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The Significance of Oba of Benin’s visit to the Arole Oduduwa in Ile-Ife

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It is no longer news that Ile-Ife, the Source and Cradle of the Yoruba race have a calendar of three hundred and sixty-five less a day in respect to its festivals. These festivals come as a way of life, that is, culture of the people. It is no gainsaying that since his ascension to the throne of his forefathers, His Imperial Majesty, Ooni Adeyeye Babatunde Ogunwusi has made significant effort by promoting the Africa traditional beliefs and culture and ensuring performance of all festivals since October 2015 to date.
In the few years of his reign to date, Ooni Adeyeye has endeavoured to touch lives, physically and materially. He has been a household name in terms of promoting our cultural values as well as being a frontier for unity and peace, both at the national and international level.
At this year’s Olokun Festival, H.I.M got a collaboration in the area of peace keeping across the divide and this is no other person than his brother King, a descendant of the Oduduwa kingdom and a foremost custodian of the Africa Culture; The Oba of Benin, Omo N’oba Akpolokpolo Ewuare II. The Oba was hosted by H.I.M on the first day of the Olokun celebration, 28 April 2018 at an elaborate reception at the Royal Court, Enuwa, Ile-Ife.
The visit showcased a display of culture of both the Benin and Yoruba people; the performance of the Benin cultural group, the Ooni’s palace troops among others was not only beautiful but the similarity in culture was highlighted. The Kings guards, music and the waist-twist on the dance floor were actually “things to write home about.”
I must recall that the last time such visit happened between both kingdoms was some thirty-nine years ago. The last visit which occurred in 1979 at the Royal Court, was done by the reigning Oba of Benin, Omo n’oba ni Edo Erediauwa to see the Ooni  Adesoji Aderemi, on his ascension to the throne of Benin. The following year, Ooni Aderemi joined his precursors. It is however noteworthy that, Baba was delighted with Omo’n’ba to the extent that he swapped his revered black leather seat with Erediauwa.  Ooni Adesoji Aderemi was blessed to have witnessed three reigns of Oba of Benin before he passed. May our kings be blessed with long life in the land of the living (amen).
The crust on the visit this time is: the visit to the ‘Orun Oba Ado’ and the symbolic gift presented to the Ewuare. Need I tell you to seat tight, fasten your seat-belt as I take you through the significance of the coatings.
Both selfless monarchs decided to visit the place named ‘Orun Oba Ado’ meaning ‘the resting place of Edo kings.’ Tradition has it that when a Ọba of Benin passes, his head was sent from the Edo kingdom to the Orun Oba Ado in Aku (Ile-Ife) for burial while a bronze-head replica was sent from Ile-Ifẹ to Edo where the rest of the body would be buried. This goes to show the existence of a very close relationship between the Aku and Edo I suppose. On same note, Feyistan Opeyemi in a publication made on the 25 March 2012 stated that the reason may not be far-fetched from the belief that Aku and Ado are siblings and represent the Biblical Esau and Jacob. Reference was made to the book of Jasher 56:48 – 57:5. The major factor is that strong ties exist between Benin Kingdom and Ile-Ife as a descent of Oduduwa. Therefore, the monarchs were thoughtful to pay a visit to this site where they prayed to their ancestors, asking God for unity and peace within their kingdoms and Nigeria at large.
The choice of gift for the Oba of Benin was cardinal and a thoughtful move was made by H.I.M as he presented a gift which transcends beyond the physical, it is symbolic; it illustrates the bond between the two kingdoms, their vocation as professional hunter, and the link of brotherhood to Oranmiyan and further to Oduduwa.
To mark this historic visit, the two powerful brother-king and their entourage were hosted to a reception by the Osun State Governor, His Excellency, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola at the government house in Osogbo, Osun State.
The take-home of the visit according to H.I.M Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Babatunde Ogunwusi and the Omo N’oba Akpolokpolo Ewuare II is that, both kings have the intention to foster unity and better understanding of the kingdoms. They also admonished the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, President Mohammed Buhari to ensure coexistence among Nigerians by resolving issues that impact the security of the country.
The Olokun festival which was rounded up on 29 April 2018 witnessed a good number of people from within and outside Nigeria in attendance. The Olokun festival is an annual cultural festival in Nigeria, it is celebrated throughout Yoruba land and the Edo. The word Okun means sea while Olokun means the owner of the sea; the owner who is deemed the  goddess of the sea. It is believed that the Olokun has the power to give children to barren women. She is also believed to be in control of ocean waves and could capsize sea vessels of evildoers at will. Olokun is also the goddess of riches and she has the power to bestow wealth to her devotees. The worshippers of Olokun are generally dressed in immaculate white attires with their faces paintedted with white chalk.
The Edo people celebrate Olokun in late February that is; 1st moon after the 12th moon. This takes place in Usonigbe, the site of Olokun’s shrine, in Edo State while the Chief Olokun shrine is located in the Ilode quarter of Ile-Ife, Osun State.
Long may our Kings live!!!
Gbemisola Bis-Taiwo
PhD Candidate, Maynooth University, Department of Law.

