Metro

Olubadan Crowns 116-year-old ‘Baale’ As 33 Others Elevated To Obaship Status

Published

8 months ago

September 1, 2023

It was a historic sight to behold on Friday at the ancient Oja’ba Olubadan Palace, as a 116-year-old Baale of Abanla in Ido Local Government, was elevated to the Obaship status of Oba Tiamiyu Olubiyi Oladipupo, the Alaba of Abanla by the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Lekan Balogun.

Thirty-three other community chiefs (Baales) were also elevated and crowned by the Olubadan.

The event, which marked the first in the history of the ancient city, attracted dignitaries from different walks of life, who converged on the venue to rejoice with the newly-elevated chiefs, which led to a traffic logjam.

The pomp and pageantry that greeted the ceremony could not be hidden, as relatives, friends and well-wishers of the crowned chiefs, thronged the venue in different traditional attires.

But the Otun Olubadan, Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, a former governor of the state, and a member of the Olubadan-in-Council, did not show up at the coronation, where other members of the traditional council were present.

Different traditional rites were observed during the event, among which were the paying of homage to the monarch and cultural display.

While speaking at the event, the state’s Commissioner for Local and Chieftaincy Matters, Mr Olusegun Olayiwola, said the Olubadan of Ibadan is crowning his Baales as Obas. It is not the government that is giving the Baales the crowns.

“The consenting authority today is the Olubadan and not the governor. I want to charge the newly elevated Baales on behalf of the governor to do good to their people. I thank all the people in Ibadanland,” he said.

In his remarks, the Olubadan, Oba Lekan Balogun expressed gratitude to the governor for approving the ceremony.

Oba Balogun, whose address was read on his behalf by his younger brother, Senator Kola Balogun, said: “We are here today to fulfil the promise made last month when a similar exercise was held at the ancient Mapo Hall over there for my members of Advisory Council that some of our Baales in Ibadanland would be elevated and crowned as Royal Highnesses.”

“We are here today for the elevation and crowning of 34 of them from our various communities in our six local government councils of Akinyele, Lagelu, Egbeda, Ona-Ara, Ido and Oluyole. The list of the beneficiaries is in the programme of the event.”

“The palace is aware of contentions in the domains of a few of today’s beneficiaries of the elevation and attempts to stop their elevation by the aggrieved parties acknowledged.”

“But, we decided to go ahead with the elevation of the affected few alongside others because they are not being newly installed as Baales and should they be denied, it is the affected communities that would suffer the loss.”

“So, we considered it more appropriate to go ahead with the elevation as planned while the aggrieved parties continue with the process of how to ‘right’ the acclaimed ‘wrong’ in installing the affected Baales in the first instance and I want to publicly assure all that as soon as it is evidentially established that a wrong was actually committed in installing somebody as a Baale, such stands removed without any pressure.”

“As recalled during our last exercise, we have a unique system in our traditional set-up in Ibadan which continues to evolve, responding to dynamics of demand as occasions may dictate and this has been confirming the agelong aphorism that the only thing that is permanent in life is change.”

“In our responses to the changes over the years, there had always been issues on forging consensuses as arguments for and against always ensue. Thankfully, the issue of some of our Baales wearing crowns has never been a subject of debate as there’s a consensus on it.”

“In short, whatever we are today in Ibadan as far as our traditional system is concerned are products of periodic changes we have passed through and there is no shying away from making this our own contribution to the system with the conviction that posterity will record us rightly.”

“By today’s exercise, we have completely changed the face of Ibadan traditional system and we can now rub shoulders with other places in the comity of towns and cities.”

“It is gratifying to note that the public opinion on the first leg of the exercise has been that of applause and commendation and we are convinced and happy that by the elevation exercises, including the one we are doing today, we are meeting the yearnings and expectations of our people.”

“Once again, the determination of our governor in the state, Engr. Makinde, FNSE in ensuring the making of this history cannot be over-emphasized.”

“We cannot gloss over the boldness and political will of his predecessor, late Sen. Isiaq Abiola Ajimobi who against all odds broke the jinx which had become a recurring decimal since the advent of the current democratic experience.”

“May his soul continue to peacefully rest. Whatever flaws noticed in the steps taken by the late former governor Ajimobi on the issue have been corrected by Engr. Makinde, giving us confidence that what we are doing has come to stay.”

“At this juncture, it needs be stressed that the liberalism being brought into the system should not be taken for granted. We all know that there’s hierarchy in our system and what we are doing does not give room for the traditional hierarchy to be eroded in any manner.”

“Honour must at all times be given to whom honour is due. I won’t go into repetition of the oath that will be administered on the new Obas after your crowning today, but, the oath must be your guide.”

“Your Excellencies, top government functionaries present, our invited Royal Fathers both from within and outside the state, my members of Advisory Council, eminent personalities, my good people of Ibadanland, gentlemen of the press, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, I thank you all for creating time to be part of another historic event in our traditional system in Ibadanland with some of our Baales receiving crowns as Obas with the appellation of Royal Highnesses,” he stated.
VANGUARD

Metro

Delta Police Kill Suspected Kidnapper, Rescue Victims, Arrest Armed Robber Cultist

Published

3 hours ago

April 28, 2024

Editor

Operatives of the Delta State Police Command in collaboration with vigilante and hunter groups, have neutralized a suspected kidnapper during a fierce gun duel and rescued two abducted victims in Ughelli Local Government Area of the state.

Spokesperson of the command, SP Bright Edafe, who made this known in a statement on Sunday, April 28, 2024, said the suspect sustained gunshot injuries when he and members of his gang engaged the security operatives in a shootout in their hideout.

The suspect was rushed to a hospital where he died while receiving medical treatment. Other members of the gang escaped from the scene.

