Abiodun Williams, Counsel to Chief Ramon Adedoyin, the embattled owner of Hilton Hotels Honours, Ile-Ife where a lodger, Timothy Adegoke Oludare allegedly died has raised fresh alarm on the circumstances surrounding the Late OAU postgraduate student's death. In a letter to Osun state Commissioner of Police dated 26th November, 2021, as obtained by The PUNCH on Saturday, the lawyer posited that going by the information at his disposal, the late Adegoke was buried by officials of the Department of Public Health, Ife Central Local Government, Ile-Ife after having secured a clearance from the police in one of the local Divisions. This is in contrast to the previous report that the corpse of the 37-year-old OAU master's student was allegedly buried by the Hotel staffers after having been reportedly found dead in the room where he was lodging. “From the information flying around in Ile-Ife, there is a strong suggestion that contrary to the claim as aforesaid, it was the o

Samson Adelugba Dr. Ramon Adedoyin I have immense respect for the sanctity of human life; both young and old regardless of social status and I do not pray that the fate that befell the family of late Adegoke Timothy befalls anyone close to me. One needs to see the aged woman he left behind, I doubt if she had taken any substance since the reality dawned on her that her beloved son, the bread winner of the family is never to be seen again.  The tragedy was one incident too many and only God Almighty could grant the bereaved family, the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss. Sad is indeed an understatement. It is really pitiful and painful. How would the wife cope with three kids living with the trauma of the circumstances surrounding the death of her partner, a co-pilot who knew the destination better.  Everything now lies on her shoulders, in few months time, the public would be busy with another trending topic but the wife will continue to live with the good-old-days memor

The Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Arole Oduduwa Olofin Adimula, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, was on Sunday honoured with a Degree of Doctor of Letters, Honoris Causa, by the Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD). The honour was part of the programmes lined up in commemoration of the institution's 12 years of establishment and 9th Convocation Ceremony. According to the institution, Ooni Ogunwusi who is the Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, was so considered because of his immeasurable contribution to the development of education in Nigeria, particularly through ABUAD. In his acceptance speech, the Ooni lauded the University, especially it's proprietor, Aare Afe Babalola who is a legal luminary, calling for the institutionalization of the founder's lofty dreams and ideologies towards the advancement of education in Nigeria and Africa. "We can have like an institute for the Afe Babalola Theories, for our children and the generation yet u

The Nigerian National Commission for Museums and Monuments has recovered three of the stolen Nigerian artworks from the Metropolitan Museum of Art(MET) in New York. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the artworks which included, two 16th-century brass plaques, depicting a Warrior Chief and and a Junior Court Official belonging to the Benin as well as one 14th-century Ife head were received by the Director-General, National Commission for Museums and Monuments(NCMM), Prof. Abba Tijjani in company of the Consul-General of Nigeria in New York, Amb. Lot Egopija. According to NAN, the MET currently houses about 160 works of arts from Nigeria, which were mostly donated by individuals said to have acquired them from the art market. Tijjani in the report commended the museum for returning the artefacts to Nigeria while urging other museums in possession of Nigerian artefacts to follow suit. The meeting also featured the NCMM signing a Memorandum of Understanding(MoU) with the MET

A group under the aegis of Ife Legacy Foundation has insisted that the City of Ife remains a safe place for all people to live and do business. This reaction came in the midst of the news of an alleged murder of one Mr Timothy Adegoke Oludare, a master's student of Obafemi Awolowo University , a government owned University in the ancient city. The group in a communique on Tuesday with the title "A COMMUNIQUE ON BEHALF OF IFE COMMUNITY ON THE TRAGIC DEATH OF MR TIMOTHY ADEGOKE OLUDARE", signed by its Publicity Secretary, Niyi Murele commiserated with the family and friends of Late Adegoke, adding that it would contribute everything possible within its capacity to support investigation efforts of the law enforcement agents to unravel the cause of Oludare's death and due prosecution of anybody found culpable. The group however appealed to the public to treat the matter as an isolated case without attempting to add any general colorization to the situation in re

The Osun State Office Of Transportation on Tuesday said that the State Government has ordered a reduction of road fines and rates on erring okada riders in order to cushion the effect of the prevailing economic realities on the transportation sector. This was disclosed by the Office Executive Secretary Engr. Bilal Adiat during a 3-day sensitization symposium with members of Osun Transport Marshal across the nine federal constituencies of the State. Representing the Special Adviser to the Governor on Works and Transport, Eng. Adiat charged O-TRAM Marshal members to treat okada riders with courtesy without compromising their duties. Meanwhile, The Special Adviser to Osun State Governor on Works and Transport, Engr. Hussein Toke Olaniyan had earlier in a statement in Osogbo during a meeting with seven unions of Okada Riders maintained that the registration of over 33,000 okada riders and the issuance of riders’ jackets and identification cards embarked upon by the State Government is yiel

