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The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Osun State Command has arrested seven filling stations attendants, managers and supervisors at different locations in Osogbo, Osun state.
They were nabbed by Anti-Vandalism Unit of the command, while going round the state capital to monitor sales of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).
According to reports, most of the filling stations around Lameco, Stadium, Owode Ilesa Garage, Ilesa Garage round about and Ayepe axis, all in the state capital were alleged to have been hoarding the product .
Investigation revealed that they had fuel in their reservoirs but refused to sell to members of the public. While queues were seen at various filling stations, these unscrupulous marketers insisted on inflicting pains on their customers.
Confirming the arrest, the NSCDC public Relations officer Adeleke Kehinde said the suspects were alleged of refusal to sell fuel
She explained that all the filling stations visited by the operatives had the product but claimed that they were waiting for approval from their headquarters.
NSCDC spokesperson hinted that the State Commandant of NSCDC has reiterated that the Corps would continue to clamp down on any illegal activity that is aimed at frustrating the efforts of the Federal government by making the fuel products unavailable to Nigerians.
“We therefore, called on members of the public to report filling stations that are hellbent on bringing untold hardship to the masses. He noted that fuel hoarding is tantamount to economic sabotage and offenders would be made to face the full wrath of the law.
President Bola Tinubu has warned Service Chiefs against working at cross purposes under his administration, in order to strengthen the fight against insecurity.
Tinubu gave the warning at a meeting he had with heads of security agencies on Thursday.
Addressing State House correspondents after the meeting, the National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno, said the President demanded frequent consultations among the agencies.
The President also mandated the security agencies to develop a blue print to deal with the issue of crude oil theft, indicating that the changes to meet the requirements of the changing times.
Monguno said: “The President has revealed that in moving this country forward, he needs the security agencies to redouble their efforts. And he’s also pointed out that his own philosophy is one of contemporary security measures dealing with the requirements of the time.
“He has made it very clear that he will not accept a situation in which our fortunes keep declining. And his own trajectory is that national security has to be coordinated, there has to be wherever whatever it says whether it is a basket system, but there must be a clearing house.
“All agencies must work to achieve one single purpose. Working at cross purposes and colliding with each other is not something that he will condone. He has made it very, very clear that all the security agencies must comply with the demands of coordination, with the demands of frequent consultations and also timely reports which must be acted on.”
The NSA said the president told the security chiefs during the two hours meeting of his determination to build on gains made so far, reverse misfortunes and turn the tide in favour of the country.
He added that Tinubu said the country should not be on its knees struggling while other countries were walking and achieving greater heights.
He said: “Having been briefed by the participants of the meeting, Mr. President, addressed prevailing issues confronting the nation in terms of insecurity and also mentioned his own philosophy towards dealing with national security issues.
“First and foremost, he appreciated the armed forces and intelligence agencies and the wider paramilitary agencies for the work they have been doing in the past couple of years. Their sacrifice, their loyalty, and he also paid tribute to those who died in defending this country, from the great big menace of terrorism, insurgency, banditry, oil theft, sea robbery, piracy, etc, etc.
“He is going to embark on a lot of reforms in terms of our security architecture, he is going to take a closer look at our misfortunes in the maritime domain, focusing particularly on the issues of oil theft, that is not going to tolerate. Wherever the problem is coming from, it must be crushed as soon as possible.
“He is already mandated by the security agencies to come up with a blueprint as far as he knows as far as it’s concerned, it doesn’t have the luxury of time. And whatever changes will be made have to be done as soon as possible.
“The President also has decided that whatever ventures the armed forces are going to be engaged in, they must carry along those operatives in the theatre. They must be well fed, well kitted, motivated and given all that they require.
“President has said clearly that you will do whatever is within his powers to enable the operational elements but the intelligence agencies must also make their work easy for them by providing the type of intelligence that they require to carry out the assignment.”
Those in attendance at the President’s first engagement with heads of the nation’s security and intelligence agencies include the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Farouk Yahaya; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo; the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Isiaka Amao; and the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba.
