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Osun APC, Ataoja Of Osogbo Trade Words Over Alleged Illegal Directive

Published

1 month ago

February 12, 2023

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State has accused the Ataoja of Osogbo land, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji of issuing directives to non-indigenes to vote for all the candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the forthcoming general elections.

The allegation was contained in a statement signed by Tajudeen Lawal, the Osun APC acting Chairman and obtained by DAILY POST on Saturday.

In the statement, the Osun APC noted that the posture of the Ataoja towards the APC was undemocratic and absolutely an act of illegality.

The party frowning at the alleged directive said a palace source had disclosed that the royal father had summoned the leaders of the Hausa, Igbo, Fulani and Ebira communities where he warned them against voting for any other political party.

According to the party, at the meeting, the Ataoja also directed attendees to switch off their telephones to ensure the video and audio versions of the meeting are not captured.

The party also stated that the absence of the Igbo community leader in the meeting drew the irk of the monarch who angrily maintained that it has become his habit to exclude himself from such meetings.

The statement said, “It is on record that the monarch has never hidden his dislike for the APC as he celebrated the loss of the party as announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC on July 17, 2022.

“It is this despisement that the Ataoja has for the APC and Mr Gboyega Oyetola that has not made the Oba Oyetunji congratulate Oyetola since the governorship tribunal sacked his preferred candidate, the embattled Governor Ademola Adeleke, and withdrew his certificate of return to be given to Oyetola, the winner of the governorship election.”

While maintaining that the alleged directive from the traditional ruler breached the fundamental human right of association of those in attendance, Lawal urged the affected non-indigenes to resist all illegal directives that might be coming from any quarters to infringe on any of their fundamental human rights.

“Such directive from the Ataoja wasn’t within the purview of his constitutional roles and it’s capable of precipitating avoidable violence among the inhabitants of Osogbo.”

The Osun acting APC chairman advised Oba Oyetunji to be a father to all politicians irrespective of their political leanings.

Reacting on behalf of the palace, Wasiu Bello, the Secretary to Oba Oyetunji described the APC allegations as mere exaggeration and politicking.

Bello also maintained that the Ataoja never warned anybody from the communities.

In his words, “I convened that meeting as directed by His Royal Majesty, Ataoja of Osogbo.

“Even though I was not privy to the topic of the invitation, the usual topic is pertaining to Osogbo and its security. The Igbo, Hausa, Ebira and Fulani community representatives were in attendance.

“On Wednesday, the day of the meeting, other community representatives were in attendance except for the leader of the Igbo community

“I called the Igbo community leader to inquire why he was absent and he made me understand that he did not get any invitation and I assured him that I’d communicate with him whatever was discussed at the meeting.

“Ataoja only discussed matters pertaining to the security and welfare of Osogbo and appealed for calm with regard to the general elections. He also encouraged them to vote for any candidate of their choice.

“I was with the Ataoja and I never heard him issue any directive for phones to be switched off.”

Also, a rejoinder signed by the wife of the monarch who also doubles as his spokesperson, Kafayat Adedoyin Oyetunji stated that the statement by the APC sought to discredit the Ataoja and dent his reputation as a father to all irrespective of political leanings.

According to her, “The Ataoja of Osogbo has never been known to engage in any political activity that would breach the constitutional roles of his office. The directive given to some non-indigenes was in no way illegal or undemocratic as portrayed by some politicians. The Ataoja, in his capacity as the traditional ruler of Osogbo, has always sought to promote peace and unity among the people living in Osogbo and the recent directive was aimed at maintaining that peace.”

While reiterating that it was imperative for politicians in the state to desist from using the Ataoja for their political gains, she added that the monarch’s position as a monarch should not be taken for granted, and his role as a mediator and peacekeeper should be respected by all.

“The Ataoja should not be used as a political tool for settling scores and advancing personal interests.

“The Ataoja of Osogbo is a patriotic traditional ruler who has always acted in the best interest of his people. The statement by the Osun State chapter of the APC is not only an affront to the Ataoja, but it is also a disservice to the people of Osogbo who have always held the Ataoja in high esteem.”

She also advised the politicians not to drag the monarch into their political mudslinging and show respect for the Ataoja stool as he remained a father to all and a symbol of unity, peace, and stability in Osogboland.

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51,828 Boko Haram Fighters Surrender Within One and Half Years – Gen. Irabor

Published

4 hours ago

March 25, 2023

Editor

The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor, has disclosed that no fewer than 51,828 Boko Haram fighters and their family members surrendered to the Federal Government between July 2021 and May 2022.

Gen. Irabor disclosed this while delivering a lecture titled “National Defence Policy and Transitional Justice Approach in the War Against Insurgency in Nigerin”, at the 7th Founders’ Day of the Edo state University, Uzairue.

According to him, “between July 2021 to May 2022 alone, no fewer that 51,828 Boko haram and their family members have surrendered, out of which 13,360 are fighters”.

He further disclosed that 1,543 repentant terrorists so far graduated from Mallam Sidi camp, in Gombe State between 2016 and 2022, while 1,935 have been released from the camp in Bulumkutu, Maiduguri.

