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Ooni hosts Awori people at Ife, celebrates Olofin Ogunfunminire, wants Yoruba to immortalize him

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The Arole Oduduwa & Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwunsi, Ojaja II on Wednesday played host to hundreds of the indigenes of Awori who are descendants of Olofin Ogunfunminire in Lagos and Ogun states to celebrate their progenitor, Olofin Ogunfunminire who was a Sooko in Ile-Ife before his departure hundreds of years ago.

Prominent traditional rulers from Ile Ife and others joined the Awori people and traditional rulers led the Ojomu of Ajiran in Lagos state, Oba Adetunji Akinloye who is also the Chairman of Awori Council of Obas to celebrate Olofin Ogunfunminire.

According to history, Olofin Ogunfunminire was founder of the Awori who together with his followers left the palace of Oduduwa (founder of the Yoruba) in Ile-Ife and migrated southward along a river. Oduduwa had given Olofin a mud plate and instructed him to place it on the water and follow it until it sank into the river which would signal where they would settle down. In accordance with Yoruba custom, they brought their beadedcrown along with them from Ile Ife.

While celebrating Olofin Ogunfunminire, Ooni Ogunwusi called for peace and unity of Yoruba race.

The African foremost monarch stated this at Afewonro Park, Enuwa, Ile-Ife at this year’s Ileya Omo Odua programme which brought home Ife descendants of Awori from Lagos.

Ooni said he will always reference Lagos   because that is the place his business empire blossom till he became the spiritual head of Yoruba globally.

He added that Olofin Ogunfunminire was a prince from Ife who was very vibrant, brave and courageous.

Ooni expressed further that when Ogunfunminirewas leaving Ife for Lagos, he drank water from Yeyemolu sacred well located at the palace and was subsequently blessed by Ogun at Ile-Ase which is called (Ogun Ladin) and fortune smiled on him as he bears the name Olofin Ogunfunminire.

Ooni Ogunwusi who described the Awori people as the custodians of the entire African continent’s wealth, noted that Ooni Aribiwoso who was on the throne when Olofin Ogunfunminire left Ile Ife acknowledged his God given potentials.

Ooni who conducted the monarchs and indigenes of Awori kingdom round notable dieties in Ife like the Yeyemolu well, Ile Ase (House of Authority), Idi Aje and others, described Olofin Ogunfunminire as a major player in the history of the Yoruba race.

Oba Adeyeye explained that the first Olofin Ogunfunminire Day celebration organized by the Asiwaju (Dr.) Michael Olawale Cole led committee is a great innovation, calling on the descendants of Olofin Ogunfunminire to uphold it.

In his speech as the Chairman at the occasion, the Asiwaju of Aworis, Dr Michael Olawale-Cole, praised Ooni Ogunwusi for his continual strive to make the world a peace haven for all and sundry, describing him as the father to whom the entire people of Awori remain very loyal.

Olawale-Cole said as overall father of the race, the Arole Oduduwa is undeniably focused on fostering peace and unity amongst all descendants of Oduduwa, saying the monarch is indeed the leading light of progress for the Yoruba race and Africa in general.He added that Ooni has touched the deepest part of every Awori and Olofin descendants’ heart with this special Home-Coming festival.

He called on all Yoruba race to support Ooni in uplifting the culture and traditional heritage of the source, as is the only way out for the progress.

In his reaction, Olofin of Isheri, Oba Nurudeen Adekambi described the event as a much expected home coming for all Awori descendants, expressing his joy over the event. Oba Nurudeen who thanked the Ooni for providing a palatable atmosphere for the Awori children described the monarch as a unique father.

In the same vein, Osolo of Isolo, Oba Kabiru Adelaja referred to Ile Ife as the true source of the world, saying he and his brothers from the Awori land are currently at home. Oba Kabiru simply said, “Everything started here.”

Olota of Ota in Ogun state, Oba (Prof.) Adeyeni Obalanlege, Alagbado of Agbado, Oba Shyllon Shogunro, Onikotun of Otun Ota, Oba Abdul-Akeem Odunaro, and other monarchs who are descendants of Olofin Ogunfunminire fully attended the ceremony with tens of their subjects, monarchs, Princes and monarchs of Ile Ife.

Olofin Ogunfunminire Day is currently in its second day as it is a four day event which commenced on Tuesday, December 4, 2018 and it is scheduled to end on Saturday, December 8, 2018.

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Nigeria committed to ensure security, peace in West Africa – Akpabio

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The President of the Senate, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, has restated Nigeria’s commitment to ensuring peace and security in West Africa.

Akpabio said this on Thursday in Abuja at the opening of the international roundtable on Parliamentary Security Sector Governance.

The roundtable was organised by National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) in collaboration with Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS).

The roundtable drew lawmakers from Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso and Ghana.

Represented by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Navy, Sen. Daniel Gbenga, Akpabio recommend synergy among countries in the sub-region to address insecurity.

“Nigeria is a country that is willing and determined to ensure that the West Africa sub- region enjoys peace, security, shared prosperity in our developmental goals.