Governor Adegboyega Oyetola The Osun State Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola has released the sum of Seven Hundred and Eight Million Naira (N708,000,000) for the payment of retirement benefits of pensioners in the state This was disclosed in a press release on Monday signed by the State Head of Service, Dr Festus Olowogboyega Oyebade as obtained by newsmen. According to the release, the sum of Five Hundred and Eight Million Naira (N508,000,000) of the released sum was approved for the payment of retired civil servants under the old pension scheme while an additional sum of One Hundred and Fifty Million Naira (N150,000,000) was approved for the payment of retirees under the contributory pensions scheme. The statement further added that an additional Fifty Million Naira was approved for the payment of gratuities of retired officers under the old pension scheme. The payment, Olowogboyega noted was part of Governor Oyetola's commitment to improve the welfare of retired civil servants and wo

The visit of the delegation from The Ooni of Ifé, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II to the city of São Paulo in Brazil on Thursday brought together leaders and influencers willing to promote the proposal of the Oduduwa Heritage Home within the project “Treasure of Our Ancestors”, an initiative of the African foremost king; Ooni Ogunwusi with the purpose of strengthening ties and building bridges that facilitate cultural, tourist and economic exchange between Brazil and Nigeria and, in particular Ile-Ifé, Cradle & Natural Headquarters of a the Yoruba people and Oduduwa Race at large. Representing His Majesty, the delegation formed by the kings Joseph Adebayo Adewole the Ajero of the kingdom of Ijero-Ekiti and Oba Kayodee Adeenekan Afolabi the Alapomu of Apomu) Chief Adekunle Sumbo the Saagba of Ogbagi Akoko, Prince Adekunle Olokooba, a specialist in traditional medicine and Comrade Moses Olafare, head of communication at the palace of the Ooni of Ifé in addition to visiting th

President Muhamadu Buhari has promised to release the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra(IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. The President stated this on Friday at the State House, Abuja while meeting with some South-East leaders under the auspices of the Highly Respected Igbo Greats led by the former Minister of Aviation, Mbazulike Amaechi to discuss matters affecting the region particularly the security situation. The President said that although, the unconditional release of Kanu may be a difficult task as it will record an inteference with the function of the Judiciary, he however expressed readiness to honour the request of the Igbo elders.

A prince of the Source and hier to the throne of Oduduwa, Prince Tadenikawo Adesoji Aderemi today turns a year old. The father, Arole Oduduwa and Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II earlier today announced the Prince birthday via his verified Facebook page @ooniadimulaife. Ooni in the post described the Prince birth as "An answer to many prayers" and prayed for him to live long to fulfil destiny.  "Prince Tadenikawo is One today!!! An answer to many prayers, you came right at the appointed time. To the glory of the Almighty, the King of Kings, you will surely live to fulfil your destiny in this world! Amin! Ase !!! Lots of Love from - Ooni Ojaja II and Olori Silekunola", the post read. Ooni had on Wednesday November 25th 2020 named Prince Tadenikawo after the 49th Ooni of Ife in the third dynasty, Late Ooni Tadenikawo Adesoji Aderemi, First African Governor of the Old Western Region.

A delegation of the Ooni of Ife, Arole Oduduwa Olofin Adimula Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II on Tuesday visited Fábrica do Samba to learn a little about Unidos de Vila Maria for Carnival 2022 in Brazil and to meet Afro Brazilian stakeholders ahead of his trip to unveil a Back-To-Home Project themed the "Precious of Our Ancestors"  The team had on Monday arrived Sao Paolo for the purpose of establishing more connections between Brazil and the African continent and to fulfill a ten-day schedule organized by Oduduwa heritage home brasil, a cultural institute based in Rio de Janeiro, whose purpose is to strengthen ties and build bridges that facilitate cultural exchange between these two countries connected by fraternal ties for centuries.  The Ooni's team formed by tow kings; Oba Joseph Adewole the Ajero of the Kingdom of Ijero (Ekiti) and Oba Kayode Adenekan Afolabi the Alapomu of Apomu (Osun), the coordinator of the team is Comrade Moses Olafare, the Ooni&#3

The International Monetary Fund(IMF) has warned the Nigerian Apex Bank, the Central Bank of Nigeria on the inherent financial dangers associated with the Country's recently launched digital currency, the eNaira.  The IMF in a release on Tuesday titled ‘Country Focus; Five Observations on Nigeria’s Central Bank Digital Currency', the international financial organization warned that the eNaira wallet may function as a deposit at the Central Bank of Nigeria thereby reducing the demand for deposits in commercial banks. The Fund in the statement pointed out some risks associated with the currency which includes but not limited to the threats it poses to monetary policy implementation, cyber security and financial integrity. “Like digital currencies elsewhere, the eNaira carries risks for monetary policy implementation, cyber security, operational resilience, and financial integrity and stability. “For example, eNaira wallets may be perceived, or even effectively function, as a depos

