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General news

Why I killed Ekiti monarch – Suspect

Why I killed Ekiti monarch – Suspect
By Ariwodola Idowu
Confession
Ado Ekiti, Aug. 24, 2018 (NAN) The suspect who allegedly stabbed the traditional ruler of Odo Oro Ekiti, Oba Gbadebo Ogunsakin to death, on Friday confessed to the crime, saying he carried out the act to reclaim the throne.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 40-year-old Omonoyi Ademola, who was said to be mentally unstable before the crime, said he never knew the Oba would die.
Omoniyi, who looked unkempt and unremorseful, shocked journalists with his eloquence and spoken English when he was paraded by the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Bello Muhammed, along with 26 other suspects.
He claimed that the late Oba first attacked him when he visited the palace to pass important information to him.

He said that he was told by the spirits and his family that it was the turn of his clan to reign over the community, and based on this information he headed for the palace on the fateful day.
“I never went to the palace with the intention of killing the monarch,’’ according to him.
Omoniyi explained that it was when the Oba heard of the message he brought, that he attacked him, claiming he did not know the monarch would die as a result of his retaliation.
Earlier, the commissioner of police had told journalists that he did not believe Omoniyi was an insane person going by his conduct and actions so far.
According to him, it is illogical to think that a man said to be a mad person would kill a whole Oba with a knife and choose to escape into the bush and later travelled down to Ado Ekiti where he was later arrested.
Muhammed also hinted on the arrest of a number of persons suspected to have links with the recent murder of late Bunmi Ojo, former Personal Assistant to former governor Segun Oni and one-time Commissioner in the Federal Character Commission.
He explained that the alleged killers were not paraded on Friday in order not to jeopardise the efforts to arrest those still at large.
The police boss said that 27 suspects had so far been picked in connection with various crimes in the state, such as murder, cultism and armed robbery.
He listed the suspects to include 16 cultists, seven murder suspects and four armed robbery suspects.
However, he appealed to residents to continue to partner with the command in its bid to rid the state of crimes. (NAN)
ARIS/NNO/MST
Edited by Nick Nicholas/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

General news

Funeral rites for late Omu-Aran monarch fixed for April 14

Funeral rites for late Omu-Aran monarch fixed for April 14
NAN-HG-3
Funeral
By Yinusa Ishola
Omu-Aran (Kwara), Feb. 8, 2018 (NAN) Final funeral rites for the late Oba Charles Ibitoye, Olomu of Omu-Aran in Kwara, has been fixed for April 14.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls Oba Ibitoye died on Dec. 1, 2017, at the age of 64.
Mr Muyiwa Oladipo, the Chairman of Irepodun Local Government Council, announced the funeral date while inaugurating a 40-member funeral committee.
NAN reports that the funeral programme is expected to witness a church service at the Anglican Cathedral Church, Omu-Aran, followed by a reception.
Inaugurating the committee in Omu-Aran on Thursday, Oladipo urged members to put in their best and come up with a funeral befitting the status of the late Ibitoye as a first class monarch.
Oladipo, who said the community was still in shock and grief over the monarch’s death, said the entire community was consoled that the late Olomu left behind exemplary legacies while his reign lasted.
“This committee has been put in place to give our late monarch a memorable funeral to depict maximum love and respect as our tradition,” the chairman added.
Chief Festus Awoniyi, Chief Petu of Omu-Aran and representative of the Olomu-in-council, expressed the support of the council to the committee in order to achieve the desired objective.
He described the committee members as people of proven quality, competency, integrity and transparency.
On his part, Chief Bisi Adeyemi, President, Omu-Aran Development Association (ODA), expressed the confidence of the association in the ability of the committee to deliver as planned.
He solicited the cooperation of the indigenes and non-indigenes in the area in making the committee assignment less stressful and successful.
Chairmen of the ad-hoc committees are Otunba Bayo Sanni for Fund Raising; Mr Kayode Awotunde – Publicity; Chief S.T. Oyebanji – Venue; Prof. (Mrs) Olasehinde Williams – Entertainmen; and Gen. Yemi Abidoye (rtd) – Security.
Others are Mr Ademola Olanrewaju – Cultural; Alhaji Bisi Salami – Accommodation; Mr Job Afolayan – Budget as well as the medical team from Irepodun Local Government. (NAN)
ISHO/ESAN/MST
Edited by Abiodun Esan/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

