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Thousands participate in Walk for Osun

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Thousands of Osun devotees, indigenes, groups, associations and ethnic nationalities at the weekend trooped out in their large numbers to participate in the Walk for Osun, a carnival procession of stakeholders in Osogbo to herald the 2019 Osun Osogbo festival. 

Leading the walk from Better life –  Ahmadiya – Oja Oba junction –  Obate – Sabo junction – Balogun Agoro – Isale Aro – Jolayemi – Isale Osun to the Ataoja palace, the Governor of Osun State, Mr. Gboyega Oyetola said that the state government would provide adequate security during the celebration of the festival, assuring that the government will continue to continue to support and enhance the quality of Osun Osogbo and bring in more people to participate.

Mr. Oyetola disclosed that record shown that the festival attracts different people from near, far and wide and in the diaspora, noting that the government has brought new tourist product, Karaole Odua which will be used to bring Yorubas in the diaspora to Yorubaland so that they will come home to know their source.

The governor, who was represented by the Supervisor in charge of the Home Affairs, Culture and Tourism Ministry, Dr Obawale Adebisi, said, “our effort is to plan strategically to bring them (Yorubas) home on annual basis between 10-21th of August during the celebration of Osun Osogbo Festival. It will enhance the quality of Osun Osogbo and bring in more people to partake. “

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The governor reiterated that he would drive the state economy with tourism and his administration would continue to take active part in the annual Osun Osogbo festival and other festivals, stating, “what we are doing today is to ensure that we give necessary support to the community and we also get maximum support in return for government programmes and policies.

“The festival every year brings millions of Naira to Nigeria. Though not directly to the purse of the state government but we are planning on capturing more data and register participants so that it can bring in revenue to the purse of the state government,” Governor Oyetola said.

In his address while receiving the participants of the walk at the palace, the Ataoja of Osogboland, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji, said that the insinuation that Osun deity had been sold was fallacy, explaining that the Walk for Osun was to create awareness for the people that the Osun Osogbo festival 2019 was around the corner.

According to Oba Oyetunji, “usually, the celebration of Osun Osogbo festival commences by cleaning of the town calledIwopopo whereby citizens of Osogbo and tourists gather to do the task. But this one is a special occasion, special in the sense that it is awareness to the public that the alleged stolen spirit of Osun is fallacy. Osun deity remains there and we started this year’s own with Walk For Osun, where everyone regardless of the ethnic group came to me and we moved round Osogbo to tell people that Osun remains where she is.

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“Osun Osogbo is a very significant festival. There is the involvement of UNESCO, which has made the site a World Heritage one. This places Osun Osogbo on the world map as a tourism destination and the federal, state and local government have shown enthusiasm in promoting Osun Festival. The state government is nearer to me and the celebration of the festival is not done only done by the Ataoja, its custodian, and its people but in collaboration with the Osun State Government and they have been upright,” he added.

Speaking, the Managing Consultant of the firm managing and marketing the festival, Mr. Toye Arulogun commended the Federal and the State governments for their relentless efforts of improving on the security situation in the country, pointing out that the insecurity was not terribly bad as being painted.

Arulogun said that the Walk for Osun was an element of contemporary that was introduced the celebration of the festival in 2019, explaining, “today, thousands of people walked with us to herald the celebration of 2019 Osun Osogbo festival. The walk signifies peace and unity between different ethnic groups. What we are bringing in is an element of contemporary, as we cannot do anything about the tradition.

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Metro

Nightclub killing in Ogbomoso confirmed by Police; officers detained

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The Oyo State Police Command has confirmed the killing of one Iyanfa Damilola at a nightclub in Ogbomoso on Monday and also detained officers involved in the incident.

Police operatives were dispatched to the nightclub at the “Under G” area, Owode Ogbomoso, while the 16th convocation of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) was going on after a distress call over a fighting incident in the place.

