A massive wind is blowing in Oyo state and like a chicken caught in the wind, the feathers could no longer cover the Governor’s rump. The Governor Of Oyo state is trending seriously these days and for so many wrong reasons. Health workers in Oyo state Hospitals have been on strike for two months. The recruitment exercise in the Oyo state Road Maintenance Agency has become an issue where those who have been working for the Agency for the past five years on a temporary basis have been alleging scam in the process of permanent employment. Governor Makinde also stirred…
Author: Editor-in-chief
The Book of Mark, chapter 8 verse 36 says, ” what does it profit a man to gain the whole world but forfeits his soul”? That is the question Governor Makinde, the Chairman of the Oyo state Independent Electoral Commission, OYSIEC and perhaps the Election Tribunal ought to be asking themselves at present. The 2024 Local Government Election in Oyo state, just like that of 2021 was characterized by ugly events that are better forgotten. Both elections brought out the beasts in the main characters saddled with crucial responsibilities and also exposed the genuine characters of certain individuals who were…
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state looks like he has completely lost his mind as a result of the shock he received from the outcome of the Legal tussle between the Federal Government and the 36 State Governors. The babies have been slapped and the cries have been loud but the baby in Oyo state has refused to be placated and is ready to pull down the country. He is not only crying. He is wailing and spoiling for war against not only the Supreme Court but also against the Federal Government and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of…
These are not the best of times for the Governor of Oyo state, Seyi Makinde. The Governor is hurting most especially, on two fronts. The Judgment of the Supreme court of Nigeria which took away the plate of sumptuous meats from him and the retreat he was forced to beat on the issue of the Installation of the Olubadan, Oba Owolabi Olakuleyin are a double dose of shock that is sending jitters to the spine of the Governor. In all honesty, you have to pity and sympathize with Governor Makinde. Since the day he has been eating from the glass…
In the year 2000, whilst I was Features Editor of the Nigerian Tribune and a budding columnist with the newspaper, a friend from the PUNCH alerted me that a hunt for my “head” was in the offing. He narrated how it began. Chairman of the newspaper, Chief Ajibola Ogunsola, suddenly walked into one of the newspaper’s editorial meetings and declared me wanted. He was said to have declared his admiration for my writings and asked that I be head-hunted. The man he saddled with that responsibility was the highly respected columnist and editor of the newspaper, Azubuike Ishiekwene. It was…
The Iloko, offspring of Arelu, (Iloko Omo Arelu) are held in awe in Yorubaland. For a people who fought one another in internecine wars that began in 1793 and lasted for almost a century, Yoruba give effusion of reverences to people with unusual bravery. Their reverence for the Iloko however comes from this clan’s queer and odd brand of bravery: Spillage of blood. The Iloko earned their renown from decapitation of heads. They cut off human heads with magisterial finish, holding the familial history of being the king’s executioner. In ancient England, as execution of enemies of the monarchy was…
After an unusual tumultuous build up, instigated by Governor Seyi Makinde, Oba Olakuleyin was eventually Installed and presented with the Staff and Instruments of office yesterday, 13th July, 2024. Naturally, Ibadan should be relieved and allowed to enjoy the reign of the Monarch in peace but like Jogunomi, Governor Makinde would have none of that. He chose the occassion of the Installation to start another controversies, this time around, a bare knuckle fight against the person he had targeted all along, the Otun Olubadan of Ibadan Land, His Excellency, High Chief Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja. An amendment to section 4 of…
When we were growing up, we were used to the analogy of our parents about someone who consoled himself after failing in a struggle with others over an issue and thereafter resigned to fate that only the Grace of God is unlimited. On such occassions, our parents would say, ” eni ti owo e o ba ijagudu nii pe ko sohun to ndun tii tan, a fi ola Olorun”. I saw Governor Makinde’s reaction to the Supreme court judgment granting full Autonomy to Local Governments and I laughed till some pleasant tears were rolling from my eyes. Governor Makinde in…
Gbanjo is a Yoruba way of calling attention of buyers to a product marked for sale. When Yorubas say ” maa luu ni gbanjo”, be sure that the subject of discourse is sure to be sold. Such products, in most cases are sold at undervalued prices. Barring any last minute change of mind, which is very unlikely, Governor Seyi Makinde will sell off the Eruwa Farm Settlement! From very reliable sources, the Farm settlement will be sold off to Chinese buyers most likely at some ” gbanjo” price. The issue of the pricing is not even the issue here. It…
One of the reasons I enjoyed reading Chinua Achebe’s books is the richness in African traditional proverbs and his usual mix of the Igbo language in his writings. Through him, I have been able to grasp the meanings of some Igbo words. In his book, Things Fall Apart, there is one Igbo word that came to my mind this evening while I was ruminating on the terrible situation Nigeria and Nigerians have currently found themselves under the watch of president Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The Igbo word sounds hilarious somehow but it’s meaning carries a negative weight. It is ” efulefu”.…