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Apologise for ridiculing Oyo monarchs, Afenifere tells Obasanjo

Published

8 months ago

September 28, 2023

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Pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has taken a swipe at former President Olusegun Obasanjo for allegedly undermining traditional institutions in Yoruba land.

The group, while frowning at what they perceived as a disrespectful attitude towards monarchs by the former president at an event in Oyo State, demanded an apology from Obasanjo, asking him to recognise and rectify the disrespectful manner he treated the royal fathers.

Obasanjo, in a viral video recently, was seen commanding traditional rulers in Oyo State to stand up and greet the state Governor, Seyi Makinde, at a function in Iseyin.

In a communiqué issued after a meeting held at the Akure residence of the national leader of the organisation, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, the group emphasised the immense respect that the Yoruba people hold for their traditional institutions, with traditional rulers being seen as the cornerstone of the institutions.

The communiqué, which was signed by the group’s National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi, emphasised that such actions undermine the essence of the traditional institutions that have long been cherished by the Yoruba people, adding that a public apology is necessary to restore the honour and dignity of the traditional rulers, who were subjected to such treatment.

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Afenifere also stated that Yoruba should be made compulsory for pupils and students as a way of preserving the cultural heritage of the Yoruba people.

The group said: “In order to ensure the survival of Yoruba as the most important element of Yoruba culture, Yoruba should be the medium of instruction from Primary One to Three.

“Thereafter, it should become a compulsory subject for every pupil in primary school and for every student in secondary school. It must be offered as one of the compulsory subjects in the school certificate examinations.”

The organisation also lamented insecurity and banditry in the country and called on the Federal Government to take some decisive steps.

The communique also reads: “On insecurity and banditry, the meeting called on the Federal Government and security agencies to be more decisive and more pro-active. Four approaches are hereby recommended for immediate consideration and action.

“Immediate deployment of anti-terrorism devices and proper motivation of security personnel; immediate engagement of local leaders in areas where insecurity is rife. Reports have it that leaders in those areas are somehow complicit in how bandits succeed in their nefarious activities.”

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Related Topics:Afenifere Monarchs Obasanjo

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JUST IN: Tinubu, Shettima to pay toll at airport gates

Published

8 hours ago

May 14, 2024

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President Bola Tinubu and Vice-President Kashim Shettima will now pay the required toll whenever they use the gates at airports.

Festus Keyamo, minister of aviation, announced this to journalists after the federal executive council (FEC) meeting chaired by Tinubu at the presidential villa in Abuja on Tuesday.

Keyamo said he presented two memos which were approved by the council.

Details later…

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Tinubu suspends 0.5% cybersecurity levy

Published

8 hours ago

May 14, 2024

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President Bola Tinubu has suspended the 0.5 percent cybersecurity levy after criticism and protest trailed the announcement.

Mohammed Idris, minister of information and national orientation, announced the suspension.

Idris said Tinubu directed the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to suspend the implementation and review the modalities for its implementation.

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Minister to sue Niger speaker over plans to ‘marry off’ 100 girls, says it’s ‘totally unacceptable’

Published

15 hours ago

May 14, 2024

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Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, minister of women affairs, has petitioned the inspector-general of police (IGP) and sought a court injunction to halt the marriage of 100 girls in Niger state.

Abdulmalik Sarkindaji, speaker of the Niger state house of assembly, announced last week that he would sponsor the wedding of 100 girls, some of whom were orphaned by insurgency, as part of his Maringa constituency project.

He said he had procured materials for the event scheduled for May 24, and promised to pay dowries for the bridegrooms.

Following the outcry that trailed the announcement, the speaker explained that he was only financing the wedding — not forcing the girls into marriage.

However, Kennedy-Ohanenye said the plan is unacceptable, and that the future of the girls should be a priority.

Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Monday, the minister said a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the issue will be carried out.

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She said the ministry will take responsibility for the girls’ education and vocational training.

“I want to let the honorable speaker of house in Niger state know that this is totally unacceptable by Federal Minister Of Women Affairs and by the government,” Kennedy-Ohanenye said.

“Because there is something called the Child’s Right Act and I said it from the onset, that is no more business as usual.

“These children must be considered, their future must be considered, the future of the children to come out of their marriage must be considered.

“So I have gone to court. I have written him a letter and written a petition to the IG of police.

“And I have filed for injunction to stop him from whatever he is planning to do on the 24th, until a thorough investigation is carried out on those girls, find out whether they gave their consent, their ages, find out the people marrying them.

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“As the speaker did not think about empowering these women or sending them to school or giving them some kind of training support financially.

“The women affairs have decided to take it up and we are going to educate the children.

“Those that do not want to go to school, we will train them in a skill, empower them with sustainable empowerment machines to enable that child build his or her life and make up her mind who and when to get married.

“If for any reason the speaker tries to do contrary to what I have just mentioned, there will be a serious legal battle between him and the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs.”

The minister added that based on the Child Rights Act, every child belongs to the state, hence the rights of every child will be protected from harm and violence.