Ogbomoso Info

Ogbomoso Info OgbomosoInfo is an independent news medium in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, with the functions of informing, educating, entertaining Nigerians and world at large.
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Chess Marathon: Tunde Onakoya Reaches 58-Hour MarkRenowned chess master, Tunde Onakoya, who commenced his mission to sur...
20/04/2024

Chess Marathon: Tunde Onakoya Reaches 58-Hour Mark

Renowned chess master, Tunde Onakoya, who commenced his mission to surpass the Guinness World Record for the longest chess marathon, has reached the 58th-hour mark.

Onakoya made this known on his X account in the early hours of Saturday.

Sharing a photo with record broken inscribed on it, Onakoya wrote, "We have done it."

"We’re pushing to 60 hours, guys. We’re not stopping yet. Let’s keep going.

"We have a fundraising goal to meet for the education of African children around the world. This is our why - the reason we are doing this.

"Let's demonstrate to the world the incredible power of love. Together, we can make this happen."

The previous Guinness World Record record of 56-hour, 9-minute mark was set by Norwegian players Hallvard Haug Flatebø and Sjur Ferkingstad in 2018.

Credit: X | Tunde_OD
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Tourism Summit: We'll partner investors to unlock tourism potentials - MakindeThe Executive Governor of Oyo State, Engr....
18/04/2024

Tourism Summit: We'll partner investors to unlock tourism potentials - Makinde

The Executive Governor of Oyo State, Engr. ‘Seyi Makinde, has reiterated his administration's readiness to partner with investors to unlock the tourism potentials of the state

The EFCC has declared ex-Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello wanted.The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has declared a f...
18/04/2024

The EFCC has declared ex-Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello wanted.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has declared a former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, wanted for offences relating to economic and financial crimes.

This was contained in a notice posted on the commission’s official page on Thursday.

The notice asked anybody with useful information about the former governor’s whereabouts to contact any of the commission’s offices across the country.

The anti-graft commission had earlier stated that it would, on Thursday (today), arraign the former governor before a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.

This was after the EFCC was granted a warrant of arrest by the Federal High Court in Abuja to apprehend the former governor.

The agency’s team of lawyers, led by Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, during the proceedings on Thursday, said that EFCC operatives were prepared to carry out the arrest warrant for the former governor, even if it requires the use of force.

BREAKING: 29 suspects arraign for invasion of Oyo state secretariat over clamour for Yoruba nation. Twenty nine suspects...
17/04/2024

BREAKING: 29 suspects arraign for invasion of Oyo state secretariat over clamour for Yoruba nation.

Twenty nine suspects have been arraigned before an Ibadan Chief Magistrate Court for their alleged involvement and roles in the invasion of Oyo state secretariat at the weekend with intention to hijack government.

The suspects comprising male, female, young and old were arraigned on a seven count charge bothering on treasonable felony, going armed in conducts likely to cause breach of public peace and order, illegal possession of fi****ms amongst others.

Their offences, according to the Investigative Police Officer, Bakare Rasaq, an Inspector with the State Criminal Investigation Department, Iyaganku, Ibadan are contrary to and punishable under Section 516 of the Criminal Code, Cap 38, Vol.II, Laws of Oyo State of Nigeria, 2000.

Presiding over the case, the Chief Magistrate OO Ogunkanmi adjourned the case to the 1st of August 2024 for hearing and ordered that the suspects be remanded at the state correctional centre, Agodi.

Credit: David Bello

Naira abuse: Court grants Cubana Chief Priest N10million bailNigerian businessman, Pascal Chibuike Okechukwu better know...
17/04/2024

Naira abuse: Court grants Cubana Chief Priest N10million bail

Nigerian businessman, Pascal Chibuike Okechukwu better known as Cubana Chief Priest has been granted N10M million bail.

EFCC had arraigned the businessman over Naira abuse. Channel Television reported that EFCC had filed a three-count charge against the businessman for allegedly spraying and tampering with the naira at a social event contrary to the provisions of the Central Bank Act of 2007.