The Iyalaje Oodua Worldwide Princess(Dr.) Toyin Kolade was elated on Sunday for the celebration for her hubby, Prince Kayode Kolade who just added another year. Princess Kolade could not hide her excitement on her Husband's special day as she took to her social media pages to share their beautiful pictures and shower romantic birthday wishes on him. Kolade, a foremost Lagos based businesswoman and philanthropist who recently bagged an NUJ's Awards of Excellence as the 'Most Industrious Woman in Yorubaland' described her sweetheart as the "World's Best". On her Facebook page she wrote: "My All in One Oluwakayode Kolade...Ade Ori Mi, The one who Eledumare destined us to be together as Husband and Wife.. It's your birthday once again and I am super excited; like butterflies snoozing in my tummy making a rousing sound of a birthday lullaby. Indeed it's a victory song for you, cause sauntering into another age on mother earth at a time when

Comrade Moses Olafare, the Director of Media and Public Affairs to the Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II and the Iyalaje Oodua, Princess (Dr.) Toyin Kolade were both on Thursday honoured with awards of excellence by the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Ekiti State Council. Comrade Olafare bagged the 'Best Yoruba Indigenous, Traditional and Cultural Media Man of the Year' while the Iyalaje Oodua was awarded as the 'Most Industrious Woman in Yorubaland'by the Union. In his opening remark, Comrade Rotimi Ojomoyela, Chairman of the Council, described the awardees as worthy personalities who have contributed immensely to the successful practice of journalism in Nigeria. "Tonight is not for long speeches, I just want to thank you for all you have been doing and I wish to implore you not to relent in making Nigeria a better place for all through your support for journalism." Comrade Ojomoyela stated. Addressing newsmen after the event, the Ooni's sp

The Federal Government under the National Housing Programme yesterday launched an online application portal for nigerians to access affordable homes. The Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola during the official inauguration of the portal in Abuja disclosed that the housing initiative is designed to ease the challenges faced by citizens in securing decent and affordable accommodation. According to the minister, more than 5,000 housing units of different types and sizes are currently under construction, urging every nigerian to apply via the ministry's official website . "We currently have over 5,000 units at different stages of completion. The houses range from one, two and three semi-detached bungalows and one to three-bedroom flats. “The least selling price for each of these houses will be N7.2m and the highest will be N16.19m. The highest is a three-bedroom bungalow, it is not just the house but it also has land along with it. The bungalows are a little more

The Federal Government through the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has increased the cost of both single-phase and three-phase electricity meters effective from November 15, 2021. The commission announced this in a circular with reference number NERC/REG/MAP/GEN/751/2, dated November 11, 2021 and addressed to managing directors, all electricity distribution companies and all meter asset providers. According to the release titled ‘Review of the unit price of end-use meters under the Meter Asset Provider and National Mass Metering Regulations’, the new approved prices of a single-phase and a three-face metres are now N58,661.69 and N109,684.36 as against the old N44,896.17 and N82,855.19 respectively. It will be recalled that the Federal Government had in October 2020 initiated the National Mass Metering Programme in response to the increasing level of complaints received from electricity consumers in the country over the estimated billing practices.

Four Mega Schools in Osun which include Oduduwa College, Ile-Ife, Ayedaade Grammar School, Ikire; Fakunle High School, Osogbo and Akinorun Grammar School, Ikirun are billed for structural integrity test by the State Government. A team of Relevant Selected Professional Bodies in the Built Environment handling the exercise led by Engineer Sakariyau Ademola on Tuesday in a statement explained the reason for the test. An inspection of the structural integrity and sustainability on the Mega Schools, OSUN NEWSROOM reports was ordered by Governor Adegboyega Oyetola-led administration on September 28, 2021 in response to an investigative report conducted by a consultant on the Schools following the collapse of one of them in 2014 with speculations that a few others have also had some structural defects. The 2014 investigations ordered by the then Governor, Rauf Aregbesola had reportedly exposed that sub-standard materials were used for some of the buildings. The leader of the team, Engr

The Director of Media and Public Affairs, Ooni of Ife's Palace Comrade Moses Olafare has expressed sadness over the death of Late Wale Bob-Oseni, an American based Nigerian Real Estate Dealer and friend to Late Mr. Femi Osibona, Owner of the 21-storey building which collapsed in at Gerard area of Ikoyi, Lagos State on Monday last week, killing the two of them. Late Wale Bob-Oseni, the Executive Director of African Bureau for Legislative Empowerment was said to be on his way to the US when he got a call from his friend Late Femi Osibona, CEO of Fourscore Homes on that fateful day 1st of November, 2021 to come and check out the building construction work but the duo never made it alive. In a very emotional Facebook post titled "MY FRIEND WOULD HAVE STARTED SHOPPING FOR HIS 50TH BIRTHDAY IN AMERICA", Olafare expressed sadness over Oseni's demise, revealing how good a friend he was to him. Olafare while recounting his recent discussions with Late Oseni in the said