The Lagos State Police Command has announced the dismissal of Sergeant Ekpo Shimuyere from the Sogunle Division for extorting N98,000 from a young man.
The State Police Command’s spokesperson, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, disclosed on Wednesday that Shimuyere was dismissed and disrobed by the Provost Department of the command for extorting N98,000 from a young man.
Shimuyere, it was reported, collected the young man’s phone and used a POS operator to transfer N98,000 out of the N100,000 in the young man’s bank account. Hundeyin stated that the policeman’s actions were against the ethics of the profession.
“Police got the complaint from the victim and the officer denied the crime when he was contacted. The command placed him under detention so that he will not tamper with the evidence.
“We wrote to his bank and obtained his statement of account. We were able to trace the money to where the POS operator transferred it before transferring the money to the officer’s account.
“We followed due process to get his account. The victim was invited in the course of investigation, and he testified.
“The POS operator was also invited, and he said the officer requested him to transfer the money from the victim’s account to another one,” Hudenyi added.
Hundeyin stated that Shimuyere was put through an Orderly Room trial in accordance with the law. The Commissioner of Police, Lagos Command, Mr. Idowu Owohunwa, reviewed the trial and approved the punishment of dismissal from the force for the officer with Force No. 461654, attached to the Sogunle Police Division.
Hundeyin warned officers and men against corruption and emphasized that the dismissal was meant to deter others. He also warned that the command would continue to punish police officers who engage in unprofessional conduct.
…commends president on announcement of subsidy removal
A Group, Tinubu Hope of Nigeria Vanguard, has commended the bold move of President Bola Tinubu to announce the total removal of fuel subsidy
This is as they celebrated the inauguration of the of the president with a feast.
The group also urged Nigerians to have trust in the government of Tinubu as there would be a complete shift and improvement in the level of governance.
President Bola Tinubu made the pronouncement after his inauguration as the 16th president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on Monday.
The Convener and Leader of the Group, Barr. Olurotimi Daudu, while speaking with newsmen on the sidelines of a celebration party organised by the group, on Tuesday in Akure, said the move was for the betterment of the citizens.
“We are celebrating our newly inaugurated president, Tinubu, you know, there was a time to work that was before the primaries,after the primaries, as members of Tinubu Hope of Nigeria Vanguard, we worked tirelessly, we prayed and God has answered our prayers, Today Bola Tinubu was sworn in as president, so members of the group deemed it fit to the celebrate the essence of a man, the dawn of a new era in Nigeria, the hope have been renewed,
“We expect a complete paradigm shift in governance, this is a man that is so compassionate, passionate about the development of Nigeria , he is a man with tremendous capacity, with profile intellectual capacity and global network, so we know he is going to build our economy, we know that there will be jobs for our teeming youths, the hopeless will receive hope, and Nigeria will gain tremendous international recognition because of the good will he posseses.
Daudu said that subsidising fuel was not to the benefit of the majority of Nigerians, saying, “Anytime we talk about fuel subsidy, what we do is to subsidise for the rich.”
“How many poor Nigerians have the vehicle we talking about? So for me, that’s a good thing, it’s going to be hard, it’s going to be difficult, but there is nothing good that comes easy.
“Initially we are going to feel the pains, I just encourage Nigerians to trust in Tinubu that he means well for us, he means well for Nigeria, we are going to overcome those initial challenges and the time of prosperity will be enthroned on our country, ” he said.
Daudu, while praising the capacity of the president to bring prosperity and an economic boom to the country, said Nigeria would gain tremendous international recognition because of the goodwill Tinubu possessed.
“We expect a complete paradigm shift in governance, this is a man that is so compassionate and passionate about the development of Nigeria, he is a man with tremendous capacity, with profile intellectual capacity and global network.
“So we know he is going to build our economy, we know that there will be jobs for our teeming youths, the hopeless will receive hope, and Nigeria will gain tremendous international recognition because of the goodwill he possesses,” he said.
