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Aje  Festival  2020: Ooni wants government to spread wealth through trade, investment policies

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The Arole Oduduwa, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, has urged government at all levels to raise the standard of living of citizenry through favourable economic policies.

Ooni, the Co-Chairman of National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN) gave the charge during the 2020 edition of the annual celebration of Aje Festival at his Ile-Oodua palace, on Monday in Ile-Ife.

Ooni Ogunwusi who is the natural father of the entire Yoruba race worldwide decried the current economic condition of the country which he described as pathetic, adding that the country’s wealth must be be enjoyable to all Nigerians.

“As it stands today, Nigeria has a population of few men and women controlling the economy while countless others are languishing in poverty. We cannot continue like this.

“For us to progress as a country, we must ensure that our wealth goes round especially to the poor and other vulnerable members of the society. We cannot keep having strikingly rich few Nigerians and uncountable ones wallowing in abject poverty.” The Ooni decried.

While explaining the basis for the Aje Festival celebrations, the African foremost monarch explained that it is a unique way through which the Yoruba people globally remember the deity which is known for wealth and riches.

“Aje is a deity which is known for wealth and riches. Its annual celebration as you have witnessed today is to acknowledge its relevance to us as people, especially its indispensable nature to us.

“Did you see the struggle for it during the procession to and from the Aje temple? That is the spirit of Aje, all of us are not rich because it is not easy to accumulate wealth.

“We are not devaluing the currency by spraying it to our people, we only do it on a special day like this to spread happiness. In the olden days, it was cowries, sometimes ago it was coins, nowadays it is naira notes and we hold it in a very high esteem.” The Ooni noted.

Coordinator of Aje Festival, Princess Toyin Kolade while briefing newsmen expressed happiness for the massive turnout of participants from within and outside Nigeria. She thanked the Ooni for the opportunity, pledging her commitment to the development of the prestigious Yoruba cultural heritage.

Similarly, the Lowa Adimula of Ife, High Chief Adekola Adeyeye, described the 2020 Aje festival celebration as the best in history, thanking the Ooni for uphold the cultural values of Ile Ife and Yorubaland. He added that the Ooni has rebranded the ancient city positively to the world, praying that God Almighty will support him in realising the greater Ife Kingdom of his dream.

The Obaluru Oranfe, Oba Isoro Abiodun Molato said “Aje is a goddess that provides Wealth and Fortune for People. She was among the 401 deities sent to the world by Olodumare .
Her primary assignment was to ensure a smooth transition of the country’s economy. For this, she is always being celebrated and commemorated by the people of Ife and other tribes of Yoruba so as to laud and epitomize her past good deeds and also how she has diligently improved people’s welfarism and the commerce of the country”.

Speaking on behalf of the international participants, Mr. Rodrigo Abdon from Brazil described the festival as awesome representation of the African rich cultural heritage.

“What I see here today has further represented the economic potentials of the enviable Yoruba cultural heritage and Africa at large. I see arts, I see dance, I see music, I see paintings and many others like we have in Brazil. The people are also receptive, very accommodating and it shows the good nature of the land. We are really feeling at home”Mr. Rodrigo noted.

The traditional rulers who graced the epoch cultural event are; Alapomu of Apomu, Oba Adenekan Afolabi, Ajero of Ijero-Ekiti, Oba Joseph Adewole, Olugbon of Ile-Igbon, Oba Olusola Alao, Onigogo of Igogo-Ekiti, Oba Sunday Adewumi, Elerinmo of Erinmo-Ijesa, Oba Michael Ajayi, Onigbaye of Igbaye, Oba Morounfoye Okunola, Olubogun of Ibogun-Ifo, Oba Fakayode Faluade, Aragberi of Oragberi, Oba Funso Makanju, Oloba of Oba-Ile, Oba Adekunle Oyeyemi, Eburu of Iba, Oba Adeogun Ogunoye, Onitetiku of Owode-Ota, Oba Wasiu Ogungbayi, Asoya of Ile-Isoya, Oba Muraina Adedini, Obalufe of Iremo-Ife, Oba Idowu Adediwura and a host of others

The former Ogun State Governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, Consular General of Brazilian Embassy in Nigeria, Helge’s Samuel Bandeira, several traditional rulers and Nollywood stars including Adewale Eleso, Iya Rainbow, Lanre Hassan(Iya Awero) and Saheed Balogun others dignitaries witnessed the event while the Apala music maestro, Musiliu Haruna Isola thrilled the guests.