General news

Engage in peace, developmental campaign issues, monarch urges Politicians

Campaigns: Monarch task politicians on peace, devt issues
NAN-HG-3
Politics
By Awayi Kuje
Akun (Nasarawa State), Jan. 8, 2018 (NAN) Ahead of 2019 electioneering, Alhaji Usman Umbugadu, a second class traditional ruler in Nasarawa State, has urged politicians to engage in issue based campaign for national development.
Umbugadu made the call on Monday in his palace at Akun while receiving Dr James Angbazo, an All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant in the state.
He enjoined politicians to canvass votes based on issues in the interest of peace and for the socio-economic development.
The Aren Akun advised politicians and other political office holders to engage in politics of positive issues, devoid of bitterness and rancour.
Umbagadu wished the aspirant well in his political ambition.
“My duty here is to bless and wish you well in your political carrier and urge you and other politicians to always engage in politics of issues based campaign in order to promote peace and development in the country.
“Because peace is priceless, non-negotiable and is the necessary requirement for the development of any country,” he said.
Besides, he advised Nigerians to live in peace with one another irrespective of their ethnic, religion and political affiliations for the overall development of the country.
The monarch also advised youths not to allow any politician to use them in fomenting trouble in the society.
He urged youths to always engage in meaningful ventures in order to become self reliant and to contribute their quota to the development of the society.
Earlier, Angbazo said that he was at the palace to seek the royal blessings and prayers to enable him succeed in his political ambition
“I am here to seek your royal blessings and prayers and to seek God’s intervention to enable me succeed in my desire to vie and win the governorship position of the state come 2019,” he said.
Angbazo assured the monarch and the people of the state of his readiness to initiate positive policies and programmes that have direct bearing on the lives of the people of the state, if given the mandate. (NAN)
AKW/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

General news

Clashes: Community appreciates monarch over return of peace

Clashes: Community appreciates monarch over return of peace
NAN-H-32
Peace
By Awayi Kuje
Obi (Nasarawa State), Oct. 18, 2017 (NAN) The Eggon community in Obi Local Government Area of Nasarawa State on Wednesday honoured one of the state’s first class traditional rulers, Alhaji Aliyu Dangiwa, as its `Ambassador of peace’.
Dangiwa is the Osuko of Obi, in Obi local government area of the state.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the honour was bestowed on the traditional ruler in recognition for his role in ensuring that peace returned to the area following communal clashes that engulfed the area in 2013.
Mr Edward Anzaku, the spokesperson of Eggon community, said that the event was organised to appreciate the royal father for “his role in ensuring that peace returned to the affected communities in which many properties worth millions of naira were destroyed, lives lost with several people displaced from their homes’’.
Anzaku, who is also a lecturer of Sociology with the Federal University, Lafia, also commended the state government for its efforts in ensuring the protection of lives and properties in the area and called for its sustenance.
“The outstanding leadership qualities and commitment of our royal father in promoting peace, hence the need for us to organize this reception in his honour and to honour him with Ambassador of peace award.
“His Royal Highness, we present to you this exceptional leadership award as Ambassador of peace and we express our loyalty and support to your emirate council so as to achieve peace in this area and the state at large,” he said.
Anzaku urged the people of the area to forgive and forget the ills of the past and unite in order to bring about speedy development of the area and the state at large.
He also enjoined the people of the state to continue to live in peace and tolerate one another irrespective of ethnic, religious and political affiliation for the overall development of the country.
Responding, the monarch commended the Eggon community for finding him worthy of the award.
The first class traditional ruler charged all ethnic groups in the state to ensure peaceful co-existence irrespective of their affiliation in the interest of development.
“Peace is paramount, priceless and non-negotiable and it is the necessary requirement for the development of any nation.
“It is in this respect, that I want to urge all of us to forgive and forget the differences of the past, to forgive and forget what have transpired between us,” he said.
NAN also reports that the event brought together dignitaries including the officials of Eggon Cultural Development Association and stakeholders in the area, among others. (NAN)
AKW/KOO/MST
Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

General news

Peace: Monarch lauds Gov. Al-Makura for upgrading community stool to 2nd class status

