not rule, and Yoruba history is replete with many Obas that lost their respective crown to arrogance, arrogating to themselves more importance than they have earned, just because people have learnt to tolerate them, in spite of their near-zero contribution to socioeconomic development of their so-called kingdoms, beyond deploying their respective stool for personal enrichment and self- aggrandizement.Yet, those among history-recorded deposed Obas, favoured with a return to the throne already suffered the indignity of banishment and separation from their ancestral homestead.

Let His Imperial Majesty, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji, the 41st Olubadan of Ibadan land not be misled that ‘heaven will fall’ if the governor of Oyo state is painfully encouraged to retrieve from him the staff of office, handed over to him as a temporary occupier of the throne Of Olubadan in Mapo.There may be thunder claps, but no rain will follow the lightning , as a new Olubadan will be crowned, with the normal fanfare.Then, and after then, the deposed Olubadan will become history told in small letters

Exclusive: Oyo records 54% in 2017 WASSCE ranking
September 7, 2017

SINCE 1999, the new democratic dispensation, Oyo State has recorded ever brilliant performance in the just concluded 2017 West Africa Senior Secondary Certificate Examination, WASSCE following the released of results by the authority of the West African Examinations Council, WAEC, Mega Icon Magazine can authoritatively report.

According to the results, 29, 174 out of 53, 850 students who sat for WASSCE examination in Oyo state passed with 54.18% as number of candidates with five credits and above (including English and Mathematics)” as against 21.61% scored in 2015.

Also, the results had 15, 290 female students and 13, 884 male students who passed with excellent performances.

Analysing the results further, Iseyin local government with 67.64%, followed by Ibadan South West (67.53%), Irepo (66.18%), Oyo West (63.95%), Ido (63.62%), Saki West (62.94%), Saki East (62.25%), Ona Ara (60.91%) and Egbeda (60.20%) emerged best performing local governments.



 

Similarly, councils that recorded a superb outing with 50% and above include : Lagelu, Oorelope, Akinyele, Afijio, Oluyole, Ibarapa East, Orire, Ibadan North, Atiba, Kajola, Olorunsogo local governments.

Continuing, others with 40% and above are: Ibadan North East, Oyo East, Ogbomoso North, Ogo Oluwa local governments, while Ibadan North West, Ibarapa Central (Igboora), Ibadan South East, Atisbo and Ibarapa North local governments stood at 30% and above.

Conclusively, the least performing local governments include, Surulere (Oyo), Ogbomoso South and Itesiwaju scoring 20% and above, as Iwajowa local government glued to 10% and above.

This is coming after the implementation of ‘No Automatic Promotion’ policy of the state government.

Largest Edible Oil Refinery In Sub-Saharan Africa Launched In Ibadan...

The firm, Rom Oil Mills Limited, a subsidiary company of Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc, is expected to refine crude palm kernel oil, crude palm oil and crude soybean oil into refined oil and distilled fatty acids.

Speaking at the ceremony, Ajimobi said the effect of the employment generation that the company would give the people of the state would be a reference point of his administration.

“This, indeed, is our idea of the so-called stomach infrastructure. We thank the management of the company for its trust and confidence in our state. You have indeed vindicated our stance,” he said.

The governor added that the cumulative effects of his administration’s developmental drive and consequent influx of investors into the state would result in employment generation and empowerment of the people.

According to him, the establishment of the firm, a-400 metric tonnes per day universal refinery is another testimony to his administration’s leadership and investors-baiting policies.

Ajimobi said, “This development is the dividend of the peaceful atmosphere which this administration brought back to the state at its inception as well as the enabling environment which had been attracting foreign investment. “The management of this company would never have invested their billions of naira in a violent-prone.

Ladoja Received Free Plot Of Land — Oyo State Government Insists


The Oyo State Government, through its Housing Corporation, on Wednesday insisted that the State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi gave a plot of land to Senator Rashidi Ladoja free of charge, saying that Senator Ladoja acknowledged receipt of the land with appreciation in a letter dated May 14, 2017 and titled Re: Application for the Allocation of Plot 26, Ondo Street Bodija Estate, Ibadan.

The government’s position was stated in a statement issued in Ibadan by the Acting General Manager of the Oyo State Housing Corporation, Tpl S. O. Adekunle, saying that the corporation is not in receipt of any letter requesting for the backing of the Governor’s statutory payment waiver authority and cost of allocation. It also wondered why a former Governor would ask such an elementary question having been in the saddles.


The Government said that the media aide to Senator Ladoja might be uninformed about the true state of developments, hence, his earlier misguided and untrue statement, explaining that Senator Ladoja applied for the land in a personally signed letter dated 14th of July 2016 and titled : Application for the Allocation of Plot. No 26, Ondo Street.

The government noted that the letter, which was written on Senator Ladoja’s personal letter headed paper was addressed to the General Manager, Oyo State Housing Corporation Estate (OYSHC), Bodija and a copy was sent to His Excellency, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, Governor of Oyo State.


According to the government, “The government wouldn’t have joined issues with the former governor over a matter which was simply a benevolent act of the Governor but for the malicious, insulting and integrity impugning statement of calling Governor Ajimobi a liar. All documents including the application as well as acknowledgement letters concerning the allocation of land are in our custody.


“The letter from Senator Ladoja read in part, ‘I wish to apply for the allocation of the captioned landed property. The abandoned landed property was sharing immediate fence with my house and I have engaged the land to prevent the place been (sic) used as hide-out for criminal and people of questionable character for over 20 years. In fact, on many occasion (sic), we have to forcefully repel the criminals who constituted security risk to us in the environment. It is on record that I have not been allocated any land either in new or old Bodija by your corporation. In fact where I reside presently was purchased from the original allotees” the government disclosed.

The government stated that it responded in a letter dated May 11, 2017 and signed for the General Manager, OYSHC, by one Mr. S. Toyeshe Lawal with the following contents, ‘I am directed to refer to your letter dated 14th July, 2016 in respect of the above captioned subject matter and to inform you that His Excellency, Senator Isiaq Abiola Ajimobi has magnanimously approved that the parcel of land lying on Plot No. 26 of Survey Plan No.Ib.1128 being No. 26, Ondo Street at Bodija Estate, Ibadan be allocated to you free of charge as a benefit that should accrue to you being one time Governor of the State’.

The government stressed that Senator Ladoja replied with a personally signed appreciation letter dated May 14 and addressed to the General Manager, OYSHC, with the following as content, “This is to acknowledge, with thanks, the receipt of your letter dated 11th May 2017 informing me that His Excellency, Senator Isiaq Abiola Ajimobi has magnanimously approved the allocation of the above plot of land to me. I HEREBY ACCEPT THE ALLOCATION.

“Please find enclosed with this letter the duly completed Application Form for your kind processing. While thanking you immensely for this rare gesture, you will kindly convey my appreciation to His Excellency, the Executive Governor,” Senator Ladoja’s letter read.

The government maintained that Governor Ajimobi did not make the statement to spite former Governor Ladoja but to show the cordial relationship between the two parties in which the former Governor has benefitted immensely

The AWE-STRIKING ADO AWAYE - The HOME of INIMITABLE WONDERS!

Located 20 kilometers west of Iseyin and with Benin Republic to its other bight, the richly historic town of Adó Àwáyè in Oyo state is a pride to behold from every angle possible. The rich history aside, Ado Awaye has an abundance of naturally-occurring wonders that leave every visitor stung and struck with awe!

It all started with Kòyí in 1500 AD, Alaafin's crown prince; it was he who fortuitously founded Adó Àwáyè while departing Oyo for Òtà in the anger of losing the Alaafin throne to his younger brother, Onígbògì. On getting to this loc ation and with a crown strapped to his loins, he saw some smoke atop a hill, reached for it, and met some Dahomey escapees who eventually sought his leadership as king. He became the first Alado of Adó Àwáyè, and the rest as they say, is 'awe-inspiring' history.

There are 16 wondrous hills that stare at you from any point inside Adó Àwáyè, each with 16 domiciled gods to boot and a each with its signature (hi)story; most notable of all is the amazing stretch of the Ado-Awaye hill.

And, of the many wonders in this town and particularly on the Ado Awaye hill, one that stands out is the second only of its kind suspended lake in the world, named the Ìyàké lake, which sits gloriously atop the hill, some 2,000 meters up. For anyone who enjoys good health, it'll take about 90 minutes to firstly climb the 350 steps and then navigate the rocky outcrops and shrubs, to get to where Ìyàké lake is atop this hill.

The Ìyàké lake is simply beautiful to behold in its mythical and mystical marvel. It is about 4 metres in diameter, green in color at sight (NOT algae-induced) but clear when fetched into containers, and according to the natives, this lake is reportedly depthless/bottomless. While speaking with the present Alado of Ado Awaye, Oba Ademola Folakanmi, Makuledoye II, he cited the many mysteries of the Ìyàké lake, which include its age-long fertility powers, its bottomlessness, and the fact that it never overflows or drops beneath it bounds irrespective of the amount of rain or drought, respectively.

Swimming inside the Ìyàké lake is strictly forbidden, obviously because of its reverent depthlessness, and partly because the locals believe there's another world beneath it; in fact, foreigners and tourists are not allowed to touch the water, any attempt to defy that is at the risk of being "swallowed" whole by the lake, like that "oyinbo man that tried it and has never been seen since". This above is according to Ìyàké gospel recited and intoned eerily by the Oba and the locals. But, locals who have endured necessary rites can fetch the water for visitors who desire a scoop to enjoy its famed powers.

