Politics
A scene of ‘unusual beauty’: The Alaafin Administration.
ACCORDING to a Swiss Theologian, Hans Kung, he said “that means that every human being- without distinction of sex, age, race, skin colour, language, religion, political view, or national or social origin- possesses an inalienable and untouchable dignity”.
It is not a gainsaying that the Alaafin of Oyo enjoyed the same degree of respect and honour with the Queen of England-Queen Elizabeth and other highly placed Kingdoms in the universe following Oyo Empire’s uniqueness and exceptional in its system of government.
In the sixteenth century, Oyo was one of the rare Empires that had an inherent checks and balances, and, this contributed to its stability for centuries. The Alaafin was the head of the Oyo Empire and was resident in the capital. He was also regarded as “Lord of many lands”.
In his administration, the Alaafin was assisted by a retinue of officials made up of priests, officials, eunuchs and a well organized court as well.
Theoretically, the Alaafin was the fountain of authority and therefore regarded as the “companion of the gods”. Though, he sometimes display an autocratic tendency, but, however, in practice, his powers were often subdued and regulated by the “Oyomesi”, a council of seven members headed by Bashorun who acted in the capacity of Prime Minister. Members of the Oyomesi were king makers as well.
At the demise of the Alaafin, they were the ones to select his successor. Equally, the Oyomesis had the power to impeach any Alaafin especially when he appeared dictatorial or transgressed the laws of the land. Usually, the deposed Alaafin was expected to commit suicide.
Stressing further, apart from the Alaafin cabinet, members of the Oyomesi cult constituted another arm of government known as the “Ogboni”. It was a very powerful cult. It was assembled of free and prominent members of the society as well as members of the Oyomesi.
The Ogboni cult had a crucial position in Yoruba society. It played a mediatory role in any conflict between the Oyomesi and the Alaafin, it was a kind of counter power to the Oyomesi as well.
There is no doubt; the Oyo Empire was well organized. The Army was another arm of government. Its head was conferred with the coveted title of “Are-Ona-Kankanfo”. It was made up of infantry and Calvary. The Are-Ona-Kankanfo was expected to live outside the capital.
In the same vein, the Army was credited with performing important functions which included stability of the Empire, expansion, as well as keeping dissident territories in check. Oyo Empire also had provincial governments which were modeled after the central government.
They were administered by Princes, minor Kings and Baales and all of them were subject to the over lordship of the Alaafin. These provincial governments enjoyed considerable autonomy, but the Alaafin had personal agents, “Ilari”, all over the provinces. The Alaafin used the “BERE annual festival periods to acknowledge the renewal of allegiance of the provincial governors to him.
This in-built system of government has helped the Oyo Empire in sustaining its stability, legacy and dynasty till date.
By Idowu Ayodele.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has criticized the alleged forceful conversion of public reading and learning facilities in Dugbe, Ibadan, into shopping malls and lock-up shops by the state government, describing the development as shameful, ill-conceived, and unacceptable.
In a statement released over the weekend by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, and made available to journalists in Ibadan, the APC also raised concerns about the alleged sale of the modern motor park facility at Wema Area on New Ife Road, Ibadan, built during the administration of the late Senator Abiola Ajimobi.
According to the party, the motor park has been sold to a pastor who presides over a popular church near the facility.
Residents of Ibadan, the state capital, were reportedly stunned when they noticed the sudden erection of massive private business complexes within the premises of the Oyo State Library Board.
The facilities, built by the defunct Western Region government, had served as public libraries and archives for decades, benefitting students, researchers, and tourists until recently.
“It is a sad reality that the buildings which used to serve as public libraries and archives in Dugbe axis of Ibadan have now paved the way for the development of commercial and business structures,” Sadare said.
“The implication is that education and research development have been relegated to the background in the state by an administration that has done little to address the poor reading culture among young students.”
The APC expressed alarm over what it termed the erosion of public heritage under Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration, alleging that public properties are being sold or leased to private individuals and groups under questionable circumstances.