Also speaking, a former Chairman of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) in Ondo State, Barr. Rotimi Olorunfemi also lauded the decision to remove the subsidy and believed there would be plans put in place to cushion the effect.
Olorunfemi, who is also a member of the group, said the fuel subsidy, which he said was not captured in this year’s budget, only benefited the rich and not the poor masses.
“Before the president could pronounce the removal of subsidy, I am sure he would have had some cushioning effect put in place for the masses, we all know that subsidy benefit the rich rather than the poor,but the rich push the poor out to go and protest on the subsidy.
“Meanwhile, the poor man gained nothing from subsidy that just the truth and I think the president is right to remove it and more particularly, the government is right to remove it and am sure he would rather put something in place to cushion the effect for the people,” he said.
Also, Hon. Cyril Olutayo, commended the speech of the president, urging fellow group members to ensure they stick together and continue the good work they have started.
…As Sports Commissioner calls on philanthropists to Partner Govt. For Sports Development
Ondo State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Mr Bamidele Ologunloluwa has called on philanthropists, private organisations to join hands with the government at all levels to move sports forward in the state.
Ologunloluwa said Sports can not be left in the hands of government alone , saying all stakeholders must come together to lift the sector.
The Sports Commissioner stated this while receiving set of Jersey and Balls donated to Sunshine Queens football club and their officials by the People United by Sports (PUBS) in Akure,the state capital.
While thanking the organisation for their philanthropic gesture, he urged them not to leave the male team (Sunshine Stars FC) out in their plans as they are preparing for Nigeria Premier League Football (NPFL)Super six competition in Lagos.
He said, “We need you support for both male and female teams, everything is not about money or material things, it can be through prayers, moral support.”
“I look up to the day People United by Sports (PUBS) will have a date with Sunshine Stars in form of motivation”
“With your gesture it’s means that our calls for private sectors collaboration for sports development is gradually yielding result.”
While presenting the kits, the president of the People United by Sports (PUBS),Mr Seun Betiku said it has become a tradition for the organisation to annually support sports development not only in football but in all sports generally.
According to Mr Betiku PUBS presented Jersey to Sunshine Stars and Sunshine Queens last year under the leadership of the Deputy Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa as the chairman caretaker committee of the teams.
“Now, that Sunshine Queens FC are preparing for Championship playoff in Abuja we decided to support them with the jersey and balls.”
“We are of the same view that government alone can’t develop sports without the support from private sector, on this note I join the Commissioner to call on Sports loving individuals ,within and outside the state to collaborate with the government to develop sports in Ondo State.”
Among those who graced the official presentation included some players of Sunshine Queens, coaches and officials of Sunshine Queens and some members of PUBS.
FIRST INAUGURAL ADDRESS BY PRESIDENT BOLA AHMED TINUBU 29 MAY 2023
THE NIGERIAN IDEAL
My Fellow Citizens,
I stand before you honoured to assume the sacred mandate you have given me. My love for this nation is abiding. My confidence in its people, unwavering. And my faith in God Almighty, absolute. I know that His hand shall provide the needed moral strength and clarity of purpose in those instances when we seem to have reached the limits of our human capacity.
This day is bold and majestic yet bright and full of spirit, as is our precious nation.
As a nation, we have long ago decided to march beyond the dimness of night into the open day of renewed national hope.
The question we now ask ourselves is whether to remain faithful to the work inherent in building a better society or retreat into the shadows of our unmet potential.
For me, there is but one answer. We are too great a nation and too grounded as a people to rob ourselves of our finest destiny.
This nation’s journey has been shaped by the prayers of millions, and the collective sacrifices of us all.
We have endured hardships that would have made other societies crumble.
Yet, we have shouldered the heavy burden to arrive at this SUBLIME moment where the prospect of a better future merges with our improved capacity to create that future.
To the surprise of many but not to ourselves, we have more firmly established this land as a democracy in both word and deed.
The peaceful transition from one government to another is now our political tradition. This handover symbolizes our trust in God, our enduring faith in representative governance and our belief in our ability to reshape this nation into the society it was always meant to be.