Just some inches away from this famous Ìyàké suspended lake, is a mini-me version of it, called the "Agbómofún'yàké lake", a similarly awesome sight to behold. It also has all the mystical 'depthless, don't touch, don't dip, don't place your foot' trappings possessed by the former, and it actually got its name from that. Agbómofún'yàké, meaning, give the child (read prey) to Ìyàké; defy and suffer same "swallow whole" consequences.
[*a suspended or hanging lake is one on a mountain, hill, cliff etc that has no obvious source. There are just two of such in the entire world, the other is the Hanging Lake Hiking Trail in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, USA]

Then, there is the Ìsàgè hill also, another striking sight as you approach the hill's peak. It fits as the horn of the hills combined, as it is seen standing with little or no visible support. Mystically, it is said that no push or shove, nor heavy wind or rain, can throw it off its stand. In short, Ìsàgè hill doesn't fall, and that has earned it a god-like status among the natives therein. To them, praying to Ìsàgè assures of instant answers.

There's also the Ìsàtá hill, a twin-set hill, seen across the monstrous Ado Awaye one. This one is where every Alado, the king, must climb and inhabit for specified days, to fully invoke and inhale the protective powers of the hill as a rite.

The topmost part of the Adó Àwáyè is a place called "Esèkan Ikú", translated the cusp of death! Ha-ha, don't be scared, but, only men abundant in the coins of gallantry and shillings of endurance can reach this particular spot oh. The view from Esèkan Ikú will embarrass one's curiosity no doubt; you gain a full view of the entire rocky outcrop of Ado Awaye at a mere glance, the 16 notable ones especially, together with the whole range of hills lying towards the Benin Republic border.

Another wonder atop Ado Awaye hill is the "Esè àwon Àgbà" (Foot prints of the elders); these massive, truly foot-like indentations engraved on the rocky spread, about 100 of them. According to the Ado Awaye gospel, these are foot prints of roving gods, elders, who ages ago, found abode atop the hill.

The Elephant Tree is another mystic on the Ado Awaye hill. The locals that serve as tour guides term it a must-see. It is said to have dropped from the sky and took this truly elephantine morph upon impact. It's a truly intriguing sight.

Other attractions on Ado-Awaye include the abyssal "Esè kan Aiyé, Esè kan Òrun" crack, a deep crack that separates one side of the mountain from the other; one dare not drop foot here. Then, the Màje kànkàn Shrine where every new king of Ado Awaye must also visit for rites; the Ìyá Onírú Lake, which is located on the other side of the mountain, it is a shallow mountain that never dries up too, and then the Ìyá-Aláró lake, another mystical lake named after a woman, a native, given to making festive sacrifices.

In all, these inimitable wonders in Adó Àwáyè, especially the ones seen atop and from the Ado Awaye hill itself, leave one awestruck for days, with an indelible mark of nature's bliss beautifully carved into the memory.

Written by: Sayo Aluko

#AsiwajuNiWa
#ThisIsOyoState
#AdoAwaye
#OyoTourism

Result of the 2015 governorship election at a glance.

Ajimobi: 327,310
Ladoja: 254,520
Alao-Akala: 184,111
Folarin: 79,019
Makinde: 54,740

Ajimobi+Alao-Akala+Folarin= 590, 440
Ladoja+Makinde=309,260

#Ajimobi #Oyo2019 #Powerbroking

Result of the 2015 governorship election at a glance.

Ajimobi: 327,310
Ladoja: 254,520
Alao-Akala: 184,111
Folarin: 79,019
Makinde: 54,740

Ajimobi+Alao-Akala+Folarin= 590, 440
Ladoja+Makinde=309,260

#Ajimobi #Oyo2019 #Powerbroking

The Governor of Oyo state, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, seems to have brokered a masterstroke of unity, with both political and generic windfall across Oyo state, judging by this pictures of him with the former governor, Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala, and another staunch political figure in the state, Senator Teslim Folarin, going viral.

The Oyocentric online platform, Oyo Asiwaju NiWa, released the pictures through their Facebook page, with the accompanying text below:

Away with any air of animosity - Governor of Oyo state, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, with former governor, Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala and Senator Teslim Folarin strike a pose together today in London, apparently united in one motive and intention to make Oyo remain pacesetting.

Mélò layé òhún.....

#AsiwajuNiWa

This seems seriously encouraging for the good of Oyo state. Brokering and fostering peace and not war - We need more of this!

Away with any air of animosity - Governor of Oyo state, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, with former governor, Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala and Senator Teslim Folarin strike a pose together today in London, apparently united in one motive and intention to make Oyo remain pacesetting.

Mélò layé òhún.....

#AsiwajuNiWa

Ladoja will be ineligible for further elevation if he failed to accept his crown and certificate, Dr. Gbade Ojo declares
CULTURE & TOURISM BY QUICKSILVER

According to a member of government technical committee that examined the Justice Akintunde Boade judicial review report, Dr Gbade Ojo, is contained in the Oyo state gazette on the review of the existing Olubadan of Ibadan land Chieftaincy Declaration and other related chieftaincies in Ibadan land, Senator Rashidi Ladoja becoming the Olubadan of Ibadan land may be truncated if he fails to accept his beaded crown and letter of appointment.

 

Captured under annexure VII of the gazette, any concerned high chief is termed ineligible for further elevation in Olubadan Chieftaincy ranking and shall be qualified to be appointed Olubadan, if he fails to abide by stated codes of conduct.

While featuring on a private radio programme on Monday, Ojo; Chief of Staff to Governor Abiola Ajimobi, pointed out that, going by the new law, Ladoja will be ineligible for further elevation if he failed to accept his crown and certificate as approved by Governor Abiola Ajimobi.

The Nigerian Tribune quoted Ojo, as saying, “The law in the gazette is that for anybody out of the 11 lesser Obas to be the Olubadan, he must wear beaded crown. Whoever refuses to wear crown for any reason whatsoever, the person cannot become Olubadan. The law was not targeted at an individual but was made for the society.

“Whether or not Senator Rashidi Ladoja will become Olubadan is in his court. If he has refused now, he could have a change of mind and tomorrow ask for his crown and letter of appointment. If he gets his crown and letter of appointment, what stops him from becoming a lesser Oba because the hierarchy remains? The position of the law is that to aspire to become Olubadan, you must wear beaded crown.”

Some other code of conduct in the gazette was a warning to the new Obas against any belittling of the Olubadan of Ibadan land.

“Any Oba in Ibadanland who shows disregard or disrespect to the position or authority of the Olubadan through refusal to pay necessary customary obeisance and flouting of superior customary authority shall be investigated by a Committee of traditional chiefs and appropriate sanction will be recommended against any guilty offender. A very serious infraction of the tradition can be reported to the state governor through the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters.”

Furthermore, the gazette observed that there was a not very cordial relationship between the Olubadan and the Olubadan in council, and mandated that the Olubadan in council should henceforth hold its meetings in Mapo hall pending the completion of the official residence of the Olubadan at Ibadan house, Oke Aremo, Ibadan.

Meanwhile, the Seriki line has been abolished, while Ikolaba title is the new entry point into any of the recognised Olubadan or Balogun line.

Ibadan new Kings distance themselves from Ladoja’s suitCULTURE & TOURISM BY QUICKSILVER
The elevated high chiefs held their first meeting on Wednesday and dissociated themselves from the decision of the Osi Olubadan of Ibadan land, Chief Rashidi Ladoja, to challenge the installation of 21 new kings in Ibadan in court.

They declared that Ladoja was acting alone.

At the end of the meeting held at Mapo Hall, Ibadan, Balogun of Ibadan land, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, called on Ladoja to stop playing politics with the issue by embracing the new idea to instal the new kings.

He said “It is a wrong impression by Ladoja that the newly inaugurated obas do not have domain, the Olubadan and members of Obas-in-Council jointly rule Ibadanland as Oba Saliu Adetunji cannot rule without us.

“Ladoja himself who said he cannot be an oba without a domain is the Chairman of Ibadan South-West Traditional Council, and apart from collecting stipends from government all of us report back to the Olubadan. It is nothing but politics borne out of selfish motives.”

Meanwhile, The Mogaji (family head) of Akinsola compound in Oopo Labiran area of Ibadan, Chief Olawale Oladoja, said more than 300 Mogajis in Ibadan have decided to challenge the installation of 21 kings in Ibadan by the state government.

Oladoja, who spoke with our correspondent on the telephone shortly after 315 Mogajis visited the Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Saliu Adetunji in his palace on Wednesday, also challenged the authority of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes as the representative of sons and daughters of Ibadan.

He said the claim by the call that more than 90 per cent of Ibadan indigenes supported the move was false because the council only represented a small group of people in the city.

“Can we say that the new kings are not educated or are ignorant? Have they really read the letters that were issued to them when they were appointed by Governor Abiola Ajimobi? How can a king still be a chief in a palace at the same time? There is tradition and culture and that of Ibadan is different from that of the Ijebu or other places in Yoruba land.

“In Ibadan land, a king must spend some days in Iledi with Labosinde. We must follow the process. Only the people of Ibadan can decide who is a king. A baale cannot be a king, only Mogajis can be promoted to the king status. Mogaji chooses the baale, so how can a baale now be superior to the Mogaji that chose him? Which ruling house produced the kings?

“The 315 baales that visited the Olubadan today (Wednesday) are against the move. There can only be one king in a town. England has more than 40 million people with only one monarch. What of Ilorin, Kano, and other places? Ibadan has about five million people and will now have 33 kings. We will fight this to the last. Those chiefs must not be seen in the palace again and they should stop parading themselves as kings.

“When did CCII become the mouth-piece of Ibadan people? We know them as a social group. They cannot speak for Ibadan people, only the Mogajis can represent the people in matters that concern the city.”

Oladoja also called to question the human feelings of the high chiefs, saying that when they should be mourning the death of High Chief Femi Olaifa, they chose to go and collect letters of kingship from the state government.

“The day Olaifa died, the high chiefs did not mourn one of them, instead, they went to collect their letters. They should meet us in court,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Oyo State Government has said that despite the dust created by the appointment of 21 kings in Ibadan, the relationship between the Olubadan and Governor Abiola Ajimobi remains cordial.

