south-westnews No legal impediment against Olubadan coronation —Olubadan-in-Council 14
Wednesday, 2 March, 2016
Nigerian Tribune
Ajimobi to install Adetunji as 41st Olubadan Friday By Tunde Ogunesan
T
HE Olubadan-inCouncil has insisted that there is no legal impediment against the coronation of the Balogun of Ibadanland, High Chief Saliu Adetunji, as the 41st Olubadan of Ibadanland, on Friday. The Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Dr Lekan Balogun, dropped the hint at a joint press conference by the Olubadan-in-Council and top officials of the state government, led by a former Secretary to the State Government, Mr Ismael Olalekan Alli. Balogun declared that ar-
rangements were in top gear for the coronation of the new Olubadan and presentation of staff of office by the state governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, on Friday. Adetunji was born on August 26, 1928 to the family of Alhaji Olayiwola and Alhaja Suwebatu Adetunji of Adetunji compound, Popo Yemoja, in the South-East axis of Ibadan metropolis. The high chief explained that the ceremony would be attended by dignitaries, foremost traditional rulers and top musicians across the country, some of whose works were produced by the Olubadan-designate on his Omo Aje record label
years back. He said, “The kingmakers for the Olubadan of Ibadanland chieftaincy are empowered by the extant 1957 Olubadan of Ibadan Chieftaincy Declaration to propose as candidate, the most senior chief in the line whose turn it is to fill a vacancy in the stool of Olubadan. “Having satisfied all the conditions precedent according to the 1957 Chieftaincy Declaration, High Chief Saliu Akanmu Adetunji has been appointed the new Olubadan of Ibadanland. “The Balogun of Ibadanland, High Chief Sa-
liu Akanmu Adetunji, will be presented with the instruments and the Staff of Office on Friday, March 4, 2016 at the traditional Mapo Hall Arcade, marking his official recognition, acceptance and endorsement as the 41st Olubadan of Ibadanland.” Going down the memory lane, he said that the incoming Oba became a Mogaji in 1976 and Jagun Balogun in 1978 and rose through the ranks, climbing 23 steps in the Balogun line, until 2015 when he became the Balogun of Ibadanland. Commending the efforts of the state government towards the installation of the new Olubadan, Balo-
Chairman, Olubadan Coronation Ceremony, High Chief Lekan Balogun (middle); former Secretary to the Oyo State Government, Alhaji Lekan Alli (left) and High Chief Femi Olaifa, during a press conference organised by the committee, held at the Mapo Hall, Ibadan, on Tuesday. PHOTO: YEMI FUNSO-OKE.
Fayose gives banks deadline for payment of teachers’ allowance Denies rift with judiciary, swears in Ekiti JSC members Sam Nwaoko - Ado Ekiti
EKITI State governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose, on Tuesday, gave some banks 48 hours to pay some teachers in the state their core subjects and rural allowances or risk losing the accounts of the state government. Addressing the teachers at Christ’s School, Ado-Ekiti, Fayose noted that the government had directed the banks to pay the money over four weeks ago. He frowned on the administrative lapses shown by the banks, which had denied the teachers their money for weeks. Out of over 3,000 affected teachers, 702 are yet to be paid by their banks. “The second day that the money got to us, we directed the banks to pay and that was about five weeks ago. If the money was not there,
that would have been a different thing, but since the money had been received, there is no need for the banks to delay payment. “With the number of text messages coming to my phone, it was evident that the banks did not do their own part well. I want you to appreciate the fact that I go the extra mile to serve you. I work night and day to ensure that your welfare is not compromised. For instance, I said they should amend the law to get teachers to be members of JAAC,” he said. The governor, who said this month’s statutory allocation to the state was the worst, urged the teachers to appreciate the dire financial situation the state is passing through. Meanwhile, Governor Fayose has denied the speculation in parts of the state that he was engaged
in a cold war with the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Ayodeji Daramola. Governor Fayose said at the swearing-in of members of the state’s Judicial Service Commission (JSC), that “those hoping to reap from such a situation would be very disappointed.” Governor Fayose said his top priority in governance was Ekiti, saying “Ekiti State is my project and its interest comes first. There is no illfeeling between me and the Chief Judge. We are both passionate about Ekiti as our project. “Those going round town with the rumour that there is a cold war between us are only mischievous. Let them know that they are disappointed already.” He described Justice Daramola as “a judicial officer who knows his onions and whose priority was the dis-
pensation of justice without fear or favour.” On the commission, he said: “Members of the commission were carefully chosen and they are men of integrity. That was why it took me some time to select them. These are people who will not pervert justice because whoever perverts justice perverts eternity for self. “The judiciary and those working there are managing a critical aspect of life. Our administration will also not relent in making their working condition conducive. One thing I will surely do before leaving office is to provide a befitting office accommodation for the judiciary in terms of court rooms and offices. By God’s grace, before the end of the second quarter of this year the foundation will be laid.”
