God is kind to Ekiti for making Oyebanji Governor, says Fayose.

God is kind to Ekiti for making Oyebanji Governor, says Fayose.

….pays courtesy visit to new Ekiti Governor.

…Minister of State for Transportation, Adegoroye hails new governor.

Former Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose, on Monday paid a courtesy visit to the incumbent Governor of the State, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, in his office in Ado-Ekiti.

Fayose said he was in the office on a congratulatory visit to Governor Oyebanji who was inaugurated on October 16th, and to also express his condolences on the passing of the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Funminiyi Afuye.

Fayose who was received by Governor Oyebanji at the front of the Governor’s Office, urged Ekiti people to support the new administration so that he can improve the economic situation of the State and deliver on his promises to move the State forward. 

The former Governor said God was kind to Ekiti State to have made Oyebanji the Governor, describing the incumbent Governor as a listening and pragmatic leader, who is well prepared to offer diligent and excellent service.

He said Governor Oyebanji had started very well judging by some of the steps he had taken so far, adding that the support of the people is what is needed so he can do more.

The former Governor who said he was ready to offer his support and counsel at all time, maintained that the Governor needed good advice from well-meaning leaders and citizens of the state on the best way to move the state forward, in the face of global economic crisis.

 "You are now the face of Ekiti, you need everybody to gather advice, you need good counselling, especially in a state where some people are looking for manners from above. I will continue to offer my advice, when we have observations we call you to tell you.

"Support this Governor, he's not the Governor of APC, he's not the Governor of PDP, though he contested under his party but he's now the governor of Ekiti State. So, he needs all the support to succeed, and I know he shall succeed, because he has started very well.

"I am not here to play politics, I am a PDP man when it is time for election. I will fight you but right now you are the face of our State. You are the governor of our State. What I have seen of you is that you are a listening governor, you are well prepared to serve."

Governor Oyebanji, who had earlier received the Minister of State for Transportation, Prince Ademola Adegoroye, in his office, appreciated ex-Governor Fayose for the visit, describing it as historic.

He said the visit was a demonstration of the fact that the interest of Ekiti State is paramount regardless of political affiliation. “That is what by elder brother, former Governor Ayodele Fayose has demonstrated today. And we thank him for this. 

“I will surely need his wise counsel. One good thing about Ex-Governor Fayose is that he is very frank and you will always know where he stands on any matter.

Earlier, Prince Adegoroye in his address had said he was in the Governor’s Office to felicitate with Governor Oyebanji on his inauguration as the Governor and identify with the government and people of  Ekiti State in moving the State forward.

The Minister described Governor Oyebanji as a friend and brother, adding that he had been adequately prepared for the number job, having served the state in many capacities since 1999.

Meanwhile, the Governor presided over the inaugural meeting of the state executive council with a charge to members to place the interest of the state above personal and other interests"

Oyebanji promises to give more recognition to women.

Oyebanji promises to give more recognition to women.

Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji has said his administration would exceed the 35 percent representation for women in elective and appointive positions, in line with the equal opportunity policy of the state government.

Oyebanji gave the assurance during a working visit to the Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs Pauline Tallen in Abuja on Friday . He said Ekiti women have the capacity to excel in any position of responsibility, adding that his administration would support them and tap their unique abilities. 

The meeting was part of the Governor’s visit to Federal Ministries, Departments, and Agencies as well as Development Partners in the country.

The Governor said gender balance and women related issues were part of his government’s working plans adding that his administration had started well with the choice of a woman as the State Deputy Governor and another as Secretary to the State Government.

According to Oyebanji, women have ability to see things far ahead and decern things much better than men. 

He commended the achievements recorded in the area of women development by former Governor Kayode Fayemi and his wife, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, promising to build on the records especially  gender mainstreaming and affirmation.

Responding, the Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs Pauline Tallen lauded Ekiti State Government contributions in women related issues particularly its  Gender Based Violence law, which she was has been quite effective in curbing domestic and sexual abuses.

The Minister disclosed that about N3 billion naira has been earmarked by Nigeria for Women Project, adding  that the largesse would spread to all states of the Federation.

Mrs Tallen assured the Governor of necessary support for the state.

“I know you will continue the good work of your predecessor and do more. You already have  a woman as deputy governor and a woman as SSG, That is a good way to start. Kwara State has the record as the state with highest number of women in government. Try and surpass Kwara State in this regard. "

Yinka Oyebode 

Chief Press Secretary to the Governor

Gov. Oyebanji Pays Condolence Visit To Late Rt. Hon. Funminiyi Afuye's Family.

Gov. Oyebanji Pays Condolence Visit To Late Rt. Hon. Funminiyi Afuye's Family.

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji on Saturday paid a condolence visit to the family of the late Speaker of Ekiti State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Funminiyi Afuye in Lagos.

Governor Oyebanji was received by the widow, Mrs Titilayo Omolara Afuye.

The Governor who noted that the Deputy Governor,  Chief ( Mrs) Monisade Afuye, had visited the family on behalf of the government immediately after the unfortunate incident, recalled pleasant memories of the late Speaker, especially the decreased's sterling leadership qualities,  committment to democratic values and his amiable personality.

He pledged the support of the government to the family, adding that the state Government will immortalise the late Speaker.

"This is a huge loss to the Government and people of Ekiti State. We feel your pains and we pray the Good Lord will heal the wound and console you and the entire family. 

" As government, we shall support the family in everyway possible and  we shall immortalise him. That is one of  the ways we can show our appreciation for the quality and selfless service Hon Afuye rendered to our dear state, the Governor said."

EKITI FIRST LADY BLESSES NEW TRIPLETS IN OMUO EKITI.

EKITI FIRST LADY BLESSES NEW TRIPLETS IN OMUO EKITI.

The wife of the Ekiti State Governor, Dr Olayemi Abiodun-Oyebanji, has gifted items and cash to Modupe Fagbemi, a 22 year old mother of triplets whose husband is unknown.

The items, which included packs of baby food, diapers and food stuffs, were donated to the mother of triplets, at the Omuo General Hospital.

Report says that Modupe delivered one of the babies at home, the second at a health center and the third at the Omuo General Hospital last Sunday.

The babies, at birth, weighed 2.0kg, 1.7kg and 1.6 kg. respectfully.

Dr Abiodun-Oyebanji congratulated the mother of three on the safe delivery and expressed happiness on the birth of the babies, saying that it was God’s doing.

She charged the mother of the newborn to take good care of the babies and raise them in the way of God, promising her benefits from the Multiple Births Trust Fund of the state government.

In her response, Modupe Fagbemi thanked the wife of the governor for the gifts and prayed for her success.

The First Lady was accompanied on the visit by two officials of her office and Ministry of Health and Human Services.

Oyebanji, Bamidele, Bamisile, Others Meets Senate President.

Ekiti Dev: Oyebanji, Bamidele, Bamisile, Others Meets Senate President.

....discussed some of the challenges confronting the state.

Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji on Wednesday led federal Lawmakers from the State in a meeting with the Senate President,  Ahmad Lawan, and other leaders of the Assembly.

A release signed by Gov. Oyebanji's  Chief Press Secretary, Yinka Oyebode said the meeting took place at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja.

Governor Oyebanji discussed some of the challenges confronting the state, especially in the areas of poor condition of federal roads and absence of power supply to some areas of the state. He sought the support of the National Assembly in ensuring some of the concerns get necessary budgetary attention.

Present at the meeting were Senator Bunmi Adetunbi; Senator Opeyemi Bamidele; Hon Femi Bamisile; Hon Yemi Adaramodu; Hon Wunmi Ogunlola, Hon Ibrahim Olanrewaju, Hon Femi Bamisile and Hon Sola Fatoba.

The Senate President who hailed the Governor for the visit,  pledged the support of the Upper legislative chamber for the Ekiti government's developmental efforts.

The Governor also held talks with the leadership of the House and Senate Committees on Works and power where he made strong case for comprehensive renovation of Federal roads in Ekiti and fixing of electricity issues in some parts of the state.