The businessman had arrived before Justice Kehinde Ogundare of the Federal High Court, Lagos on Wednesday morning, April 17th, 2024, and had pleaded not guilty to the charges of naira abuse. While being arraigned in court this morning, his counsel, Chukwusolo Onukwi opposed the charges filed against him by the EFCC. He had also filed a bail application which has been granted by the judge.

The judge had granted him N10million bail.

PHOTOS: Aseyin of Iseyin, HRM Oba Sefiu Oyebola Adeyeri III, paid a courtesy visit to  Soun of Ogbomoso,HIM Oba Ghandi A...
17/04/2024

PHOTOS: Aseyin of Iseyin, HRM Oba Sefiu Oyebola Adeyeri III, paid a courtesy visit to Soun of Ogbomoso,HIM Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye Orumógege III

Tinubu declares April 7 as National Police DayPresident Bola Tinubu has declared April 7 as National Police Day.Tinubu, ...
16/04/2024

Tinubu declares April 7 as National Police Day

President Bola Tinubu has declared April 7 as National Police Day.

Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, made this known on Monday night during the maiden edition of the Nigeria Police Awards and Commendations ceremony held in the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja.

He identified a complete overhaul of institutional mentality and memory of police officers as fundamental in his administration’s ongoing bid to transform the force into a modern, professional and accountable institution.

He said that his administration had initiated wide-ranging reforms to revitalize the nation’s police force since assuming office in 2023.

He, therefore, stressed the need to engage men and women of the force in training and capacity-building to equip them with the expertise required to carry out the arduous task of modern policing.

He also disclosed that the Federal Government had approved the first week of April as police week and the last day of the week as the National Police Day.

BREAKING: Dangote crashes price of diesel to N1,000 per litreDangote Petroleum Refinery has announced a further reductio...
16/04/2024

BREAKING: Dangote crashes price of diesel to N1,000 per litre

Dangote Petroleum Refinery has announced a further reduction in the price of diesel.

This was announced in a statement issued on Tuesday by its spokesperson, Nduka Chiejina.

When it commenced operation a few weeks ago, Dangote Petroleum Refinery pegged the price of diesel as N1,200.

While rolling out the products, the refinery supplied at a substantially reduced price of N1,200 per litre three weeks ago, representing over 30 percent reduction from the previous market price of about N1,600 per litre.

However, on Tuesday, a further reduction of N200 was noticed in the price, with the product now pegged at N1,000.

This significant reduction in the price of diesel, at Dangote Petroleum Refinery, is expected to positively affect all the spheres of the economy and ultimately reduce the high inflation rate in the country.

The President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, had during the Eid-el-Fitr celebration said if the cost price of diesel comes down, the inflation rate will be substantially reduced.

Dangote spoke when he visited President Bola Tinubu in his residence in Lagos State to celebrate the end of the Ramadan fast with him.

Bayer Leverkusen win the Bundesliga title for the FIRST time in their history!74 goals scored, 19 goals conceded, Zero d...
15/04/2024

Bayer Leverkusen win the Bundesliga title for the FIRST time in their history!

74 goals scored, 19 goals conceded, Zero defeats.

19 Passengers Die In Road Accident Along Oyo-Ogbomoso Road Sunday, One Survives - FRSCAt least, 19 people died in a Road...
15/04/2024

19 Passengers Die In Road Accident Along Oyo-Ogbomoso Road Sunday, One Survives - FRSC

At least, 19 people died in a Road Traffic Crash (RTC) along Oyo-Ogbomoso Road in Oyo on Sunday, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has said. Mr Jonas Agwu, Corps Public Education Officer, (CPEO), who is an Assistant Corps Marshal (ACM), confirmed this in a statement in Abuja.

UPDATE ON OYO GOVT HOUSE INVASION BY YORUBA NATION MILITANTSJoint security forces have arrested 20 suspects believed to ...
14/04/2024

UPDATE ON OYO GOVT HOUSE INVASION BY YORUBA NATION MILITANTS

Joint security forces have arrested 20 suspects believed to be affiliated with the secessionist group known as Oodua Nation Agitators, in connection with the invasion of state government premises in Agodi, Ibadan, Oyo State on Saturday.