The state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Mr. Bimbo Kolade, and the state Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism counterpart, Mr. Toye Arulogun, who jointly spoke to journalists in Ibadan on Wednesday, said the governor had deep respect for the monarch

Kolade said, “From the speech of the governor at Sunday’s coronation, he maintained that the Olubadan remained his father. There is that cordiality of father to son between the Olubadan and the governor. There is no problem between them officially.”

Kolade also said that the Osi Olubadan of Ibadan land, Rashidi Ladoja, had yet to formally reject his appointment as a king.

WAEC 2017 Ratings: Oyo soars in performance as school principals submit reportEDUCATION BY QUICKSILVER

There are fresh rays of hope in Oyo state as Secondary School Principals in the state submitted WAEC result analyses of their students who sat for 2016/2017 West African Examination Council, WAEC results to the ministry of education, State Secretariat in Ibadan.

The result for Senior Secondary School examination in the state was made available last week Friday during this month’s statutory meeting where issues affecting education generally on Primary, Secondary and tertiary education are discussed.

The meeting had in attendance Zonal Inspectors of Education, Local Inspectors of Education Principals of ministry control Schools, Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Education and other stakeholders in education sector in the state.

At the meeting, 10 principals present submitted the results of their students who were rated with excellent performance. According to the results: “72 out of 78 students who sat for WAEC examination in School of Science, PADE, passed with 92.3℅ as number of candidates with five credits and above (including English and Mathematics)”.

Results further analysed in other 9 schools are: Oladipo Alayande School of Science, Oke Bola, Ibadan – 335 out of 377 students passed (88.8℅); School of Science, Okeho, 72 out of 84 students passed (85.7℅); Queen’s School, Ibadan-108 out of 136 students passed (79.4℅); School of Science, Oyo- 80 out of 121 students passed (66.1℅)”.

Others include: “Wesley College School of Science – 70 out of 110 students passed (63.6℅); Oyo State School of Science, Ogbomoso- 91 out of 153 students passed ((59.477℅); Government College, Ibadan- 95 out of 161 students passed (59.006℅); and Oyo State School of Science, IDERE- 38 out of 67 students passed (56.72℅).

Speaking on the results, the Acting Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mrs. Aderiyike Adekanmbi stated that there was no time students in the state are not performing in the WAEC examination saying that, the last year’s rating of students’ WAEC performance is mischievous as Oyo State was rated low.

According to her, the rating was from wrong source whose attempt was for political reason to condemn the effort of the state government in promoting the educational development.

She added that as part of efforts to make sure that the ministry leaves no room for the mischievous persons to come up with such rating against the state government, the ministry of education this year conducted qualifying examination for the WAEC candidates especially for public schools.

She stressed that through this initiative where only 22, 812 students sat for the examination this year against 54,000 who sat last year, only performing students were allowed to write the examination while others repeated the class or referred to technical college.

Earlier in his address, the state Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Professor Adeniyi Olowofela assured that there will be more improvement in education sector in the state noting that despite the excellent performance of the students, Oyo state has not reached its goal towards making the state the best among other states in the country.

The Commissioner, however emphasized the need for effective monitoring of schools, teaching and learning activities as soon as the new academic session begins to achieve greater feat in education.

On the OLUBADAN review: Why we should NOT listen to Adeola Oloko

The quite painful and disheartening thing about the dissident voices howling foul about the Olubadan Chieftaincy review, is the desecrating, derogatory and demeaning effect these voices are having on the highly exalted Olubadan stool.

For any true Ibadan native, seeing our Oba being used by political piranhas and dragged through a roadshow around town with the sole aim of scavenging solidarity against a rather lawful and befitting cause such as this elevation and enthronement of new Obas, is tear-worthy and sad to say the least. Is this how far people will go in a attempt to trump and popular and just review? Desecrate the stool of our Imperial Majesty?

Judging by clear antecedents, it is actually believable that the Olubadan of Ibadan himself, Oba Saliu Adetunji, isn't against enjoying the attendant rights, rites and royalties that come with the elevation of his stool to an Imperial Majesty; thus, making it quite clear that he's been hoodwinked by whims of politically motivated and willfully ignorant people marauding around him as advisers.

And, one of such advisers is the supposed spokesperson of the palace, Adeola Oloko.

It is interesting to know that Oloko was the former press secretary to the former Governor, Rashidi Ladoja, the present Osi Olubadan, who has stood against the review obstinately, albeit, in solitary minority.

Hence, it is not only surprising that he is playing dirty politics with a traditional institution and by so doing, dragging the good name of the Olubadan and the royal stool into the murky waters of politics.

His Imperial Majesty, Oba Saliu Adetunji is an octogenarian and a honorable one at but unfortunately, he is not aware of Oloko's politicization of the royal stool.

Afterall, he that pays the pipper dictates the tune. Oloko’s allegiance is not to the Olubadan but to Ladoja who is attempting to drag the traditional institution into politics by being an Olubadan-in-waiting that is actively involved in partisan politics.

Mr. Oloko should be reminded of past monarchs that attempted to politicise the royal stool, there was always a sorry and sad tale to the end of their story.

We have on record that in 1974, the Military Government of Western States instituted a Commission of Enquiry, the recommendations of the Commission were adopted and changes effected. In 1981, there was the Justice Adenekan Ademola Commission by the then Military Government.

The recommendations of the Adenekan Ademola Commision were accepted and changes effected. In 1993, Governor Kolapo Ishola set up the Oloko Commission of Enquiry to review Chieftaincy Declarations across the state.

The recommendations were received by Former Governor Lam Adesina. Upon becoming Governor, Governor Rasheed Ladoja suspended the White Paper and abrogated the recommendations of the Oloko Commission. Governor Rasheed Ladoja later set up the Adio Commission whose recommendations did not see the light of day.

I'd reiterate, our administration is not reinventing the wheel, we have simply like others before us, embarked on a review of the Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration in response to the yearnings of well meaning stakeholders, such as the Ibadan Elders Council, Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) and eminent Sons and Daughters of Ibadanland ~ Senator Abiola Ajimobi

Ibadan indigenes support new kings – CCII

The Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes on Tuesday said 90 per cent of Ibadan indigenes were in support of the enthronement of 21 new kings by Governor Abiola Ajimobi.

Speaking in Ibadan during a press conference called by the council, the CCII President-General, Chief Yemi Soladoye, said there was a history of chieftaincy reforms dating back to the 19th century in the city, noting that the flawless succession system in Ibadan was the result of several reviews.

Soladoye said high chiefs, who were elevated to the position of kings in Ibadan, had always been accorded the status of second-class kings by the state government. He stated that the new kings had no domain, meaning that Ibadan land remains under the Olubadan authority.


He said, “The CCII wishes to confirm that the change that has just taken place was desired, initiated, supported, applauded and appreciated by the generality of Ibadan indigenes worldwide.

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“Constant changes and reviews are in fact the ingredients that have sustained our well-organised and rancour-free ascension to the throne of Olubadan of Ibadan land in almost 200 years of our existence. During the time of Lagelu, our progenitor, up to the dissolution of the second Ibadan, we were using various titles including Olubadan and since the emergence of this third Ibadan around 1820, titles like Basorun, Balogun, and Aare have been used to describe our leaders.

“Nobody has created any new ruling house (with the new system). The former high chiefs can now physically carry the authority of the Olubadan for development in their communities and create flamboyancy around the Kabiyesi at public functions. The new kings are not kings of anywhere as they are still in the queue to become Olubadan and the imperial power over the entire Ibadan land still resides in the Olubadan of Ibadan land.”

Soladoye explained that the baales that were elevated to king status were from satellite towns that were subdued by the Ibadan warriors many years ago, adding that it was not an attempt to divide Ibadan into several parts.

“The fact of the case is that satellite towns like Ijaiye-Orile, Erunmu, Lalupon had in fact existed before the present Ibadan but having defeated them in wars, we demoted their kings and annexed them to Ibadan. The new arrangement is a manifestation of the usual magnanimity and hospitality of Ibadan people but they wear the coronet from the Olubadan and not their ancestral crowns in the new dispensation. Some of the crowns are also granted to protect our border towns,” noted the CCII boss.

Asked if the council had made efforts to reach out to the Olubadan, who is opposed to the move, Soladoye said that various meetings had been held with Ajimobi and the Olubadan.

“The CCII during the entire saga held various meetings with the governor, the Olubadan, members of the Olubadan-in-Council and Ibadan elders and wish to confirm that our Kabiyesi is a dynamic and progressive king who would naturally due to his age and experience of life play safe in his response to any change agenda with insufficient clarity and enlightenment. The CCII takes responsibility for this gap,” Oladoye noted.

My father was one of the people that followed the late Olubadan Oba Odulana Odugade to Abuja, when he was to be conferred with the title of the Commander of the Federal Republic by Goodluck Jonathan, he went with just two high chiefs. Sadly, we were almost overlooked, relegated and pushed aside because I felt they expected more people from our royal camp but were disappointed unlike the Sultan of Sokoto that came with pomp and pageantry with a retinue of colourful Emirs numbering about 30 of them.


They were treated differently not because of their tribe, colour or religion but because of their number, calibre and number of Emirs that came with him.


Immediately after event, the late Olubadan met with the late Chief Kuye, Akinyele and a few of the high chiefs to discuss about the chieftaincy review with the government.


So what Governor Ajimobi has done with the elevation and coronation is an amazing and welcome idea. I am certain Oba Odugade will be smiling in his resting place.


Ibadan is as big as Kano, if not bigger. Our prominent ruler should never be relegated by an Emir and one way we can ensure that is by ensuring that when our own Olubadan of Ibadanland steps out, he does so in pomp and pageantry surrounded by not mere few high chiefs but by many beaded crown Obas. This amongst others is what the reviewed chieftaincy law that has birthed the new development will achieve.