Earlier, the Governor in company with Senator Opeyemi Bamidele and Hon Femi Bamisile had held similar meeting with the Minister of Power, Engr Abubakar Aliyu, where the issue of upgrading of power infrastructure in the state, especially reconnection of some towns and communities to the national grid was tabled. 

Governor Oyebanji said he was satisfied with the level of understanding shown by the leadership of the National Assembly as well as Federal lawmakers from Ekiti State, adding that no stone would be left unturned  in the quest for support from relevant agencies and institutions for the socio-economic and infrastructure development of the state.

STORY OF ADUBI WAR (OGUN ADUBI) OF 1918.

STORY OF ADUBI WAR (OGUN ADUBI) OF 1918.

...the Adubi war can never be forgotten in the history of the Egba people.

The Adubi war, also known as Ogun Adubi or the Egba Uprising, was a war that broke out between June and August 1918 as a result of the taxation system that was introduced in Abeokuta by the British colonial government Direct taxes were introduced by the colonial government along with existing forced labour obligations and fees which culminated in the revolts by the Egbas.

As of June 7 1918, the British government had already arrested 70 Egba chiefs and issued a decree that all rioters should lay down their arms, pay the taxes and obey the local leadership. More than thirty thousand (30,000) Egba natives went to war against the colonial government officials in Abeokuta, destroying railway and telegraph lines in the southern part of the territory.

Adubi war got its name from the Village head of Elere, Ige Adubi. Elere Adubi is presently a village near Itori, very close to Papalanto a town along Lagos Abeokuta road where there is still large cultivation of Sugar canes, in Ewekoro Local government of Ogun State. Awape (also known as Molashin) who was Ige Adubi’s deputy instigated the war. He was working with the British government and he revealed their plans on the Direct tax system to the Ige Adubi, the village head.

British government later jailed Awape for six months as punishment for his offence. 

About 600 people were killed in the Adubi war, including a European trading agent and a high Egba chief, Oba Osile. This incident led to the abolition of Abeokuta independence.

The Adubi war birthed a popular song which was re-composed by the legendary Afrobeats icon, Fela Anikulapo Kuti.

It goes thus:

Bi e ba n gbo gbagada gbagada (band repeats) Bi e ba n gbo gbogodo gbogodo (band repeats) E ma ya s’otun, e ma ya s’osi (band repeats) Ile olowo n’oro ngba lo (band repeats) Ogun adubi s’oju re ja (band repeats) Ogun adubi le lopo lopo (band repeats) Iwo nikan n’odagba shoja mefa (band repeats) Oro o wo mo, o pada seyin (band repeats) Opada s’eyin, o wa n fi ewe bora (band repeats) Iya re nke lo bi ewure (band repeats) Baba re nke lo bi aparo (band repeats) Iwona n be lo bi igala (band repeats) Omi ireke l’en bu sebe (band repeats) L’en bu sebe, l’etun fin r’omo (band repeats). O o o oya o, eni omo wu, oya kalo o (band repeats) Oya o o, eni omo wu, oya kalo eh (band repeats) Oya o o, eni omo wu, oya kalo eh eh eh eh (band repeats) Oya o o, eni omo wu, oya kalo eh eh ye eh (band repeats).

The Adubi war can never be forgotten in the history of the Egba people.

RESEARCHER: COMR. OLAMIDE AKINWUMI JAMES. 

AKINWUMIOLAMIDE09@GMAIL.COM 

09068215955

OJA ARIGIDI IN ISE-EKITI

OJA ARIGIDI IN ISE-EKITI 

....An ancient market that hold once in every year.

Oja Arigidi, is precisely located in Arigidi community, Ise-Ekiti. Oja Arigidi is one of the ancient market in the town. It's an ancient market that nobody can joke with, a market that come up once in a year people from other state participate, patronise and celebrate the culture of the town. Oja Arigidi is an open market that use to come up once in every year, in which the market will be opened for business (buying and selling) on the 1st week of next month November, 2022.

Ise Ekiti (Yoruba: Ìṣẹ̀-Èkìtì, also Ise) is a city in Ekiti State, Nigeria, It is the traditional home of Akinluaduse, also known as Akinluse by the inhabitants of the city. Akinluse was a great warrior in the ancient Oyo empire. Ise - Ekiti is the headquarters of the Ise/Orun Local Government Area, along with Orun. Ise ekiti is divided into three quarters namely; Oraye, Odo Ise and Erinwa. The Arinjale of Ise-Ekiti is Oba Ayodele Ajayi Aweloye II.

OJA ARIGIDI is a festival market where sellers and buyers have traditionally congregated and categories of unique shopping and sales, is an entertainment venue home street market that used to on for one day a year and it will remained unchanged forever by the power of the Ancestor 💯🙏.

Whenever the market is on no others market in the town must open that day and nobody must sell or buy in the road side, except you go to the market. 

God bless Ise-Ekiti, 

God bless Ekiti State. 

God bless Nigeria 🇳🇬 

I am Comr. Olamide Akinwumi James. 

09068215955

BRIEF HISTORY OF ONITSHA

BRIEF HISTORY OF ONITSHA

...It is a town in South East Nigeria famed for its commerce, education and religious centre that lies beside the Niger.

Onitsha Mmili was known as Ado N'Idu, it was founded by one of the sons of Chima, the founder of Issele-Uku kingdom in western Igboland. Chima, a prince of the ancient Benin kingdom emigrated, settled and founded what is now known as Issele-Uku in Aniocha North Local Government Area. The eldest son of Chima eventually emigrated across the Niger River to establish the Onitsha community. It is a town in South East Nigeria famed for its commerce, education and religious centre that lies beside the Niger.

Onitsha is the largest markets in West Africa, a center point where billions of naira are transacted every day.

Onitsha operates a traditional government headed by the Obi, the titular head of the town who is assisted by Ndi Ichie, titled red cap elders or chiefs. Among these are Ndi Ichie Ume, who are the First Class Chiefs. The Ndi Ichie are classified into six, namely: Onowu Iyasele, Ajie Ukadiugwu, Odu Osodi, Onya Ozoma, Ogene Onira and Owelle Osowa, with Onowu Iyasele as the traditional Prime Minister. There are also other Ndi Ichie, who are ranked second class, known as Ndi Okwa and third class, known as Ndi Ichie Okwareze. The Ndi Ichie serve as Council of Advisers to the Obi who solicits their advice in major decisions he takes in the Kingdom.

When the ruling Obi joins his ancestors, the Onowu Iyasele takes charge until a new Obi is enthroned.

Once a year in October the kingdom of Onitsha holds the Ofala Festival which coincides with the traditional New Yam festival held in many parts of Igboland. It is a way for the people of Onitsha to keep their culture alive and it has become a major event that draws visitors from far and wide to the city.

There are nine groups of Kindred, (Ebo Etenani), making up Onitsha Ado Community.

Onitsha traditionally consists of nine villages, otherwise known as Ebo Itenani. These are descendants of the progenitor Umuezechima comprising Isiokwe, Olosi, Umuezearoli, Okebunabo, Obikporo and Ogbeotu which claim origin from Igala in Kogi state, Awada (Ogbeozoma), Obamkpa comprising Umuasele, Iyiawu and Odoje Ndugbe and Odumegwu Gbuagu, Ubulu na Ikem, Ulutu, Ubene, Ogboli Eke, Obior and Ogbeotu. Within these groupings there are six administrative wards namely Okebunabo, Umuezearoli, Ogbeolu, Isiokwe na Ogboli Olosi, Obamkpa and Eke na Ubene.

The history of Onitsha began with the migration of its people from the Benin Empire towards the end of early part of the Sixteenth Century AD. The migration was as a result of a wave of unrest, war and displacement unleashed by the Islamic movement from North Africa.

It was during their passage through the outskirts of Ile-Ife that they acquired the name Onitsha - a corruption of the Yoruba word Orisha and Udo, the famous shrine worshipped by the people. As time went on, the combination of the two words, Onitsha for Orisha and Ado for Udo culminated in the present name , Onitsha Ado.

The people of Onitsha left the outskirts of Ile-Ife and resettled in the Benin Kingdom and soon established themselves as one of the clans in the Benin Kingdom exercising all the rights and privileges attached thereon.

