THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2013
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NEWS
My U.S. visit fruitful, says Aregbesola
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SUN State Governor Rauf Aregbesola yesterday said his visit to the United States (U.S.) last March has started yielding fruits. Speaking at a Trade, Investment and Culture Conference at the Centre for Black Culture and International Understanding in Osogbo, the state capital, Aregbesola said his administration’s two-and-half years in office has committed huge human and material resources to providing an enabling business environment. He said his administration’s desire for development was not just “word of mouth, but backed with action”. Aregbesola said his visit to the U.S. brought partners from the African and Caribbean Business Council (ACBC) of Philadelphia, the Christian Evangelical Economic Development Inc. (CEED) of Pittsburgh and the WURA Arts Services & Productions LLC (WURA) of New York City to participate in the trade and investment programme. He said: “In our development drive, we have focused mainly on four key areas. These are culture and tourism, agriculture, information technology and solid minerals.
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From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo
“Osun State is indisputably a custodian of the cultural heritage of the Yoruba people, who are mainly domicilled in and originated from Southwest Nigeria. IleIfe, which is in this state and about 30 minutes drive from this podium, is the cradle of Yoruba culture and civilisation.” Noting that Osun occupies a central place in Nigeria’s tourism map, the governor said besides Ife, there are other numerous centres of cultural and tourism significance across the state. He said there are over 60 tourism sites in the state, adding that the Osun Grove is already globally renowned as a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) World Heritage Site. Aregbesola said: “Our goal is to provide food for the Southwest and capture a sizable chunk of the N3 billion daily food market in Lagos. By a stroke of fortune, our natural endowment also includes solid minerals, especially gold. “We have gold deposits in commercial quantity in many parts of the state that are waiting to be fully exploited. It is our goal to develop this in partnership
No credible poll without credible register, says Oke
HE verdict of the Supreme Court in last October’s governorship election dispute in Ondo State will set a precedent in the judicial system, Chief Olusola Oke, the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) candidate, has said. Oke, PDP, the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria and its candidate, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu, are challenging the declaration of Dr. Olusegun Mimiko as winner of the election. They alleged that fictitious names were injected into the voters’ register used for the election and that the poll was marred by irregularities. Speaking with reporters yesterday in Akure, the state capital, Oke said: “We have put all the facts before the Supreme Court and are waiting for it to make the final pronouncement, which will set a precedent. “If the Supreme Court says you cannot build something on nothing, it will become a precedent and will send a signal to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to be credible in its sensitive assignment.” The former PDP National Legal Adviser called for a complete overhaul of INEC to achieve credible elections in 2015. He said the replacement of the commission’s head has not translated into fundamental changes in INEC’s activities. Oke said although INEC Chairman Attahiru Jega has good ideas, those working with him, who have been in the commission for years, have refused to change. He said the country’s voters’ register had been “bastardised” and could not be
From Damisi Ojo, Akure
used to conduct any credible election. Oke said: “When I read about INEC’s outburst on the illegal injection of names into the voters’ register in Anambra State, I was delighted because it vindicated our position. “If you are talking of credible elections, the voters’ register must be sanitised because it is the foundation of any election. You cannot build something upon nothing and expect it to stand. If the voters’ register is not credible, you cannot talk about credible election.”
Four ruling houses withdraw support for Osun Osogbo
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Osun is a state investors would like to do business; a place where we honour contracts. Here, you (international investors) will share business prospectives, meet with the government, agencies and our businessmen as well.
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A •Aregesola
with willing and capable partners. This administration will ensure that this interactive platform is a continuous exercise. “It is my fervent wish that the objectives of organising this conference will be realised and our efforts will yield mutual benefit for all of us.” The Director-General, Office of Economic Development and Partnership, Dr. Charles Akinola, said Osun is economically viable for investment because of its “present credible leadership, peace and security”. Akinola described the state as a one-stop shop for investors because of the “well-co-
ordinated system that makes partnership and investment easy”. He said: “Osun is a state investors would like to do business; a place where we honour contracts. Here, you (international investors) will share business prospectives, meet with the government, agencies and our businessmen as well. “We are hopeful that the outcome of this conference would yield huge investments and culminate into many bilateral agreements.” Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperative and Empowerment Ismaeel Alagbada said the conference is the first in the state.
Deji of Akure returns from America
From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo
S the grand finale of the Osun Osogbo festival slated for Friday draws nearer, four ruling houses in the Osun State capital yesterday withdrew their support for the annual event. They are Sogbo, Matanmi, Lahanmi-Oyipi and Lajomo (Olude and Aderohunmi) ruling houses. They disowned the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun, saying the court does not recognise him. Speaking with reporters in Osogbo, representatives of the ruling houses, led by Alhaji Nasiru Oyeniyi and Pa Cladius Fayoyiwa, said they decided not to participate in the festival to avoid sending a wrong signal to the people that they approve of Oba Olanipekun’s stay on the throne. Warning Oba Olanipekun to stop parading himself as the Ataoja, the royal families urged the state government and other authorities to stop recognising him. They said Oba Olanipekun does not belong to any of the ruling houses and they could not understand how he ascended the throne. Oyeniyi said the four ruling houses had been challenging Oba Olanipekun’s appointment since he was installed in 2010 by the Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola administration. He said the State High Court judgment, which nullified Olanipekun’s appointment and declared the stool of the Ataoja vacant, is still intact. Urging Olanipekun to vacate the throne, Oyeniyi said: “We state clearly that Olanipekun is just an interim occupant of the stool of our forefathers. We are only waiting for the Court of Appeal, sitting in Akure, the Ondo State capital, to determine Olanipekun’s appeal by upholding the judgment that dethroned him. “Two judges of the Osun State High Court, Justices Yinka Aderibigbe and Jide Falola, in their separate rulings, ordered Olanipekun to vacate the throne and declared it vacant.”