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2023 general* *elections is a shame, a national*disgrace – Dr Akinyemi Bolaji

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2023 general* *elections is a* *shame, a national* *disgrace -* Dr Akinyemi Bolaji

*2023 general* *elections is a* *shame, a national* *disgrace -* Dr Akinyemi Bolaji

By Ifeoma Ikem

The recent 2023 presidential and governorship general elections have been described as very shameful and disgraceful to a country like Nigeria!

 

 

 

 

 

 

The convener Apostolic Round Table (ART), Dr Bolaji Akinyemi, who made the assertion in an online interview with the Sahara weekly correspondent on Sunday said the elections were marred by violence experienced across the nation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

“I am deeply pained by the event leading to the general elections in Nigeria, the level of violence that we witnessed!

 

2023 general* *elections is a* *shame, a national* *disgrace -* Dr Akinyemi Bolaji

 

 

 

“My pain is not on those who are not believers but those who are in Christ and join in perpetrating this level of ignorance of bigotry!

Akinyemi said that the outstanding scripture when he first got born again was the teaching of Apostle Paul in Ephesians 2 from verse 11 which talked about the oneness that we have in Christ!

“This one new man was lost in the church! We saw Yoruba Christians and igbo Christians divided along the line of unbelievable political hatred!

“Whatever resurrected the enmity that Christ slew I cannot explain!
Whatever took over our minds to fail to understand that we were made to be one in Christ is unexplainable!

“I saw sons and daughters of God calling each other unprintable names in the name of politics!

“I remember when I first got saved and went to join a church verse 19 of that scripture was sang as a song which is always emotional whenever it is being sang”!

Akinyemi said that he saw Nigerian citizens and saints who took back strange identities and failed to see what God needed to do through the oneness of the church in Nigeria!

“I can only pray that God will bring them to the understanding that a child of God is beyond politics! It is all about the kingdom of God.
All the same, we still have steps to take to bring about healing and champion oneness that is needed at this time for nation building, he therefore advice all Nigerians to look out for ATS- After The Storm.

“I presume democracy supposed to be free, fair, and transparent but it is the other way round and when elections are not fair, open, and transparent, it is disenfranchising and shatters citizens’ faith for nation building.

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Police Officers Lament Over Unpaid salary Arrears,6 Years After Promotion

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Police Officers Lament Over Unpaid salary Arrears,6 Years After Promotion

Police Officers Lament Over Unpaid salary Arrears,6 Years After Promotion

By Ifeoma Ikem

EXCLUSIVE: Some Junior officers of the Nigerian Police are lamenting over the inhumane and unfair treatment meted out to them that got promoted since 2017 from Sergeant to Inspector ranks without paid arrears.

 

 

Police Officers Lament Over Unpaid salary Arrears,6 Years After Promotion

They claimed that they are yet to receive their arrears while some of their mates were selected and paid.

Some of these selected officers earlier received thirty eight thousand naira as part payment and later on, another over hundred thousand within one month while many of them have not received any thing.

One of the officers affected(nameheld) told our correspondent that they were confused because some of them confirmed that they have gotten their arrears while majority of us had received nothing .

“We cannot continue like this, we are dying seriously, some officers who were promoted died due to health challenges while waiting to get the arrears to support their medication.

“Our salary is poor, with the hardship across the nation what we get at the end of month is not enough to take care of the family”.