As a result of a long process of acculturation in Benin, the Onitsha people jealously guarded their acquired rights particularly with regard to their revered Shrine Udo.

 It was suggested that the reason why the Onitsha people quarreled with Oba Esigie, (1404-1550), of Benin was because of the slight, the Oba gave their shrine-Udo. It was customary for newly installed Oba to pay homage to all important Shrines in the Benin Kingdom by slaughtering a cow in the shrines enclave. Oba Esigie failed to do this at the Onitsha people's Udo-Shrine, hence the quarrel.

It took the Onitsha people several years before they got to Obior and Ilah and finally crossed the River Niger and established Onitsha Ado. They stopped at several places in the then Mid-West now called Delta State, places like Agbor, Issele-Uku, etc. This explains the affinity with the inhabitants of Delta State like Ilah, Issele-Uku, Obbaamkpa, Onitsha-Olona, Onitsha Ugbo, Agbo, Obior, Onitsha Ukwu and so on.

After their arrival on the east bank (Onicha-mmili, "Onitsha-on-water"), the community gradually became a unitary kingdom, evolving from a loosely organized group of "royal" villages to encompass "non-royal" villages comprising Igala settlers, and the native Igbos to form a more centralized entity. 

Eze Aroli was apparently the first genuinely powerful Obi of Onitsha, the ruler of the city.

Onitsha slowly grew to become an important trading port for the Royal Niger Company in the mid-1850s following the abolition of slavery and with the development of the steam engine when Europeans were able to move into the hinterland.

Trade in palm kernels, palm oil, and other cash crops on the coast of Bight of Biafra increased around this river port in the 19th century.

In 1857 British palm oil traders established a permanent station in the city with Christian missionaries joining them, headed by the liberated African bishop Samuel Ajayi Crowther (a Yoruba receptive) and Reverend John Taylor (an Igbo Recaptive).

In 1900 Onitsha became part of a British protectorate.The British colonial government and Christian missionaries penetrated most of Igboland to set up their administration, schools and churches through the river port at Onitsha.

Dennis Memorial Grammar School established by the Anglican Church Mission Society in 1925

More immigrants from the hinterland of Igboland were drawn to the emerging boom town as did the British traders who settled there in Onitsha, and coordinated the palm oil and cash crops trade.

In 1965, the Niger River Bridge was built across the Niger River to replace the ferry crossing. This has helped to grow trade routes with western Nigeria and created significant economic linkages between Onitsha and Benin City and Lagos particularly.

Source: Gossip House

Researcher: Comr. Olamide Akinwumi James. 

Akinwumiolamide09@gmail.com 

09068215955

Afuye’s Demise: Ekiti Has Lost A Political Unifier~ Adebomi.

Afuye’s Demise: Ekiti Has Lost A Political Unifier~ Adebomi. 

Chieftain  of the All Progressives Congress(APC) Captain Sunday Adebomi  has described the late speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Funminiyi Afuye  as a political icon who used his position to stabilise politics in Ekiti.

Adebomi, a former Governorship aspirant in Ekiti State while commisersting with the government and  people of Ekiti State over the death of the foremost lawmaker also prayed for the reposed of the deceased soul.

He noted that Ekiti Assembly, under the leadership of late Afuye had ensured that the State got the best legislations without necessarily compromising the integrity of the third arm of government.

He said, "The death of the Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly Rt. Hon Funminiyi Afuye  came to me as a rude shock .The deceased was a prominent member of the Progressives family, and one of the few activists who fought for the enthronement of the democracy in Nigeria..

"Late Afuye, as the Speaker of the House ensured that Ekiti got best legislations on  gender and child’s rights. It is instructive to note that late Afuye did not allow unnecessary political  muscle flexing  in the assembly with the Executive as the house enjoyed smooth, cordial and productive relationship, he explained."

Adebomi therefore prayed that God Almighty  sound give the family the fortitude to bear the huge loss .

Oyebanji holds town hall meetings over 2023 budget.

Oyebanji holds town hall meetings over 2023 budget.

…to prioritise security, power, roads.

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, has assured the people of the State that the 2023 budget will give adequate consideration for their basic needs while targeting all round development of the state.

He also said that the recently launched 30 years development plan of the State would be his working document.

The Governor stated this on Friday during his citizens’ engagement meetings held in the three senatorial districts of the state as part of preparation for the 2023 budget. He added that the town hall meetings had become an “annual ritual” since the first administration of former Governor Kayode Fayemi, to ensure community participation in budget preparation.

The town hall meetings which took place in Ikole (North senatorial district), Ode (South senatorial District) and Ado-Ekiti (Central), had in attendance top government officials, State and National Assembly members, council chairmen, traditional rulers, market women, artisans and other stakeholders. The meetings received suggestions and proposals from various communities on projects they want government to include in the 2023 budget.

Oyebanji at the meetings told the people that his administration was irrevocably committed to participatory and all-inclusive government and budgeting, adding that the purpose of the meeting was to interact with the representatives of various towns and communities to articulate their needs for inclusion in the 2023 budget.

The Governor, who noted that the requests of all the communities are similar, said his administration would address their concern about security. He also challenged them on the need to assist the security agencies in intelligence gathering by coming up with relevant information of suspicious movements or activities to enable them track down people with criminal tendencies.

“We should all be vigilant about what happens in our society. I agree we should step up our action on Amotekun and strengthen the security outfit, but Amotekun without intelligence is zero. He said.

Governor Oyebanji who noted that the various concerns of the people including electricity supply, potable water, rehabilitation of roads, renovation of schools building and others assured the people that the administration is already making efforts with relevant authorities to ensure that electricity supply is restored in some areas that have been without power supply for years.

On his effort to strengthen the feedback mechanism from the people, the Governor said his administration would establish an Ombudsman office where the people can supply government with useful information that would guide government in its decision-making process.

On road rehabilitation, the Governor assured the people that the RAAMP 1000km rural road project is still in the pipeline and would commence immediately after the rainy season. He explained that all rural roads fall under the purview of the programme, which is in partnership with the World Bank.

While assuring Ekiti people that his administration would fulfil his electoral promise of bringing more development to the grassroots, Oyebanji appealed for their support to enable him achieve the lofty goals.

“All the requests made by all the communities are related and what we will do is to prioritize your requests because what is paramount in the heart of one community is different from that of the other community. The reason we are doing this is because the government belongs to you and you know your basic needs even though government may not be able to do all, but we would address the basic ones.

“As a responsible government, we are of the firm belief that citizens’ participation in budgeting process enables ownership and efficient service delivery. It also gives meaning to the popular definition of democracy by Abraham Lincoln which describes democracy “as government of the people by the people and for the people”. For us, we want to govern with the people and not for them. You will always be part of our decision making and your voice will always be heard.

“This meeting is not only a personal commitment to participatory budgeting, it is also in conformity with the global best practices in budgeting. It is also one of the indicatory mileage of accountability requirements of the tripartite programme called: State Transparency, Accountability and Sustainability (SFTAS) programme.

“Our annual Budget preparation process shall be bottom-up, whereby the needs and interest of the people shall be articulated. The involvement of the citizens in the Budget preparation is geared towards effective utilization of public funds based on the needs of the people. He noted.

The representatives of the communities comprising the traditional rulers and community leaders, after presenting their various demands, also commended the Governor for sustaining the citizens engagement programme aimed at effective budgeting.

ARINJALE 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗦 𝗢𝗝𝗨𝗔𝗪𝗢

ARINJALE 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗦 𝗢𝗝𝗨𝗔𝗪𝗢

...calls him a forthright man ready to deliver. 

The Arinjale of Ise Ekiti, His Royal  Majesty, Oba Dr. David Adetunji Ajayi has described Air Vice Marshal Rufus Adeniyi Ojuawo as a straightforward, honest, no nonsense politician who is not given to deception and doublespeak. 

Oba Ajayi made the remarks Saturday at this year's annual Ojoaduse celebration where AVM Ojuawo was given an award of excellence in community service.

