₦airaland Forum

Bayero, Tinubu, others storm Ibadan, as Olubadan confers Chieftancy titles on Ganduje, wife

Says Ibadan Chieftaincy titles not for sale but on merit

THE Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero alongside Emir of Bichi, HRH Nasiru Ado Bayero and the presidential candidate of All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other dignitaries were in attendance, on Saturday, in Ibadan as Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade II, conferred Aare Fiwajoye and Yeye Aare Fiwajoye of Ibadanland on Kano state governor and his wife, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje and Professor Hafsatu Ganduje.

Balogun said the choice of the recipients was based on merit not monetary inducement.

The Olubadan, who made the clarification at ancient Mapo hall in Ibadan, submitted that Ibadan Chieftaincy titles, either traditional or honorary, are not for sale.

Describing the title as a bridge between the South West and North West, Balogun explained that the conferment would not only further cement the bond of friendship that has long existed between Ibadan and Kano people.

He added that it would also go a long way in maintaining handshake across the Niger and engender the much sought-after unity which has turned fragile over the years.

The monarch, whose prepared speech was read by his younger brother and current Senator, representing Oyo South in the National Assembly, Kola Balogun, insisted that the choice of Ganduje and his wife, as Aare Fiwajoye and Yeye Aare Fiwajoye of Ibadanland, was not induced financially.

According to him: “On today’s event, which is the first of its kind under this dispensation, the likely question to be asked is why Gandujes? And my response is if not Gandujes, who else could be?

“As I have had cause to say on occasions that Ibadan Chieftaincy titles, either traditional or honorary would not be for sale, I must make it clear that the choice of His Excellency and Her Excellency as Aare Fiwajoye and Yeye Aare Fiwajoye of Ibadanland was not induced financially.

“By the time I spell out the factors that came into play for their choice, you would agree with the choice. I want to put it on record that, but for our brother, Oba Yoruba Kano, Alhaji Engr. Muritala Alimi Otisese, Adetimirin-1, mine and the paths of today’s chiefs might have not crossed. It was this brother of us, who is also a ‘shon of the shoil’ that introduced the Kano state first couple to the palace.

“From the Oba Yoruba Kano, we got to know how detribalized the Kano State Chief Executive is alongside his wife. We were made to know how supportive our guests were to the aspiration and eventual emergence of our brother as Oba Yoruba Kano about two years ago.

“A man of peace, Dr. Ganduje it was who came down to Ibadan when there was a clash between Hausa traders and the people of Sasa at Sasa Market the other time to calm the frayed nerves and peace was restored.

“Let me sum up it up with two paragraphs from the letter of recommendation by Oba Yoruba Kano thus: Bestowing a befitting Chieftaincy title on the hardworking and amiable governor with his wife will be a reward for a man who has been compassionate to us as a people and who believes that any Nigerian can stay and work in any part of the country without molestation or denial of basic things of life.” Balogun added.

He noted that he had not made a wrong choice by honouring them with chieftaincy titles.

In his goodwill message, a presidential candidate of All Progressives Congress, APC, and former governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, thanked Olubadan for promoting peace, unity and harmony among Nigerians.

In his speech after the conferment, the new Aare Fiwajoye, Ganduje, said the chieftancy tittle bestowed on them will further promote regional integration.

He said the honour would boost the bond between Ibadan and Kano states whom he described as the two oldest largest cities in the country.

Ganduje, therefore, encouraged Nigerians to allow their children to engage in inter tribal and ethnic marriages so as to promote the peaceful co existence in Nigeria.

Other dignataries include Governor Seyi Makinde, whose Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Bayo Lawal stood in for, Oyo APC governorship candidate, Senator Teslim Folarin, state party Chairman, Hon. Isaac Omodewu and former Minister of Communication, Barrister Bayo Shittu among others.

Mynd44:
https://techcrunch.com/2022/02/16/african-fintech-flutterwave-triples-valuation-to-over-3b-after-250m-series-d/


https://flutterwave.com/us/blog/its-still-day-1-in-africa

Dudu Heritage, husband of popular Nollywood actress, Bimbo Oshin, is dead.