Elevation of Olubadan and coronation of new Obas in Ibadan - THE TELLING FACTS | Sayo Aluko

Ibadan is the most populous Yoruba city, the culture capital of the Southwest. It has 11 local government councils with over 160 recognizable regions. It has sought a "State status" for many years. But, until today it had only one Oba. A big disservice to the throne, heritage, history and the people of Ibadan. An unarguable disservice.

Our last Olubadan, Oba Samuel Odulana Odugade 1, was conferred a CFR status. At the conferment, he was accompanied by chiefs. Other Oba's were accompanied by "lower-ranking" Obas from their domain.

Abeokuta has 4 or more Obas. Eko has many. Ijebu has several. Ife has about 4. Iwo has about 4. The Awujale is the paramount ruler of Ijebu land. The Oluwo is the paramount for Iwo land. The Alake is paramount for Abeokuta. The Ooni is paramount for Ife.

These are smaller towns than Ibadan with less population and lower numbers of LGs. The Olubadan deserves to have "lesser" Obas under him.

And, apart from its befitting stance, any Ibadan indigene who needs to be schooled on the importance and impact of regional and subregional Obas towards socioeconomic advancement and communal accord cum efficiency, must be wilfully ignorant.

It is clear as day that this move even seems already belated and couldn't have come at a better time. The efforts channeled into rebuilding and modernising Ibadan would amount to a futuristic futility if we don't strengthen and reposition our traditional institutions, in this case, the Obaship. What's the essence of building infrastructure without a reticulated, strong and befitting communal institution to boot? Well, your guess is as good as mine. I'll deploy a Yoruba proverb as an allegory here - Omo (read Ìlú) táà'kó, láá kó ilé táa kó tà!

By this move, Ibadan has one Olubadan that becomes the Imperial majesty, 11 senior ranking Obas and another 11 Baales that now wear beads.

The ascension line to the Olubadan remains unchanged. The Otun and Osi line continue in the historical path to Oba.

The demand for this was by 10 of the 11 high chiefs, the Baales, and other submissions to a Judicial Commission of Inquiry constituted by the Governor of Oyo State, who by law has the power to create such. Notably, past Governors have also attempted this move, but this is the time it's coming to fruition.

The move is supported by the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes, Ibadan Elders forum and other Ibadan cultural associations.

It's a new royal dawn in Ibadan, let's wear our robes and celebrate, while we brace ourselves for the positive impact that will be driven by this new, but long-overdue wave.

Ibadan United in Diaspora, an international socio – cultural group consisting of well meaning Ibadan indigenes in Diaspora congratulates the people of Ibadanland on the dynamic and bold step by the Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi on modernising the traditional system of Ibadanland without disrupting the succession and ascendancy structure.



We are indeed pleased about this development which is moving us closer to the actualization of Ibadan State.

Congratulations to His Imperial Majesty, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji, Aje Ogungunniso 1

Congratulations to Their Royal Majesties!!!

Congratulations to their Royal Highnesses

Congratulations to the People of Ibadanland!!!

Congratulations to the People of Oyo State!!!!



Signed
Ibadan United in Diaspora
27, Myrtle Close, Erith Kent DA 8, 3 PT

IBADAN CHIEFTAINCY DECLARATION & OTHER RELATED CHIEFTAINCES IN IBADANLAND – MATTERS ARISING
Pursuant to the Government White Paper on the Judicial Commission of Enquiry on the Review of the Existing Olubadan of Ibadan Declaration and Other Related Chieftaincies in Ibadanland, published in the Oyo State Gazette No. 14, Vol. 42 by Authority on 23rd August, 2017 and the Amended Declaration on Regulating the Selection to the Olubadan of Ibadan Chieftaincy and Related matters as published in the Oyo State Gazette No. 15, Vol. 42 by Authority in Ibadan on 24th August, 2017, the Oyo State Government hereby provides as a matter of duty, further insights and highlights on developments.
BACKGROUND
The recent review of the 1959 Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration made pursuant to the 1957 Chiefs Laws and other related Chieftaincies in Ibadanland, by the Oyo State Government led by Governor Abiola Ajimobi is not a peculiar or unusual one. The following facts are on record.
(i) The Military Government of Western States instituted a Commission of Enquiry to review the Chieftaincy declaration in 1974. The recommendations of the Commission were adopted and changes effected.
(ii) In 1981, the military government of Oyo State accepted and effected changes based on the recommendations of the ADENEKAN ADEMOLA JUDICIAL COMMISSION OF ENQUIRY of 1976.
(iii) The OLOKO COMMISSION OF ENQUIRY was set up on April 1st 1993 by Governor Kolapo Ishola to review Chieftaincy Declarations across the state. The recommendations were accepted by Governor Lam Adesina. Upon becoming Governor, Senator Rasheed Adewolu Ladoja suspended the white paper and ultimately the recommendations of the OLOKO COMMISSION were abrogated by him.
(iv) The ADIO COMMISSION OF ENQUIRY was set up by Governor Rasheed Adewolu Ladoja, but its recommendations did not see the light of day.
(V) Upon assuming duties as the Governor of Oyo State, Governor Abiola Ajimobi, received numerous requests from various quarters including majority of the High Chiefs who are members of the Olubadan – in - Council for the review of the Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration. Like his predecessors in office, Governor Abiola Ajimobi engaged the extant laws from sections 10 and 25 CAP 28 of the OYO STATE CHIEFTAINCY LAW 2000 Section 10 of the Chiefs law which gives a discretionary power to the Governor of the state if satisfied that a Declaration is faulty or objectionable, to amend or replace such declaration. That power is exercisable only by the governor without necessarily being in consultation with anybody. He may require the Chieftaincy committee to amend the declaration if he is SATISFIED that a registered declaration:
Does not contain a true or sufficiently clear statement of the customary law regulating the chieftaincy in question or
Does not contain sufficient description of the method of selection of the holder of the chieftaincy or
It contains error as to form or substance or‎
It is defective, faulty, or objectionable.

Section 25(1) gives power to the Governor to set up an enquiry which he may consider necessary or desirable for any of the purposes of part 2 or 3 of the law, which includes the power to make, review or amend a declaration. It is under this provision the Governor exercised this statutory power by setting up the Judicial Commission of Enquiry to look into the issues stated in order to be satisfied (as required by section 10) as to whether or what to review in the extant declaration.

In deference to the wishes of the people of Ibadanland, especially the traditional
chiefs, Governor Abiola Ajimobi set up the Justice O. A Boade COMMISSION OF
ENQUIRY. The Judicial Commission of Enquiry was constituted to review the Olubadan
Chieftaincy Declaration of 1959 made pursuant to the 1957 Chiefs Laws, and other
related Chieftaincies in Ibadanland in line with the current reality of chieftaincies of
equal status across the Yorubaland in general on 9th May, 2017. The Commission
submitted a-three volume report at the Executive Council Chamber, Treasury Building,
Secretariat, Ibadan on Friday, 19th August, 2017.

Highlights of the White Paper and Government’s decision are as follows:


Commission’s Recommendation 4:
The retention of the rotational system of the Olubadan chieftaincy and also the retention of the Olubadan Line and the Balogun Line as the two lines to produce the Olubadan in rotation. But the people also want the 22 rungs on Olubadan Line and the 23 rungs on Balogun Line to be reduced so that the Olubadan in future would become Olubadan at a relatively younger age so as to be active in office and have longer tenure in office.
Government accepts this recommendation with a proviso that the Olubadan Line is now Otun Olubadan Line.

Commission’s Recommendation 5:
There should be 11 steps on Olubadan line and 12 steps on Balogun line to begin from Ikolaba title on both lines.
Government accepts this recommendation.
Commission’s Recommendation 8:
The eleven (11) High Chiefs who are members of the Olubadan-in-Council for approval as Beaded Crown/Coronet wearing Obas, namely,
1. Otun Olubadan 1. Balogun
2. Osi Olubadan 2. Otun Balogun
3. Ashipa Olubadan 3. Osi Balogun
4. Ekerin Olubadan 4. Ashipa Balogun
5. Ekarun Olubadan 5. Ekerin Balogun
6. Ekarun Balogun
Government accepts this recommendation
with a proviso that only a Beaded Crown Oba shall be eligible to become the Olubadan and that these eleven (11) Beaded Crown Obas in addition to Iyalode shall be the kingmakers of Olubadanland. Government holds that:
“no person shall be qualified to be a candidate for a recognized chieftaincy who:
(a) suffers from serious physical infirmity; or
(b) has, under any law in force in Nigeria, been found or declared to be a lunatic or adjudged to be of unsound mind; or
(c) has, in any part of the Commonwealth:
(i) been sentenced to death or imprisonment for a term exceeding two years; or
(ii) been convicted of an offence involving dishonesty and sentenced to imprisonment therefore, and has not been granted a free pardon”.
(Section 14(2) of the Chiefs Law, Cap 28, Laws of Oyo State 2000)