The monarch admonished Ise indigenes not to belabour AVM Ojuawo, who is the APC candidate for the House of Representatives in Ekiti South Federal Constituency 1, with frivolous monetary requests in his bid to represent the people at the green chamber.

 'We all know AVM Ojuawo as a straightforward man who would not lie or promise what he cannot deliver. Don't go to him and be asking for money but let him bring to us dividends of democracy that will bring development to our community' Oba Ajayi said.

He called on the retired Air Vice Marshal to continue to toe the path of honour and integrity he has always been known for in and out of service.

Oba Ajayi also admonished youths in the community to embrace vocational training in order to improve their lot and be useful to the society.

RAO MEDIA TEAM

BREAST CANCER DAY: NYSC Corps Members Organises Breast Cancer Awareness.

BREAST CANCER DAY: NYSC Corps Members Organises Breast Cancer Awareness.

....Distributes Flayers On Breast Cancer.

By: Olamide Akinwumi James.

In a global effort to raise awareness on breast cancer, October has been designated as the Pink Month. The Pink Month is a month where efforts to educate those concerned about the disease, including early identification and signs and symptoms associated with breast cancer.

To commemorate 2022 Pink Month, the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) members of Medical and Health Community Developments Service (CDS) Group in Ihiala LGA, of Anambra State has organized a breast cancer awareness session for market women in Uzigwe market where breast self-examination techniques were taught through the usage of cardboard. 

The President of the Community Developments Group, Etim Richard Friday, said awareness of breast cancer risk and symptoms should be public knowledge, the more we know about breast cancer the better the chances of detecting abnormalities before cancer develops or detecting cancer in its early stages when treatment has its highest potential for successbreast sucking has helps to balance the cardiovascular system.

"l will advice the women to engage in self-breast examination and other healthy activities that can help them reduce the risk of breast cancer most importantly they should contact their physician if they notice lumps in the breast as early detection can safe life's, he explained."

Highlighting that 90% of early stage breast cancers are curable, often with treatments that conserve the breast. A medical practitioner, Mr. Eze Obumneke Godfrey, while speaking to market cum business women, urged them to always self-examine themselves regularly using their eyes and hands for any early signs, and to visit their doctor upon any strange discovery.

"Every year, breast cancer kills a huge number of women around the world. One out of eighteen women is said to be at risk of breast cancer. Many a times, a majority of women with breast cancer are diagnosed at an advanced stage of disease, resulting in low survival rates, he explained."

He added that digital facilities are available at the hospitals which would ensure diagnostic prowess upon the discovery of any sign.

Earlier, the Medical and Health Community Developments Service (CDS) Group had organised a free medical checkup programme tagged, "important of medical checkup to life".

The orientation included updates on the current situation of breast cancer in Nigeria 🇳🇬, and prevention of breast cancer.

HOW PARCEL BOMB KILLED DELE GIWA.

HOW PARCEL BOMB KILLED DELE GIWA.  

....Giwa was a journalist who gave tyrants nightmares. 

Giwa was reportedly killed after he received a parcel bomb which detonated at his residence, then located at No. 25 Talabi street, Ikeja, Lagos state.

The journalist who died at 39 was known for exposing corrupt and illegal dealings of the government and this earned him recognition.

The assassination occurred two days after he had been questioned by officials of the State Security Service (SSS).

The Newswatch editor had just written an article on second-tier foreign exchange market (SFEM), a Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) policy introduced at the time.

Under the SFEM policy, the determination of the naira exchange rate and allocation of foreign exchange were based on market forces.

In the piece, Giwa said if SFEM failed, the people would stone “their leaders in the streets”.

Ajibola Kunle Togun, the then deputy director of the SSS, later met with Giwa and said he did not find anything offensive in the story.

But in a different turn of events, Ray Ekpu, a colleague of Giwa, said Togun accused the journalist of planning to publish the “other side” of the story on the circumstances that led to the removal of Ebitu Ukiwe as chief of staff to Ibrahim Babangida, former military head of state.

Giwa was also accused of plotting with the Nigeria Labour Congress NLC), the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and other groups to carry out a “socialist revolution”.

Around the same time, Giwa was quizzed by Halilu Akilu of the directorate of military intelligence (DMI) over an allegation that he had been heard speaking to some people about arms importation.

He appeared at the SSS headquarters on the matter on October 16, 1986 — two days to his assassination.

On October 18, Akilu called Giwa’s home and asked his wife Funmi for directions as he wanted to stop by on his way to Kano.

On the day of the assassination, the DMI official reportedly told Giwa over the telephone that the matter had been resolved after the journalist inquired about his frequent calls.

Not long after the call, a package was delivered to Giwa which severely wounded him. He was with Kayode Soyinka, London bureau chief of Newswatch, who narrowly escaped the blast after he excused himself to visit the restroom.

Giwa was taken to the hospital but later died from the wounds he sustained from the blast. He would have been 70 this year.

Till now, nobody knows who sent the letter bomb.

MONISADE MOURNS EKITI SPEAKER, AFUYE.

MONISADE MOURNS EKITI SPEAKER, AFUYE.

.....Commiserated with Ekiti State Government.

....Consoled the family of the deceased.

Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Chief Mrs Monisade Afuye has commiserated with Ekiti State government, the lkere community and the entire people of the state on the death of the Speaker of the state House of Assembly , Rt. Hon Funminiyi

Afuye .

ln a statement released from the office of the Deputy Governor in Ado Ekiti, Monisade described the late Speaker as a gentleman, patriotic citizen, a vibrant leader and a political genius whose initiatives and ingenuity has earned the state encomiums across the country. 

The Deputy Governor who described Funminiyi's death as shocking expressed deep sadness at losing a key stakeholder from her hometown who according to her, still had a lot to contribute to the development of Ekiti State.

She prayed for the repose of his soul and also prayed that God should grant the State government and the people of the state especially his lkere community the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

OYEBANJI ORDERS COMPREHENSIVE RENOVATION OF ADO- EKITI TOWNSHIP ROADS.

OYEBANJI ORDERS COMPREHENSIVE RENOVATION OF ADO- EKITI TOWNSHIP ROADS.

....My administration will emphasis on the rehabilitation of roads and the construction of new ones in the bid to stimulate economic growth and make life more comfortable for my people~ Gov. Abayomi Oyebanji 

Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji has directed the Ministry of Works and Transport to commence a comprehensive renovation of roads within Ado- Ekiti, the state capital.

Similarly, all contractors handling different road projects within the state have been directed to go back to the site.

Governor Oyebanji who gave the directive during an inspection of road projects on Wednesday said repairs of other damaged roads across the local government areas of the state would commence after the rainy season.  

He said the government will prioritize the rehabilitation of roads and the construction of new ones in the bid to stimulate economic growth and make life more comfortable for the people.

Yinka Oyebode 

Chief Press Secretary to the Governor 

20- 10- 2022

OYEBANJI MOURNS EKITI SPEAKER, AFUYE.

OYEBANJI MOURNS EKITI SPEAKER, AFUYE.

...Cancels State functions, declares one day of mourning. 

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji has expressed deep sorrow on the passing of the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Funminiyi Afuye, who died on Wednesday, in Ado-Ekiti, aged 66 years.

The Governor, in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Yinka Oyebode, said Afuye's death was shocking, sad and unfortunate.

Oyebanji said Hon. Afuye's death was unbelievable because he was on the Governor's entourage during an inspection tour of some projects in Ado- Ekiti on Tuesday and did not show any sign of illness.

The Late, Rt. Hon. Funminiyi Afuye. 

The Governor said he was shocked when he got a call early Wednesday morning that the late Speaker was rushed to the hospital. The Governor said he was convinced that Hon Afuye would leave the hospital hale and hearty in view of the medical attention he was receiving when he paid him a visit at the EKiti State University Teaching Hospital ( EKSUTH) Intensive Care Unit( ICU), Wednesday afternoon. 

"I was speechless when the  news of Hon Afuye's death came later in the evening."

The Governor described Afuye as a loyal friend and party man, a patriotic Ekiti leader and a tireless advocate of good governance, who in the last 30 years had committed his time, energy and resources to the development of the State and the country.