More knocks for Obasanjo
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HE Deji of Akure, Oba Adebiyi Adesida, yesterday arrived in the country aboard a Delta Airlines flight, which landed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos. Oba Adesida, who was accompanied by his Olori, Mojisola, said he is alive and well. Dispelling rumours of his death, he said Africans believe anyone rumoured to be dead while he is alive would live long. Speaking with reporters at the airport, the Deji said he travelled to the United States (U.S.) to inaugurate the Oyemekun chapter in Atlanta. He said: “I am happy to be back home. I travelled to Atlanta to inaugurate some
By Oziegbe Okoeki
L •Oba Adesida and Olori Mojisola ... yesterday
•’I’m alive and well’ By Kelvin Osa Okunbor
Ondo indigenes association in the Diaspora and urged them to contribute to the state’s development. “I was surprised by the rumour. It is bad to wish anybody dead. Our people say any traditional ruler ru-
moured to be dead would live long. I pray to live long.” One of the monarch’s brothers, Dr. Lanre, who accompanied him on the trip, said: “The rumour is the handiwork of his detractors. You can see that he is alive. You just spoke with him. The Deji will continue to carry on with his work as a leader.”
Oyo monarchs in battle for supremacy From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan
•Oba Popoola
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HE rivalry between the Onijeru of Ijeruland, Oba Olaniyi Popoola, and the Onipetu of Ijeru, Oba Oladapo Oyediran 11, in Oyo State resurfaced yesterday as the former said the Onipetu has no right to claim Ijeru as his domain. The monarchs have been fighting for the control of Ijeru. Oba Popoola said the disa-
greement started 27 years ago and Ijeru people sued the former Onipetu,the late Oba Atobatele Mosobalaje. He said: “A judgment was delivered at the Ogbomoso High Court by the late Justice Ayorinde of blessed memory in April 24, 1987, in the Onijeru’s favour. The Onipetu appealed the judgment. Two kings died on the throne during that period but the appeal was struck out around 2,000 or there about. “Ijeruland was established in 1614 by a great hunter, Ohunsile, who migrated from Ile-Ife to Ota, when he had a chieftaincy dispute with his brother. The issue was taken to Oyo and the case was ruled in favour of his younger brother. This annoyed him and he left the place for Oyo. “Ijeru’s boundary starts from Laka Elepo, from that bridge to Temidire in Ogo Oluwa area. We have expanded
greatly. In those days when we used to have Fulani wars, about 142 settlements and villages ran to Ogbomoso for safety, including the Onipetu family, because those who established Ogbomoso were warriors. “All the other people have left for their homestead, but the Onipetu family refused to leave because they were being over-pampered here in Ijeru. The late Premier of the Western Region, Chief Ladoke Akintola, gave them political power and told them not to leave, forgetting that the truth will prevail some day. “There is no controversy about who owns Ijeruland. It belongs to the Onijeru and nobody else has the right to lay claim to what belong to us. The problem is that our government does not have respect for tradition and the rule of law, because it appoints judges, attorney-general and others, who give judgment in court cases without abiding by it.
“The Onijeru is recognised by the court as the authentic ruler of the domain. We have a court judgment in our favour.” Oba Popoola urged the government to reconsider the status of the Onijeru in the traditional rulers’ council. Oba Oyediran said the Onijeru was trying to distort history. He said: “When Ohunsile, their ancestor, came from Oyo, he met some people here. Let the Onijeru tell the world who he met in that place and who gave him the land they settled on? They claimed they did not settle on Olugbon’s, Aresa’s or Onikoyi’s land, so who gave Ohunsile the land? I will be pleased if they can answer this question?” On the purported court judgment, he said: “It was a chieftaincy matter and I can show you a copy of the judgment. We appealed it and their lawyer withdrew the case because both the complainant and the defendant were dead.”
AGOS State House of Assembly Deputy Whip Rotimi Abiru has criticised former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s comment that former Lagos State Governor Bola Tinubu, former VicePresident Atiku Abubakar and some others failed the nation. At an event in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, last week, Obasanjo said Atiku, Tinubu, former House of Representatives Speaker Salisu Buhari, former Bayelsa State Governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha and some others, who he referred to as young politicians, had the opportunity to do things right but failed. Abiru said: “It is unfortunate that such a comment could come from a man we all regard as an elder statesman and a former President. It is in fact an indictment of himself. “Obasanjo should be mindful of his comments. He is well respected and he should not be heard saying things that would generate controversies. “If those he accused decide to hit back at him, people will feel they are disrespecting him. He also had the opportunity to right all the wrongs in this country, but what did he do? “Let him come out and tell us how the masses benefited from his administration. He brought this country to the situation it is today. When he was leaving office, he gave us former President Umaru Yar’Adua, may his soul rest in peace, and when Yar’Adua died, the doctrine of necessity produced President Goodluck Jonathan, who has made things worse.”