Here, permit me to say a few words to my predecessor, President Muhammadu Buhari. Mr President, you have been an honest, patriotic leader who has done his best for the nation you love. On a more personal note, you are a worthy partner and friend. May History be kind to you.
For many years, Nigeria’s critics have trafficked the rumour that our nation will break apart, even perish.
Yet here we are. We have stumbled at times, but our resilience and diversity have kept us going.
Our burdens may make us bend at times, but they shall never break us.
Instead, we stand forth as Africa’s most populous nation and as the best hope and strongest champion of the Black Race.
As citizens, we declare as one unified people devoted to one unified national cause, that as long as this world exists, NIGERIA SHALL EXIST.
Today, Fate and Destiny join together to place the torch of human progress in our very hands. We dare not let it slip.
We lift high this torch so that it might shine on every household and in every heart that calls itself Nigerian. We hold this beam aloft because it lights our path with compassion, brotherhood, and peace. May this great light never EXTINGUISH.
Our administration shall govern on your behalf but never rule over you. We shall consult and dialogue but never dictate. We shall reach out to all but never put down a single person for holding views contrary to our own.
We are here to further mend and heal this nation, not tear and injure it.
In this vein, may I offer a few comments regarding the election that brought us to this juncture. It was a hard fought contest. And it was also fairly won. Since the advent of the Fourth Republic, Nigeria has not held an election of better quality.
The outcome reflected the will of the people. However, my victory does not render me any more Nigerian than my opponents. Nor does it render them any less patriotic.
They shall forever be my fellow compatriots. And I will treat them as such. They represent important constituencies and concerns that wisdom dare not ignore.
They have taken their concerns to court. Seeking legal redress is their right and I fully defend their exercise of this right. This is the essence of the rule of law.
Over six decades ago, our founding fathers gave bravely of themselves to place Nigeria on the map as an independent nation.
We must never allow the labor of those who came before us to wither in vain but to blossom and bring forth a better reality.
Let us take the next great step in the journey they began and believed in.
Today, let us recommit our very selves to placing Nigeria in our hearts as the indispensable home for each and every one of us regardless of creed, ethnicity, or place of birth.
My supporters, I thank you. To those who voted otherwise, I extend my hand across the political divide. I ask you to grasp it in national affinity and brotherhood. For me, political coloration has faded away. All I see are Nigerians.
May we uphold these fitting and excellent notions as the new Nigerian ideal.
My fellow compatriots,
The Nigerian ideal which I speak of is more than just an improvement in economic and other statistics. These things are important; but they can never convey the fullness of our story.
Our mission is to improve our way of life in a manner that nurtures our humanity, encourages compassion toward one another, and duly rewards our collective effort to resolve the social ills that seek to divide us.
Our constitution and laws give us a nation on paper. We must work harder at bringing these noble documents to life by strengthening the bonds of economic collaboration, social cohesion, and cultural understanding. Let us develop a shared sense of fairness and equity.
The South must not only seek good for itself but must understand that its interests are served when good comes to the North. The North must see the South likewise.
Whether from the winding creeks of the Niger Delta, the vastness of the northern savannah, the boardrooms of Lagos, the bustling capital of Abuja, or the busy markets of Onitsha, you are all my people. As your president, I shall serve with prejudice toward none but compassion and amity towards all.
In the coming days and weeks, my team will publicly detail key aspects of our programme. Today, permit me to outline in broad terms a few initiatives that define our concept of progressive good governance in furtherance of the Nigerian ideal:
The principles that will guide our administration are simple:
Nigeria will be impartially governed according to the constitution and the rule of law.
We shall defend the nation from terror and all forms of criminality that threaten the peace and stability of our country and our subregion.
We shall remodel our economy to bring about growth and development through job creation, food security and an end of extreme poverty.
In our administration, Women and youth will feature prominently.
Our government will continue to take proactive steps such as championing a credit culture to discourage corruption while strengthening the effectiveness and efficiency of the various anti-corruption agencies.
SECURITY
Security shall be the top priority of our administration because neither prosperity nor justice can prevail amidst insecurity and violence.