Oyebanji who prayed God to console the family of the deceased and the entire Ekiti people on the irreparable loss, has declared a day of mourning for the departed statesman and directed that state functions including the swearing-in of the newly appointed Secretary to the State Government  and the Attorney General, as well as a thanksgiving service  earlier slated for this week be postponed indefinitely in honour of the late Speaker.

"Ekiti lost an illustrious son, a perfect gentleman and  a champion of democracy and rule of law. My heart bleeds over the loss of this great leader who was a great friend and brother indeed. 

"On behalf of myself, my wife, the Government and good people of Ekiti State, I commiserate with the Afuye family and the people of Ikere Ekiti. May the good Lord give everyone of us the fortitude to bear this loss", Oyebanji said.

OJUAWO MOURNS EKITI ASSEMBLY SPEAKER, FUNMINIYI AFUYE.

OJUAWO MOURNS EKITI ASSEMBLY SPEAKER, FUNMINIYI AFUYE.

....described Afuye's death as shocking, painful and a huge loss to Ekiti State in particular and Nigeria in general.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for House of Representatives in Ekiti South Federal Constituency 1, Air Vice Marshal Rufus Adeniyi Ojuawo has expressed shock over the death of the Rt. Hon. Funminiyi Afuye, Speaker, Ekiti State House of Assembly.

AVM Ojuawo, in a press release, described Afuye's death as shocking, painful and a huge loss to Ekiti State in particular and Nigeria in general.

He described the late Speaker as a thoroughbred professional, an omoluabi per excellence who spent most of his time working for the development of Ekiti in both executive and the legislative arms of government.

'The death of Rt. Honorable Afuye is to say the least, shocking. He was passionate about the development of our state and his constituency in Ikere. He personified all the attributes of a typical Ekiti person by being forthright, hardworking, respectful and committed. He did his best to uplift his people in all the positions he found himself.

AVM Ojuawo commiserated with the family of the departed Speaker, the Ikere community, the government of Ekiti State, the State House of Assembly as well as the Progressives fold in the state, on which platform Afuye was elected into the House of Assembly to represent Ikere constituency 1 twice and was once appointed a Commissioner for Information. 

He prayed to God to grant repose to the soul of the late Speaker.

Late Funminiyi Afuye died on Wednesday October 19, at Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH), Ado-Ekiti at the age of 66, after a brief illness.

Adebomi Hails Fayemi’s Glorious Tenure, Oyebanji’s Beautiful Beginning.

Adebomi Hails Fayemi’s Glorious Tenure, Oyebanji’s Beautiful Beginning.

Chieftain of the  All Progressives Congress(APC), Captain Sunday Adebomi (retd)  has congratulated  Mr Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji(BAO)  and Mrs Monisola Afuye  over their  colourful  and successful  Inauguration as governor and deputy governor of Ekiti State respectively.

Adebomi, former governorship aspirant and chairman, Ekiti State Emergency Agency (SEMA) in his congratulatory message expressed joy that Fayemi actually left Ekiti better that he met it.

The APC chieftain also thanked the national leaders of the party, particularly, its Presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu (BAT) for gracing the occasion.

”I want to use this opportunity to congratulate former governor Kayode Fayemi for fulfilling to a large extent his election promises and  finishing well as the state Chief Executive. The volume of projects commissioned  during the last  days to the end of his tenure was an attestation to his success as governor. 

”The calibre of personalities who graced the passing out ceremony and inauguration of the new  governor shows that Ekiti is back on track. I am  happy that Fayemi had left Ekiti in the hands of an equally capable hands in person Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji (BAO).

I want to appeal to all Ekitis at home and in the diaspora to give same love and support accorded the former governor to Oyebanji  in order to build on the  legacies projects. 

“I am confident that our new governor had received the best tutelage from Fayemi to enable him perform and sustain the good legacies, he explained. "

GOVERNOR, DEPUTY CLOSE DEFENCE AT ELECTION TRIBUNAL.

GOVERNOR, DEPUTY CLOSE DEFENCE AT ELECTION TRIBUNAL.

....The closure of their defence was announced by their leading counsel, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN.

.

Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji and his Deputy, Mrs Monisade Christianah Afuye closed their defence on Wednesday (Today) at the governorship election petition tribunal sitting in Ado-Ekiti.

The closure of their defence was announced by their leading counsel, Lateef Fagbemi,  SAN. 

Other respondents' lawyers,  including the All Progressives Congress, Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe state and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) are expected to start their defence as the tribunal had adjourned sitting till tomorrow Thursday, October 20.

Social Democratic Party (SDP)  candidate in the June 18 election, former Governor Segun Oni and his political party had filed the petition before the tribunal to discredit the election of Oyebanji and his deputy, Monisade Afuye.

The petitioners (Segun Oni and his party)  called four witnesses to establish their case before the tribunal.

Among the four witnesses were Segun Oni himself and the Ekiti state SDP chairman, Bamidele Ekunola,  both of who alleged widespread irregularities in the election. 

They alleged that the election was characterised by vote buying,  ballot snatching, chasing away of SDP polling agents, widespread violence and other electoral offences. 

They however failed to mention a single polling unit or a ward where these malpractices were allegedly  perpetrated. 

They also failed to mention the name of anybody they referred to as the agents of APC,  who committed the alleged electoral offences.

Former Governor Segun Oni also told the tribunal that he never lodged any complaint of the alleged irregularities with the police and that he didn't witness any form of violence or vote buying on the day of election.

He said he returned home after he voted at his polling unit, where the exercise went smoothly.

THE STORY OF ADÉGBÖRÒ L'OJA OBA: A YORUBA ADAGE.

THE STORY OF ADÉGBÖRÒ L'OJA OBA: A YORUBA ADAGE.

....."ÌSASÙN tabi IKOKO TI YIO J'ATA (OBE), IDI RE A GBONA". (A pot that wants to consume a palatable soup must have its bottom burnt or heated with fire first).

ADEGBORO left Ibadan for Lagos in search of greener pasture. He chose to be carrying loads (Alabaru) on his head at Oyingbo market to earn a living. Few years after, he bought a cart from his savings and this eased the pain of carrying loads on his head for commercial purposes.

The Cart also increased his income and he was able to acquire 6 more of its kind which he rented out to others.

Exactly 8 years in this cart pushing business, Adegboro bought a van which many called BOLEKAJA and learning how to drive, he handled the business by himself.

IMAGE: ADEGBORO VAN, "TENI BEGI LOJU TRANSPORT SERVICE."

4 years into the Bolekaja business, Adegboro had been a proud owner of 6 Vans. Being a bona fide Ibadan son, (omo bibi ilu Ibadan) ADEGBORO built a magnificent building at OJA OBA where the Olubadan Palace was situated when it was time to put a roof on his head. Many people at this period approached Adegboro to show them the secret behind his success.

He simply asked them if they could carry loads on their heads in the market to earn income (alabaru)? And their response had always been "NEVER".

He too would spontaneously say “ENI TI O LE SE ALABARU L'OYINGBO, KO LE SE BI ADEGBORO L'OJA OBA" - this is a replica of the adage also in Yoruba land that says; "ÌSASÙN tabi IKOKO TI YIO J'ATA (OBE), IDI RE A GBONA". (A pot that wants to consume a palatable soup must have its bottom burnt or heated with fire first).

In Life, to endure is to achieve. No short cut is sustainable. Enduring wealth is built over time in a small bit but in a persistent way.

I AM COMR. OLAMIDE AKINWUMI JAMES 

AKINWUMIOLAMIDE09@GMAIL.COM 

09068215955

Ojuawo Donates Exercise Books to Ise/Orun primary Schools.

Ojuawo Donates Exercise Books to Ise/Orun primary Schools.

....the gesture is to assist parents and encourage enrolment of pupils in schools.~AVM Ojuawo.

Air Vice Marshal Rufus Adeniyi Ojuawo (retd), has donated exercise books to 21 primary schools in Ise/Orun local government area of Ekiti State.