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Politics

2027: Prominent Oke-Ogun youth leader dumps APM, joins APC with supporters

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A prominent youth leader in Oke-Ogun, Oyo State, Com. Anuoluwani Omidiji, has dumped the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) and returned to the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Omidiji, who was said to be a strong supporter of the APM, announced his return to the APC after meeting with the party’s Deputy Governorship candidate, Hon. Adesoji Adedeji, at the APC campaign office in Ibadan on Saturday.

He also returned to the party with his supporters.

In a statement personally signed by him and titled, “Seeing Before and Beyond APM: A Reconstructive Voyage Back To My APC Home,” Omidiji said his decision followed careful reflection on his recent political engagements and personal convictions.

He identified youth inclusion, grassroots development, employment and empowerment, as well as security, peace and justice, as some of the key principles that influenced his decision.

Omidiji said young people should have meaningful opportunities to participate in governance, leadership, employment and human-capital development.

He also stressed the need for effective grassroots development, saying local governance and meaningful autonomy were important to ensuring that development reached communities directly.

According to him, Oyo State requires policies capable of expanding employment opportunities, creating jobs and strengthening human capacity across different sectors.

On security, peace and justice, Omidiji said every citizen deserved security, fairness and justice, as well as the opportunity to contribute positively to society.

The youth leader said his meeting with Adedeji further strengthened his interest in returning to the APC.

He said, “My interaction with the incoming APC Deputy Governorship candidate, Hon.Adesoji Adedeji, left a strong impression on me. His accessibility, willingness to listen and emphasis on grassroots concerns strengthened my interest in the direction being presented under the APC platform.”

Reflecting on his experience in the APM, Omidiji said his involvement with the party gave him an opportunity to engage with alternative political ideas.

He, however, said further reflection convinced him that his political journey should reconnect with the APC, where he said he found greater alignment with his longstanding aspirations and principles.

He said, “My engagement with APM provided an opportunity to listen to alternative political ideas. However, after further reflection, I believe my political journey should reconnect with the platform where I see greater alignment with my longstanding aspirations and principles.”

Omidiji said his focus ahead of 2027 would be on supporting constructive political participation and programmes capable of promoting development, accountability, peace and opportunities for the people of Oyo State.

“For me, 2027 is about ideas, inclusion, development and the future of our people. I will continue to advocate for a peaceful and egalitarian Oyo State where youths, women, workers, entrepreneurs and communities can participate meaningfully in development,” he said.

He subsequently declared his renewed commitment to the APC, saying the party remained his political home.

“APC has it all in the pack for a brighter Oyo State. APC is my home again, and again. APC—Progress!” he added.

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Education

Teachers Hold Key to Nigeria’s Future – Oseni

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Hon. Aderemi Abasi Oseni

The member representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives and the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Oyo South Senatorial District, Engr. Aderemi Oseni, has described teachers as important builders of the nation, saying their contribution to the development of Nigeria cannot be overemphasised.

Oseni, in a statement on Monday  by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, to mark this year’s Teachers’ Day, said teachers occupy a special place in society because of the role they play in shaping the minds, character and future of young Nigerians.

He commended teachers for their commitment to the profession despite the challenges confronting the education sector, saying their efforts often go beyond what is seen in the classroom.

According to him, his interventions in the education sector have been guided by the belief that giving children access to a better learning environment is one of the most important investments any government or representative can make.