“On 26/4/2024, at about 0900hours, the command received an intelligence report that some suspected kidnappers were hibernating in Okuno, Orogun, where they were hiding alongside some kidnapped victims, the Commissioner of Police Delta State CP Abaniwonda Olufemi directed the DPO Abraka Division SP Fabian Ayameh to lead police operatives to their hideout,” the statement read.

“The DPO swiftly mobilized police operatives alongside members of the Abraka vigilante, and hunters group, stormed the bush, and engaged the suspected kidnappers in a fierce gun duel during which one of the suspects sustained serious gunshot injuries while others escaped. One AK-47 rifle and eleven (11) rounds of 7.62mm ammunition were recovered.

“The two kidnapped victims (name withheld) were rescued unhurt and have been reunited with their families, while the injured suspect was taken to the hospital where he gave up the ghost while receiving treatment. Manhunt for the other fleeing suspects is ongoing,” the statement added.

The PPRO further disclosed that police arrested a motorcycle rider, Orji Timothy with illicit drugs, two cutlasses and a locally made double barrel pistol with two live cartridges along Ovirigor Road in Ughelli.

“On 24/04/2024, at about 1445hrs, Eagle Net Special Squad Surveillance team while on routine patrol along Ovirigor Road Ughelli, flagged down a motorcycle. Upon search, a sizeable quantity of weeds suspected to be Indian Hemp was recovered. This necessitated the arrest of the 38-year-old motorcycle rider, Orji Timothy of No. 21 Olotu Street Ughelli,” the statement read.

“The operatives further extended their search to the suspect’s residence, where a Locally Made Double Barrel Pistol with Two Live Cartridges, Twenty Sachets of 100mg Tramadol, One Sachet of Swinol, and two Cutlasses were recovered. The investigation is ongoing.”

Meanwhile, police in the Ovwian-Aladja Division arrested a suspected armed robber and recovered an English Berretta pistol from him.

“On 22/4/24 at about 0300 hrs, a distress call was received at the Ovwian/Aladja Divisional Police Headquarters, that one Anthony Odumegwu, a 44 yrs male indigene of Ihiala, Anambra State, was arrested in an attempt to steal a Daylong Motorcycle with from one Mohammed Yusuf of Ekete Inland Waterside. Upon receipt of the information, the DPO Ovwian/Aladja, CSP Bulus Musa swiftly mobilized to the scene of the crime, and on a thorough search of the suspect and scene of the crime, an English Berreta Pistol without a magazine was recovered. The investigation is ongoing.”

CP Abaniwonda Olufemi noted that the swift and decisive action of officers of the command serves as a testament to the commitment to curbing criminal activities in the state and ensuring the safety of the state.

The commissioner further encourages the public to never hesitate to call the Control Room Numbers: 08036684974; 08125958005; and 09053872287; to report criminal activities or assist the police by giving credible information.

Metro

Gunmen Assassinate Governor Aiyedatiwa’s Campaign Coordinator In Ondo

Published

3 hours ago

April 28, 2024

Editor

Unknown gunmen have killed Alaba Excel Abbey, one of the campaign coordinators of the gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and the incumbent governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

It was gathered that Abbey was also the Returning Officer for Ward 10 in Supare Akoko, Akoko South West Local Government Area of Ondo State in the recently concluded All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary election.

The deceased who served as a ward coordinator for the Lucky Aiyedatiwa Campaign Organisation Foot-Soldiers (LACO-SF), was shot dead in front of his house.

The deceased’s elder brother, Samuel Abbey, who confirmed the incident to Leadership, said Alaba was assassinated around 9 pm on Saturday, April 27, 2024, shortly after returning home.

In a statement released by its State Information Director, Mr Kayode Fasua, the group revealed that the late Abbey was actively involved in campaigning for the election of Governor Aiyedatiwa until his untimely demise.

Spokesperson for the State Police Command, Funmilayo Odunlami-Omisanya said an investigation has begun into the case.

“In brief, the command is aware of the incident at Supare, and the investigation is ongoing to unravel all that happened,” she added.

Metro

Five Injured As Vehicles Collide In Lagos

Published

4 hours ago

April 28, 2024

Editor

Five yet-to-be-identified persons have sustained varying degrees of injuries in an accident that occurred around 6:00 p.m. at Gbagada Bridge in Lagos State.

This was disclosed in a statement made available to journalists by the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department, Adebayo Taofiq, on Sunday.

According to the statement, a three-year-old suffered a head injury, while the four other individuals had fractures in different parts of their bodies.

Taofiq added that a preliminary investigation revealed that the driver of a Benz car with registration number JJJ-219 XU lost control while using a mobile phone and collided with a Volkswagen Commercial bus with registration number APP-46 GZ parked on the roadside for battery repair.

He noted that the driver of the Mercedes car had been turned over to police officers from the Alonge Police Station and that the victims had been taken to Gbagada General Hospital.

The Special Advisor to the Governor on Transportation, Sola Giwa, expressed condolences for the injured victims while urging motorists to drive safely.

The statement partly reads, “Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) operatives responded swiftly today at 6:00 PM to a collision on Gbagada Bridge heading towards Gbagada Express Way, Lagos, rescuing a 3-year-old girl and four others.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that a driver of a Benz car (JJJ 219 XU) lost control while using a mobile phone and collided with a Volkswagen commercial bus (APP 46 GZ) parked on the roadside for battery repair.

“Mr Adebayo confirmed that the 3-year-old girl sustained a head injury, while the four others, including the commercial bus driver, suffered fractures in various parts of their bodies.

“The rescued individuals were promptly taken to Gbagada General Hospital by LASTMA officials and Lagos State Ambulance Service personnel.”