Afenifere, the pan-Yoruba socio-political organization, has condemned Nigeria’s former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, for ordering some monarchs in Yoruba land to stand up and sit down during an occasion.

Obasanjo, some weeks ago asked the monarchs, who attended a road inauguration, in Iseyin, Oyo State, to stand up and sit down when he and Governor Seyi Makinde entered the venue of the event.

To that end, the Afenifere demanded the former president apologize unequivocally to the allegedly insulted monarchs.

This was part of the resolutions of the association contained in a communique issued at the end of its monthly meeting, on Wednesday. The meeting was held at the residence of the National Leader of the group, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, in Akure, Ondo State capital.

The communique was read by the Publicity Secretary of the association, Mr Jare Ajayi.

The communique read in part, “Afenifere was taken aback by the avoidable and unwarranted incident that took place at Iseyin, Oyo State on Friday, September 15, 2023, where former President Olusegun Obasanjo commanded Royal Fathers at the gathering to stand up (and after complying), were ordered to sit down. It was as though a military commander was giving orders to his troops.

“We Yorubas respect our traditional institutions, the arrowhead of which, are our traditional rulers, who, traditionally and spiritually, have acquired the status of deities. It’s not surprising that they are referred to as ‘Igbakeji Orisa’! (Second in command to the god).

“In view of the attempt to ridicule the respected Obaship institution in Yorubaland, Afenifere hereby demands an unreserved public apology to Obas from former President Olusegun Obasanjo. Our tradition describes who we are.

“As such, no effort must be spared to prevent the rubbishing of our noble tradition. In that wise, it’s hereby recommended that royal fathers are spared the trouble to stand up at public functions as obtained in the United Kingdom among others.”

On insecurity and banditry, the Afenifere called on the Federal Government and security agencies in the country to be more decisive and more proactive in tackling insecurity in the country.

The group stated, “Four approaches are hereby recommended for immediate deployment of anti-terrorism devices and proper motivation of security personnel as well as immediate engagement of local leaders in areas where insecurity is rife.

“Deliberate efforts should be made to get the youths gainfully engaged so as to make them unavailable for anti-social and inhuman activities.

“Cases of banditry and terrorism be discharged expeditiously. Perpetrators of banditry should be made to pay heavy prices.”

Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, has relieved the heads of 21 parastatals, agencies, and government companies of the FCT Administration of their appointments with immediate effect.

Mr Anthony Ogunleye, Director of Press, Office of the Minister stated this in a press statement in Abuja on Wednesday.

Ogunleye identified the affected heads of the agencies as follows:

1.     Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Abuja Investment Company Ltd

2.     CEO/Managing Director, Abuja Markets Management Ltd

3.     MD/CEO, Abuja Urban Mass Transport Company

4.     CEO/MD, Abuja Property Development Company

5.     CEO/MD, Abuja Technology Village Free Trade Zone Company

6.     CEO/MD, Abuja Film Village International

7.     CEO/MD, Powernoth AICL Equipment Leasing Company Ltd

8.     MD, Abuja Broadcasting Corporation

9.     MD, Abuja Enterprise Agency

10. General Manager, FCT Water Board

11. Director-General, FCT Emergency Management Agency

12. Executive Secretary, FCT Primary Healthcare Board

13. DG, Hospital Management Board

14. Director, Abuja Environmental Protection Board

15. Director, FCT Scholarship Board

16. Director, FCT Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board

17. Director, Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board

18. Coordinator, Abuja Infrastructure Investment Center

19. Director, FCT Health Insurance Scheme

20. Coordinator, Satellite Towns Development Department

21. Coordinator, Abuja Metropolitan Management Council

The director of the press said that the affected appointees should hand over the affairs of their offices to the most senior officers in rank.

He added that appointments in the offices would be made in due course.

Credit: NAN

Azeez Fashola alias Naira Marley, a Nigerian artist, has stated that he is willing to return to Nigeria to clear his name in the death of his former label signee, Mohbad.

Naira Marley made the revelation during an interview with social media influencer Reno Omokri on Wednesday.

Since Mohbad’s death, there has been social media outcry as various videos emerged showing the late singer accusing Naira Marley of orchestrating his gang-beating.

Again, in his first interview since the saga began, the label boss stated that there is a lot of mob poisoned by the media against his person and stated that he will return to the nation if the authorities guarantee his safety.

He also alleged that Mohbad struggled with suicidal thoughts while he was alive.

He said, “There was another time when I was in America and his girl called me to say he locked himself in the toilet and he wanted to kill himself or something like that. So, I called him from there and recorded the conversation, asking him: “Why did you want to kill yourself? You are a king, if your family is stressing you out(because this time, he was with his family and all his family was around him) just tell them to chill, you can do what you want to do, do not stress yourself, if you kill yourself now, what do you want people to say.

“I was so concerned so I called him to try to give him rest of mind, if your family is stressing you out, leave.”

“He wanted to commit suicide, in the video, I was just trying to find out what was wrong with him.”

“If the security agencies can guarantee my safety, I will be in Nigeria for investigations”

– Naira Marley pic.twitter.com/NyKX0zq2tH

— 🐬 @𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗷𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗯𝗼𝘆 (@OneJoblessBoy) September 27, 2023