To effectively tackle this menace, we shall reform both our security DOCTRINE and its ARCHITECTURE.
We shall invest more in our security personnel, and this means more than an increase in number. We shall provide, better training, equipment, pay and firepower.
THE ECONOMY
On the economy, we target a higher GDP growth and to significantly reduce unemployment.
We intend to accomplish this by taking the following steps:
First, budgetary reform stimulating the economy without engendering inflation will be instituted.
Second, industrial policy will utilize the full range of fiscal measures to promote domestic manufacturing and lessen import dependency.
Third, electricity will become more accessible and affordable to businesses and homes alike. Power generation should nearly double and transmission and distribution networks improved. We will encourage states to develop local sources as well.
I have a message for our investors, local and foreign: our government shall review all their complaints about multiple taxation and various anti-investment inhibitions.
We shall ensure that investors and foreign businesses repatriate their hard earned dividends and profits home.
JOBS
My administration must create meaningful opportunities for our youth. We shall honour our campaign commitment of one million new jobs in the digital economy.
Our government also shall work with the National Assembly to fashion an omnibus Jobs and Prosperity bill. This bill will give our administration the policy space to embark on labour-intensive infrastructural improvements, encourage light industry and provide improved social services for the poor, elderly and vulnerable.
Agriculture
Rural incomes shall be secured by commodity exchange boards guaranteeing minimal prices for certain crops and animal products. A nationwide programme for storage and other facilities to reduce spoilage and waste will be undertaken.
Agricultural hubs will be created throughout the nation to increase production and engage in value-added processing. The livestock sector will be introduced to best modern practices and steps taken to minimize the perennial conflict over land and water resources in this sector.
Through these actions, food shall be made more abundant yet less costly. Farmers shall earn more while the average Nigerian pays less.
INFRASTRUCTURE
We shall continue the efforts of the Buhari administration on infrastructure. Progress toward national networks of roads, rail and ports shall get priority attention.
FUEL SUBSIDY
We commend the decision of the outgoing administration in phasing out the petrol subsidy regime which has increasingly favoured the rich more than the poor. Subsidy can no longer justify its ever-increasing costs in the wake of drying resources. We shall instead re-channel the funds into better investment in public infrastructure, education, health care and jobs that will materially improve the lives of millions.
MONETARY POLICY
Monetary policy needs thorough housecleaning. The Central Bank must work towards a unified exchange rate. This will direct funds away from arbitrage into meaningful investment in the plant, equipment and jobs that power the real economy.
Interest rates need to be reduced to increase investment and consumer purchasing in ways that sustain the economy at a higher level.
Whatever merits it had in concept, the currency swap was too harshly applied by the CBN given the number of unbanked Nigerians. The policy shall be reviewed. In the meantime, my administration will treat both currencies as legal tender.
FOREIGN POLICY
Given the world in which we reside, please permit a few comments regarding foreign policy.
The crisis in Sudan and the turn from democracy by several nations in our immediate neighbourhood are of pressing concern.
As such, my primary foreign policy objective must be the peace and stability of the West African subregion and the African continent. We shall work with ECOWAS, the AU and willing partners in the international community to end extant conflicts and to resolve new ones.
As we contain threats to peace, we shall also retool our foreign policy to more actively lead the regional and continental quest for collective prosperity.
Conclusion
This is the proudest day of my life. But this day does not belong to me. It belongs to you, the people of Nigeria.
On this day, Nigeria affirms its rightful place among the world’s great democracies. There, Nigeria shall reside forever.
The course of our past and the promise of the future have brought us to this exceptional moment.
In this spirit, I ask you to join me in making Nigeria a more perfect nation and democracy such that the Nigerian ideal becomes and forever remains the Nigerian reality.
With full confidence in our ability, I declare that these things are within our proximate reach because my name is Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and I am the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
May God bless you and May He bless our beloved land.