AVM Ojuawo, the All Progressives Congress (APC), candidate for House of Representatives in Ekiti South Federal Constituency 1, said the gesture is to assist parents and encourage enrolment of pupils in schools.

'Education is going to be one of my focal points when I become the representative of this federal constituency come 2023 by God's grace.

'This gesture is to assist pupils within our community with learning materials needed to enhance their studies, as education is key to greatness. 

“We are assuring our children of more education support in order to excel"

He urged parents in the constituency to prioritise their children’s education for a brighter future. 

Head teachers of the benefiting schools commended Ojuawo for the gesture and called on him to do more when he emerged victorious in the election next year. 

Meanwhile, NUT Chairman, Mr Gabriel Alabi described the facilitator as a man of high repute who always supports people's dreams for development. 

"We are proud of you for this great gesture. No doubt about it, parents of the beneficiaries will reward the gesture with votes in your election to represent us in the Green Chamber. 

Ise/Orun local government APC Chairman, Hon Dare Idowu urged people in attendance to embrace Ojuawo's aspiration for the betterment of the Ekiti South federal constituency1at large. 

"His experience, exposure and generosity will bring much dividend of democracy for all and sundry from the 10th National Assembly, he added. 

The book presentation was jointly done by Otunba Kayode Fasae, Hon Dare Idowu and AVM Adeniyi Ojuawo.

~RAO MEDIA TEAM

BIOGRAPHY HISTORY OF JAN ŽIŽKA.

BIOGRAPHY HISTORY OF JAN ŽIŽKA.

....A Czech national hero general nicknamed "One-eyed Žižka", having lost one and then both eyes.

STATUE OF JAN ZIZKA 

A castle near Litoměřice. He gave the biblical name of Chalice (Kalich in Czech) to this new possession. He was born in the small village of Trocnov in the Kingdom of Bohemia into a family from the Czech nobility. According to Piccolomini's Historia Bohemica, he had some connections with the royal court from his youth, and later held the office of Chamberlain to Queen Sofia of Bavaria. He fought in the Battle of Grunwald (15 July 1410), where he defended Radzyń against the Teutonic Order. Later he played a prominent role in the civil wars in Bohemia. He led the Hussites during the first important clashes of this conflict in the Battle of Sudoměř (1420) and in the Battle of Vítkov Hill (1420). In the Battle of Kutná Hora (1421) he defeated the army of the Holy Roman Empire and the Hungarian Kingdom. The effectiveness of his field artillery against the royal cavalry in this battle made it a successful element of Hussite armies.

Žižka's tactics were unorthodox and innovative. In addition to training and equipping his army according to their abilities, he used armored wagons fitted with small cannons and muskets, anticipating the tank of five hundred years later. He exploited geographic features to the full and maintained good discipline in his armies. He had to quickly train peasants to repeatedly face highly trained and armored opponents who usually outnumbered his own troops.

A monument was erected on the Vítkov Hill in Prague to honor Jan Žižka and his victory on this hill in 1420. It is the third largest bronze equestrian statue in the world.

EARLY LIFE:

Jan Žižka was born in one of two Meierhofs of the village Trocnov (nowadays part of Borovany in the České Budějovice District). An old legend says that he was born in the forest under an oak growing just next to the fields and little ponds belonging to the Meierhof. Žižka's family belonged to the lower Czech gentry (zemané) but did not own much estate. Little is known of the rest of the family too. Jan Žižka had several siblings but the only names known to historians are brother Jaroslav and sister Anežka. The family had a crayfish in their coat of arms.

The date of Žižka's birth is not known. A document dated 3 April 1378 mentions Johannes dictus Zizka de Trocnov (Jan called Zizka of Trocnov) as a witness on a marriage contract. On the basis of this document, it is assumed that Žižka must have been of legal age at this time and was born around 1360. Nevertheless, there is no direct evidence whether Jan Žižka listed on this document was identical with the Hussite general. For example, Czech historian Tomek and his followers supposed it could have been the military leader's father. They argued that if Žižka were adult in 1378, he would be too old to become such an able commander after 1419. Others, such as Šmahel, admitted that even such an age might not have prevented him from successful leadership. Furthermore, historian Petr Čornej notes that "Žižka" was not a family name but a specific nickname that is not attested in any other member of Žižka's family.

In the years 1378-1384, Žižka's name appears on several property documents, which indicate that he was struggling with long-term financial problems. In 1381, Žižka is attested in Prague, in connection with the settlement of the inheritance on the Trocnov estate. It is unclear how to connect this stay with Piccolomini's later report that young Žížka received an education at the Prague royal court. A 1384 document also mentions some Kateřina, a wife of Johannes dictus Zizka. This document states that Žižka sold the field he had once acquired from Kateřina as a dowry. After this date, Žižka's name disappears from historical documents for 20 years and it is generally assumed that he became a mercenary soldier.

ŽIŽKA AS AN OUTLAW:

Although some of the south Bohemian nobility led by Henry III of Rosenberg took part in various revolts against the king Wenceslas IV at the turn of the 14th and 15th century (the king was even held captive in the Rosenberg's castles of Příběnice and Český Krumlov for a short time), there is no evidence of Žižka's participation in these conflicts. It is supposed that in the early years of the 15th century Jan Žižka already controlled his family property. However, the family probably got into financial problems and started selling parts of their estate. Some sources suggest that Žižka's father took the place of the royal gamekeeper before he died in 1407 near Plzeň and Žižka himself might have been taken into the royal service, too, but the evidence is not clear enough.

However, beginning in 1406, Žižka starts appearing in the black book (acta negra maleficorum) of the Rosenberg estate as an accused bandit. Unfortunately the reasons of this change are not known, but the fact that he declared open hostility to Henry of Rosenberg and also to the city of Budějovice and their allies suggests that he was trying to fight some injustice against his house and to enforce some of his rights in this way. Šmahel assigns the boom of south-Bohemian banditism in that time to the continual growth of the estates of the rich house of Rosenberg (and of the church estates too) and simultaneous indebtedness and pauperization of the lower gentry together with the thirst for land among their subjects, which resulted into big social tension in the area. These circumstances may have eventually forced Žižka to leave his residence in Trocnov. Historian Tomek also speculated that he might have been forcibly deprived of his small hereditary property, which was not uncommon in that time. As a result he started leading the life of an outlaw, partly supported by the local nobleman Valkoun.

In any case, violence broke out and Žižka tried to harm his enemies on any possible occasion, using as his allies also local bandits led by Matěj Vůdce (Matthew the Leader) who were seeking only financial profit. The group camped in various places, including a farm in the village of Sedlo (nowadays part of Číměř), a mill not far from Lomnice nad Lužnicí, at a house of an unknown woman in Hlavatce or simply in the woods. The bandits were mugging merchants and other people travelling on south Bohemian highways. In that time mugging, holding people for ransom and attacking small towns were the main source of the group's income who used it for their living and to pay spies and temporary hosts. Žižka took part in these raids and at least one murder of a man belonging to the cohort of Henry of Rosenberg.[10] Žižka and the bandits were also in touch with some more powerful enemies of Henry of Rosenberg. For example in 1408 Žižka took part in preparations for conquering the castle Hus near Prachatice (whose burgrave was Mikuláš of Hus who later became one of first commandants in Žižka's army in the beginning of the Hussite Wars). He was also dealing with Aleš of Bítov about his help in an attempt to conquer the towns of Nové Hrady and Třeboň. Another nobleman asking his help was Erhart of Kunštát who wanted to attempt the stronghold of Slověnice.

Some of Žižka's companions were eventually captured, tortured, and executed, including Matěj Vůdce. Žižka's situation changed on 25 of April 1409 when king Wenceslas agreed that his conflict with the city of Budějovice should be finished and on 27 June he pardoned him (calling him "faithful and beloved") by a special letter. At the same time he ordered the city council of Budějovice to do so too. This suggests that the king admitted that Žižka was at least partly right in the conflict.

