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Why I Am Honoring Wasiu Ayinde With The Maiyegun Title – Alaafin Of Oyo

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5 years ago

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By Babafemi Ojudu

Oba Lamidi Adeyemi , the Alaafin of Oyo is not your regular traditional ruler . He is a very reflective monarch who is deep in the ways of his ancestors. Highly perceptive, Kabiyesi is a trove of information on the history and mores of Yoruba race. Sitting with him and listening to him talk is like entering into an ancient library and communing with the past of a race. His recall of incidents, occurrences
and dates is as legendary as his reflections on the past, present and the future of the Yoruba race.
Talking about the court room accomplishment of Sapara Williams , the first Yoruba lawyer you will think he was there present. His narratives was so graphic that a script writer will have enough for a movie.

That was Kabiyesi who early in his years was know simply as Lamidi Elese, Lamidi the boxer as result of his love for boxing.

When early on Monday January 13 we arrived in the ancient Oyo town in company of thousands of well wishers of the popular musician WASIU Ayinde to celebrate with him, Oba ADEYEMI asked that three of us , I , the Minister of Interior Rauf Aregbesola , Minister of Information and Culture ALHAJI Lai Muhammed be brought to meet with him in his inner recess. I was in Oyo to represent the Vice President of Nigeria, YEMI Osinbajo at the event while the two Ministers were there to represent the President , Muhammadu Buhari.
Sitting down with Kabiyesi, he said : “gentlemen before this event commences I owe you an explanation of why I am giving out this title. “
“ Unlike some others I do not give title for money. How much will WASIU bring to this palace?”, he said.

Kabiyesi said he had over a long time reflected on the Yoruba entertainers and their contributions to the development of the culture.
“They promote our culture, promote harmony and happiness and yet people consider them as beggars. I want to change all of that”, he said emphatically.

Wasiu, he said , has taken Yoruba music and culture to the rest of the world and therefore deserves to be recognized. Kabiyesi regaled us with the contribution of the Alarinjos who pioneered the Yoruba theatre , handed it over to the traveling theatre and from there to today’s movie actors and actresses.

These cultural workers from Ogunde, Dura Ladipo , Lere Paimo, Oyin Adejobi, and their likes remained unhonored despite their contribution. This, he said, motivated him when ten years ago he first mulled the idea of making Wasiu Mayegun but had to change his mind at the last minutes because he wanted to observe him a bit more.
“ Today I am fully convinced of his contributions and his character hence my bringing him here for this honor for his contributor to our ancestry “., Kabiyesi said.

It was a colorful day with many Kings from across Yorubaland coming to honor both the Kabiyesi and the honoree. The Fuji musicians were present in large numbers and so were the Yoruba actors and those who are referred to as socialites for making party rounds.
It also witnessed a beautiful display of Yoruba culture. The high point was when the Kabiyesi got up from his throne and went to where the wives sat and engage them in banters. After carrying out a ritual of drumming with them, he splashed them with some naira notes and had a call and response.
Kabiyesi: Eke lobirin
Wives : Eke lokunrin
This went on and on for a while.
I do not know how to adequately capture this in English but it does appear to me that Kabiyesi was saying that women are full of mysterious and fascinating qualities.
The children joined in. The females took the side of the women, their mothers while the men took the sides of Kabiyesi, their father and the rest of us simply laughed wondering what it was all about.

The answer, perhaps, lies in the palace politics, rivalry, mystique, and intrigues.

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Society

Just In: APC expels Rauf Aregbesola

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7 hours ago

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January 29, 2025

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The All Progressives Congress, APC, has expelled Rauf Aregbesola, a former Minister of Interior and ex-Osun State Governor, over alleged anti-party activities.

 

Aregbesola, who was a two-term governor of Osun State had been having a running battle with the Osun chapter of the APC in recent times.

 

The disagreement with the APC led him into forming a factional group within the party, known as The Osun Progressive (TOP) which later mutated into the Omoluabi Caucus.