Peace: Monarch lauds Gov. Al-Makura for upgrading community stool to 2nd class status
NAN-HG-7
Upgrade
By Awayi Kuje
Panda (Nasarawa State), Sept. 26, 2017 (NAN) Mr Christopher Jatau, the Uehra Ashea of Kube Chiefdom in Nasarawa State, has ommended Gov. Tanko Al-Makura for upgrading the traditional stool of the community from third class to second class status.
Jatau, who is a Second class traditional ruler, lauded the governor on Tuesday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at Kube, Panda Development Area of the state.
He said that the upgrade would promote peace and fast track development in the area.
The traditional ruler pledged his council’s loyalty and support to the state government towards delivering dividends of democracy.
Jatau also lauded Al-Makura for his developmental strides across the state which, he noted, is boosting socio-economic activities and standard of living of people of the state.
According to him, the construction of culverts, bridges and roads would boost socio-economic development of the state and the country at large.
“This chiefdom has witnessed various interventions in the areas of health, education and physical development, among others; we are grateful to His Excellency, Gov. Tanko Al-Makura for the gestures.
“However, as Oliver Twist, I want to appeal to Gov. Al-Makura to complete the construction of Panda/Kube/Shinkafa road in order to boost the socio-economic activities of my people and for the overall development of the state,” he said.
According to him, the construction of the road will also go a long way in fighting poverty and unemployment in the state.
Jatau called on Nigerians to continue to live in peace and tolerate one another irrespective of ethnic, religious and political affiliation, saying that the unity of the nation is priceless and non-negotiable.
“As a traditional ruler, we are the custodians of people’s culture and peace, it is our role to continue to advise our subjects and Nigerians to live in peace and tolerate one another irrespective of ethnic, religious and political affiliation.
“Because no society or nation could achieve speedy development in an atmosphere of rancour and confusion, the security challenges facing some part of the country had affected our lives and the nation’s socio-economic development negatively.
“It is in view of this that, I want to call on the people of my domain and the state and Nigerians at large to continue to live in peace and tolerate one another irrespective of ethnic, religious and political affiliation,” he added.
Besides, the monarch enjoined Nigerians to continue to be law abiding, respect constituted authorities and shun negative tendencies in the interest of peace and national development. (NAN)
AKW/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Politics

Bridge construction: Monarch petitions Nasarawa legislature over neglect

Bridge construction: Monarch petitions Nasarawa legislature over neglect 

NAN-H-46
Bridges
By Awayi Kuje
Lafia, May 3, 2017 (NAN) The Nasarawa State House of Assembly has summoned the Overseer of Loko Development Area of the state, Alhaji Iliyasu Aliyu, over the abandonment of four bridges being constructed in the area.

The Chairman of the House Committee on Works, Mr Mohammed Okpoku, made this known in Lafia on Wednesday while briefing newsmen.

Okpoku said the committee received a petition from the Paramount ruler of Oche Agatu in the area, Mr Ahmed Guto, over the neglect of the construction of the bridges in his domain.

He said that the committee had invited the council overseer and the Director of Works to appear before the committee on May 8 to explain why they neglected the project.

Okpoku, who represents Udege/Loko constituency, commended Gov. Tanko Al-Makura for making funds available for the construction of bridges and culverts across the state.

The lawmaker said that it would open up rural areas, stimulate agriculture and socio-economic activities across the state.

“The committee was in receipt of a letter of complaint from the paramount ruler of Oche Agatu in Loko Development area, Mr Ahmed Kwanaki Guto, in respect to the construction of bridges in Okoh 1, Okoh 2, Okoh 3 and Okoh 4, respectively.

“The complain of the monarch is that since the blending of the four bridges, the projects were abandoned, that is why we as committee resolved to summon the overseer of Loko development area and the council director of works to appear before the house on May 8.

“We invited them to explain why the projects were abandoned after Gov. Tanko Al-Makura released funds for the construction of bridges and culverts across the state,’’ the legislator said.

Okpoku said that the committee would not condone anybody to sabotage the governor’s efforts towards improving the standard of living of the people in the state.

He, however, said that the committee would sustain its oversight function of all ongoing projects in local governments and development areas across the state to ensure that the projects met specifications.

The chairman explained that the inspection was not meant to witch hunt anybody, pointing out that the committee is mandated by the House as part of its oversight functions to ensure that quality jobs were done in the interest of peace and development.