The arrested individuals, who were dressed in military style camouflage clothing, arrived heavily armed in an unregistered silver colored Nissan van.

Items found inside the van included machetes, pump action shotguns, ammunition, charms and other talismans, and a flag associated with the Oodua Nation secessionist movement.

The assailants arrived at the location in multiple vehicles. They attempted to forcibly enter the Governor's Office during the siege, but vigilant security forces were able to thwart this plan of action. The suspects wore masks and scarves to conceal their identities, and displayed a flag suspected of being associated with the secessionist agitators. The armed invasion occurred early Saturday morning.

Kingmakers nominate Olakulehin as 43rd OlubadanThe Olubadan-in-Council has on Friday, nominated the Balogun of Ibadanlan...
13/04/2024

Kingmakers nominate Olakulehin as 43rd Olubadan

The Olubadan-in-Council has on Friday, nominated the Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin as the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland.

Oba Olakulehin's nomination by the council will succeed Oba Lekan Balogun who died at University College Hospital (UCH) at the age of 81, after his nomination have been approved by the Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde.

Olakulehin's nomination by the council was proposed by the Osi Balogun, Oba Lateef Adebimpe at the Olubadan-in-council meeting held at the Olubadan's Palace, Oja’ba, Ibadan.

After the meeting, the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland and former governor of the state, High Chief Rashidi Ladoja told journalists that the choice of the kingmakers would be made known to the state governor who was hoped would give his consent.

He said: “As soon as the governor gives consent to the letter, a date for coronation will be picked.”

Those at the kingmakers' meeting were the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, High Chief Rashidi Ladoja; the Osi Olubadan, Oba Eddy Oyewole; the Ashipa Olubadan, Oba Abiodun Kola-Daisi; the Ekerin Olubadan, Oba Hamidu Ajibade; the Ekarun Olubadan, Oba Adebayo Akande; the Osi Balogun, Oba Lateef Adebimpe; the Ashipa Balogun, Oba Kola Adegbola; Ekerin Balogun, Oba Dada Isioye and the Ekarun Balogun, Oba Abiodun Azeez.

The quest to pick the new Olubadan had earlier been marred with controversy with the Otun Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Tajudeen Ajibola who was the next in rank to Olakulehin in the Balogun line claiming the Olubadan designate was too sick too sick to be a monarch. He had said there was the need for him to be physically healthy before he could be nominated.

But Oba Olakunlehin's family kicked against the claim of Oba Ajibola as they alleged that he had an ulterior motive since he would be the beneficiary should the Balogun be unable to mount the throne.

Also opposing Ajibola was Ladoja. He maintained that since Ajibola was not a medical doctor, he was not in a position to give an opinion on Olakulehin's health status.

Naira abuse: Bobrisky to spend six months in jail, no option of fineJustice Abimbola Awogboro of a Federal High Court in...
13/04/2024

Naira abuse: Bobrisky to spend six months in jail, no option of fine

Justice Abimbola Awogboro of a Federal High Court in Lagos, on Friday, sentenced popular cross-dresser, Idris Olarewaju Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, to six months in custody over Naira abuse.

Bobrisky was not given an option of fine.
On April 5, EFCC arraigned Bobrisky in court on a six-count charge ranging from abuse of the Naira and Money laundering.

The court, however, dismissed the money laundering charges but convicted him for Naira Abuse after he confessed to the crime.

PHOTOS: Soun hosts Obas across 5 Local Government Areas in Ogbomoso Zone for the purpose of development in the zone📷: Fa...
12/04/2024

PHOTOS: Soun hosts Obas across 5 Local Government Areas in Ogbomoso Zone for the purpose of development in the zone

📷: Facebook | Oba Akinola John Akintola

Ex-minister Ogbonnaya Onu dies at 72The immediate past minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, has died at...
11/04/2024

Ex-minister Ogbonnaya Onu dies at 72

The immediate past minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, has died at the age of 72.