 

 

 

A letter from the APC leadership seen by newsmen on Wednesday officially confirmed Aregbesola’s expulsion.

 

The letter, titled “Allegations of Anti-Party Activities – Conveyance of State Exco Decision to You,” accused him of breaching Article 21 of the party’s constitution, which outlines disciplinary measures for members.

 

The letter read in part, “At the end of the investigation, the State Executive Committee (SEC) considered the report of the Disciplinary Committee. Having carefully reviewed the findings and recommendations, the SEC resolved to approve your immediate expulsion from the APC.

 

 

The decision was predicated on clear evidence of your actions, which undermined the unity and integrity of the party. As a result, you are no longer a member of the APC and must refrain from holding yourself out as one or acting on behalf of the party in any capacity.”

 

More details to come…..

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Society

Rtn. Victor Ojelabi named Personality of the Year 2024

Published

15 hours ago

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January 29, 2025

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The Chinmaya Foundation, an international organisation promoting peace and harmony, has honoured Rtn. Victor Ojelabi, CEO of Freelart Limited and publisher of Freelanews, with the Personality of the Year Award 2024.

 

The award, part of the Honorary Awards for Excellent Personalities of the World, was announced during the foundation’s 15th anniversary celebration in India.

 

At the first phase of the international Zoom and Google conference, 21 outstanding individuals from various countries received the Personality of the Year Award 2024.

 

Additionally, 100 women were honoured among 91,386 contestants from different countries in categories such as dance, acting, painting, and creative arts competitions.

 

Dr. Chinmaya Dash, founder and international chairman of the foundation, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to uniting 215 countries through cultural exchange, fostering peace, harmony, goodwill, and human development.

 

Victor Ojelabi is a seasoned mass communicator and a graduate of Lagos State Polytechnic, now Lagos State University of Technology.

 

 

He began his media career under the mentorship of Niyi Akinsiju, publisher of Fortune & Class magazine, and has since worked with top-tier Nigerian publications such as Marketing Edge, Brand Communicator, Global Excellence, M2, and Metronews as a writer and creative executive.

 

With over a decade of experience in media, he is also the CEO of Freelart Limited, a Lagos-based creative and media consultancy firm specialising in web design, public relations, printing, and IT consultancy.

 

Freelart Limited is also the convener of TheFLEAwards, an initiative aimed at promoting leadership excellence with a focus on sustainable impact in society.

 

Ojelabi’s recognition by the Chinmaya Foundation further reinforces his contributions to the media industry and his commitment to fostering positive change.

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Society

Court adjourns Ooni’s ex-queen Naomi, others’ murder trial

Published

2 days ago

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January 28, 2025

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The former wife of the Ooni of Ife, Naomi Silekunola; the Chairman of an Ibadan-based broadcasting station, Oriyomi Hamzat; and the Principal of Islamic High School, Basorun, Abdulahib Fasasi, appeared again on Monday before the Chief Magistrate Court in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The trio face four counts, bordering on conspiracy, murder, manslaughter, and negligence, in connection with the deaths of 35 children during a stampede at a Christmas funfair held on December 18, 2024.

Previously, they were held on a Golden charge by the same court but were granted bail on legal grounds after their counsel argued that a holden charge is neither recognised nor valid under Nigerian law.

The case, slated for mention on Monday, was adjourned by the Chief Magistrate until March 24, 2025.

Speaking with journalists, Hamzat’s counsel, Dapo Akinosi, explained: “The matter today was actually slated for mention because when they were arraigned initially, it was on a holden charge, which is not recognised by our law. They were remanded in prison as a result of that charge.

“We subsequently applied to the High Court, where bail was granted to the defendants. Legal advice has now been issued, and the proper information has been filed against them. However, they are yet to be served with the information.

“Today, we came to court so that the charge here could be withdrawn. Since their plea has not yet been taken at the High Court, we requested a longer adjournment to allow proper proceedings, including plea-taking at the High Court, before the case can be concluded at the Magistrate Court.”

 

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