Commission’s Recommendation 9:
The High Chiefs should retain their titles of Otun Olubadan, Osi Olubadan, Balogun, Otun Balogun etc. and should not use the title of “Oba” as a prefix to their names in order to avoid any confusion that could be caused by using the title “Oba” in conjunction with their titles of Otun Olubadan, Osi Olubadan, Balogun, Otun Balogun etc.
Government rejects this recommendation.
Each of the eleven (11) High Chiefs in the Olubadan-in-Council shall become a Beaded Crown-wearing Oba and shall be addressed as “His Royal Majesty” with the prefix ‘Oba’ before his name in conjunction with his respective title e.g. HRM Oba……..Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland.
Commission’s Recommendation 10:
The Olubadan should be addressed as “His Imperial Majesty”, the High Chiefs should be addressed as “His Royal Majesty” to maintain their seniority over the Baales that would eventually be recommended for wearing of Beaded Crowns or coronets and would be addressed as “His Royal Highness”. The area of assignment of the High Chiefs would be the existing eleven (11) Local Government Traditional Councils.
Government accepts this recommendation.
.Commission’s Recommendation 12:
All Senior Chiefs, who are customarily senior to various Baales in Ibadanland, should be upgraded to Recognised Chiefs under Part II of the Chiefs Law in order to maintain the customarily cherished seniority of the Senior Chiefs over the various Baales who are already recognized under Part II of the Chiefs Law, including ancient Baales. We are of the view that upgrading Senior Chiefs to Recognized Chiefs under Part II of the Chiefs Law will enhance their positions and restore their cherished dignity and superiority over the Baales.
Government accepts this recommendation.
Commission’s Recommendation 99:
Having regard to the information available to us, the Obas in other parts of Yorubaland were granted approval to wear Beaded Crowns, and in order not to make new Obas in Ibadanland inferior to their counterparts in Yorubaland, we hereby recommend approval of wearing of Beaded Crowns for the Baales who have been recommended for elevation as Obas in Ibadanland.
Government accepts this recommendation.
Commission’s Recommendation 100:
No newly elevated Oba shall add “land” to the name of his domain in his title because the “Olu” title is exclusively reserved for the Olubadan of Ibadanland.
Government accepts this recommendation, and further notes that the suffix “land” is exclusively reserved for the Olubadan as in Olubadan of Ibadanland.
Commission’s Recommendations 101:
(i) The Olubadan should be retained as Consenting and Prescribed Authorities for Ibadanland;
(ii) Any Oba in Ibadanland who shows disregard or disrespect to the position or authority of the Olubadan through refusal to pay necessary customary obeisance and flouting of superior customary authority shall be investigated by a Committee of Traditional Chiefs and appropriate sanction will be recommended against any guilty offender. A very serious infraction of the tradition can be reported to the State Governor through the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters;
The new Royal Majesties in Ibadanland who have received their letter of conferment and their titles are as follows:
1. HRM Oba Senator Lekan Balogun - The Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland
2. HRM Oba Akinloye Owolabi Olakuleyin - The Balogun of Ibadanland
3. HRM Oba Tajudeen A. Ajibola - The Osi Balogun of Ibadanland
4. HRM Oba Eddy Oyewole - The Ashipa Olubadan of Ibadanland
5. HRM Oba Latifu Gbadamosi Adebimpe - The Ashipa Balogun of Ibadanland
6. HRM Oba Abiodun Kola-Daisi - The Ekerin Olubadan of Ibadanland
7. HRM Oba (Dr.) Kolawole Adegbola - The Ekarun Balogun of Ibadanland
8. HRM Oba S. Amidu Ajibade - The Ekarun Olubadan of Ibadanland

The new ROYAL HIGHNESSES who have received their letters of conferment are as follows:
HRH Chief Lasisi Akano - Onijaye of Ijaye
HRH Oba Ismaila Abioye Olasunkanmi Opeola - Oniroko of Iroko
HRH Oba Moses Olasunkanmi Akinyosoye - Onikereku of Ikereku
HRH Oba Mudasiru Omodele Adebayo - Ololodo of Olodo
HRH Oba Victor Sunday Okunola - Elegbeda of Egbeda
HRH Oba Gbolagade Muritala Babalola - Onido of Ido
HRH Oba Olabamiji Ahmed Thomas - Alakufo of Akufo
HRH Oba (Alhaji) Wahab Olabamiji Okedina - Oloke of Okelade-Okin
HRH Oba Dauda Omotoso - Alawotan of Awotan
HRH Oba Adeboye Oyelowo Salako - Olofa of Offa
HRH Oba Rafiu Alawusa - Onilagun of Lagun
HRH Oba Tiamiyu Labiyi Ladipo - Alaba of Aba-Nla
HRH Oba James Oladipo Obisesan - Alakanran of Akanran

Signed,
Alhaji Olalekan Alli
Secretary to the Oyo State Government

The Government White Paper No. 14, Vol. 42 is available at the Oyo State Government Press, Secretariat, Ibadan, Oyo State.

Insideoyo.com has obtained the names and titles of 21 of the 32 high and senior chiefs who are be conferred with the title of Obas at a coronation fixed for Sunday, August 27, 2017 at Mapo Hall, Ibadan.

The Oyo State Government on Friday, August 25th, 2017, issued letters of conferment of Obaship on 21 chiefs in Ibadan.

The government explained that its decision was in line with the provisions of the recently amended 1959 Declaration of Olubadan and other related  chieftaincies in Ibadanland as well as the government White Paper as conveyed in Government Gazette No 14, Notice 27 Vol. 42 of 23rd August 2017 and Gazette No. 15 Notice 28 Vol. 42 of August 24, 2017 respectively.

The government stated that the governor of the State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, exercised his powers as conferred on him by section 28(i) Cap. Vol 1 of the Chiefs Law of Oyo State of Nigeria 2000 and the amended 1959 declaration.

The Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Olalekan Alli, presented the letters at the House of Chiefs.

Eight High Chiefs were elevated to Obaship, thereby changing their titles to “His Royal Majesty”

According to the SSG, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji remains the Imperial Majesty with no disruption or amendment to the traditional Olubadan Chieftaincy ascendancy system or structure.

The High Chiefs who are otherwise known as Olubadan-in-council, are eleven in number, including Iyalode who is in charge of women affairs. Each of them is in control of the 11 local government areas, LGA, of Ibadan. And as such, they will preside as Obas over the LGA‎ they head.

THE EX-HIGH CHIEFS WHO ARE NOW OBAS ARE:

1) High Chief Lekan Balogun:  Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland

2) High Chief Eddy Oyewole: Ashipa olubadan of Ibadanland

3) High Chief Akinloye Owolabi Olakuleyin: Balogun of Ibadanland

4) High Chief Tajudeen Ajibola: Osi Balogun of Ibadaland

5) High Chief Latifu Gbadamosi Adebimpe:  Asipa Balogun of Ibadanland

6)  High Chief Dr Kolawole Adegbola: Ekarun Blaogun of Ibadanland

7) High Chief Abiodun Kola-Daisi:  Ekerin Olubadan of Ibadanland

High Chief S. Amidu Ajibade:  Ekarun Olubadan of Ibadanland

Only High Chief Rashidi Ladoja, who has taken the government to court,  was not in attendance. Chief Femi Olaifa, who was supposed to be one of the new Obas died last night.

Insideoyo.com also gathered that thirteen Baales were elevated to “His Royal Highness”, while the  9 vacant Baale stools were not conferred but their positions are now recognized as Obas.

THE EX-BAALES WHO ARE NOW OBAS ARE‎:

1) Chief Lasisi Akano: Onijaye of Ijaye

2) Chief Ismaila Olasunkanmi: Oniroko of Iroko

3) Chief Moses Olasunkanmi: Onikereku of Ikereku

4) Chief Mudasiru Omodele Adebayo: Baale Olodo

5) Chief Victor Sunday Okunola:  Elegbeda of Egbeda

6) Alhaji Wahab Olabamiji Okedina: Baale Okelade-Okin

7) Chief Olabamiji Ahmed Thomas:  Alakufo of Akufo

Chief Gbolagade Muritala Babalola:  Onido of Ido

9) Chief Dauda Omotoso:  Baale Awotan

10)  Chief Tiamiyu Labiyi Ladipo:  Baale of Abanla

11) Chief James Oladipo Obisesan: Baale Akanran were conferred with His Royal Highness status.

Speaking on behalf of the new Obas, His Royal Majesty, Oba Lekan Balogun, tked the Oyo State Government and the governor of the State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi for answering the call of the people to review the Olubadan chieftaincy declaration of 1959, stressing that the new development is God ordained.

Yemi Lawal is an entrepreneur with a vision. His entertainment company, GQ, which started as a relaxation lounge for revellers years ago has blossomed into an outfit with three clubs and lounges, among other businesses. Set to take over Ibadan by opening a new branch at the vast Agodi Gardens, , ROTIMI IGE caught up with him and presents excerpts of their interaction.


You are set to open a new lounge in Ibadan making it the second in the city. What is responsible for this?

When we started, I set out to redefine entertainment in the city of Ibadan. At that time, there were few places giving revellers the option to hang out and party in style. So, with Gentlemen’s Quarters (GQ), we wanted to open a place where upscale, classy people can unwind with every need of theirs looked after.

That is the GQ way and I am thankful that the dream was realised and is still expanding. The choice of Agodi Gardens was strategic. Asides that I and my team held the Ibadan Countdown Festival, arguably the biggest of its kind, there, last year, I realised that the venue offered serenity and the kind of ambience that suited my expansion plans. So, I decided to establish a lounge that would be exceptional, catering to those who know what it means to live and enjoy life.

Our club remains open to revellers but this place will cater to those who like a serene, cool ambience with soulful music, with intercontinental cuisines on offer. This will be the classiest lounge in Ibadan once we open on Sunday.

Entertainment is steadily rising in ibadan,people are now bold to dress up and go out at night to have fun.kudos to the Governor and security outfits who strive daily to make the city safe for enjoyment.We are,indeed,grateful.

We’ll recall that some few days ago, upon prodding by members of the royal Olubadan-in-council in part, and also in tune with a need to elevate the Olubadan stool by the way of expansion, the Judicial Commission of Inquiry set up by the Governor Abiola Ajimobi administration to review the 1957 Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration, submitted its recommendations.

Much to the joy of sons and daughters in the 160 regions of Ibadanland, a highlight of these recommendations is the installation of a panoply of 32 beaded-crown Obas across Ibadanland, while the Olubadan stool is elevated to the level of a ‘Paramount Ruler’ and ‘Imperial Majesty’.

As we join in on these celebrations, Oyolawa deems it fitting to refresh our thoughts with ten (10) major reasons why this review is valid, long overdue and worth celebrating:

1. The review is in line with the modernization agenda of the present government, a postion which is in tandem with modern trends obtainable generally in the traditional and Obaship institution of Southwest Nigeria.