As Sunshine Queens FC of Akure, preparing for Women Football Championship play off, the team Manager of the club, Mr Kehinde Odogun has assured the football fans within and outside the state that the former 2015 Federation Cup winners will return to the Nigeria Women Female League (NWFL)
Odogun said with the support of the management, football stakeholders coupled with the good recruitment the team has done he is optimistic that the club will come back to the Elite league stronger.
The team Manager of the club stated this while featuring on a radio Television programme monitored by the our reporter in Akure the state Capital.
He disclosed that the current management of the team headed by the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development,Mr Bamidele Ologunloluwa are doing all things legitimately to ensure that the team come back to the female Elite League.
He said the target of the team is to come back to the Elite league and represent the country in inter continental football competition.
He added that the current head coach of the team and his assistants are capable hands with the pedigree to return the former champions to the Elite League.
According to him , “the way and manner the team was missed in action in the 2022/23 Women Football League remained a mirage but it’s part of football,” he said.
“We take solace in the fact that the down fall of a man/ woman is not the end of his /her life”.
“Now, we have built a strong team with quality players capable of returning the team to the Women’s League, we did aggressive recruitment of quality players across the country”.
“We ensured that we toured the 18 local government of the state scouting for quality players and to the glory of God , we have nothing less than 10 Ondo State indigene in the team recruited based on merit.
“This is football, it’s not an hiding thing, if you know how to play the coaches will see you on the pitch and you will surely be recruited.”
Speaking on the new sports, named Teqball where Sunshine Queens players came third in the maiden edition of the National Championship held in Asaba ,the team Manager explained that the sports is gaining momentum in the country, saying Sunshine Queens did well in the maiden edition of the competition.
The new sports is very good for football players both male and female because it will improve their foot walk,skills and accuracy.
The Ajamolu of Onisere Kingdom in Odigbo local government area of Ondo State, His Royal Majesty Oba Olafusi Gbemi Johnson on Wednesday reportedly escaped kidnapping at Alagbado community in Onisere kingdom.
It was gathered that no fewer than four persons believed to be his relatives were attacked and sustained a series of Injuries
The monarch while narrating how it happened with our correspondent said the incident occurred when he visited his ancestral home at Alagbado on Wednesday to see his relatives and his well-wishers after his coronation where he was welcomed amidst jubilation.
Victim of the attack
“I heard a man,(namewithheld)who has interest in the Obaship and has been parading himself as kabiyesi even before and after my coronation, planned to attack and kidnap me whenever I come around. Having heard the information, I went to the community with security men whenever am visiting to avert any attack.
“I think, since they noticed I came to the town, they started attacking my people on their way before I was escaped by the security personnel.
“This same suspect, had attempted to attack me on my coronation day, April 18, 2023, a well-attended event by the representative of the State government and the local government, when I was given staff of office.
“He came with four armed men and obstructed the road with a truck to carry out his evil act but with the intervention of security agencies, his plan was turned down.
The monarch disclosed that a suspect has been arrested in connection to the incident, and already at the Juvenile remand home in Akure, while others are still at large.
“The case is already with the Area commander, in Ore Odigbo local government for further investigation. The monarch said
The monarch however call on the security operatives to do a thorough investigation and ensure that the perpetrators are brought to book so as to serve as deterrent to others.
Residents of Idere-Omotosho, Omotosho town, Osooro kingdom, Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State have appealed to Ondo State governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, to upgrade the traditional head of their community to a third class.
Secretary to the community, Mr Mike Akinwe, made the appeal, at an event where the members of the community rolled out drums to consider, endorse and celebrate the High Court judgment which authenticated Chief Akinwe Olusegun Balogun as Onidere of Omotosho and the only authentic traditional head of Omotosho community.
Akinwe said that upgrading the Onidere of Omotosho to a third-class monarch would be a big boost to the town housing government development projects and industries, as he called on all stakeholders, businesses, and companies operating in the area to cooperate with the High Court recognized authentic traditional head of Omotosho.
The secretary further called on the Ondo State Government and business concerns in the community to provide electricity and other infrastructure to improve the economy of the rustic community, adding that indigenes of Omotoso should be considered for employment opportunities by the government and investors in the area.
