BRIEF HISTORY OF THE GBAGYI PEOPLE

BRIEF HISTORY OF THE GBAGYI PEOPLE

Gbagyi or Gwari (also spelled Gbari) are peaceful, agriculturalist, artistic and Nupoid-speaking people living in North-Central geo-political zone of Nigeria. They predominantly live in the Niger, Kaduna States and the Federal Capital Territory.
They are also found in Nasarawa and Kogi States in central Nigerian Area. Gbagyi is the most populated ethnic Group and indigenous in the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria, where their major occupation is farming.

According to oral tradition, the first settler was a hunter who went to hunt in Paikokun land, a thick forest in Abuja. Paikokun was the name of the mountain where the first settler inhabited. The Gbagyi people initially used to live on mountain tops because they believed they were safer on the mountain than at the plain before western civilization made most of them relocate to the plain.

HOW TO SPOT GBAGYI
Very unique to the Gbagyi women is the placing of goods however heavy on their shoulder. They believe the head represents the king of the entire body, hence, it should not be disturbed. They call the part of their body they place their goods as Bwapa. They also believe the load feel lighter on their shoulders than on their heads. It is very much still in practice till date.

Marriage among the people of Gbagyi is soaked in deep tradition. When a man announces his interest in a woman, he would have to serve 7 years in the bride’s father’s farm, labouring and supplying grains and other produce to the bride’s house in order for her to be well fed. Nowadays, the groom simply pay the bride’s price instead of serving 7 years in the bride’s father’s house.

RELIGION
In their traditional religion, some Gbayi believe in a God called Shekwoi, the one who was there before their ancestors, but they also devote themselves to appeasing deities of the god such as Maigiro. Indigenously, their main religion is Knunu, which they believe protects them from the evil that exist in the community.

FOOD
The Gwari people enjoy eating a meal known as Wyizhe. It is made from Guinean corn which is also used to make a special drink known as Zhepwo. The Gwari people also enjoy drinking a soup known as Knadolo made from locust beans.

CLOTHING
The Gbagyi people wear tie and dye clothing known as Ajeside, made from local cotton and traditional woven and dyed.

The woman on the 20 Naira note Ladi Dosei Kwali is Gbagyi.

The Gbagyi people are mostly farmers although they are also good in wood fetching, pottery, and blacksmith.
The woman on the 20 Naira note Ladi Dosei Kwali is Gbagyi.

CLEMENT ONYEMELUKWE: THE MAN WHO DESIGNED NIGERIAN NATIONAL GRID.

CLEMENT ONYEMELUKWE: THE MAN WHO DESIGNED NIGERIAN NATIONAL GRID.
“Father of Electricity” in Nigeria!

All you need to know out him:
Onyemelukwe initiated the planning and development of the electricity grid still used in Nigeria today when he became Chief Electrical Engineer in 1962. Clement Onyemelukwe, Nigerian Chief Electrical Engineer of the country's Electricity Corporation, generated international attention when he married Catherine Zastrow, a white Peace Corps volunteer, who had just completed her service in 1964.

Although his parents had rejoiced that he had returned from nine years in the United Kingdom without a foreign white wife, in 1963 he met Catherine in Lagos.

“Peace Corps Worker to Wed Nigerian Engineer,” was the headline for a brief article in The New York Times from Lagos, Nigeria on Dec. 23, 1964. Interracial marriage was illegal in Kentucky which was still Catherine's U.S. residence while she was in the Peace Corps.

“When her parents returned to Kentucky after the wedding they had to change their phone number because of hate calls. The couple received telegrams from people all over the world, mostly supportive but a few critical. A photo of the wedding appeared in Life Magazine in January 1965 and was also noted in Ebony Magazine.”

Onyemelukwe initiated the planning and development of the electricity grid still used in Nigeria today when he became Chief Electrical Engineer in 1962.

He left the electricity industry to found Freeman Engineering in Lagos in 1973. In 1976 he founded Colechurch International Ltd, a project management and promotion company, in United Kingdom. He and his wife Catherine moved to Westport in 1993.

He initially held a residence card, known as a "green card," as he was spending a good part of his time in his home country Nigeria on business. In 2007 he finally became an American citizen. He was a speaker at the Y's Men and an active library user while working on his latest book or researching business ideas.

He passed on at age 86 in March 2020.
He is survived by his wife Catherine, their three children, Chinakueze, Elizabeth, and Samuel, and five grandchildren, Kenechi, Nkiru, Teya, Bruche and Ikem.

BALOGUN ODERINLO OF IBADAN THE NEMESIS OF FULANI.

BALOGUN ODERINLO OF IBADAN THE NEMESIS OF FULANI.
Source: Gossip House

The Statue of Bashorun Oderinlo 

After Bashorun Oluyole’s death. Oderinlo who was his Balogun was next in line to succeed him. Because of the purges and wars that Oluyole engineered during his time as the leader of Ibadan, all the chiefs that were senior to Oderinlo had died before Oluyole or soon after Oluyole’s own death. So there was practically no rival to Oderinlo’s position as Balogun and ruler of the town.

Oderinlo rose to prominence as one of the chiefs who played an active role in the rebellion against Lakanle and the latter’s subsequent suicide. There seemed to have been some form of close ties between him and Oluyole. It is likely to Oderinlo was at least an associate if not a close friend of the Bashorun. It was the influence of Oluyole that he became the Otun Balogun to Bankole Aleshinloye, the first Balogun under Oluyole. After Aleshinloye’s death, Oderinlo became the Balogun. Oderinlo was the Balogun who led the Ibadan troops to fight in the second Ibadan- Ilorin war at Osogbo, a war that Ibadan won comprehensively.

The Army of Ibadan equally attacked Ilesa to rescue Oshogbo. From that war, the Ibadan Army ventured into Ekiti for the relief of Otun, which was attacked by Ilorin Army. They also fought in Ara to reinstate the Alara who was then having problems with his people. He was among the six generals who plotted against Oluyole after that campaign. He was also among the four who later rescinded that decision, leaving the two who did not rescind, Lajubu and Akinluyi to die in a purge by the Bashorun.

At the time Bashorun Oluyole died, Balogun Oderinlo was planning to go on a war to Oke Ogun. So when the entire council of Ibadan invited him to become the Baale He declined, saying he wanted to win that war first. Historians speculate that he wanted to gather the wealth from that war to boost his claim to the rulership of Ibadan at the time.

Balogun Oderinlo went to the war and came back. He won the war and gathered enough loot and slaves to bring back to Ibadan. However, a few months after his triumphant return to Ibadan from Oke Ogun, as he was set to be announced as the Baale of Ibadan, Balogun Oderinlo died mysteriously. To this day nobody knows how Balogun Oderinlo died, but the sudden and mysterious nature of his death has led many to speculate that he may have been poisoned. But no body could pinpoint who did the warrior the fatal blow.

After his demise, Baale Opeagbe replaced him on the throne of Ibadan. Balogun Oderinlo has been honoured in Ibadan, a statue of him stands at Beere not far from Mapo Hall and the statue of Bashorun Oluyole. His house and some of his descendants live not far from Oja’ba to this day. 

Researcher: Comr. Olamide Akinwumi J.
09068215955

EKITI FIRST LADY SHOWERS GIFTS ON TRIPLETS BORN TO RETIRED PRIEST.

EKITI FIRST LADY SHOWERS GIFTS ON TRIPLETS BORN TO RETIRED PRIEST.

....URGES OTHER WAITING COUPLES NOT TO LOSE HOPE.

Wife of Ekiti State Governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi has visited the couple blessed with a set of triplets at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH) in Ado-Ekiti.

The babies are the first children of 71-year-old Venerable Hezekiah Akenroye, a retired Anglican Priest and his wife, Mrs Durodoluwa Akenroye (45) who were married in April 2016.

The babies delivered through a cesarean section on Wednesday 21st September 2022, at birth weigh 2.3kg, 2.0kg and 1.8 kg.

Congratulating the couple, Erelu Fayemi who got a hint of the birth of the triplets through a viral news on social media platforms presented the babies with cash and material gifts and charged the couple to ensure they raise the children in the way of the Lord.

The first lady who made a detour to the hospital on her way to a social function today expressed happiness on the birth of the babies saying that it is an evidence that God answers prayers. 

She congratulated the couple and used the medium to advise trying couples not to lose hope and keep believing in God.

The aged father of the babies, Venerable Akenroye who appreciated the first lady for her kind gesture, said he was happy to be blessed with the triplets after many years of waiting.

He said that he never believed God can still make him a father in life. He appreciated God for the pleasant gifts, stressing that God’s time is always the best.

Ekiti government reels out achievements of Fayemi’s four years in office.

Ekiti government reels out achievements of Fayemi’s four years in office.

msoluwayem. ado-ekiti

The Ekiti State Government has said the outgoing governor of the state, Dr Kayode Fayemi has performed creditably well in the last four years in office.

The government justified its claims saying it has constructed a total of 139 kilometres of roads, while it also undertook some palliatives on the dilapidated federal roads to make them accessible for motorists.

Hon Akin Omole, the Commissioner for Information spoke on Friday, at the press conference heralding the 4th anniversary and valedictory ceremonies of the Kayode Fayemi administration and inauguration of Hon. Biodun Oyebanji, with the theme: “Finishing well”.

Omole added that the current government had rehabilitated 14 general and state hospitals and had also initiated operation one primary healthcare per- ward, in line with the design of national healthcare policy.

“Ekiti International Agro-Allied Cargo Airport is a dream come true, not only for this administration, but also for Ekiti-kete and for the generation yet unborn. Though projected to be an Agro-Based Cargo Airport, this does not foreclose commercial passenger operation.

“The Airport boast is CA5-9 4E category with capacity for Aircraft Boeing 747-400 and a runway length of 3.2km”.

Omole added that within the period under review, Fayemi government had completed projects which include dual-lane new Ado-Iyin road; construction of Ekiti State Governor’s Lodge, Asokoro, Abuja; reconstruction of Agbado-Ode-Isinbode road; construction of Aramoko-Erijiyan-Ikogosi road; construction of Oye-Ayede-Iye -Otun road and ; construction of Ilupeju-Ire-Igbemo-road.

During the period, Omole said the government also undertook massive renovation works at the General Hospitals Emure, Aramoko, Ode, Oye, Otun, Ijero, Ikere, Ikole, Ise, Iyin and Omuo-Ekiti, to buoy healthcare delivery to the citizens.

“They include: Harding Memorial College, Oke-Isa, Ado-Ekiti. New SUBEB Headquarters, Secretariat Complex, Ado-Ekiti, EKZ Model School, Ijan-Road, Ado-Ekiti, Model School, Isan-Ekiti. Ekiti State Agro-Cargo International Airport, Ado-Ijan Way, Ado-Ekiti. Ikole Township Roads ((Bolorunduro Street—0.67km, Ave. width 5.7m; Olokonla Dualisation—1.6km, Ave. width 11.75m; Dualised road section—1.1km, Ave. width 12m”.

In the transport sector, the Commissioner revealed that the government had constructed a Bus Terminal and Pedestrian Walkway/Drain Cover along Ijigbo-Okeyinmi Roundabout in Ado-Ekiti Central Business Area, while also making lives comfortable for the elderly by building Old people’s Resort, Ado-Ekiti.

Giving reasons for why it failed to defray the N57 billion unpaid salaries, gratuities and pensions of workers and retirees as promised in 2018, hinging this on recurrent economic downturn being experienced by the state .

He said the parlous states of the federal roads in Ekiti was due to increased traffic from adjoining states, especially upsurge of haulage businesses and cross border trucks, which he said piled pressures on some of the highways to cave in.

“As at 2018 when Governor Kayode Fayemi came on board, he said that he had the intention of paying all these arrears, but budget support fund, Paris club, excess crude and other funds we were getting from the FG stopped and we were only collecting monthly allocation. That was what actually stopped us from fulfilling this promise.

“We were still able to pay a part of it. We paid two out of the salary arrears. If our predecessor, who collected all these funds could not pay, then we should ask questions. It is not our intention not to pay all these arrears. But we are glad that we have a government that is coming after us. If there are areas where we have not fulfilled our promises, the next government will start from there”.

He added that the state government is making efforts to tackle the menace of insecurity in the state, saying administrative bottlenecks was hindering the purchase of the much touted Drone to monitor the forests and checkmate marauding criminals.

The Commissioner appealed to the federal government to focus attention on the deplorable Federal roads, saying the government would not rest until the needful is done in this regard..

JKF... Finishing well and keep Ekiti Working.

We Believe In One Nigeria, But We Cannot Have One Country, Two Systems.

We Believe In One Nigeria, But We Cannot Have One Country, Two Systems. 

Arakunrin Oluwarotimi O. Akeredolu, SAN,

Governor, Ondo State.

The video making the rounds showing the equivalent of the Western Nigeria Security Network (Amotekun Corps) in Katsina, obtaining the approval of the Federal Government to bear arms is fraught with great dangers. Denying Amotekun the urgently needed rights, to legitimately bear arms is a repudiation of the basis of true federalism which we have been clamoring for. 

That Katsina was able to arm its state security force, with the display of AK47 means we are pursuing one country, two systems " solution to the national question. If the katsina situation conferring advantages on some, in the face of commonly faced existential threats, it means that our unitary policing system, which has failed, is a deliberate method of subjugation which must be challenged. 

The Independence agreement was based on a democratic arrangement to have a federal state and devolved internal security mechanics. We must go back to that agreement. Denying Amotekun the right to bear arms exposes the Southwest to life-threatening marauders and organized crime. It is also a deliberate destruction of our agricultural sector. It is an existential threat. 

 

We want to reiterate, that what is sauce for the goose, is sauce for the gander. Ondo State government under the doctrine of necessity have decided to fulfil its legal, constitutional and moral duty to the citizens of the State, by acquiring arms to protect them. This is more so, given that the bandits have an unchecked access to sophisticated weapons. The State government cannot look on while its citizens are being terrorized and murdered with impunity. We will defend our people.

Signed:

Arakunrin Oluwarotimi O. Akeredolu, SAN,

Governor, Ondo State.

HISTORY OF A WARRIOR NAME ARO IN ILARO TOWN IN OGUN STATE.

HISTORY OF A WARRIOR NAME ARO IN ILARO TOWN IN OGUN STATE.
..the Ilaro people celebrate the Oronna festival annually to preserve, uphold, and celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Ilaro Kingdom.

Ilaro town was founded about 14th century by Aro who migrated from a state Oyo town to settle down in Igbo Aje, a little hill situated at the centre of the town from where he and his warriors could sight enemies (mostly slave traders from the neighbouring Benin republic known then as Dahomey) on attack from a long distance. Aro himself was a warrior and a hunter to be reckoned with. Ilaro had her name from "Ilu Aro" meaning the settlement of Aro which later became Ilaro for ease of pronunciation. Ancient Ilaro town was blessed with great farmers, hunters and warriors.

The Oronna Festival is an ancient festival celebrated by the Ilaro Kingdom. The Ilaro people celebrate the Oronna festival annually to preserve, uphold, and celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Ilaro Kingdom. Oronna who was known by the Ilaro people to be a hero, a brave warrior who was said to have brought several victories to the land during war, mostly against the Dahomeans Army who constantly threatens the peace of the Land. He was a man who distinguishes, and committed himself to the safety, well-being of the land as he stood in war to defend the land against intruders.

This place where Orona disappeared into the ground with his Leopard is today known as the Orona Shrine and has been renovated and constructed as an emolument for lovers of history and tourists. It is also the location where the coronation of every new traditional ruler of the town is performed. The Orona Ilaro Festival is celebrated annually in remembrance of the great warrior.

The Orona Ilaro festival is however most significant for its attraction of culture and tourism enthusiasts to the town. The festival which always happen by November is one that last for  one week. Within this one week are lots events that features all of Ilaro cultural and social life such as:  Street Carnival, Tourism activities, cultural beauty pageant, masquerade displays and festival dances, a talent hunt, Medical check-up programs and many more.

Source: Gossip House.
Researcher: Comr. Olamide Akinwumi J.
09068215955