2. The review does not aim at distorting or destroying the age-long succession arrangement pertaining to the Olubadan stool.

3. Rather, this Ajimobi government-led review seeks the elevation the Olubadan to the level of an Imperial Majesty, with royal majesties beneath the imperial stool.

4. The review has legal backing – Sections 10 and 25 Cap 28 of the Oyo State Chieftaincy Law 2000, states the following:
(a) Section 10 of the Chiefs law gives a discretionary power to the Governor of the state if satisfied that a Declaration is faulty or objectionable, to amend or replace such declaration. That power is exercisable only by the governor without necessarily being in consultation with anybody.

(b) “Section 25(1) gives power to the Governor to set up an enquiry which he may consider necessary or desirable, which includes the power to make, review or amend a declaration.

5. The review has historical traction – Past governments in Oyo state have exercised the right to commission a review of the Declaration.
(a) A 1974 Commission of Enquiry reviewed the Chieftaincy declaration and its recommendations were adopted and changes effected by the then Military Government of Western States.
(b) In I976, there was the Adenekan Ademola Judicial Commission of Enquiry which made recommendations which the then Military government accepted and changes effected in 1981.
(c) Governor Kolapo Ishola set up the Oloko Commission of Enquiry on April 1st 1993 to review the chieftaincy declarations all over the state.
(d) Governor Rasheed Ladoja also set up the Adio Commission of Enquiry whose recommendations never came to fruition.

6. The review has the backing of many stakeholders in Ibadan – Over 100 memorada were submitted and sittings were attended by different groups including the members of Olubadan-in-Coucil, Ibadan Elders Forum, Mogajis, Baales, among others, urging that all parties should let the law take its course and allow peace reign in Ibadanland.

7. Governor Abiola Ajimobi, like other past governors, derived his constitutional powers to commission the review from Sections 10 and 25 Cap 28 of the Oyo State Chieftaincy Law 2000 stated above.

8. The review is much needed and long overdue because Ibadan, and its over 160 regions, needs it.

9. Ibadanland is big enough to entrench and accommodate a broader traditional base for cultural and communal efficiency.

10. This review seeks expansion and not distortion of the succession of the Olubadan stool. Rather, it seeks ways to make Ibadan have regional Obas to ensure much ease in attaining communal accord and peace, and driving socioeconomic development.

As the debate for the restructuring of the country rages, Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, has called on the Federal Government to surrender the control and management of revenue accruing from natural resources to the owner states.

The governor canvassed the position as a panelist at the ongoing 57th Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association, where he presented a paper on “Debt as a drag on institution building,” in Lagos, on Wednesday.   

Other speakers at the session were the Ghanaian Minister of Finance, Mr. Ken Ofori-Atta, and the Director-General, Debt Management Office (DMO), Mrs. Patience Oniha.

In what he described as a warped federalism that favours the FG, the governor said that the states have continued to rely heavily on the centre for the bulk of the revenue to manage its affairs.

Ajimobi said, "There is an urgent need for fiscal independence for the states if we are to be free from going to Abuja monthly cap in hand to collect allocations. Let the states control some of the resources in their domain.

"Let the FG unbundle some of the responsibilities in its care. Some of the items currently on the exclusive legislative list should be moved to the concurrent list. For, instance, there is no reason why the FG should be giving licenses to miners in my state.

“We need to revisit this arrangement so that the states will not perpetually be at the mercy of the FG. The practice is stifling the development of the states. Financial independence will reduce the rate at which states obtain loans.”  

The governor had blamed the country’s high debt profile on political and economic instability, policy fluctuations, bribery and corruption, misappropriation, non-adherence to sound economic philosophy, weak institutions and deficient legal frameworks.

As one of the African countries touted as having the potential of becoming an economic power house, Ajimobi stressed that Nigeria must look deeply at its debt management and servicing tactics to attain the status.

He identified administrative corruption by political leaders and collaborating civil servants, through diversion of loans meant for designated projects to other projects that would cater for their narrow interests, as a major factor responsible for the country’s rising debt profile.

The governor recommended the strengthening of institutional capacity, adherence to terms and conditionality of loans, attitudinal change and project financing monitoring as the panacea to the country’s high debt profile.

The governor said, “There is a positive correlation between meaningful economic growth and strict financial discipline. The reverse may be the case when debt servicing, whether external or domestic, becomes burdensome due to mismanagement of loans.

"Nigeria, among some other African countries, has been noted to be among the world growing economies and as such we cannot but take loans, but we must look at the diligent approach and management of our debt.

"It is no longer news that institutional corruption perpetuated by politicians and colluding civil servants has over time caused the country a lot of problems, as the two divert loans meant for particular projects to other projects they believe their individual purposes would be served.”

In his presentation, Ghana's finance minister recalled his country's financial journey post-2007 debt forgiveness by creditors; a period during which he said Ghana witnessed economic growth and turnaround.

Ofori-Atta blamed what he described as the unfortunate misappropriation of the country’s loans over time for its retrogression to 73 per cent debt to Gross Domestic Product ratio and a decline in growth rate.

Since the incumbent administration took over the reins of leadership about eight months ago, he said that Ghana had put in place stringent measures to regulate its debt through the creation of debt management office.

In a similar vein, he said that the country also approved deficit target by the legislature and criminalized any attempt by politicians or civil servants to undertake projects outside budgetary provisions.

The minister said, "Ghana has criminalized any attempt by civil servants and politicians to execute projects outside the budget. We have created the DMO office and gave legislative approval to deficit target, among other measures to stabilize the debt rise and grow our economy.

"The most important aspect of the measures is to grow revenue and reduce taxes by 40 per cent for the people to get back to business. There is a lot of optimism and we are having a negative to a positive outlook."

On her part, the DMO boss said that her office had done its bits towards attaining fiscal sustainability, stressing that borrowing was part of the budget implementation of the office since its creation in 2000, following the country's exit from the Paris Club.

Oniha urged the FG to create paths for states and corporate bodies to raise capitals and bonds as availed by commercial banks.

She described the country’s revenue as underperforming, equating it to that of Bangladesh, adding that "our revenue level is very low because apart from new borrowing, the old borrowing is piling."





Communication Team 

Governor's Office

Ibadan

What You Need To Know About The Oyo State Government Home Owner's Charter Program

1. What Really Is The Oyo State Government Home Owner's Charter Program?

Home Owner Charter is a program of the Oyo state government on residential landed properties. The aim of the government is to allow homeowners regularize the legal status and documentation of their properties whilst providing enumeration data for proper planning, provision of roads, schools, hospitals and other essential services by the State Government.

Under the program, owners of eligible properties built without title or required approval in Oyo State will be given a window of opportunity to obtain Building Plan Approval, Certificate of Occupancy or other title documents.

All penalties and fines have been waived, documentations requirements relaxed and fees discounted to enable as many residents as possible to benefit.

2. What Gave Rise To The Need To Undertake This Program?

Records have shown that the majority of residential landed property in Oyo state have no registered title and as such made it difficult for proper planning - thereby denying owners the necessary benefits accruable from their residential properties. These houses have no Building Plan Approval, Certificate of Occupancy or other recognized title documents;
As a result:

• Homeowners have difficulties using their properties as collateral or selling /transferring their properties, due to lack of documentation.

• In real estate market transactions, most properties are undervalued due to lack of Certificate of Occupancy (C of O).

• The lack of proper documentation regrrsses the growth of the Oyo State property market preventing all stakeholders from getting the necessary information and thus reducing vibrancy in the property market.

• There is no accurate data on the actual number of residences in most areas for proper planning and provision of essential social amenities.

3. What Do I Gain from The Oyo State Government Home Owner's Charter Program?

• Documentation which confirms your true status as Homeowner.

• You will enjoy a significant discount in the process to obtain proper legal title to the land (C of O), Survey and Approved Building Plan.

• The value of the property will be enhanced and become more marketable as buyers can confidently transact knowing that correct title documentation is available.

• Property with correct legal status and documentation can be used as collateral for Bank loans and other business transactions.

• Dispute over ownership will be minimized, in the event of death, heirs are sure of valid inheritance.

• Property related fraud and problems of Omo-Oniles/Ajagungbales would be reduced.

• Your residential area will benefit from the Oyo State Government's urban renewal policy through effective planning of facilities in the areas of education, health and other essential infrastructure.

4. How Do I Apply For The Home Owner Charter?

Application forms are available FREE OF CHARGE at any of the following locations;

• Ministry of Land, Housing and Survey.

• Partner Banks: Access Bank, Diamond Bank, Eco Bank, Enterprise Bank, Fidelity Bank PLC, First Bank PLC, First a city Monument Bank, Guaranty Trust Bank, keystone Bank, Mainstreet Bank PLC, Skye Bank, Stanbic IBTC PLC, Union Bank PLC, United Bank for Africa, Wema Bank PLC, Zenith Bank.

• HomeOwner Charter Centres in your area.

5. What is the process of treating my applications and how long will it take?

On receipt of your completed application form and payment of the expected fee of N120,000 only.

• Our surveyors, Town Planners and Land Officers will carry out a joint inspection visit to confirm that the property is eligible and that the information on the form is correct.

• On submission of your completed admission form, you will be issued a fees assessment letter of the expected fee of N120,000.

Note: You will then have a maximum of 3 weeks to pay the amount on the final invoice.

2. Can I pay in installments?

No: A onetime fee of N120,000 must be paid.

3. What will happen to those who do not take advantage of the Home Owner Charter program?

Home Owner Charter program is an extremely generous offer of the Oyo State Government to enable homeowners to regularize their status.

It is a once in a lifetime offer, and it is strongly advised that homeowners take full advantage of it.

Any residential property owner who fails to take advantage if this generous offer will have to apply for the conventional Certificate of Occupancy, which takes much longer and is more expensive.