The appeal for uplift and infrastructure was also supported by the Chief Balogun, Onidere of Omotoso, as he appreciated friends and family members as well as well-wishers who had come from far and near to celebrate the High Court judgment and the enlarged family endorsement of him as the only authentic traditional headship of Omotoso.
A senior member of the Idere-Omotosho land-owning family, High Chief Victor Ayodele Aikuola, also threw his weight behind the Court and acknowledged only the authentic leader of the Omotoso community, as he enjoined all residents and stakeholders to join hands in contributing to the development of Omotoso as the industrial hub in Ondo South Senatorial District.
Earlier, the Idere-Kugbanre land-owning family had gathered to consider and endorse April 28, 2023, High Court judgement which declared the Idere-Omotosho as the only authentic land-owning family in Omotoso and that the Onidere of Omotoso is the only recognized title of the traditional head of Omotoso community while affirming Chief Balogun as the only authentic Onidere of Omotoso.
The Okitipupa Division of the High Court of Justice, presided over by Hon. Justice Temitope M. Adedipe, in a suit numbered HOK/22/2022, had granted the requests of the claimant, Chief Balogun, declaring that: “the Onidere of Omotoso is the only recognized title of the traditional headship of Omotoso town, Osooro kingdom, Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State.”
The court further declared the first claimant, Chief Akinwe Olusegun Balogun as “the authentic Onidere of Omotoso and the traditional head of Omotoso town in Osooro kingdom, Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State.”
Justice Adedipe also declared that “the defendant is not entitled to create any other title (to) aide the existing Onidere of Omotoso town in Osooro kingdom, Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State.”
This High Court declaration finally laid to rest the lingering contest among the residents of the community for the authentic traditional headship of Omotoso town, whose predecessors from Akoko in Ondo State first settled in Iju Oke and later at Omotoso, and whose descendants are now known as the Akoko Ikale in Osooro kingdom, had descended from two brothers, Idere and Kugbanre.
Trouble, however, started in 2012 when the Rebuja of the Osooro kingdom as the prescribed authority in the area appointed Olu of Akoko alongside Onidere of Omotoso who had been regarded as the traditional head of Omotoso town since 1946.
The power tussle led Chief Akinwe Olusegun Balogun, Elder Akinwe Akinfosile Samuel, and Mr. Omotoso Moses to approach the court to challenge Chief Agbaraolorun Igbasan as the Olu Akoko, who purportedly paraded himself as the traditional head of Omotoso, to determine that the Onidere of Omotoso is the traditional head of Omotoso, not the Olu Akoko.
According to a family source, the founding of the Omotoso community began with Idere of Kugbanre of the Akoko family in Osooro, tracing Idere’s lineage from Idere to Takun and eventually to Omotoso. Omotoso, along with other Idere descendants and other larger Kugbanre family members, migrated from Ilu Titun to Iju Oke but Omotoso moved further to settle at the location later named after him.
The Ondo State Chapter of the Sport Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has congratulated the Ondo State Government, Management, Technical Staff, Players, and Supporters Club of Sunshine Stars of Akure for the club’s qualification for the Super 6 Play-Off.
Sunshine Stars’ qualification from the abridged NPFL league for Super 6 was only certified on the last day of the league with a convincing 3-0 win over Dakkada FC in Akure.
The success did not just come on a platter of gold, but through the hard work, dedication, commitment, and prayers of all concerned at the club with the aim of putting the club’s name at the center stage of football in Nigeria.
Sport writers in the state urge the players to continue in high spirits and not relent on their oars as they prepare for the Super 6 play-off, believing that they could even go on and win the league and in the process qualify for continental football.
We also use this medium to appreciate the Commissioner for Sports, Bamidele Ologunloluwa, and the Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, for their relentless efforts, support, and encouragement for the team to achieve success.
E -Signed
DAIRO Olufemi Caretaker Chairman SWAN, Ondo State
MOMOH Adewale Caretaker Secretary SWAN, Ondo State
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