His kinsmen in Ebonyi confirmed his death, saying the former governor had been ill for some time and his family had planned to fly him abroad after the Sallah break.

“He has been sick for some time this year and his family said they would fly him abroad to get better medical treatment for him but he could not make it till then,” the source said.

It was gathered that his friends and relations have thronged his Abuja residence since hearing the news to express their condolences to his family.

No Feud on Olubadan Stool - MakindeThe Executive Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde has said there is no rancor o...
10/04/2024

No Feud on Olubadan Stool - Makinde

The Executive Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde has said there is no rancor over the Olubadan Chieftaincy laws in the State.

He warned those disposed to fanning the embers of discord to desist in the interest of the State.

Makinde spoke while playing host to Muslim faithful who are members of his cabinet and other top government functionaries at his Ikolaba residence.

The Governor also said he was yet to receive any official communication from the Olubadan-in-Council on nomination for the stool.

He wondered why some people were focusing on things that divide the State saying there was no place for that under his watch.

10/04/2024

Ogbomoso Muslim Community
Happy Eid-el-Fitr

Eid Prayer led by Chief Imam Dr. Teliat Yunus Ayilara at Eid Onipanu, Iresa, Ogbomoso

Eid Prayer led by Imam Abeebu Ayilara
at Old Eid, General, Ogbomoso

🤔🤔🤔

Prominent Lagos Monarch, Osolo of Isolo Dies At 63Lagos royal circle has been thrown into mourning as one of them, the O...
10/04/2024

Prominent Lagos Monarch, Osolo of Isolo Dies At 63

Lagos royal circle has been thrown into mourning as one of them, the Osolo of Isolo, Oba Kabiru Adelaja Agbabiaka has joined his ancestors.

Oba Agbabiaka was reported to have joined his Ancestors on Wednesday morning after a brief illness at the age of 63.

His Palace has been besieged by mourners who received the death of the socialite king with surprise and have come to condole with the family and Isolo in general.

Ex-Kogi Gov Idris’ son dies in Abuja The Honourable Mohammed Ibrahim Idris, a former member of the House of Representati...
10/04/2024

Ex-Kogi Gov Idris’ son dies in Abuja

The Honourable Mohammed Ibrahim Idris, a former member of the House of Representatives and the son of a former governor of Kogi State, Ibrahim Idris, died today, Wednesday, in Abuja.

He represented Ankpa, Olamaboro and Omala federal constituencies at the lower chamber of the National Assembly.

It was gathered that he slumped after Eid prayer at his residence, in Abuja.

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASEPRESIDENT TINUBU TO COMPATRIOTS AT EID PRAYERS: LOVE NIGERIA AND DEFEND ITS INTEGRITY President...
10/04/2024

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE

PRESIDENT TINUBU TO COMPATRIOTS AT EID PRAYERS: LOVE NIGERIA AND DEFEND ITS INTEGRITY

President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday in Lagos joined the Muslim faithful to observe Eid-el-Fitr prayers, urging Nigerians to continue to have faith in his government and remain patriotic citizens.

Addressing journalists after the prayers at the Eid Ground at the Dodan Barracks, the President said the Renewed Hope Agenda of his administration, which is aimed at bringing prosperity to Nigerians, is being diligently implemented.

Encouraging Muslims celebrating the conclusion of Ramadan to extend the values of sacrifice and resilience beyond the fasting period, President Tinubu emphasized the need for Nigerians to prioritize the exhibition of love for their country.

''The resilience and sacrifice that we have shown and made during these months should be preserved. Be a kind and cheerful giver. We must love our country more than any other country, because that is the only one we have.

''We must continue to protect the integrity of our government and leadership.

''The Renewed Hope Agenda is alive, well and fine, and Nigerians should continue to be very hopeful. Without hope, there is no salvation. Without hope, there is no development. Without hope, there is no life. Eid Mubarak,’’ the President told journalists at the end of the prayers led by the Chief Imam of Lagos State, Sheikh Sulaiman Oluwatoyin Abou-Nolla.