“How can a government wake up one day and convert public reading facilities and archives into lock-up shops in the name of making money, thereby subjecting society to the dangers of illiteracy and ignorance?” the statement queried.
The party also cited other instances of alleged mismanagement of public assets, including the concession of OYSADEP Guest House in Saki and Agbowo Shopping Complex in Ibadan, warning that the trend poses a serious threat to the state’s socio-economic development.
“Sad enough, the ignoble activities of the governor and a few other characters around him as they involve mismanagement of land and other resources belonging to the state have paved the way for a surge in land grabbing cases in most parts of the state capital. There are many cases involving appointees of the governor, PDP lawmakers, local government officials, and party chieftains,” the statement added.
The APC called on well-meaning individuals and stakeholders in the state to demand accountability from the Makinde administration and halt what it described as the systematic erosion of public resources and heritage.
Over 300 constituents of Akinyele/Lagelu Federal Constituency in Oyo State benefitted from a skill acquisition and empowerment programme organized by their representative in the National Assembly, Hon. Akinmoyede Olafisoye.
The event, held at Faith Joe Event Centre, Alegongo, Akobo, Ibadan, aimed to address the challenges of unemployment and economic hardship by equipping participants with practical skills and financial support.
The programme focused on empowering youths, students, and unemployed graduates to become self-reliant. Each participant was provided with a certificate, a Point of Sale (POS) terminal, an umbrella, and ₦100,000 as a startup grant to kickstart their businesses.
The tools and financial aid were designed to enable beneficiaries to establish sustainable sources of income.
Participants received comprehensive training, gaining hands-on experience to ensure they could effectively utilize the tools provided. The POS machines were configured with the personal details of the recipients, ensuring proper use and discouraging unauthorized transfers.
Addressing the participants, Akinmoyede who is the Chairman House Committee on Nigeria/ Mexico Parliamentary Friendship enjoined the beneficiaries to explore the opportunity for their benefit by ensuring that they use the machines for the purpose it was meant for.
He added that all the machines have been configured with the documents of individual beneficiaries which will make it very difficult to transfer to another person.
In his goodwill message, the Oyo Central Senatorial chairman of APC, Hon. Joshua Oyebamiji said comparing what the lawmaker has been doing in the area of dishing out empowerment and palliatives to his constituents, it is difficult to tag him a first-timer at the national assembly.
While appreciating Akinmoyede for his gesture at the event, former APC Deputy State Chairman, Alhaji Isiaka Alimi, Hon. Fatai Awoyoola, and Hon. Akinbode Emmanuel said they were yet to discover the magic wand being used by the lawmaker for his constant and habitual empowerment programmes.
Some of the beneficiaries who spoke at the end of the training, Afolabi Kuburat, Akinropo Akindotun, Ajala Abisade Iyabo, and Grace Anuoluwapo Ayinde lauded the lawmaker for giving them the opportunity to be self-reliant at this time when Nigerians are facing economic hardship.
The House of Representatives member representing Akinyele/Lagelu federal constituency Oyo State, Hon. Prince Akinmoyede Olafisoye Wasiu has initiated another skill acquisition and capacity-building training for no fewer than 300 members of his constituency.
The initiative which is being organized in partnership with Federal Cooperative College, Ibadan is part of a strategic effort by the lawmaker to foster rural development of cooperative for their economic emancipation and break the shackles of poverty so as to alleviate the impact of the high cost of living among the people in Akinyele/Lagelu federal constituency he represents.
The training programme is coming up on Monday 18th November, 2024 at Faith Joe Event Centre hall. Alegongo, Ibadan by 8.00am.
A statement issued by the Special Assistant on Media to the lawmaker, Alimi Abdullahi stated that the capacity-building is designed to equip participants with essential entrepreneurial skills with a view to building sustainable livelihoods and improve the quality of lives of the people of Akinyele/Lagelu federal constituency.
All the participants for the training are expected to be at the venue by 8am so as not to miss any part of the training.
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