“In order to mitigate the challenges already identified, it is important to properly address insecurity in the West African sub region.

“This can be done through deep cooperation and deliberate policies and laws by our parliament, as well as empower the parliament to assume full legislative powers,” he said.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas, said the security sector plays a pivotal role in ensuring peace, stability, and development within any nation.

Represented by the Deputy Speaker, Rep. Benjamin Kalu, Abbas said effective governance and reform of the security sector were essential for upholding the rule of law, protecting human rights, and safeguarding democratic principles.

“In this regard, the role of parliament is indispensable as it serves as a key institution for oversight, legislation, and budgetary control over the security sector.

“I urge all stakeholders present to consider practical strategies for enhancing parliamentary engagement in security sector governance.

“This may involve developing specialised training programs for parliamentarians on security related matters, establishing robust mechanisms for information sharing between security agencies and parliamentary committees.

“Also for fostering a culture of dialogue and cooperation between the executive and legislative branches on security policy formulation,” he said.

The Director-General, NILDS, Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman said that in recent times, West Africa faced a scourge of terrorism, insurgency, and transnational crime.

He said that the menace presented formidable threats to the collective peace and stability of the region.

According to him, security issues, including illicit trafficking and the movement of armed groups, further compound the complexities.

“We must confront these urgently; internal conflicts, driven by various factors, pose additional challenges that require our immediate attention.

“More recently, the series of military coups that have taken place in and around our region which remains a threat to peace, the rule of law and democratic stability within the region.

“As legislators, you stand at the forefront of crafting responses to these challenges.

“The laws and policies you shape must not only address the immediate threats but also lay the foundation for sustainable security sector governance and reform,” he said.

Sulaiman said the roundtable provided an opportunity to pool insights, share best practices, and develop legislative frameworks that are responsive to the unique security dynamics of West Africa.

Peran said that there has been a spread of terrorism and violent extremism with terrorist groups becoming more and more sophisticated.

“Wave to try to understand better why the security situation is so complex and what can be done to improve it in a sustainable fashion said the Resident Rep of KAS, Ms Marija Peran.

According to her, security sector reforms and governance plays a vital role in stabilising the region.

She said they had also been recognised as an essential precondition not only for conflict prevention, post-conflict reconstruction and peace-building but in general for good governance.

“Security sector reforms, repurposing of security institutions and agencies, improved interagency cooperation and effective oversight of the security sector are critical enablers to create the peaceful and secure Africa,” she said.

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Senate threatens to step down NCoS budget over insufficient information

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The Senate has threatened to step down consideration on the 2024 budget of the Nigerian Correctional Services (NCoS) over insufficient information

Sen. Adams Oshiomhole, the Chairman,Senate Committee on Interior, Sen.Adams Oshiomole, said this said this at the 2024 budget defence of the National Assembly Joint Committee on Interior on Thursday in Abuja.

Oshiomole said he was unhappy with the services being rendered to inmates by the NCoS.

“Your organisation has transformed from Nigeria Prison Service to Nigerian Correctional Service but you have yet to change in your attitudes toward inmates.

“It’s not just your fault because the government appropriates little money for you, it is either you don’t feed the inmates or you feed them only once and even at that, very miserable food.

“This is why they have completely emaciated and some can never live a decent life again even when they did not commit an offence.

“You all know the price of food items in the market, so how can you look us eye to eye and tell us that you feed a man in Nigeria with N750 a day, how much is a bottle of water,” he said.

He said that the committee would not be in a haste to approve any budget for the service until it received satisfactory answers.

He requested for a breakdown of the number of inmates and security dogs at the correctional centers and how they were fed daily.

“I would like to see a breakdown of how you feed the inmates. If you say you feed inmates three times a day with N250 each.

“How many dogs do you have and how much does it cost to feed them daily,” he said.

Responding, the NCS Comptroller General, Alhaji Haliru Nababa, said the service had a total of 81,358 inmates nationwide, saying that 53,362 of the inmates were awaiting trial.

“We feed each inmate with N750 daily and they are fed three times daily (N250 for each square meal).

“We have 900 security dogs and to feed a dog each day we spend N800,” he said.

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Army Chief tasks NASS on funding

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Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, the Chief of Army Staff, has appealed to the National Assembly to review the current envelope budgeting system of the Federal Government to ensure adequate funding for the Nigerian Army.

Lagbaja said this when he appeared before the National Assembly Joint Committee on Nigerian Army on Thursday in Abuja.

He said that the envelope system had led to inadequate funding for the Nigerian Army, especially its anti terrorism operation and other operations across the country.
Lagbaja also called on the national assembly to expedite action on the passage of the Armed Forces Support Trust Fund Bill, saying that the passage would enhance the operations of the Armed Forces, through improved funding.
The Chairman, of the Joint Committee, Sen. Abdulaziz Yar’ adua assured of transparency in the handling of the Nigerian Army 2024 budget.

He comended Lagbaja for taking responsibility for the bombing of Kaduna villagers and taking steps to investigate the matter.

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