News
Alaafin: I have no anointed candidate, says Makinde
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Monday, absolved himself of blame in the delayed selection and appointment of Alaafin of Oyo, insisting that “he has no anointed candidate.”
The PUNCH reports that the revered stool became vacant in April 2022 after the demise of Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, who joined his ancestors at the age of 82 after reigning for 52 years.
Makinde, represented by the state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Olusegun Olayiwola, made this clarification at the Oba Adeyemi Mini Stadium, Ode Aremo in Oyo Town, while presenting the Part II Recognised Chieftaincy certificates to 12 baales, who are now lesser Obas in their different domains.
The 12 elevated Chiefs are Chief Olaniyi Adegboye III (Oloodu of Ojongbodu, Oyo); Chief David Oyediran (Alaguo of Aguo, Oyo); Chief Samuel Odurinde (Alajagba of Ajagba, Oyo); Chief Isiaka Titiloye (Ona Isokun of Isokun, Oyo); Chief Salawu Oyeniran (Onigudugbu of Gudugbu, Oyo); Chief Jimoh Oyeleye (Alakeetan of Akeetan, Oyo).
Others include Chief Ganiyu Busari (Alago- Oja, Oyo); Chief Abel Oyekan (Elepe of Iseke);
Chief Oyeleke Isola (Onidode of Idode); Chief Tijani Okunshinde (Alapaara of Apaara 1);
Chief Adebisi Adebayo (Olotefon of Otefon, Oyo); and Chief Fakayode Alowonle (Onimeleke of Imeleke 1), Oyo.
They are now qualified to attend the meetings of the State Council of Obas and Chiefs at the Parliament Building, Government Secretariat, Agodi in Ibadan.
Speaking at the event, the commissioner said said, “I am assuming you people of Oyo town that Governor Makinde has no anointed candidate. God Himself, the Almighty knows. The governor never thought of it. To him, Oyo, which is the cradle of Yoruba land, with the Alaafin, who is the Head of Obas throughout Yorubaland, should have an Oba, who befits their historical status. And by so doing, he (Makinde) has no candidate. The process for installation of a new Alaafin would have been concluded but for the case instituted at the appeal court. I am, therefore, assuring you that sooner than later, the whole issue will be resolved.”
On the Monday elevation, the commissioner said,”The importance of this chieftaincy is starting point of elevation to any height. What you are getting today is the beginning of good things that are coming to your domains. By the grace of God, some of you will be elevated to royal highnesses.
“This upgrade not only brings honour to your communities but also serves as a testament to our government’s continued support of our cultural heritage and traditional institutions.”
Makinde, therefore, charged the newly elevated chiefs to ensure that their domains were well secured and that any form of suspicious activity is reported promptly to the government.
“We believe that the traditional institutions play a vital role in maintaining peace and stability in our communities.
As recognised chiefs, you are expected to work closely with the local and state government to ensure that our communities are safe and secure for all inhabitants. You should not give room to banditry, land grabbing and any form of terrorism in your domains,” he stated.
In attendance were some of the Oyomesi or kingmakers, who include the Iba Samu of Oyo, High Chief Lamidi Oyewàle; the Agbaakin of Oyo, High Chief Asimiyu Atanda; the Baba Iyaji of Oyo, Chief Mukaila Afonja; the former Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Senator Monsurat Sunmonu; the former Speaker of the House of Assembly during the administration of Late Adebayo Alao-Akala (Rt. Hon. Moroof Atilola); and the four local government Chairmen in Oyo Town (Akeem Olukitobi- Oyo West; Wahab Adetunji- Atiba; Sola Oluokun- Oyo East; and Olufemi Aikomo- Afijio), among many others.
News
Insecurity! Troops arrest Bello Turji’s ally Bako, silence 211 terrorists in 7 days
A suspected terrorist has been nabbed by the troops in the North West theatre of operation.
The arrested high profile and notorious terrorist was identified as Bako Wurgi. The terror leader is linked to the murder of the Sokoto Monarch and a staunch ally of wanted high profile terrorist Bello Turji’s.