Born Ola Ibironke, the socialite died on Sunday evening. However, the cause of his death is unknown.


Confirming the news to The PUNCH, Jaiye Kuti, a close friend and colleague of Bimbo Oshin, simply said, “Yes, he has died. He died last night.”

Also, a source close to the family confirmed his demise. When The PUNCH reached out to the actress, her number was switched off.

BLAISECAMPAORE:
South West minus Lagos N142b is still less than North-West's N147 Billion without Abuja and this is despite the insecurity. Lagos's biggest taxpayer is still from the NW (Dangote).

Without Lagos as walking stick, SW only beats the South East and war-torn NE.

TB Joshua Died Day He Asked For Bank Account To Pay N200m Ransom – Head Teacher, Parents

After the release of over 90 kidnapped pupils of Salihu Islamic school, Tegina, Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State, the Head Teacher, Alhassan Garba Abubakar and other parents have said that they wished the late Prophet Temitope Balogun Joshua, also known as T.B Joshua, was still alive to receive the children after his role.

While confirming that the late Prophet had offered to pay the ransom but died the day he asked for the details of the school’s account, Abubakar said: “The Man of God intended to transfer the N200 million ransom and he prayed for us and for the release of the children”.

It should be recalled that the state government had refused to pay ransom to the kidnappers, because they (bandits) often used the money to buy more sophisticated weapons with which they terrorise the people according to the government.

The Head Teacher, Alhassan, who expressed mixed feelings over the release of the children after a long stay in the hands of the bandits, said: “Even though we could not get the promised money, we really appreciate T.B Joshua.”

While disclosing that ransoms were paid to secure the freedom of the abductees, some parents expressed no regrets for whatever amount they paid to the bandits that ensured the safe release of their children.

According to Abubakar: “Except for the child that we lost, we thank Allah that all of them returned alive and well.” He was, however, evasive over the amount of the ransom paid saying: “I meant the ones gathered by the parents and well-meaning people; it does not mean the state government did.”

Some other parents, who were ecstatic, appreciated God for the safe release of their children and thanked everyone that played one role or the other.

One of the parents, who spoke to our Correspondent on the basis of anonymity, thanked God for the safe return of the children and added: “We do not pray that this happens again or to any parent. It was a painful and traumatic experience for all of us.”

He described the 89 days his children stayed with the bandits as the most agonizing period of his life, especially not knowing if they were alive or dead.

Accordingly, he said: “Every day we woke up with pain. Some of us parents as a result of this issue became hypertensive. But we thank God that the ransoms kept our children alive until they were finally rescued.

Even though we sold our valuables, we are happy our children returned back home alive. We thank God for Prophet T.B Joshua for his role because when he told us that he will pay the N200 million ransom we were so happy but later heard that he died that same day we were to send our bank details.”

The Proprietor of Islamic School, Mallam Idris Umar and father of a nine-year-old boy that died in captivity said though he was happy with the safe return of the pupils, he, however, is pained by his inability to give his son a proper burial.

Umar, whose five children were among the 91 children kidnapped, told journalists in Minna: “Although, I see the death of my child as the will of God, I would have been more fulfilled if the child had died at home.

“This would have given me the opportunity to give him a befitting burial. I thank Allah that the others are alive and also other children that were kidnapped. Their continued stay with the bandits was a traumatic experience for all of us.

“But despite all that happened, today everyone is happy over the release of the entire children. We thank God that all our pains and sufferings are over.”

While narrating their ordeal, one of the released children, who gave his name as Musa, claimed that the day they were kidnapped, they trekked for hours without food or water to drink and they crossed many villages.

According to Musa, who spoke in Hausa language: “We trekked for days without food or water. We only rested a little when the bandits noticed that we were tired and afterwards continued.

And it was so difficult since we had to carry the little ones on the back as they could no longer walk because they were weak and tired before we finally got to the hideouts of the bandits in the forest.

“Since we got kidnapped, we never took our bath. We were fed with small amounts of Indomie or beans in our hands. Some days, we stayed hungry as there was nothing to eat.

We were kept together in one small room in the forest. Sometimes, we are beaten if we try to complain of hunger or ask questions. We thank God we are alive and reunited with our families.”