4. Can I apply for the Home Owner Charter Program on a tenanted property?

Yes you can; but you will need to provide data on the tenants living in the property for the purpose of our enumeration. The data required is simple and the process of collecting it should not be difficult. Having the data will also assist you in knowing exactly who is living in your property and will enable us to plan for services in the area of your property.

5. Can I apply for the Home Owner charter Program on a property that is not yet completed?

Yes; so long as they are occupied, properties that have been completed and not completed are eligible for this scheme, as the aims of the scheme are to ratify properties in existence and occupied at the present time.

6. Can Property Owners who live abroad apply?

Yes, as long as they are bona-fide owner of the property, they are eligible to apply.

7. Is there a difference between the Home Owner's Charter C of O and the conventional C of O?

Any C of O obtained under the Home Owner's Charter program will be as valid as a C of O obtained through the conventional means provided all supporting documents are valid.

LAUTECH to open in “few days” – Pro-ChancellorPublished on August 21, 2017 By Ifreke Inyang

The new Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Ogbomoso, Prof. Oladapo Afolabi, has announced that the university will re-open in some days’ time.

Afolabi, at a press conference in Osogbo Monday, alongside other new members of the Governing Council of the institution, disclosed that the new council was close to finding a lasting solution to the problems that have kept the university shut down for a little over a year.


LAUTECH’s vice-chancellor, Prof. Adeniyi Gbadegesin and other principal officers of the university as well as members of the Governing Council including Prof. Lai Olurode, were present at the press conference.

Afolabi said: “We had our inaugural meeting at the main campus in Ogbomoso on August 9, 2017, and charted for ourselves a 90-day action plan which has started in earnest. For instance, consultations have been held with the various unions, parent forum and traditional rulers.

“We have also engaged the auditing firm, KPMG, and as I address you here, I make bold to inform you that we are expecting an interim report from the firm in a matter of days. It is this report we will be presenting to the visitors to the university. We have high hope that submission of this relief would go a long way in midwife get a lasting solution to the problems of LAUTECH.

“From various interactions of the council with the diverse stakeholders, we have realized that we are on the same page, working towards the same goal, which is that. The Council should spare no efforts to get the university reopen for students to continue with their studies and move on with their academic pursuit. The students have pledged their cooperation to abide by any decision taken if that would make the university to work again.”

By InsideOyo on August 21, 2017@@insideoyo

Chairperson of the Oyo State Education Trust Fund, Chief Onikepo Akande has sought the cooperation of private tertiary institutions, private schools among others in providing one percent of school fees of each student and one percent of their Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

Akande who made the appeal in a meeting with education stakeholders at the fund’s office, assured that the fund gathered would be judiciously used to supplement the provision of good quality education in the state.

Reiterating that the receipt of the payments was to commence in September, she assured that both private and public schools alike were bound to benefit from the deliveries of the education trust fund.

“I want to assure the private school owners that effective strategy will also be put in place to ensure that all the private schools and the pupils/students benefit from the policy in the idea of what is good for the goose is good for the gander,” she said.

Speaking in the same vein, Executive Secretary, Oyo ETF, Mrs Adenike Okunade, stated that the fund aimed at ensuring successful completion of education intervention projects and promoting cutting-edge technologies, ideas, and organizational skills in education.

“We urge you to give this policy the widest publicity it deserves and religiously supply the fund with valid and reliable statistics as at when requested for. We also urge you to partner positively with the state government through the payment of one school fees and IGR to the fund’s account as the case may be with effect from September, 2017 when the Institutions are expected to have commenced a new semester,” Okunade said.

Ibadanland set to have 32 additional Obas – Oyo Lawa!

Ibadanland, arguably the largest in Yorubaland and West Africa, is set to have a total of 32 beaded crown-wearing Obas, while the Olubadan stool and the present Olubadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji, and will maintain his status as the paramount ruler and imperial majesty of the ancient city.

This is the highpoint of the recommendations by the Judicial Commission of Inquiry for the review of the existing 1957 Declaration of Olubadan of Ibadanland and other related chieftaincies in Ibadanland, set up by the Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi.

To reduce the lengthy years it takes a potential Olubadan to get to the pinnacle of the two chieftaincy lines producing the Olubadan on rotational basis, the panel has also reduced the rungs from the existing 22 to 11 on the Otun line, while the Balogun line was reduced to 12 from 23.

The implication being that the Ikolaba chieftaincy will now become the entry point for a potential high chief, instead of Jagun chieftaincy as it currently stands, if the recommendations sail through.

These were highlights of the report presented to the governor by the Chairman of the Commission, Justice Akintunde Boade (retd) at the Governor’s Office, Ibadan, on Friday.

The presentation of the report by the 11-member commission was witnessed by members of the Olubadan-in-Council, led by the Otun Olubadan, High Chief Lekan Balogun and Balogun of Ibadanland, High Chief Owolabi Olakulehin.

Others included members of Ibadan Council of Elders, representatives of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), all the local government chairmen from Ibadanland and other eminent personalities of Ibadan extraction.

Receiving the report, the governor said no effort would be spared to ensure that the recommendations were implemented as early as next month.

Ajimobi said that his administration’s resolve to carry out a comprehensive review of the Olubadan chieftaincy was in response to the requests by the Olubadan-in-Council, Ibadan elders, members of CCII and others.

Insisting that the exercise was not new, the governor recalled that previous administrations had reviewed the chieftaincy declaration, but could not muster the political will to implement their respective reports.

He said that review was necessary in order to enhance the status of the Olubadan, to be in line with what obtains in other states in Yorubaland as well as to conform to the modern trend in culture and tradition.

The governor said that he was not unmindful of the pockets of opposition to the move, noting that he was not bothered as long as those in support were overwhelmingly in the majority.

Ajimobi said, “It is not everybody that will agree with us but once we have the majority who are in support, we are not bothered. As is customary, some people will disagree with any policy the government wants to implement, only for them to commend such policy in future.

“So, we really don’t mind those who are abusing us for taking this action. It only makes us happy and realize that we are doing the right thing.

“I salute the doggedness and patriotism of members of the commission for doing a thorough job. I also want to thank the CCII, Ibadan Council of Elders for their support.

“I particularly want to immensely appreciate the Olubadan-in-council for their overwhelming and intellectual support for the review without minding whether the recommendations would affect them positively or negatively.

“By the grace of God, we can implement the recommendations as early as next month. The review will only enhance the status of Olubadan as the imperial majesty. It will not diminish his influence in any way.”

Earlier, Boade had explained that in arriving at 32 beaded crowns, the commission gave preference to the current 11 high chiefs that made up the Olubadan-in-Council; nine eligible ancient baales and five baales who are members of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs.

He added that two baales at the state’s borders with Ogun and Osun States were also considered for beaded crown judging by their untiring efforts in ensuring that their areas were secured for Ibadanland.

Boade further explained that while one baale was considered because of historical importance of his area, four others were also recommended for the beaded crown-wearing obas on the basis of their historical antecedents.

He said, “For the avoidance of any doubt, the commission wishes to emphasize and restate the unassailable fact that the Kabiyesi, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, remains the only paramount ruler in Ibadanland.

“We received a total of 120 memoranda, out of which three were struck out on the basis that they were not relevant to our terms of reference, while nine of the people who submitted memoranda refused, failed or neglected to give oral evidence in support of their memoranda.”

Oyo Govt Bans Automatic Promotion in Public SchoolsBy InsideOyo on August 19, 2017@@insideoyo

The government of Oyo State has banned automatic promotion in public schools across the state.

Disclosing this yesterday at a ministerial press briefing, the ‎commissioner for education, science and technology, Professor Adeniyi Olowofela, noted that there is a surgical operation going on in the education sector in the state starting with automatic promotion which he said adversely affected the standard of education not only in Oyo state but Nigeria as a whole.

He explained that the state government has introduced the ‘No Automatic Promotion” policy and started a unified examination system as well as harmonized grading for S.S 1 & 2 students in public schools in the state to improve the state’s performances in external examinations, WAEC and NECO.

He noted that the efforts of the government has started yielding fruitful results with the state coming 2nd in NECO external examination in 2016, better than 12th position of 2015, urging that the media should be wary of the reports they publish so as not to mislead the general public on the present rating of the state in external examinations.

Olowofela stated that the recently introduced School Governing Boards for Public secondary schools in the state is a master stroke that is changing the schools’ system, emphasising that the paradigm has changed and the SGBs are improving the standard of education and infrastructures in Oyo State schools.

He posited that the SGB model will outlive the present administration as it is yielding positive results already, explaining “One of our SGBs put N125m to renovate their school and they are presently trying to raise N1bn now. The SGB is a master stroke that will change education in the state forever. The Government has also approved and initiated the process of renovating 100 schools with about N5bn comprising of N3b counterpart funding and N1.9bn  which is a combination of  funds generated from the students’ levies and state government’s internally generated revenue.

“We want our students to take advantage of our Oyo State Model Education System Intervention (OYOMESI) to build good character and the Ajumose Legacy Note for secondary schools to download text books from the web, while the hard copies are also available in the Ministry,” the Commissioner stressed.

Olowofela said that the Education Trust Fund (ETF) inaugurated recently by Governor Abiola Ajimobi would complement the budgetary allocation at all levels by the government, adding that 5% of VAT to State/Local Government will go to ETF as well as 1% from IGR and 1% paid by students of private schools will go into the pool.

The commissioner pointed out that The Technical University, Ibadan (TechU) will be self-financing, saying that the government is just midwifing the university that will develop the vocational skills of its students and promote technical education

IBADAN: The Changing times | Sayo Aluko
Sayo in LivingViva!What's On On18th August 2017

Two nights ago, when Adetunji called to inform me that he was relocating (back) to Ibadan from Lagos, the excitement in his voice instantly found family in a thought that has found seat in my heart for a while now. This thought that Ibadan, the largest city in West Africa, is presently experiencing rectification, a gradual shift of some sort into what’s truly befitting of Nigeria’s culture, intellectual and political capital.

