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Oyetola, Nigeria ethnic nationalities Walk for Osun
The Governor of Osun State, Mr. Gboyega Oyetola is expected on Saturday, July 27, 2019 to lead all ethnic nationalities in Osogbo, the capital of Osun State, in the maiden edition of ‘Walk for Osun’, heralding this year’s annual Osun Osogbo Festival.
The Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji, said on Tuesday that the Walk, a carnival procession of stakeholders around Osogbo, would take off at Better Life, Isale, Osun, Osogbo by 8.00am, adding that other top government functionaries would also be part of the exercise.
He disclosed that traditional rulers, cultural icons, all ethnic nationalities, groups and associations, traders, artisans, market men and women, sons and daughters of Osun had signified their interests to be part of the Walk for Osun, which is one of the several activities lined up to celebrate the annual festival.
According to the monarch, the Walk has become necessary in view of the internal upheavals and security challenges currently facing the country, noting that the programme us to promote unity and peaceful cohabitation among all the ethnic nationalities in the state.
Oba Oyetunji said that the protection of Osogbo and Osun State as a whole is among the positive things the Osun Osogbo goddess had bestowed on Osogboland.
He said the Walk would herald the 2019 Osun Osogbo festival with the pre-festival programmes commencing on August 5, 2019, stressing that the festival grand procession to Osun grove would hold on Friday, August 16 and there would also be an all white party and award night afterwards.
The monarch said that pre-festival activities would begin with the traditional cleaning of the city (Iwopopo) on August 5 and the lighting of the mystic 16 points lamp on August 8, while the festival activities would commence on Monday, August 12 with the Assemblage of Crowns (Iboriade).
He added that the Arugba Berth ceremony would hold on August 13, the same day that tourists would have the opportunity of touring the cultural and historical sites in the state.
The activities, according to Oba Oyetunji, would also witness the native Ayo game, football competition finals, Arts and Crafts Fair and children’s fiesta at the palace pavilion on August 14, with the Ataoja’s Chieftaincy Coronation and Osun Festival Tourism forum rounding off the programme on Thursday, August 15.
The headquarters of Heritage Bank at Victoria Island, Lagos, was besieged on Thursday by members of the labour union, protesting the recent dismissal of 1,000 support workers.
The National President of the National Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions Employees, Comrade Anthony Abakpa, led the demonstration, condemning the bank’s management for what he deemed a lack of adherence to due process in the termination of employment contracts.
Speaking during the protest, Comrade Abakpa asserted that the leadership of Heritage Bank failed to follow established protocols before executing the mass layoffs.
He emphasised the union’s commitment to pursuing justice for the affected workers, vowing to escalate their demands until the bank’s management rectifies the situation.
“We will intensify our demands for justice,” declared Comrade Abakpa, urging the bank’s management to take corrective action to address the grievances of the dismissed workers.
The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Olayemi Cardoso, clarified that Nigeria is not utilising its foreign reserves to bolster the naira, despite recent fluctuations in reserve levels.
Speaking from Washington DC, where he is attending the International Monetary Fund-World Bank Spring Meetings, Cardoso highlighted the influx of $600 million into Nigeria’s reserves account within the past two days.
While the naira has experienced a notable appreciation against the dollar in recent weeks, climbing over 40% from approximately N1,900/$ to about N1,000/$1, Nigeria’s foreign reserves have been dwindling. As of April 15, reserves dropped to approximately $32.29 billion, marking the lowest level in over six years.
Cardoso emphasised that the shifts in reserves are typical for any country, where various financial obligations, such as debt repayments, necessitate withdrawals.
He stated, “What you’ve seen with respect to the shift in our reserves is normal in any country’s reserves where, for example, debts are due and certain payments need to be made. They are made because that is also part of keeping your credibility.”
Continuing, Cardoso underscored the dynamic nature of the market, advocating for a system driven by willing buyers, willing sellers, and price discovery.
He emphasised, “The shift in our reserves has really little or nothing to do with defending the naira, and that is certainly not our objective.”
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared Yahaya Bello wanted for an alleged financial crime to the tune of N80.2 billion,” Nigeria’s anti-corruption agency announced.
“Former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, is wanted by the EFCC for offences relating to economic and financial crimes to the tune of N80.2 Billion,” the EFCC stated in a Thursday evening Facebook post titled ‘Ex-Gov Yahaya Bello Wanted By the EFCC.’
“Anybody with information as to his whereabouts should report immediately to the Commission or the nearest police Station,” the statement continued.
This declaration follows the absence of the chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) from the Federal High Court in Abuja earlier in the day for a suit instituted against him by the EFCC.
Consequently, Justice Emeka Nwite adjourned the suit and called for substituted service and the possible arraignment of Bello for alleged money laundering.
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