GRUNWALD (1410):

According to the Polish chronicler Jan Długosz, in the following year (1410) Žižka served as a mercenary during the Polish–Lithuanian–Teutonic War. It is assumed that he was on the winning Polish-Lithuanian side of the Battle of Grunwald, also called the 1st Battle of Tannenberg, one of the largest battles in Medieval Europe.[18][19] It was fought on 15 July 1410, and the alliance of the Kingdom of Poland and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, led respectively by King of Poland Jogaila (Władysław II Jagiełło) and Grand Duke Vytautas (Witold), decisively defeated the Teutonic Knights, led by Grand Master Ulrich von Jungingen. Most of the Teutonic Knights' leadership were killed or taken prisoner. The Knights never recovered their former power and the financial burden of war reparations caused internal conflicts and an economic downturn in their lands. The battle shifted the balance of power in Eastern Europe. Długosz reports that after the battle, Žižka was serving in the garrison of the town of Radzyń.

THE CIVIL WAR:

Early in 1423, internal dissent among the Hussites led to civil war. Žižka, as leader of the Taborites, defeated the men of Prague and the Utraquist nobles at Hořice on 20 April. Shortly afterwards came news that a new crusade against Bohemia was being prepared. This induced the Hussites to conclude an armistice at Konopiště on 24 June. As soon as the crusaders had dispersed, internal dissent broke out anew. During his temporary rule over Bohemia, Prince Sigismund Korybut of Lithuania had appointed Bořek, the lord of Miletínek, governor of the city of Hradec Králové. Bořek belonged to a moderate Hussite faction, the Utraquist party. After the departure of Sigismund Korybut, the city of Hradec Králové refused to recognize Bořek as its ruler, due to the democratic party gaining the upper hand. They called Žižka to its aid. He acceded to the demand and defeated the Utraquists under Bořek at the farm of Strachov (in the area of today's Kukleny within Hradec Králové) on 4 August 1423.

Žižka now attempted to invade Hungary, which was under the rule of his old enemy King Sigismund. Though this Hungarian campaign was unsuccessful owing to the great superiority of the Hungarians, it ranks among the greatest military exploits of Žižka, on account of the skill he displayed in retreat. In 1424, civil war having again broken out in Bohemia, Žižka decisively defeated the "Praguers" and Utraquist nobles at Skalice on 6 January, and at Malešov on 7 June. In September, he marched on Prague. On the 14th of that month, peace was concluded between the Hussite parties through the influence of John of Rokycany, afterwards Utraquist archbishop of Prague. It was agreed that the now reunited Hussites should attack Moravia, part of which was still held by Sigismund's partisans, and that Žižka should be the leader in this campaign. However, he died of the plague at Přibyslav on 11 October 1424 on the Moravian frontier. According to chronicler Piccolomini, Žižka's dying wish was to have his skin used to make drums so that he might continue to lead his troops even after death. Žižka was so highly regarded that when he died, his soldiers called themselves the Orphans (sirotci) because they felt as if they had lost their father. His enemies said that "The one whom no mortal hand could destroy was extinguished by the finger of God."

He was succeeded by Prokop the Great.

SOURCES:

Bílek, Jiří (2007), Hádanky naší minulosti 7. Čtyři Janové a bratr Prokop, Euromedia Group Praha. p. 172–173. ISBN 978-80-242-1952-3.Count Lützow, The Hussite Wars, J. M. Dent & Sons London, E. P. Dutton & Co. New York (1909).

RESEARCHER: COMR. OLAMIDE AKINWUMI JAMES.

AKINWUMIOLAMIDE09@GMAIL.COM

09068215955

MEET NEW EKITI STATE GOVERNOR, BIODUN OYEBANJI OYEBANJI, BAO.

MEET NEW EKITI STATE GOVERNOR, BIODUN OYEBANJI OYEBANJI, BAO.

....A new dawn with Hon. Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji.

His Excellency, Gov. Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, Executive Governor of Ekiti State. 

Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji of All Progressives Congress (APC) won Ekiti 2022 governorship election after defeating PDP and SDP candidates; Bisi Kolawole and Engr Segun Oni.

Biodun Oyebanji popularly known as BAO will take oath of office on Sunday and after expiration of Dr Kayode Fayemi’s second term.

Below is the profile of new Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji:

Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji was born on December 21, 1967 to Ezekiel Kunle and Esther in Ikogosi-Ekiti. He began his education at the Baptist Primary School in his hometown before attending the Awo Community High School; C.A.C. Grammar School, Efon-Alaaye; and District Commercial Secondary School, Aramoko-Ekiti. He then earned a first degree in political science from the Ondo State University (now Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti) in 1989.

Oyebanji earned a master’s in political science from the University of Ibadan (UI).

With credentials solidifying his knowledge in the field of political sciences, he sojourned into academics. He became a lecturer at the department of political science of the University of Ado Ekiti, where he worked for four years. His next path led to managing the treasury and financial services at the defunct Omega Bank Plc (now Heritage Bank) till May 1999 after which he segued into politics and governance.

Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji

ONE OF EKITI’S LONGEST-SERVING PUBLIC OFFICERS

Throughout Ekiti’s 26 years of existence, Oyebanji has been in public service for over 11 of those.

He began his political career as a special assistant on parliamentary affairs to Niyi Adebayo, the state’s first elected governor, in 1999 and then later became the chief of staff in the latter stage of the administration in 2003.

Then the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Ayodele Fayose came into power, and Oyebanji was on a six-year hiatus from public service. He returned in 2009 but as the chairman of the governing board, citizenship and leadership training centre, federal ministry of youth and sports development — a position he held from June 2009 to December 2010.

After a court ruling sacked Segun Oni of PDP in 2009 and Kayode Fayemi was elected governor in 2010, Oyebanji was first appointed the commissioner for integration and inter-governmental affairs before he was tapped to head Ekiti’s office of transformation strategy and delivery (OTSD) a year later.

He was then named the commissioner for budget, and economic planning in 2013 and held the position till October 2014.

In 2018, after Fayemi was elected for a second term, Oyebanji got back into public service and was appointed secretary to the state government (SSG), a position he held until he resigned to join the governorship race in late 2021.

IleriOluwa..RestoringourValues Through Effective Leadership.

BRIEF HISTORY OF IRAGBIJI TOWN IN OSUN STATE.

BRIEF HISTORY OF IRAGBIJI TOWN IN OSUN STATE.

“Iragbiji oloke meji tako tabo lori agba”. It means Iragbiji made up of two rocks male upon the female.

For those steep in the tradition and history of Yorubaland, the mention of Iragbiji always evokes the people’s traditional praise them: “Iragbiji oloke meji tako tabo lori agba”. It means Iragbiji made up of two rocks male upon the female. The modest town with a rather slow laid back mien common to most small towns in the semi rural areas, is scenic. It has one major road from Ikirun meandering through the town heading to Igbajo, Ada and other towns. There are other small roads. 

The towns visage is greatly influence by the rocky hills that form a kind of arc round it. But the hills are not austere. Trees, shrubs and other economic plants fight with the igneous rocks fro space. It is as if they have reach a kind of mutual agreement that but the trees and the rock should co-exist side-by-side for the sustenance of the community.

Here man and nature, most especially the hills, have come to co-exist that one can hardly be mentioned without the other. Although hills are  the basis for the aesthetic beauty of this town, but it actually one of the hills, Okanyilule that has become the symbol of the town.

Okanyilule spectacular hill is at the back of the town towards the boundary between the Iragbiji people and Obaagun town. The rocky hill juts out high into the sky. Right on top of the rock another one is delicately place as if a superhuman giant had picked the rock and balance rock on top. It is a spectacle and marvel for many. It is from this rock that Iragbiji people got cognomen. Moving inside hill area is difficult with rocks and shrubs blocking the way. But finally one managed to make the it to the hill of course with scratches from plants. The site was worth the trouble. But according to the naitves, there was more to the hills than the aesthetics.

Oba Abdul-Rasheed Olabomi is the traditional ruler of the town. Cultured and well educated, talking about the tourist endowments of Iragbiji, most especially the famous Okanyilule hill seems to bring the out him. He has deep knowledge about his town’s history and talks about it like a history professor lecturing university students. He occasionally laced his speech with Yoruba songs in praise of his town. He talks about the Okanyilule hills: “The Okanyilule Hill is historical to Iragbiji. It is a monument that really depicts and connotes what Iragbiji is. Part of our cognomen says ‘Iragbiji owners of double hills, one fell down, while the other is still standing.’ Okunyilule has a history dating back to about 200 years ago. 

