Aare George Bamidele Olufemi Ogunjimi to Receive Prestigious “Aare Atunluse Omoluabi Oodua Agbaye”

In a landmark recognition of his extraordinary leadership, unrelenting commitment to Yoruba cultural renaissance, and contributions to socio-economic development, Aare George Ogunjimi has been nominated to receive the highly prestigious Omoluabi Royal Icon (ORI) Award and will be conferred with the revered title of “Aare Atunluse Omoluabi Oodua Agbaye” at the 26th Anniversary of the Yoruba Council Worldwide (YCW) and the 7th Annual Omoluabi Festival.

The grand cultural celebration, tagged “ISOKAN OMOLUABI 2025”, is scheduled to take place on Thursday, May 1, 2025, at the Main Auditorium, June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta, Ogun State, by 11:00AM prompt. Themed “Review of the 1999 Constitution: A Focus on Regionalism,” the festival promises to be a melting pot of ideas, heritage, and celebration of Yoruba identity.

The Yoruba Council Worldwide (YCW), also known as Igbimo Apapo Yoruba Lagbaye, serves as the apex body representing all Yoruba indigenous people across the globe. The council honors individuals who have distinguished themselves in the service of the Yoruba nation and beyond, celebrating their dedication to upholding the values of Omoluabi—integrity, honor, courage, and communal service.

In a formal letter of nomination extended to Aare Ogunjimi, YCW lauded his unwavering efforts in nation-building, cultural promotion, and fostering unity across Yorubaland and the Nigerian federation at large. The conferral of Aare Atunluse Omoluabi Oodua Agbaye—translated as “Global Yoruba Pathfinder and Cultural Reformer”—underscores his remarkable legacy as a transformative leader and an advocate for the advancement of Yoruba heritage on the global stage.

This year’s celebration will witness the presence of the crème de la crème of Yoruba royalty and cultural custodians. His Imperial Majesty, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Babatunde Ogunwusi CFR, Ojaja II, Ooni of Ife, and Iku Baba Yeye, Alayeluwa Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade, Alaafin of Oyo, will jointly lead the royal convergence of Yoruba traditional rulers and stakeholders in what is described as the “Biggest Festival in Yorubaland.”

The festival will feature a rich showcase of cultural heritage including:

The Omoluabi Royal Icon (ORI) Awards

Festival of Arts and Dance Drama

Ewa Omidan and Ogbeni Omoluabi Beauty Pageant & Fashion Show

Stakeholder forums on governance, heritage, and development

The ORI Awards spotlight individuals who are not only successful in their careers but who embody the Yoruba values of humility, dignity, and service to humanity.

The organizers have called for partnership and sponsorship support to further enrich the grandeur of this epochal event, as it represents a convergence of tradition, unity, and innovation, heralding a new cultural renaissance.

As preparations intensify, the Yoruba Council Worldwide and its partners invite the general public, cultural enthusiasts, and stakeholders across Nigeria and the diaspora to join in honoring Aare George Ogunjimi and celebrating Yoruba excellence.

Land grabbers invade Ketu-Epe, unleash terror on residents

Hoodlums suspected to be land grabbers on Thursday night invaded Ketu-Epe town in Lagos State and unleashed terror on residents of the town.

The land grabbers, according to a statement signed by the Media Assistant to Babjide Adekoya Adewofora, the Oba-elect of Ketu-Epe, Simon Adesina, copies made available to journalists in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, on Friday, stormed the sleepy town with dangerous weapons, inflicting injuries on the residents.

He added that the hoodlums who invaded the town from Rallas Street along Palace Road, also carted away belongings of the residents.

Adesina explained that the attack on Thursday night climaxed the three weeks of terrorizing the community and spreading fear among the residents by the hoodlums, who were allegedly brought into Ketu-Epe by a contestant vying for the stool Alaketu-Epe.

While saying that the incident has made several residents flee the town due to the offensive by the notorious land grabbers, he disclosed that the hoodlums were brought to the Ketu-Epe from neighbouring communities such as Ejirin, Ayalu and Isekupa.

Adesina in the statement, however, appealed to the police and other relevant security agencies to come to the aid of the town, stressing that “residents can no longer sleep with their two eyes closed due to the constant attacks by the hoodlums”.

“Those who sustained critical injuries were moved to hospital for immediate medical attention, while the matter has also been reported to the police”.

“It will be recalled that the Alaketu-designate, Prince Babjide Adekoya Adewofora, had earlier alerted the police on the constant threats posed by land grabbers to his community

“We, thereby, appeal to the Lagos State Commissioner of Police and the Inspector General of Police to come to rescue the people of Ketu-Epe from notorious land grabbers who have made life difficult for the residents”, the statement stated.

…Accuses state government of aiding illegal mining, calls for non-partisan interim leadership

A human rights coalition, Northern Citizens Alliance for Justice (NCAJ), has called on President Bola Tinubu to immediately declare a state of emergency in Zamfara, citing the total breakdown of governance, worsening insecurity, and the alleged complicity of the state government in criminal mining operations.

In a statement released in Kaduna on Friday, the group’s president, Mallam Kabiru Sani Bako, said no serious intervention can take place in the state unless power is taken out of the hands of political actors currently benefiting from the crisis.

“What we are witnessing in Zamfara State is not governance. What we are witnessing is organised abandonment of duty by those elected to serve,” Bako said.

“The state has no functional House of Assembly, no political will to stop the violence, and a growing body of allegations tying officials to illegal mining. This is no longer politics — this is betrayal of the people.”

The group described the security situation in Zamfara as “a slow-burning war that the country is ignoring at its own peril.”

Bako said residents in many parts of the state now pay levies to bandits to farm or travel, while state actors continue to play politics.

“In towns like Zurmi, Shinkafi, Anka and Bukkuyum, people are no longer safe to attend school, visit markets or sleep with both eyes closed. Women are being abducted, children recruited, and entire communities taxed by non-state actors. And what is the government doing? Trading blame and watching,” he said.

The group noted that the lack of a properly constituted state assembly further reinforces the collapse of democracy.

“As we speak, Zamfara has no legally recognised House of Assembly. 10 lawmakers were suspended for speaking out against the security situation in the state. This means the state is being run without the checks and balances that a democracy demands. It is a dictatorship of silence — and the victims are poor citizens who deserve better,” Bako added.

The group also accused the state government of shielding illegal miners, saying credible evidence suggests that proceeds from unregulated mining operations are funding arms purchases by criminal gangs.

“The same hands that should be protecting Zamfara are profiting from its destruction,” Bako said.

“The time has come for President Tinubu to step in — not with rhetoric, but with constitutional force. We are calling for the declaration of a state of emergency and the appointment of a non-partisan administrator to take over the reins and rebuild institutions.

“If this is not done now, we risk allowing Zamfara to become a permanent haven for terror cells. The country cannot afford to look away. Lives are being lost daily. And governance has already left the room.”

The Northern Citizens Alliance for Justice said it will send a detailed dossier to the National Assembly and the National Security Adviser in the coming days to support its demand.