In a statement made available to journalists on Friday in Abuja, the Defence Director Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba said the arrested terrorist leader, Bako Wurgi, eventually succumbed to gun shot injuries sustained during the fire fight.
According to General Buba, the terrorist leader Wurgi provided valuable intelligence to support troops operations before he eventually passed on.
General Buba also disclosed that another two high profile terrorists identified as Hamisu Sale (aka Master) and Abubakar Muhammad were arrested during seperate operations conducted in North Central theatre of operation.
In his words, the duo are cooperating and providing valuable intelligence on the terror network.
The DHQ spokesman was deadpan when he said that, “Troops are on high alert and have increased readiness to protect the country from further terrorist aggression, particularly during the yuletide.
Accordingly, robust operations targeted at terrorist leadership are being conducted across the various theatres of operations.”
He disclosed that during the week under review, troops neutralised 212 and arrested 272 persons.
The DHQ publicist informed that troops recovered 247 assorted weapons and 6,174 assorted ammunition.
Giving the breakdown, General Buba said 2 RPG UXO4, 110 AK47 rifles, 56 fabricated rifles, 36 dane guns and 2 FN rifles were recovered during the week under review.
Others include, 2 baretta pistols, 15 locally made pistols, 2 revolver pistols, 12 pump action guns, 2 double barrel guns, one single barrel gun, one RPG bomb, one RPG tube, 2 exploded RPG chargers, one PKM link, one link of GPMG and 70 AK47 magazines.
Also recovered are 3,235 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 1,583 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 130 rounds of 7.62 x 51mm ammo, 400 rounds of 7.62 x 39mm ammo, 92 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm ammo, 107 rounds of 9mm ammo, 311 live cartridges, one FN magazine, 3 bandoliers, 5 baofeng radios, 8 vehicles, 51 motorcycles and 103 mobile phones amongst other items.
News
Speaker Abbas Refutes Claims of Outstanding Land Payment to FCTA
By Gloria Ikibah
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas, has clarified reports alleging that his land title in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) was revoked due to unpaid dues.
In a press statement issued on December 20, 2024, the Speaker’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Abdullahi Krishi, affirmed that Speaker Abbas owns only one land title in the FCT and had fully settled the required payment in October 2024. This payment was made promptly after the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) issued public notices in the newspapers regarding outstanding obligations.
The Speaker described the inclusion of his name among defaulters as an error on the part of the FCTA and urged the agency to exercise greater caution in managing such matters.
He also called on the media to verify facts thoroughly before publishing reports, cautioning against the dissemination of misleading information that could tarnish his reputation.
The Speaker therefore appealed for restraint in circulating inaccurate.
News
Wike gives final ultimatum to land owners to pay for C-of-O
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has given owners of the 762 plots of land in Maitama II District, Cadastral Zone, A10, Abuja, a fresh two-week ultimatum to pay for their Certificates of Occupancy (C-of-O) or risk final revocation of their allocations.
According to a statement on Friday, by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, the FCT Minister reiterated that the primary interest was not for people to lose their lands, but to get them to make necessary payments to the government.
The statement read: “It should be recalled that on October 5, 2024, list of 3,273 allottees/title holders that were yet to pay for their C-of-O were published. They were offered two weeks to pay their bills or lose their Right of Occupancy (R-of-O) titles. Out of the 3,273, a total of 2,511 complied, leaving 762.
Yesterday, notice of withdrawal of the R-of-O titles of the 762 defaulters was published.
“Since then, many of the affected allottees have offered to pay, and since the primary aim of the government is to ensure payment, a two weeks grace has been given.
“Consequently, the 762 allottees and the 614 others with outstanding payment on C-of-O will have till January 3, 2025 to pay, or have their R-of-O titles withdrawn, pursuant to the provisions of Section 28 of the Land Use Act of 1978.
After January 3, 2025, there will be no further extension and withdrawal of the R-of-O titles of defaulters will be final.”
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