The lawmaker said his contributions in Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency include the construction of school infrastructure and classroom blocks as well as the provision of furniture, aimed at improving the learning environment for pupils and students.

He said his intervention had also focused on students from less privileged backgrounds, particularly those who could be forced to abandon their educational ambitions because of the cost of examinations and admission processes.

“In line with my commitment to ensuring that no child is left behind due to financial constraints, I have sponsored over 2,000 JAMB forms and more than 1,500 WAEC forms for indigent students. Beyond this, our scholarship and educational support schemes have continued to assist brilliant but underprivileged students at various levels,” the statement said.

The APC chieftain, however, said one of the most rewarding aspects of the intervention was seeing beneficiaries progress through different stages of their education, recalling the case of a beneficiary who had enjoyed consistent support and is expected to become a PhD holder from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, this year.

It continued, “this success story is a source of great joy and motivation. It confirms that consistent investment in education yields lasting results. When we support a student from secondary school through tertiary education and beyond, we are not just changing one life, we are transforming families and communities”.

‎Oseni congratulated teachers on the occasion, assuring them that education would remain a priority in his public service, while calling for greater support for teachers and sustained investment in the sector.

He said every child, irrespective of family background, should have the opportunity to receive quality education and build a better future.

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Politics

Ido Communities Rally Oseni, Lawmaker Assures Fresh Development Interventions

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Community leaders and residents of Ido Local Government Area of Oyo State have rallied behind the senatorial ambition of the All Progressives Congress candidate for Oyo South, Engr. Aderemi  Oseni, following his assurance of fresh development interventions in the area.

Oseni, who currently represents Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, gave the assurance on Friday at a strategic stakeholders’ meeting held at the former Camp Primary School, Camp Ido, Ibadan.

The meeting, organised by the BAI4ROCOF–Oseni For The World Movement, brought together traditional leaders, farm settlers, youth representatives, community leaders and other stakeholders from different parts of Ido Local Government.

It was held under the theme, “Reforming & Strengthening Ido Community in Solidarity.”

Among the communities represented were Camp and Eruwa farm settlements, Onido, Odebode, Morala, Mandela, Arihan and Oyateru, as well as the Ido Youth Forum and other neighbouring communities.

The stakeholders used the occasion to present some of their pressing needs to Oseni, particularly in the areas of electricity, water supply, security and basic infrastructure.

Responding to the requests, the lawmaker assured the communities that he would facilitate immediate interventions, including the provision of solar-powered street lights and boreholes.

He also promised to give urgent attention to their request for a transformer to improve electricity supply in the communities.

The commitments drew positive reactions from the stakeholders, who described the engagement as an opportunity for the people to directly present their concerns and receive responses from their representative.

Speaking at the gathering, Oseni appealed to the people to remain united and support all APC candidates in the 2027 general elections.

He said a coordinated APC victory across the federal and state levels would provide a stronger platform for delivering development to the grassroots.

“Vote all APC candidates at the polls. Don’t leave anyone out. From Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as President, to our Governorship candidate, to myself for Senate, and all other candidates of our party.

“That is how we can guarantee development that will flow from the federal to the state and down to our communities,” he said.

Oseni also assured the communities that their concern over the reported relocation of their school would be addressed under an APC administration in Oyo State.

“The school belongs to your community. Under APC in Oyo State, we will ensure your school remains here for your children. You will not need to trek far distance to access basic education,” he said.

A major highlight of the gathering was the formal reception of His Highness, Prince Babalola Abiodun Ibrahim, into the BAI4ROCOF movement.

Prince Babalola, a respected community leader, was received into the group amid expressions of support for Oseni’s senatorial ambition and the APC.

The development was welcomed by participants as another indication of the growing engagement between the Oseni political structure and grassroots stakeholders in Ido.

Speaking during the meeting, community leaders commended Oseni for what they described as his willingness to listen to their concerns and respond to issues affecting their communities.

They pledged their continued support for his Oyo South senatorial bid and the APC ahead of the 2027 general elections.

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