Earlier in his sermon, the Chief Imam urged Nigerians to shun all acts of violence, ensure peaceful co-existence, and continue to have faith in the country.

He asked those in leadership positions to remain faithful to their oaths of office and work towards alleviating the suffering of the less privileged.

‘‘Let us not forget our brothers and sisters in Gaza and other areas of conflict,’’ the Chief Imam said.

Earlier in his sermon, the Chief Imam urged Nigerians to shun all acts of violence, ensure peaceful co-existence, and continue to have faith in the country.

He asked those in leadership positions to remain faithful to their oaths of office and work towards alleviating the suffering of the less privileged.

‘‘Let us not forget our brothers and sisters in Gaza and other areas of conflict,’’ the Chief Imam said.

He offered prayers of God’s guidance, wisdom, and protection for President Tinubu and the Lagos State government, as well as for peace and stability in the country.

Chief Ajuri Ngelale
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
April 10, 2024

Olubadan: Ladoja Tackles Ajibola Over Comments On Olakulehin’s Health, OthersThe Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland and former ...
10/04/2024

Olubadan: Ladoja Tackles Ajibola Over Comments On Olakulehin’s Health, Others

The Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland and former governor of Oyo State, High Chief Rashidi Ladoja has faulted comments credited to the Otun Balogun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Tajudeen Ajibola over the health status of Olubadan designate, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin.

Ladoja described Ajibola’s comments on the health status of Olakulehin during his recent interview with newsmen as mere personal opinion as he (Ajibola) is not a doctor.

Recall that the Otun Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Tajudeen Ajibola yesterday told newsmen that the Olubadan designate, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, who is also his immediate senior in hierarchy in the military line of the Olubadan system is not yet physically fit to ascend the Olubadan throne.

Oba Ajibola added during his press interview that the Olubadan-designate be given time to get well and healthy before he is officially pronounced as the next Olubadan and that the seat should remain vacant for now.

Ladoja however, countered Oba Ajibola while speaking with newsmen on Wednesday at his Bodija, Ibadan residence saying that Olakulehin is an elderly person and as such not expected to act like a youth.

“Ajibola is not 20 years old man, he is not 30 years old or 40 years old man, he is above 80 years, so, we can’t expect him to act like a youth.”

Fielding questions from journalists on whether Ajibola, who is to nominate Olakulehin as Olubadan at the Olubadan-in-Council meeting on Friday can be substituted in case he didn’t attend the meeting, Ladoja said if he (Ajibola) failed to attend the Friday meeting, he can be substituted with another High Chief next to him.

“Ajibola can be sustituted to nominate Olubadan if he didn’t come to the meeting, I’ve already slated a meeting to Friday because tomorrow is a public holiday, if he didn’t come, he can be substituted.”

The stool of Olubadan of Ibadanland became vacant following the death of the 42nd Olubadan, Oba Lekan Balogun

Eid-el-Fitr: Governor Seyi Makinde receives Deputy, Muslim leaders in Oyo state "It was a pleasure to receive our Muslim...
10/04/2024

Eid-el-Fitr: Governor Seyi Makinde receives Deputy, Muslim leaders in Oyo state

"It was a pleasure to receive our Muslim brothers and sisters led by our Deputy Governor, His Excellency Barr Bayo Lawal earlier today to celebrate the end of Ramadan. It is my prayer that we will continue to live in harmony and work together to move our dear State forward. Happy Eid el-Fitr !"

📷: Facebook | Seyi Makinde

Olubadan-designate, Olakulehin not fit to rule now – Otun BalogunThe Otun Balogun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Abimbola A...
09/04/2024

Olubadan-designate, Olakulehin not fit to rule now – Otun Balogun

The Otun Balogun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Abimbola Ajibola, on Tuesday, declared that the Olubadan-designate, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, is still ill and not physically fit to rule at the moment.

The Olubadan stool became vacant after the demise of the late Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, who reigned for two years and died at the age of 81.