According to another source, ‘some of us have contacted IPPIS which is in charge for the arrears both in Abuja and Lagos yet it has not resulted to anything good.

“In fact sometimes, when you call IPPIS no-one will pick your calls for the money we are supposed to benefit from while serving our Father’s land: We are tired of the whole process and situations”, he added.

The officers added that presently they don’t know what to do over the arrears as the authorities claimed that no body is having issues with arrears.

“So now we no longer know who is lying or who will answer us, this is our rights, everyone of us has a family to care of, we go to work everyday without pay”.

They said that sometime in January 2023, there was a circular on committee set up for any complaints on the above subject with the chairman as DCP Umar M. Hadeji.

They were also referred to the complaints unit for police account and budget office with a mandate to find a lasting solution but till date nothing has been done.

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NAUB Holds Send-Off Dinner in Honour of Former Pro-Chancellor, Exiting Principal Staff

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NAUB Holds Send-Off Dinner in Honour of Former Pro-Chancellor, Exiting Principal Staff

 

 

 

 

The Nigerian Army University Biu organized a send-off dinner in honour of the former Pro-Chancellor and Chairman University Governing Council Lt Gen TY Buratai (Rtd) along with exiting principal staff officers who have served the university in different capacities.
The Vice Chancellor of the university Prof Kyari Mohammed in his opening remarks said that the event was put together to “honour the honourables”, describing the honourees as distinguished Nigerians who have served the University and are still contributing their quota to the progress of the nation at large.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Vice Chancellor went on to eulogise Lt Gen TY Buratai (Rtd) the shining star from Biu who is now a household name across the nation. “We are honouring him for establishing a model university among many other very commendable achievements” Prof Mohammed said. Indeed, it is common sentiment that the former Pro-Chancellor of the University and out gone Chief of Army Staff deserves every adulation and recognition given to him for the mammoth impressions and legacies he has etched in the minds and hearts of many.

 

 

 

 

NAUB Holds Send-Off Dinner in Honour of Former Pro-Chancellor, Exiting Principal Staff

 

 

The Vice Chancellor also described the exiting Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic) Professor Fatima Jafar Tahir as an uncommon kind of woman who has served the university from its early times. He disclosed that even at the time when the university underwent a turbulent patch, Prof Tahir rose to the occasion as the University Ag Vice Chancellor and steadied the ship. While commenting on her recent appointment as the Vice Chancellor of Bauchi State University Gadau, Prof Mohammed with a confident demeanour attested to her capacity to deliver as she is a more than capable hand.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Vice Chancellor went on to describe the exiting Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration) Prof Lawan Bala Buratai as an incredibly supportive hand to the university management. He added that Prof Buratai never shy away from responsibilities and has being an effective “filler” in the university.
Prof Mohammed also applauded the tremendous efforts of the exiting University Registrar Maj General SS Ibrahim and the exiting Director of Academic Planning Brig Gen PC Obilor in the just concluded accreditation exercise. The university underwent accreditation for over 30 courses and after a thorough and rigorous process, all courses submitted were given accreditation. In fact, at least 28 courses received full accreditation by the National Universities Commission (NUC). This is a feat never seen before in the history of accreditations in the country.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earlier in his welcome address the Chairman Organizing committee Maj Gen MM Bunza appreciated the Special Guest of Honour HRH, Emir of Biu Alh Dr Mustapha Umar Mustapha II con and all invited guests for honouring the invitation. Maj Gen Bunza went on to appreciate the Emir for his fatherly advice, hospitality and commitment to the peace enjoyed in Biu and its environs.
Gen Bunza said, the University is also blessed with serene learning environment, guaranteed security as well as outstanding place of character moulding, these led to a continuous rise in enrolment rate of perspective candidates that desire to study in the university.

 

 

 

 

Speaking on behalf of the honourees Prof Tahir expressed gratitude to the University management for the honour. She attested that starting a new university an easy task, but they drew inspiration from the founding father of the university Lt Gen TY Buratai. Prof Tahir added that they are willing and open to serve the university in whatever capacity in the future.
Highlights of the event include presentation of award to the honourees, dinner, and group photographs.

 

NAUB Holds Send-Off Dinner in Honour of Former Pro-Chancellor, Exiting Principal Staff

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