gun disclosed that citizens of Ibadan across the 11 local governments in the land were being mobilised to grace the occasion. Balogun added, “It is delightful to note that the incoming Olubadan is a doyen of the entertainment industry, having used his business acumen, organisation, exposure and experience to promote successful artistes. So, these musicians and dignitaries from all walks of life will grace the occasion. “Over 200 indigenous clubs under the aegis of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), all sociocultural organisations are participating fully in the events, which will surely include all the traditional rites and steps typical of the installation.” He added that “it is pertinent to stress the unrivalled uniqueness of the succession system and ascension lines to the Olubadan stool which recognised two main succession lines -Otun Olubadan and Balogun with all the logical and sequential steps. “It is also statutory and common knowledge that contenders to this royal stool invariably are rooted essentially in the two approved lines: Otun Olubadan and Balogun lines, with each line having 22 and 23 steps respectively on its ladder in a promotional system that cannot be circumvented. The two lines are marked with genealogical significance. While the Olubadan line is known as the civil line, the Balogun line is the military line. The Kingmakers for the Olubadan of Olubadan chieftaincy are empowered by the extant 1957 Olubadan of Ibadan Chieftaincy declaration to propose as candidate the most senior chief in the line whose turn it is to fill a vacancy in the stool of Olubadan. “For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the aforementioned declaration states that “the line whose turn it is to present a candidate shall nominate a candidate for the chieftaincy at a meeting of the kingmakers to be summoned by the most senior chief of the chieftaincy line not presenting the candidate. “Oba Samuel Odulana, Odugade 1 ascended the throne from the Otun Olubadan line. Since the ascension is ‘strictly rotational’ between ‘the two major chieftaincy lines’ according to the 1957 Chieftaincy Declaration, the next, that is, the 41st Olubadan of
Ibadanland must ascend the royal stool from the Balogun line. Having satisfied all the conditions precedent, the Olubadan-in-Council has appointed the Balogun of Ibadanland, High Chief Saliu Akanmu Olasupo Adetunji as the new and the 41st Olubadan of Ibadanland,” Chief Balogun said. Balogun revealed that the a Olubadan-designate, famous business magnate, who became Mogaji in 1967 and became Jagun Balogun in 1978, was promoted through these years along until 2015 when he became the Balogun of Ibadaland. Meanwhile, speaking on the application to stall the installation by Chief Adebayo Oyediji of the Seriki line, High Chief Tajudeen Ajibola informed that the issue could not stop the installation. He said late High Chief Adisa Akinloye was the last Seriki and there was none existing now. He said that the Iyalode of Ibadanland and Seriki are members of the 11 member Olubadan-in-Council, adding that the Seriki position was vacant. Ajibola said even if there was a Seriki, he would have to go through the two existing lines, Otun Olubadan and Balogun. “If anyone must attain the position of Olubadan as a Seriki, the procedure must be followed but now there is no Seriki,” Ajibola stated. In attendance at the conference are officers from the government quarters, which included the former Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Olalekan Alli; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Mrs Hannah Olawumi Ogunesan; Special Adviser to the Governor on Communication and Strategy, Mr Yomi Layinka. Also at the occasion were High Chief Femi Olaifa, High Chief Biodun KolaDaisi, Chief (Mrs) Yewande Durosaro who represented the Iyalode of Ibadan, President, Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes and his predecessor; Chief Wole Akinwande and Chief Adebayo Oyero. A visit to the palace of the new Olubadan of Ibadanland at Popo-Yemoja indicated that preparations were in top gear to ensure a befitting ceremony, with the place being given a facelift. The interior of the historic Mapo Hall, which will play host to visitors during the installation ceremony, is also being given a new look.