Oba Ajibola, who addressed newsmen at his Sanyo private residence in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, said, “What is in need for hurry? Someone (Olakulehin) we have not seen. He has not spoken with us. He has not spoken with Ibadan people.

“I am his second in command, I’m his lieutenant. He has not called me to say, ‘My Otun, I’m back. So, tell your people. And when are you seeing me?’ They are just forcing him because of their own selfish interest.”

While speaking on the meeting held at the private residence of Chief Bode Amoo at Agodi Government Reserved Area in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Monday, Oba Ajibola said, “They said we called a meeting and we have endorsed him (Olakulehin). I’m not part of that. I’ve told them my mind that I won’t be part of that illegality. We know Baba Olakulehin is the next Olubadan, but let us allow him to get well.

“Has anybody seen him since last Friday? Those who went there after Friday were unable to see him. They are forcing this man. We should allow him to get well.”

FULL TIME in Pretoria South Africa 🇿🇦 0-0 Nigeria 🇳🇬 (0-1 agg)Super Falcons of Nigeria through to the   Olympics.
09/04/2024

FULL TIME in Pretoria

South Africa 🇿🇦 0-0 Nigeria 🇳🇬 (0-1 agg)

Super Falcons of Nigeria through to the Olympics.

BREAKING: The Federal Government has approved Thursday 11th April, 2024 as an additional public holiday to celebrate thi...
09/04/2024

BREAKING: The Federal Government has approved Thursday 11th April, 2024 as an additional public holiday to celebrate this year's Eid -El-Fitr.

The Honourable Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji Ojo, while congratulating the Muslim...

Crown FC Goalkeeper Joseph Onwuga won the Sports Light Hub MOTM Award in their Match Week 17 of the Nigeria National Lea...
09/04/2024

Crown FC Goalkeeper Joseph Onwuga won the Sports Light Hub MOTM Award in their Match Week 17 of the Nigeria National League (NNL) against Solution FC.

The award was presented by Honourable Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development in Oyo State, Miss Wasilat Adegoke Adefemi.

Photo Credit: Crown Football Club, Ogbomoso

PHOTOS: Fun Seekers Gather In Canada To Witness EclipseFun seekers at McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, ga...
09/04/2024

PHOTOS: Fun Seekers Gather In Canada To Witness Eclipse

Fun seekers at McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, gathered on Monday, April 8, 2024, to watch the eclipse of the sun and the moon.

📷: Oluwafemi Dawodu

PHOTOS: 38 years-old Omobayo Marvellous Godwins takes oath as new Edo Deputy Governor minutes after former Deputy, Shaib...
08/04/2024

PHOTOS: 38 years-old Omobayo Marvellous Godwins takes oath as new Edo Deputy Governor minutes after former Deputy, Shaibu, was impeached.

Edo Deputy Gov Philip Shaibu ImpeachedPhilip Shaibu, deputy governor of Edo State, has been impeached by the House of As...
08/04/2024

Edo Deputy Gov Philip Shaibu Impeached

Philip Shaibu, deputy governor of Edo State, has been impeached by the House of Assembly.

The lawmakers removed Shaibu, who has been having a running battle with Governor Godwin Obaseki, on Monday morning.

Shaibu had refused to honour invitations extended to him by the seven-man panel which investigated allegations against him.

After his refusal, the panel led by Justice S.A. Omonua (rtd) wrote its report and recommended his removal, saying Shaibu declined the opportunity for defence.
Impeachment: Drama as Edo Assembly’s counsel turns witness

At its sitting on Friday, Justice Omonua lamented the deputy governor’s absence.

“This is the position of the panel. The panel adjourned sitting to today (Friday) for the last time for the respondent to present its defence, and the respondent is still not before the panel,” he said.

Counsel to the former deputy governor, Professor Oladoyin Awoyale, SAN, had withdrawn from participating in the proceedings after the panel ruled against his motion.