He reiterated the commitment of the assembly to continue to enact laws that has direct bearing on the lives of the people of the state and the country at large.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Al-Makura in February released more than N700 million to the 13 local governments and 18 development area councils in the state to construct bridges and culverts. (NAN)
AKW/MNA/MST
Edited by Maureen Atuonwu/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

General news

Monarch applauds Gov. Al-Makura for construction bridges, culverts

Monarch applauds Gov. Al-Makura for construction bridges, culverts

NAN-H-47

Commendation

By Awayi Kuje

Akun (Nasarawa State), March 19, 2017 (NAN) Gov. Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa State has been lauded for the construction of bridges and culverts in rural communities to boost commercial activities in the state.

Alhaji Usman Umbugadu, the Aren-Akun of Akun Chiefdom, made the commendation on Sunday in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Akun, Akun Development Area of the state.

He said the communities were appreciative of the governor’s efforts considering the importance of the projects to them, noting that the appreciation will encourage the governor to do more.

The traditional ruler said that the provision of infrastructure would go a long way in fighting poverty, unemployment and boost socio-economic activities of the state.

“As a traditional ruler, we are the custodians of people’s culture and peace; it is our role to continue to advise our subjects and Nigerians to live in peace and tolerate one another irrespective of ethnic, religious and political affiliation.

“This is because no society or nation could achieve speedy development in an atmosphere of rancour and confusion.

“I want to commend Gov. Tanko Al-Makura for the construction of rural bridges and culverts as it will reduce the hardship my people have been facing and connect them with other communities thereby boosting their agricultural production,’’ he said.

He also commended the Overseer of the Development Area, Mr Moses Malle, for the construction of Ezga, Embugu and Ukuchuku bridges, urging him to keep initiating projects that would impact on the lives of the people.

Umbugadu also called on the people of the area to continue to support the present administration at the federal and state levels as they strive to improve their lives.

He also appealed to Nigerians, especially youths to be law abiding, respect constituted authority, live in peace and tolerance, irrespective of ethnic, religious and political interest.

NAN recalls that the State Government recently disbursed more than N700 million to the 13 local government councils and 18 development areas for the construction of culverts and bridges. (NAN)

AKW/OIF/MST

Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Entertainment

Etsu Nupe commends publisher of African Monarchs Magazine

Etsu Nupe commends publisher of African Monarch Magazine

NAN-H-53

Commendation

By Collins Yakubu-Hammer

Abuja, Feb. 23, 2017 (NAN) The Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, has commended the publisher of the `African Monarchs Magazine’, Mrs Shalom Mezu, on her effort in bringing to the fore the attributes and qualities of traditional institutions.

The royal father, represented by Mr Yabagi Sani, the Jakadan Nupe (Nupe Ambassador), made the commendation in his opening remark at the launching of the magazine on Thursday in Abuja.

“The magazine content brought out the attributes and qualities of the institution of traditional monarch system which is very important to the management of peace, harmony and progress in every community.

“The magazine is a collection of history, culture and the embodiment of what traditional institution represents in Africa and other parts of the world because monarchy exists in other clime.

“They are held in very high esteem; they are the custodian of traditions and cultures of the people; without tradition and culture we are like naked people because it is the portrait of every person.

“From the beginning of time, the traditional institution has been a stabilising factor in the act of governance anywhere in the world,’’ he said.

The 13th Etsu Nupe appreciated Mezu’s doggedness, foresight and dedication in bringing “this almost forgotten important aspect of our being to the fore’’.

According to him, the magazine would go places because it represented the people themselves, their fathers, in some cases mothers and the people that are being discussed in this magazine.

He noted that the magazine would go beyond the shore of Africa because it covered Africa, adding that Africa is very rich in culture and tradition.

“In fact Africa is the beginning of civilisation; so this magazine has a lot to do in bringing very special attributes of Africa to the world.’’

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Etsu Nupe (The King of Nupe) is the ruler of all the Nupe speaking people in the world.

By virtue of this title, he is the Chairman of the Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers.

On her part, the publisher said she was motivated to publish the magazine because of disregard to traditional rulers in parts of the country and correct the misgivings of the institution.

Mezu called on Nigerians and governments to respect traditional institutions for peace, security, harmony and development to reign supreme in the country. (NAN)

CMY/MST

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola