Amosun's Invasion Of My Land Despite Court Order, Height Of Executive Rascality-- Alani Bankole

Egba High Chief and father of former Speaker, House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole, Chief Suarau Alani Bankole has described the invasion of his land by agents of Ogun State Government despite a subsisting court order, ostensibly on the instruction of Governor Amosun as the height of executive rascality.

Adebisi Adeyanju, Media Aide to the Egba High Chief who spoke to our correspondent, said the land, a subject of litigation and for which judgement was given in favour of Chief Bankole was invaded in the wee hours of thursday 17th of July,2018. She opined that the invasion might not be unconnected with the decision of Hon. Justice Akinyemi to personally visit the property over issues of identity and possession. In her words, "after judgement was delivered in our favour the second time, the argument over the stay of execution filed by the government led to the decision of Hon. Justice Akinyemi to personally visit the land on the 18th of July, 2018, not only to resolve the issue of identity but also to confirm that indeed, Chief Bankole took possession of the land as against the argument of the defendants".

She continued, "To our greatest surprise, information reached us at about 12.30 a.m. of July 17th, 2018, that agents of government were on the land carting away goods worth millions of naira belonging to tenants amongst whom is a mechanic, Mr. Adegbite,whose customers' vehicles were also taken away. We have it  on good authority that, the 'operation' lasted till about 4 a.m. and during that period, the street light in that area was turned off and vehicular movement was diverted. Policemen were drafted from Government House for the clandestine exercise. As a matter of fact , a passerby was shot in the process of the operation and was taken to the Federal Medical Centre in Abeokuta for treatment.


Expressing surprise over the action of the governor, she said, "It still baffles me why the Governor is so desperate to hijack Chief Bankole's property. It is expected that since he filed stay of execution which the court later granted him, he should have waited for the judicial process to take its course rather than the government racasality and flagrant disregard for the rule of law which he is currently displaying.
As I speak, they have commenced construction on that land on which status quo is expected to be maintained. It is a serious case of abuse of office and executive power. Somebody should remind Mr Governor that this is clearly against his oath of office, especially now that he has just about ten months to leave office."

When contacted, Olumide Ayeni, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Ogun State, said he was not prepared to speak on the matter claiming that the matter is in court. But when our correspondent reminded him that this is a case of invasion, Ayeni alleged that he  (our correspondent) was been sponsored and rudely hung up.

Meanwhile, Alani Bankole in a letter date 17th July, 2018, addressed to the Commissioner of Police and copied both the Alake of Egba Land, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo,CFR and Divisional Police Offficer, Ibara Police Division, called for indepth investigation into the matter. The letter a copy of which was made available to our correspondent is titled: "Invasion of My Land Situate, Lying And Being At Plot 1, Block V1, Ibara Commercial Centre, Ibara, Abeokuta," reads in part:  " Investigations carried out revealed that the vehicles were towed by Mobile Police Officers and Officers of Trace ostensibly at the instance of the Defendants. The vehicles were traced to Trace's premises but up till now the Container including the stock, Generator, Deep Freezer, Gas and other items belonging to Biodun Olukoya have not been located.

" I hereby bring the unfortunate incident to your humble self hoping that you will carry out a detailed investigation without fear or favour." The letter concluded.

 

OGUN POPULAR JUJU/HIGH LIFE CROONER, BIG TEE, ROCKS IN CANADA

For those who have been following the happenings in the social circuit in Abeokuta, Ogun State, in the last few weeks, it is no news that one of the mainstays of the music-tainment supply for parties and big events in the city and beyond, Taiwo Oguntade better known as Big Tee or Taiwo Elesemeta, has jetted out of the country to Canada. What may not be known to many is that Big Tee who jetted out on holiday on the 20th of June, 2018, due to popular demand, had to stage a mother of all shows for his teeming fans in Canada, last night.

Having been enjoying his holiday by shuttling between major cities in Canada from Toronto to Vancouver to Montreal and Ottawa since arrival, Taiwo Elesemeta eventually budged to fans' pressure to entertain them at  De Place African Restaurant, Toronto. And according to the feelers reaching Saheed Ojubanire Online, the show witnessed a full house of both black and white revellers who could not resist the inimitable flavours of the one man band music, Big Tee titillated them with, all night long. 

In his trademark baritone voice, the bulky singer reportedly rocked and rocked as he went into his bottomless repertoire to dish out tunes after tunes which came out very different from what music lovers in Toronto had heard before and his efforts was also said to have earned him crisps notes of the Canadian currency while the show lasted. And that was said to be the same story when he went to the United Sates, London and other Europea countries in the past. He never fails to wow his fans around the globe. Meanwhile, Big Tee is due to return to the country sometime this week as a number of shows are already lined up for him back home.

FUJI STAR, SEFIU ALAO'S DAUGHTER, SAFFIYA, GOES INTO MUSIC

Call it like father like daughter and you may not be wrong. Because as you read this, one of the daughters of an Abeokuta, Ogun State based Fuji music star, Alhaji Dr. Sefiu Alao Adekunle, has decided to follow the footsteps of her father in the music fiefdom. Oyindamola Shefiat whose stage name is Saffiya is however not singing Fuji like her dad but rather, Rhythm and Blues (RnB), and from the depth and quality of her recently released debut track titled: "Stay", Nigerian entertainment industry should watch out for another female music sensation who has come to "Stay".

Born on 13th May, 1999, beautiful Saffiya is a student of International Law and Diplomacy at Babcock University and before now, she had honed her filial music talent by doing cover of so many popular songs that caught her fancy. And now she is apparently ready to blaze through the tide of the industry in which her very successful father is still making his marks. And a Fuji/RnB collaboration between dad and her daughter in the nearest future may also not be out of the equation.

To listen to the new song titled "Stay", you can google the following links: 

https://soundcloud.com/saffiya_x/stay

http://www.skysoundreloaded.com.ng/

new-song-stay-saffiya/

Why I'm Passionate About Promoting Yoruba Cultural Heritage

Ogun Popular Broadcaster, Iyalode Pedepede Speaks

Hers is one of the house-hold names in the Ogun State broadcasting industry. Eniola Anike  Shodiya who is better known as Iyalode Pedepede is a thoroughbred broadcaster who has remained committed to her choice of career since she found her way into the media terrain sometime in 2007. After going through the crucible of training from the bosses her path crossed theirs while making efforts to hone her broadcasting skills, Iyalode Pedepede refused to rest on her oars as she made sure she improved on previous efforts whenever she had rare opportunities to go on air with her bosses, at different points in time, as either a co-presenter or fully standing in for them when they were not available to present their programmes. And all the experiences she garnered along the line are what have made her tick as an independent presenter of note today. Meanwhile, the dark and beautiful on-air-personality has also chosing promoting the Yoruba cultural heritage as part of her professional calling with her Adayeba Cultural Foundation with an annual event/project in Abeokuta. As she is about to hold another edition of her event this week, she told SAHEED OJUBANIRE in Abeokuta why she is passionate about promoting the Yoruba cultural heritage and the details of the upcoming event on Thursday, 5th July, 2018, at Adayeba Cultural Foundation Centre, NATA Village, Beside Adonai Filling Station, Kobape Road, Abeokuta, by 11 in the morning. Excerpts:

How did the journey into the broadcasting profession start for you?

Well, I started the journey in 2007 under the tutelage of my bosses who were already making waves in the broadcasting industry then. And in this regard, I'm talking about the man that gave me the first rare privilege of cutting my teeth in presentation, Aderoju Adejare who is popularly known as Osila Production. I was with him between the years of 2007 and 2011 here in Abeokuta with programmes on different radio stations. And to further broaden my horizon in the nitty-gritty of the profession, I had to proceed to the fountain of knowledge of another boss, Olusoji Omotayo, Baaroyin Apede Ara,  under the banner of his Soji Omotayo Productions. He was having (and still having) programmes on radio stations both in Lagos and Abeokuta, so under him, I had the opportunity of taking my training beyond the ambit of Abeokuta. I was with Baaroyin Apede Ara from 2011 till 2013 when I decided to stand on my own.

What are some of the programmes you presented with your bosses back then?

Some of the programmes were: Adun Ife, Ise Logun Ise, Oyato on OGBC 2 and Faaji Repete on Faaji 106.5 F.M. Lagos.

Now as an independent broadcaster, what are some of the programmes you are involved in, in Abeokuta here where you are based?

Some of the programmes I am currently involved in their presentation are: Akakatan Iroyin, Gbangbalawa, Ile Ewa, Ikorita Ife, and Adayeba on Rockcity 101.9FM Abeokuta.

Who is or are your role models in the broadcasting profession?

Well, I have 3 personalities that I admire so deeply and look up to in the broadcasting profession and they are: Chief (Mrs.) Anike Agbaje Williams, Olusesan Ekisola and Dr. Ambrose Olutayo Somide.

Now let's talk about your passion for promoting the Yoruba cultural heritage. Where is the inspiration for that coming from?

Well, it is no longer news that the incursion of civilisation into our tradition has negatively impacted on pratically every aspect of our way of life that is dressing, religious, language and so on. So, it is indeed unfortunate that all what Yorubas  were known for have been relegated to the background while foreign culture took the front burner. I find that quite appalling, and that is why I came up with the idea of Adayeba Cultural Foundation to promote and tackle the continued errossion of the cultural heritage of the Yoruba race.

And how has the journey been for Adayeba Cultural Foundation?

Well, I give glory to God because He has been their for me. Our first edition of annual event/project came up in the year 2016 with 80 participants. And we left 2017 to plan and better strategize as we wanted to go to greater height. So, this year we thank God because our expected participants are now almost 200.

Who are some of the personalities that have been part of the event?

There are lots of people. And that include:  Alayeluwa Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, (the Alaafin of Oyo), Oloye Afolasade Tinubu Ojo (the Iyaloja General), Alhaji Ayo Ogunsolu (the G.M. of Parks & Garrages in Ogun State), Prince Samsideen Apelogun (the Chairman of Accomoran in Ogun State), Alhaja Fatimah Ejide, Basorun Muyiwa Oladipo (the Commissioner for Culture in Ogun State), and by extension, the Ogun State Government.

What are some of the activities we are going to be witnessing at the event?

To start with, our chairman of the day is High Chief Gani Ige Abiodun Adams, the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Alhaji Alabi Pasuma is our main artiste and we have other guest artistes including Sir Shina Akanni, Alhaji Bukola Alayande  Ere Asalatu, the Innovator 1 and many more. White colour with teal grean would be the colours of the day and we are going to be eating local food served in Awo Sobi (local plates and utensils) and the foods would include Eba Inu Ewe, Iyan, Amala, Ofada, Asaro, Akara and Eko, Gbure Oloboro, Ewedu, Gbegiri, Efo Riro and so on with fresh palmeine (Ogidi Emu). No jollof rice or any English food.

Apart from those you've mentioned already, can you name some other personalities being expected at this year's event?

That is good. The Mother of the Day is the First Lady of Ogun State, Dr. Olufunso Amosun, The Father of the Day is Alhaji A. Abidoye Amosun(Alhaji Agba), and the Launchers are Oloye Ayinde Koiku(Jaguna Akiode),  Alhaji Abdul-Ganiyu Ajibade Akewusola,  Alhaji Abdul-Rasaq Ayinde Adeleke( Agba Awo Akeweje of Iseyin Land), 

and Alhaji Ibrahim Dende Egungbohun. We also expecting the likes of Dr. Seye Kehinde, the Publisher of City People Magazine and Dr. Ambrose Olutayo Somide, the Managing Director, Radio Services, DAAR Group, to mention a few.

What is the idea of foundation stone laying at the event all about?

The idea is to build our own ADAYEBA CULTURAL FOUNDATION Vocational & Museum Center in order to be teaching people on how to be making our local product such as Adire, Aso Oke, Irun Didi, Igba Fin Fin, Ikoko etc.

And what is next after the foundation stone laying?

Like the Yorubas would say, Ibere o kii se onise (the ones who deserves the glory are those who are able to finish what they started), May the Almighty God  bless us to finish the project.

Finally, what is your message for the teeming fans of your programmes on air?

Well, I have nothing much to say other than to be thanking them and I promise not to disappoint them in any way.

Why Murphy’s Place Is Hosting Seye Kehinde This Friday

Murphy’s Place Boss, MC Murphy Reveals

Come Friday, May 4^th, 2018, popular fun spot in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Murphy’s Place, Beside Bayak Petrol Station, Ita-Oshin, would be hosting the publisher of City People Magazine, Dr. Seye Kehinde, to a night of undiluted fun where he would also be presented with a Special Recognition Award for his Time-Tested Humility. In this interview with SAHEED OJUBANIRE shortly after his radio programme at Faaji 106.5 F.M., Alagbado, Lagos, recently, the CEO of Murphy’s Place, Alhaji Moruf Wole Sorunke popularly known as MC Murphy gave details of what the event is all about. Read on please:

Q: For the purpose of this interview, can you tell us your name?

R: My name is Moruf Olawole Sorunke MC Murphy, now King G.

Q: You are the CEO of a major fun spot in Abeokuta called Murphy’s Place, can you tell us what Murphy’s Place is all about?

R: Yeah, by the time we finish works on Murphy’s Place, it is going to be the best place meant for total entertainments. You know, this is going to be the first entertainer that has such in Ogun State. We’ve had a lot of entertainers that have come up but for MC Murphy and Murphy’s Place, my purpose is to have somewhere where when they come, they would see that an entertainer owns the place and they are going to get entertained.

Q: We are aware that Murphy’s Place has a club, so apart from clubbing, what other things is the place into?

R: Murphy’s Place is a tourists’ centre and that is more than just a club thing. At the moment, we are working on our swimming pool, a hotel, an event centre and we are lucky that our topography there is endowed with a lake where people can also commune with nature is they want to. There is a car wash at the front, the club is in the middle and other things are behind. So, it is a total package for pleasure and fun seekers from within and outside Ogun State.

Q: Come Friday, May 4^th, Murphy’s Place would be hosting one of the big guns in the media industry in Nigeria; that is Dr. Seye Kehinde, the publisher of City People Magazine. Can you tell us the idea behind that?

R: Yes, thank you. The idea behind it is to celebrate whom honour is due to. Dr. Seye Kehinde has really supported a lot of people who have become big factors in the country today. And I feel someone should have come up with this kind of idea long before now. The reason being that despite all Dr. Seye Kehinde has done with his craft to support other people, he still extremely humble with it. In fact, he is humble to a fault, so to speak. The humility is exemplary. That is one virtue that is missing in a lot of our successful people. By all standards, Dr. Seye Kehinde is one of the most successful journalists this country has seen and at his status, if he wants to be arrogant or unapproachable; he has all the rights to that. But the Dr. Seye Kehinde I know has never been arrogant for a second. He is quiet, easy going, accessible and helpful. So, what more can you ask for in a successful man. So, he deserves what Murphy’s Place it planning to do to celebrate him. So, Murphy’s Place would be hosting Dr. Seye Kehinde to a night of undiluted fun where he would be presented with a Special Recognition Award for his Time-Tested Humility and the event is surely going to be the first of its kind.

Q: Let’s go a little down memory lane. Can you remember your first encounter with Dr. Seye Kehinde?

R: Well, let me start by saying that the first time I met Dr. Seye Kehinde, he told me that MC Murphy, you are the only one I listen to on radio and that was over ten years ago in Lagos. And he was extremely humble on that day which really caught my attention. It was at an event and he was not even sitting down even when he was offered a seats, he let other people sat instead. Dr. Seye Kehinde is just too much with his humility.

Q: Have you ever met any other person more humble than him?

R: No. Dr. Seye Kehinde is the only person that I know who always pipe low. Most others fluctuate. They may seem humble this time and the next time they are obscenely arrogant. I know a lot of magazine publishers who are not even as successful but think they are tin gods. I don’t want to mention names. We are setting a standard by giving Dr. Seye Kehinde Humility Award. And I know a lot still celebrate him afterwards on the same virtue. But it would be on record that MC Murphy did it first.

Q: Can you give us an idea of how the day is going to be like?

R: Well, it is going to be a lot of fun because there would be lots of artistes performing back to back. The thing is, when you are doing an event like this, there would be lots of artistes who you can reel out all their names at once but as I speak, we have Chelsea Bobo, Beulah, Olumide, Boye Best, Wale Thompson, a number of hip hop artistes, DJ Tommy, and there is going to be a special appearance by MC Murphy himself, just to spice up the whole thing. And a lot of artistes are still joining the list. For instance, Lords Kenge just called me and said he is going to be part of it. And we have a lot of comedians coming in too.

Q: We have gathered that lots of people dominating the political, the corporate and business land scape in the city are also showing interest in coming. Is that true?

R: They have to. I chatted with the Hon. Commissioner for Information, Otunba Dayo Adeneye (D1) not long ago and he said I should drop his IV and a lot of other people have been calling for the invites too. All the happenings guys and babes in town are also not exempted.

Q: Are you saying people who might not have the invitation cards can still come?

R: Yes, it is a public gathering. The doors would be thrown open for everyone who wants to enjoy themselves to the fullest. Drinks and other stuffs would surely be on sale like our regular club days.

Q: Finally, what is your advice for fun-seekers in Abeokuta come next Friday, May 4^th?

R: Well, I want to tell my friends, and my enemies as well, in Abeokuta, forget about the enmity of MC Murphy is doing well. Just come and let us enjoy ourselves. The truth is that since the inception of Murphy’s Place, some of my friends are not visiting me again. This is for every fun-seeker in town; all the G’s and the hot babes, you are all welcome. And the media is also going to be well represented there too.

CITY PEOPLE ENTERTAINMENT SET TO CELEBRATE SEFIU ALAO IN ABEOKUTA

EVENT MAY WITNESS LAUNCH OF HIS BIOGRAPHY

As you read this, plans are already being made by the soar away entertainment platform in Nigeria, City People Entertainment, to celebrate one of the highly talented and very successful Fuji artistes Nigeria has seen, Alhaji (Dr.) Sefiu Alao Adekunle. The celebration which is billed to be held in February, 2018, would be taking place in Abeokuta, Ogun State, the home base of the artiste who is also referred to as Baba Oko.

According to plans, the event which promises to shake the Rock City of Abeokuta to its foundation would be taking place at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta. And apart from the event billed to bring all Fuji music stars in Nigeria to Abeokuta to celebrate one of their own who has remained a major unifying factor within the industry over the years, the event may also be witnessing the Launching of his biography titled: “Sefiu Alao: The Rough Road To Stardom,” if things work out according to plans.

It would be recalled that the last time City People Entertainment celebrated the Fuji music star also referred to as Agbara Orin was in December, 2009. And the event was unique not because it shut down the entire city of Abeokuta for Sefiu Alao at that time, but because it also afforded the artiste who many did not know is a good family man, to showcase his lovely family for the world to see for the first time in his long career.

Though, a lot of water has passed under the bridge since that time but Agbara Orin has kept waxing stronger against all odds. As a case in point, he lost his darling wife, Nimotallahi, who was also showcased to all his teeming fans at that time to the cold hands of death, four years ago (7^th October, 2013), and he himself survived a gunshot incident that could have claimed his life on 10^th December, 2016! So he has got every reason to celebrate and be celebrated at the upcoming event.

This blog will keep you posted as the build up to the event unfolds.

Top Artistes, Mega 99, Wale Tekoma, Segun Blessing, Others Perform As Faaji F.M. Marks 5th Anniversary

For the management, staff and independent broadcasters on Faaji 106.5 F.M., Lagos, Friday, December 1st, 2017, was more than just the public holiday declared in Nigeria for Maolud Nabiyy to celebrate the birthday of Holy Prophet Muhammed (S.A.W.). The day was coincidentally, the 5th anniversary of the soar away radio station. And to mark the day modestly, the management of the station, led by Dr. Ambrose Olutayo Somide, the Director, Radio Services, Daar Communicatuon PLC, organized an exclusive party for themselves and a few members of the public.

The celebration started few minutes past 2 P.M. with a special broadcast anchored by top On-Air-Personalities on the Yoruba and Pidgin English based station; Banjo Ojedeji who kick-started the broadcast in Yoruba, and Omo Jesu who spoke in Pidgin English to carry the two denomination of audience along. Shortly after the two presenters of note introduced the special broadcast as one meant for the 5th anniversary celebration, Dr. Somide came on the microphone to speak to their teeming audience.

The very articulate broadcaster in both English and Yoruba languages, said the journey so far for the radio station, as smooth as it seemed to the members of the public, had its own ups and downs, but their fighting spirit surmounted all the challenges that reared their ugly heads. He added that what makes Faaji F.M. tick is because the radio station is an avenue where talents meet opportunities. In other words, he revealed that the many talented broadcasters who present programmes on the station are given ample opportunity to showcase themselves through the platform of the station with varieties of interesting programmes. And that is what, according to him, does the magic of Faaji F.M.'s front line position amidst radio stations in the country.

After the brief broadcast, there was cutting of anniversary cake and photo sessions in the studio before the party moved to an alfresco level within the premises of the station where a marquee had been set up and tables and chairs underneath it arranged in banquet form. There was also a stage in the distance for musical performances, and as was in the studio, Banjo Ojedeji and Omo Jesu in their very jocular and witty characters navigated the proceedings.

There was a table for top management staff of the station at the fore front of the marquee. And those who sat there together with Dr. Somide included: Madam Jire Kuforiji, Madam Ibiyemi Olufowobi, Madam Yewande Iwuoha, Madam Abiola Aberuagba and Mr. Johnson Onime. For the event to take off effectively, there was an opening prayer in Muslim way by Imam Mustapha Daud, and in a Christian way by Madam Yewande Iwuoha. And shortly after, Dr. Somide took his opening remarks on the stage.

Apart from briefly tracing the history of independent radio broadcasting in Nigeria which was flagged off in 1993 by Raypower F.M., a sister station to Faaji F.M. and how its success story set off a domino effect of independent radio stations opening in the country, one after the other, he reiterated what he said earlier in the studio about the reason behind the headway of the highflying Faaji F.M. within the last five years. There was general cake cutting exercise and photo session of all the presenters on the station who were in attendance, before a toast to Faaji F.M. at 5 was taken by Madam Ibiyemi Olufowobi.

Without further ado, musical performance began on the stage while eating and drinking went on under the marquee. Some of the artistes that graced the stage with electrifying performances included: Dare Majemu, Yomi Apase Emi, Yetty Swift, Wale Tekoma, Aladesanmi Ibile, Jerryman, Shakirat Wahab Ogo Tuntun, Mega 99, Segun Blessing and Bunmi Akinnanu Adeoye. But Little Angel, an 8 year old girl stole the show with her unbelievably exciting performance, and Ademuyiwa Wikipedia dazzled with his uncanny ability to reel out current affairs off hand, like a human computer.

Some of the top presenters on the radio station who were at the well organised celebration included: Yemi Sounde, Sulaiman Adegbenro Consoligbadun, Otunba Yemi Odunodu, Yemi Ajide Olayinka, Ifankehaleluyah, Goke Babalola, Imalian Boy, Abiodun Oropo, Soji Alabi Famous, Kayode Adejumo, Doyin Olatunji, Dayo Amusan, Skin Dudu, Fatai Bantale, Sina Adegbite, Bidemi Olukuewu, Kokoro Alujanna, Abass Adefulu, Kudirat Asani Olayinka and a host of others.