There was a dispute over the ownership of the hills area and the land around it. It involved the then monarch of Obaagun, a neigbouring town to Iragbiji. The monarch of Iragbiji then was Oba Oloyede Dada. Then there were no policemen, there were no soldiers and there were no courts; but traditionally, when issues like that arose, our people in the past had their own method of settling such dispute. What was then was to invite all the Obas around Iragbiji area. It involved the then Timi of Ede, the then Ataoja of Osogbo, Oragun of Illa. All of them went to the foot of the hills and asked each of the monarch to prove that their ownership. Eventually the Aragbiji said, to prove that he was the owner of the land and the hills, that within seven days, the two hills, Tako-Tabo, one male and one female standing on each other, one will roll down within seven days. The then Oloba Agun said nothing of such would happen. To the glory of Almighty God, on the third day, the small hill sitting on the other one, one of them rolled and fell down.

Since then, Iragbiji has considered the Okunyilule hill a monument. In fact every year, people go there salute the courage of our forebears who were able to stand by the truth, uphold and also say the truth. We also commend the gods who allowed the truth to manifest in the rolling down of one of the hills. Today, it is the symbol of Iragbiji on our letter head. Anything we do, we would always allude to the Okanyilule hill. It is one of our prime monuments. We are proud of it.”

So, what are some of the things to attract a tourist to Iragbiji. The Oba has an answer: “Around the Okanyilule Hils, we have about four sites. There is a source of water at the Okayilule Hills. There is the site where the earliest migrants to iragbiji, called Iledesi,. That was where they settled. There is also a source of water we call Oloti. It was not Oloti from source, it became Oloti down the stream. If you get in there, you will see the marvels of the work of Almighty God, how water is gushing out from the base of the rock. It is as site to behold.

“When you leave there, you want to visit Oke Iragbiji itself, which has its own historical connotation. It started with the establishment of Iragbiji, about 600 years ago.

“History has it that our great grandfather, Sokungbade, was a great man, a hunter . when he arrived here, he went on hunting expedition to the pick of the hill, Oke Iragbiji. He was chasing an antelope and the antelope entered a hole on top of the hill. History has it that he entered and and the antelope and the hunter came out in front of what we now have as the palace. We cannot prove the veracity of that claim, but that is in our oral history. In those days, so many things did happen that we will see now and feel they are unbelievable. Since that time, our people have been celebrating the hill annually in what we call, Oke Iragbiji Odun rioke. We normally celebrate it last week of July every year. On top of that hill too, we have the Ayeye stream. 

The stream has its source, on top of the hill. The water is always very clean and chilled. Then it was forbidden for anybody who was not a prince to go there draw water or have anything to do with it because it was sacriligoues. The water, before now, was said to be highly medicinal for barren women. The beleive3 was very strong that taking a cup full of that water, a barren woman would conceive. During annual festivals, people go to the stream to make a lot of pledges, the barren, sick and so on. history has it that about 100 years a go, there was an outbreak of small pox all around the then Yoruba land, if not Nigeria. That it was the water from Ayeye stream that was taken to heal the ailment. So, the water is regarded as highly medicinal and spiritual.

“We leave that place, we have the traditional wall fence, Odi. We have tow types: the earth wall fence and the rocky wall fence. According to our history, the two types were put up by extra-terrestrial beings. That our fathers in those days were so powerful that they invoked the spirit to help them construct the two traditional wall fences. Today, we still have relics of the fences. The earth fence has collapse, but we still preserve some of them. Leaving Iragbiji, one is left with the feeling of having been to a town where the people and nature are at peace.

Source: Gossip House

Researcher: Comr. Olamide Akinwumi James 

FAYEMI HONOURS OUTSTANDING YOUTH IN EKITI STATE.

FAYEMI HONOURS OUTSTANDING YOUTH IN EKITI STATE.

...assures them of continuous mentorship in leadership.

Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi yesterday, 11th October, 2022 presented awards and letters of recognition to 11 Outstanding Ekiti Youths who have distinguished themselves in their chosen fields of endeavour, including the 17 years old Master Idowu Jeremiah who made nine distinctions in this year’s May/June WAEC and scored high in UTME.

The Governor alongside the Governor-elect, Mr Biodun Abayomi, Her Excellency, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, Her Excellency, Dr Olayemi Oyebanji, the deputy Governor-elect among others, made the presentation during a Youth Forum and award ceremony at the Obafemi Awolowo Civic and Conventional Centre, Ado Ekiti, as part of activities marking the end of the second term of the Fayemi-led administration in the State.

The award titled “Outstanding Young Persons' award 2022 (Omulabi Award 2.0)”, which was the second edition, was presented to 11 promising young men and women who have distinguished themselves in different categories including entertainment, academic, governance, agriculture, humanitarian activities, Activism, Gender Advocacy, ICT and digital research, Media and Sports among others.

The awardees are: 

Arewa Omoye (Entertainment (movie)

Oluwaseun Ogunsakin (Sports)

Ayobami Oluwatosin Durodola (Activism)

Ayotomiwa Morenikeji Ayodele (Advocacy)

Olawale Kadri (Leadership/ Governance)

Titilayo Abigail Obileye (Communications/Media/Journalism)

 Mayowa Ekundayo (Enterpreneurship)

 Adedotun Moses Omoleye (Humanitarian Services)

Ayodele Akande (Communications/Media/Journalism (Broadcast Journalism)

 Oluwatosin Adaraniwon (ICT & Research)

Idowu Blessing Jeremiah (Academic Excellence).

Certificate of Service was also presented to Eyitayo Fabunmi, the Chairman National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Ekiti State Chapter and Rt. Hon Toba Fatunla. Speaker, Ekiti Youth Parliament, Ekiti State.

Responding to the question on why he appointed a large number of young persons to serve in his administration, during a panel discussion, Governor Fayemi explained that he found them demonstrating huge capacity, courage, commitment and integrity in their service to the State.

Dr Fayemi said he attached much importance to mentorship and would  establish a school of democratic leadership to mentor and develop young persons in leadership positions after leaving office.

In his final words to young persons in the State, Fayemi said, "in everything you do convince yourself that you are doing the right thing. That conviction should not be from anticipated approval or adulation from those who will benefit from it. Because more often than not when you do good some of the beneficiaries, will hate you,  just ask your conscience, do what you think is right and leave the rest for posterity to judge.

"Many of the young people that I have around me have also demonstrated capacity, they have demonstrated commitment, they have demonstrated competence, and they have a huge load of integrity, 

"If we are to take the Chief of Staff who just turned 40 the other day. He has been with me since he was 27 when I became Governor in 2010, he started as my Personal Assistance, and then became my Deputy Chief of Staff, before he became the Chief of Staff to the Governor.

"He may be young but he has capacity and a lot of experiences and so many things I entrust into his hand he has been able to deliver on and his age doesn't even come into the picture, it is his capacity, his experience, his competence and his ability to oscillate within different spectrum; the young, his contemporary, and those who are older than he is and he has functioned effectively. You can say the same of the Commissioner for Finance, the Commissioner for Health and several of my other appointees.

"For me it is important to mentor because I have enjoyed a greater deal of mentorship, and that is why I always try within my view to always give opportunity to young people."

The Governor-elect, Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji in his words, assured the Youth that he would build on the legacy of his predecessors by continuing to provide platform for Youth who exhibit diligence, character, courage, competence, and compassion.

He added that his administration, just like that of Governor Fayemi, would expose the Youth to opportunities that would improve their lives in their various areas of endeavour.

Earlier in his speech, the Chairman of the Youth Forum engagement Committee, Mr Moses Olusanya Ademiloye lauded the contributions of Governor Fayemi to Youth development in the State and expressed gratitude to the Governor for providing the platform that enables Youth to contribute their quota to nation building and development of the State.