But the Oyo State Police Command spokesman Osifeso Adewale said the fracas worsened, leading to the firing of “warning shots” by the officers. This led to one death.

“The incident recorded the death of one Iyanda Damilola, ‘m’, and the injury of his brother one Iyanda Femi Isreal, who has since been discharged from the hospital after treatment,” Osifeso said in a Thursday statement.

“All operatives involved in the incident including Inspr Rasheed Saheed are currently under detention at the State Criminal Investigation Department, Iyaganku,” he added.

According to him, the police commissioner in Oyo Adebola Hamzat has ordered that the case be “taken up by the Homicide Department of the State Criminal Investigation Department with the Deputy Commissioner of Police directly in charge of the investigations”.

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Education

Victim of Ogbomoso nightclub shooting not our student – LAUTECH breaks silence

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In the aftermath of the tragic killing of Iyanda Damilola, allegedly by a police officer during a nightclub altercation in Ogbomoso, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) has clarified that the victim was not a student of the institution.

Damilola, identified as a member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), was reportedly shot dead during a fracas at a club in Ogbomoso on Monday.

Contrary to initial reports, LAUTECH’s Public Relations Officer, Akin Fadeyi, emphasized that the incident did not occur within the university premises.

“The incident occurred around 2 am. It did not occur in the institution. It happened in a club, and in LAUTECH, we don’t have a club or hotel,” stated Fadeyi during the institution’s 16th convocation ceremonies.

He further clarified, “They were fighting and the student who got killed was not our student. So, what happened had nothing to do with LAUTECH. It has nothing to do with our convocation.”

Meanwhile, the Oyo State Police Command has taken action, detaining the officers involved in the incident. According to the command spokesman, Osifeso Adewale, the officers were dispatched to the nightclub to quell a disturbance during the party.

“The incident worsened, leading to the firing of ‘warning shots’ by the officers. This led to one death,” Osifeso stated in a Thursday statement.

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The deceased’s brother, Oluwafemi Iyanda, a LAUTECH graduate, confirmed that the tragic event occurred after attending his convocation ceremony and heading to an after-party with his late sibling.

“All operatives involved in the incident including Inspr Rasheed Saheed are currently under detention at the State Criminal Investigation Department, Iyaganku,” Osifeso added.

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Crime & Court

Judgment Reserved in Baba Ijesha’s Sexual Assault Appeal

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The Lagos Division of the Court of Appeal has reserved judgment in the appeal filed by Nollywood actor, Olanrewaju James, widely known as Baba Ijesha, challenging his conviction by a State High Court over the sexual assault of a minor.

 

A three-man panel of the appellate court, led by Justice Folasade Ojo, reserved the appeal for judgment today after hearing arguments from both sides.

 

Baba Ijesha, in his notice of appeal, sought to overturn the judgment of the lower court, which on July 14, 2022, sentenced him to five years imprisonment for sexual assault on a minor.

 

Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo (rtd) of the Lagos Domestic Violence and Sexual Offences Court convicted Baba Ijesha after finding him guilty of four out of six counts brought against him by the Lagos State government.

 

The counts included indecent treatment of a child and sexual assault, among others. However, he was acquitted of sexual assault by penetration.

 

In response to the conviction, Baba Ijesha’s counsel, Kayode Olabiran, argued that the prosecution failed to prove the allegations and claimed his client was set up, citing circumstances surrounding the incident.

 

Olabiran emphasized that Baba Ijesha’s confession was made under duress and urged the appellate court to set aside the lower court’s judgment.

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On the other hand, the Director of Public Prosecution, Dr. Babajide Martins, urged the court to dismiss the appeal, asserting that the conviction was valid and supported by evidence.

 

Dr. Martins also reiterated the victim’s age at the time of the incident, emphasizing her status as a minor under the law.

 

Following the arguments presented, the Court of Appeal reserved its judgment for a later date, leaving both parties awaiting the final decision on Baba Ijesha’s appeal.

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