For a city with this sociocultural, people and geographical expanse, and also proximity to the nation’s economic nerve centre, one would expect it to be more than a mere domiciliary where residents just subsist with lil’ or nil economic activity. But, when I berthed here 8 years ago in search of a second academic degree, that was the kind of city I met – bland, bare and boring, worse still, dirty.


Back then, to the average young mind with dreams to cease merely existing and get productive, acknowleging that Ibadan was in terminal decline practically became a conventional legend. Ibadan bled and suffered a menstrual efflux of its youth, they literally ditched the Ibadan identity and deserted in droves for the accepting anonymity of Lagos. They ran for dear life, from the slow death offered by an older generation that was trapped in rhetorical gossip, political illiberality, personal conflict and unproductive traditional rituals. They ran from the early evening shut downs and the lazy hand of routine that plagued the city. And, who could blame them?

That Ibadan of then was an existential testament to the fact that the state as a whole had lacked Promethean leaders right through the early years of Nigeria’s nascent democracy. Leadership in the state was infamously steeped in amala politics and gbegiri policies, so much that the unanswerable underdevelopment and palpable stagnate state of Ibadan and its people wasn’t really farfetched. For example, to insiders and outsiders alike who watched Oyo from a distance, governance and its delivery was mostly limited to the crude wit of the Mòlété generalissimo, Alhaji Lamidi Ariyibi Adedibu, albeit, in a 21st century; how contrasting, that. More so, quoting the common colloquial phrase, Ibadan was ‘big for nothing’, it was so obvious that its leaders at the time lacked insight to maximize its expanse for competitive good, per governance.

But as I said in the opening paragraph above, any keen and objective mind in the Ibadan of today, will observe that the state is presently undergoing a drift along the lines of rescue. This ongoing return to a place of pride is definitely gradual in pace, understandably procedural in delivery, arguably tardy in impact, but unarguably assured in intent. And without doubt, just as many residents of Oyo would unreluctantly attest, one can ascribe this gradual drift to the undamned style of governance of the self-christened “constituted authority“, Abiola Ajimobi, the incumbent governor of Oyo state.

His style of governance is a sharp departure from the towob’Obe (dilute) type that was obtainable prior to his term, and from reports, he “gored the ox” of the political establishment and stuck to his gun, whilst armed with a contagious intention to set his government on a course to redeem Ibadan and Oyo state from the damnifying effect of aged reverse. It took time, clearly.

Personally, as a rite to the idea of good governance, I’ve always had a thing for any government that thinks; nothing seldom besets a government with vision and the attendant chutzpah to implement it. For example, till date, anytime I enter the University of Ibadan (UI) and take in its organizational and structural expanse, I get lost in awe of the vision of the founding fathers. I mean, at a point in this same Nigeria, some leaders sat together, thought about setting up a university, and for that, they secured 1, 032 hectares of land? They made their vision occupy such huge stretch albeit from a little beginning? These men commissioned projects with a vision of the future in mind, and I’m always awed at that fact, while also always disappointed that years after, we’ve not been able to replicate such visionary mileage from a relay of leaders who rather choose to bask in cosmetic and/or transient achievements.

But then, this is why I’m somewhat impressed with the ongoing efforts at making Ibadan better via a similar ‘thinking’ perspective, and not a merely political perspective. I mean, for the first time in a tiring while, things now appear to be done for the electorate indeed, more than just seeking political or propagandist mileage. I say these after considering efforts the “constituted authority’s” government has channeled into making Ibadan a beehive of promising activities, where people, brands, institutions, parastatals, businesses and industries now come in to seek productivity and empower residents.

Before now as a case in point, I didn’t really understand why past governments in Oyo state could not seriously identify insecurity and dirt as the main and first antagonists to development and investments that’d make the state maximize its potentials to thrive. Prior to this present day, 6 out of every 10 people in Ibadan must have been either “obtained” by urchins of Idi-Arere or Molete, or must have stepped on human faeces at the city centre in Iwo road. And this was even toppled by the episodes of violence brewed by thugs. In fact, past governments and politicians actually seemed to have resolved to maintaining a romantic indulgence for rascals who produced man-made mayhem almost on a daily basis.

Don’t get me wrong, insecurity, even till date, is a national scourge happening everywhere in pockets, but, in this Ibadan of then, it was a staple, an almost subconscious expectation that lives and properties would be destroyed when these thugs chose to have their fill.
One would then ask – How could such city thrive or attract investments and human activities befitting of its history, expanse and heritage? How did past governments not know that the primal agenda of any thinking administration meaning to redeem Ibadan was to tackle insecurity and clean her up?

Well, this was what the Ajimobi administration got right at first cut by the manner of foremost thought. The preventive cum punitive policies, and the obvious headlong approach to discouraging crime and securing lives and property in the Ibadan of today have been nothing short of evidently effective; such that businesses are back, such that hotspots where no one dared to stay past 8pm, are now places where night life beams and booms. Relaxation spots and nightclubs now sprouting like autumn mistletoe leaves, one would never believe ’tis the same Ibadan.

Additionally, my friend is relocating back here because, like some other reported 3,000 skilled professionals, he just got a job (as a HR officer) with one of the over 100 foreign and indigent companies setting up shop in the 4,000 hectare (read that again, four thousand hectares!) Free Trade Zone and industrial park established by this government via a public-private-partnership (PPP) arrangement, right at the Ibadan end of the Lagos-Ibadan expressway. Just almost opposite this industrial park is the newly established Technical University by the Ajimobi government, another PPP initiative. The rave reviews this new university had before it was commissioned about two months ago were so good I had to attend that commissioning to see for myself; and impressive, it was. According to reports, this Ibadan Technical university was conceived by Ajimobi himself after visiting a technical university in Texas, USA. And basically, the idea behind a technical university is to equip young minds with applicable, practical, balanced, and most importantly, hands-on education that suits the needs of their immediate environment, thus making them direct participants in the development drive and active employers of labour.

Today, the Ibadan Technical University stretches over a million square metre of land on that expressway, it is the first of its kind in Nigeria and Africa, and it is set to propel the city into international limelight. The best part to this is the array of truly direct-impact courses to be offered – Bio-technology, Environmental engineering, Renewable Clean Energy Resource technology, In-vitro fertility technology, Aircraft Maintenance/ Repairs, Industrial and production engineering, nanotechnology, Robotics, Automation, Cyber-security, Mechatronics, Tropical Agricultural Engineering/Food processing amongst others. 12 of these courses have been approved by the National Universities Commission (NUC), the school already has a board, it is presently recruiting more administrative and academic staff, and the first set of students are to resume by October, 2017.

In short, the whole of Ibadan, and by extension Oyo state, is back buzzing, productive human activity is on the rise, all of this simply because there’s a thinking government fuelled by insight and foresight in Agodi.

No, chill, don’t fret. This isn’t to emblazon an individual or state executive that is simply doing a job it was elected to do, rather, I’m aiming adulation towards the fact that a job is being done relatively better than predecessors, visionarily at that, and most importantly that the people are better for it. That’s the kókó of all these atótónu of mine – the PEOPLE being better for it!

To the Ajimobi government, I advice not to take their foot off the gas in the drive to make Ibadan and Oyo state become a reference point for transformative governance. In the remaining two years of its unprecedented 2nd term, more should be done per maintenance of projects done so far, especially roads, and more effort should be channeled into educating and enforcing compliance amongst residents as regards keeping the city clean. To us the electorate, I advice not to stop contributing our quota, at least, by continous objective criticism of this government, while we arm our thoughts with the need to elect an even better state executive come 2019. This state I’ve come to fall in love with its people and rich heritage, MUST NOT get back into sóóyòyò and agbádá armada governance.

This Ibadan, this sprawling megalopolis on Seven Hills, this expression of all Oyo state represents, once described as a “running splash of rust; and gold, flung and scattered” by J. P Clark in his “Ibadan” poem, is an endearing city of the ancient that is presently enjoying gradual matrimony with the modern; and this needs to be beyond celebrated, sustained.

Is Ibadan or Oyo state already at Uhuru? No, not at all, not even near it per se. But, I like this drift towards what’s befitting for the state and benefitting for its residents. It is gradual as I said above, but it is accelerating, clearly upping pace as the seconds tick by. Beyond anything, I think this should just be encouraged.

Ibadan mèsìògò, e kú changing times ooo.

Sayo Aluko
aluksays2@gmail.com

The Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi will on Friday, August 18, 2017 flag-off the enumeration of properties in the State as well as the electronic Certificate of Occupancy and Home-Owner’s Charter policies.

The Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr. Toye Arulogun said that the event will be held at Oyo State Housing Corporation Field, Bodija Ibadan by 4pm, saying that the exercise is to ensure an increase in socio-economic benefits for the people of the state.

Arulogun noted that the enumeration exercise will be carried out by members of the Nigerian Institute of Estate Surveyors and Valuers, Oyo State Branch, pointing out that the enumerators are expected to inspect and carry-out survey exercise of the owners/occupants of the properties without collecting money from any individual.

The Commissioner said that members of Nigeria Institute of Estate Surveyor and Valuers (NIESV), Nigeria Institute of Architect (NIA), Nigeria Institute of Building (NIB), Nigeria Institute of Town Planners (NITP), Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Religious and Community Leaders, Organised Private Sector (OPS), Landlord Associations, Community Development Associations (CDAs), Head of Tertiary Institutions, Media Houses, Banks, Market Men & Women and Other Stakeholders are expected at the occasion.

Arulogun explained that the government has put necessary measures in place to facilitate quick process and issuance of electronic Certificate of Occupancy under 60 days if proper documents are submitted by land owners in the state, stressing that the government was disturbed by the endless waiting period by land owners who wanted to collect their C of O.