He said Operation Safe Corridor as a transitional justice approach was created similar to the Niger Delta Amnesty programme launched by the Federal Government in 2009 which involved the setting up of special facilities where repentant terrorists who surrendered their arms can be rehabilitated.

“The programme offers numerous opportunities and participants are scheduled for vocational training to ease their reintegration into the society”, he emphasized.

Gen. Irabor, however, said despite the modest successes recorded by operation safe corridor in the fight against crime, the programme still faces a lot of challenges.

He listed some of challenges ro include the lack of specialised training experts and inadequate physical structure, inadequate collaboration and coordination, absence of appropriate legislation on reintegration, low agency and international participation as well as ineffective monitoring system.

He, however, identified the way forward to include “train-the-trainers programme and establishment of special fund for Deradicalisation, Reintegration and Reorientation (DRR), establishment of a national commission for DRR, enacting of a DRR Act, building of strategic partnerships and adoption of a whole-of-society approach to monitoring,” he said.

He further said in any counter insurgency, transitional justice plays a key role in healing wounds such as Nigerian Civil War and the Niger Delta crisis, adding that Operation Safe Corridor has achieved some degree of successes which could be built upon.

Earlier, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Emmanuel Aluyor, commended the state governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki and his deputy, RT. Hon. Com. Philip Shaibu for their continuous support for the university and for creating enabling environment for the university to strive.

Prof. Aluyor said that the lectures over the years have gradually shaped the outlook of the founder’s day ceremony where important issues on how Nigeria can be harness into a country of our collective dreams are delivered.

According to him, “Edo State University Uzairue since inception has been committed to pursuit of world class goals in teaching, learning and research which is why we are proud of our products”.

He further stated that some of the lecturers and researchers are listed among the first 500 researchers in Nigeria, while the nursing and medical laboratory students recorded 100% successes in their Council’s exams.

The VC particularly thanked the governor for the upgrade of the general hospital Auch to Edo State University Uzairue teaching hospital which he said contributed to the full acresitation of the MBBS programme of the university by the medical and dental council of Nigeria.

“We are not resting in taking the university to a greater hieght as we planned to open up new programmes such as Pharmacy and post graduate programmes in other areas to compliment what we already have on ground” he concluded.

On his part, Edo State governor and the visitor to the university, Mr Godwin Obaseki represented by Hon. Inusa Imhonopi commended the management of the university for the successful hosting of this year’s founder’s day.

He said that the present administration is consistent in chatting a progressive course for the university as the government is doing its best while the management is also doing its best and urged them to see that the university remain on top.

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How Bishop Oyedepo Treated Me When I Was Attacked By Assassins – Apostle Suleman

Published

7 hours ago

March 25, 2023

Editor

Apostle Johnson Suleman of Omega Fire Ministries has recounted the love treatment he received from the president and founder of Living Faith Church Worldwide, Bishop David Oyedepo, when suspected assassins attacked him.

Recall that on October 21, 2022, gunmen suspected to be assassins attacked Suleman’s motorcade, killing at least seven persons including security officers.

It was reported that the man of God escaped death because of his bulletproof car.

Speaking during a church service on how some ministers of God treated him during the trying moment, Suleman said Oyedepo’s love was exceptional.

According to him, some men of God who were expected to sympathise with him over the incident never called.

He said Bishop Oyedepo called several times and prayed for him against further attacks.

He said: “The love I saw from Bishop Oyedepo when I was attacked, I didn’t see from any minister in Nigeria. He didn’t have my phone number, he sent me his phone number. He said that they should give it to me.

“People were calling me. Bishop Abioye was calling me. I know Bishop Abioye’s number. And he (Oyedepo) began to pray for me.

“The next day, he called me again. Such a man! Who am I? He said, ‘they will not succeed, they can’t quench that light’! Tears came out of my eyes.”

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Encomium As Delta Monarch Bags Doctorate Degree In Paris

Published

8 hours ago

March 25, 2023

Editor

Congratulatory messages are pouring in for the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku Kingdom in Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State, His Royal Majesty (HRM) Obi (Dr) Ifechukwude Aninshi Okonjo II, as he was formally presented Doctoral degree certificate in Paris, France on Friday.

The Obi was awarded his Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) by the prestigious Paris School of Business upon successful completion of his research and thesis.

INFO DAILY reports that the area of focus for the research was small and micro business financing.

The Monarch is apparently following in the footsteps of his father, late Obi of Ogwashi-Uku, HRM OBI Professor Chukuka Aninshi Okonjo II who got his doctorate degree in Economics and Mathematics.

The Obi is the brother to Ngozi Okonjo Iweala a two time finance minister, World Bank Managing Director and current WTO Director- General.

Elated members of the Ogwashi-Uku community, officials of the Delta State Government and well wishers in messages seen by our correspondent, sent in their congratulatory messages for the remarkable achievement.

By this, the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku joins a small elite club of Traditional Rulers who have achieved such educational heights while in office.

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