Awoyale had urged the panel to comply with a Federal High Court, Abuja, that ordered the panel to show cause on why an interlocutory injunction to maintain status quo on the proceeding of the petition pending the determination of the case should not be granted to the plaintiff.

He, however, urged the panel to wait for the decision of the Federal High Court on the matter slated for April 8, 2024.

08/04/2024

Bobrisky, Jesus and the tax collector

By Festus Adedayo

(Published by the Sunday Tribune, April 7, 2024)

In the 19th century and even before, Bobriskys were lynched like common criminals. Their sin was their considered unusual s*xuality. Until then, homos*xual activities were classified as "unnatural crime against nature" while so**my got punished with, sometimes death. In comparison, Okuneye Idris Olanrewaju, famously known as Bobrisky, has suffered one of the mildest fates. Between 1877 and 1950, over 4000 of such lynching occurred. As recent as April 2017, Kenne McFadden, a black transgender woman who didn’t have experience of swimming, got drowned when she was pushed into the San Antonio River in Texas on account of her “nauseating” s*xuality. That much was said in 2020 by Emily Lenning, Sara Brightman and Carrie Buist in their “The Trifecta of Violence: A Socio‑Historical Comparison of Lynching and Violence Against Transgender Women.” Writing for Critical Criminology, they said five months after the McFadden case, specifically in September, 2017, Ally Lee Steinfeld, a white 17-year-old transgender teen, also got brutally murdered. Her cruel fate was brought about by three teenagers. She was stabbed in the ge****ls, her eyes gouged out, her body set alight and her remains dumped “in a chicken coop near a mobile home park in Missouri.”

Two months later, in the city of Charlotte, North Carolina, Sherrell Faulkner, a forty-five-year-old Black transgender woman, got cruelly beaten and then dumped behind a dumpster. Days after, the injuries she suffered led to her death in the hospital. Till today, Faulkner’s murderers have not been identified. The three cases, according to Human Rights Campaign Foundation (HRCF) 2018, represented a tiny strand of at least 29 murders of transgenders that the United States recorded in 2017, ranked as the deadliest year for the Bobriskys in recent history. HRCF also reported that between 2013 and 2019, it tracked 157 cases of fatal anti-transgender incidents.

Perhaps this was what weird but hugely talented Nigerian singer, rapper and songwriter, Habeeb Okikiola, a.k.a. Portable, was referencing in Brotherhood, a short musical he did attacking Bobrisky recently? In the song, Portable condemned Bobrisky for morphing from “brotherhood to sisterhood.” While body-shaming the embattled cross-dresser as “a disgrace to brotherhood” and having ameoeba-shaped buttocks that looked like a clay pot worth only a pound – e wo idi e bi koko ponun kan – Portable asked that Bobrisky be stoned to death – “e le l’oko pa!”

Like Portable, from ancient times, the world has never hidden its hostility against people who profess s*xual orientation different from its. Like, it says, can only be compared to likes – ohun t’o ba jo’hun l’a fi nwe’hun. The world even gave its anger towards homos*xuality religious validation. Following this route, Italian priest, philosopher and theologian, Thomas Aquinas, condemned homos*xuality as "unnatural." The biblical book of Leviticus 18: 22; 20:13 is often cited: "You shall not lie with a male as with a woman. It is an abomination," as well as Romans 1: 26 where biblical Paul hoisted up le***anism for condemnation: "For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature."

The Bobriskys come in various names and appellations. They are either bis*xual, in which case, they are attracted to persons of both s*xes; Butch, male and female who dress in stereotyped male ways; “In the closet,” because they do not disclose their gender identity; Femme, due to their acting and dressing in feminine ways; g**s, for their attraction to persons of same s*x and as LGBTQ, a sweeping categorization of Le****ns, G**s, Bis*xuals, Transgenders and Questionings. Bobrisky is Nigeria’s own daughter of the historical Greek woman, Sappho, an Archaic Greek poet, who hailed from Eresos on the Island of Le**os. Sappho was the first known woman "accused by some of being irregular in her ways and a woman-lover." She is venerated by le****ns as the foremother, the near mythical prototype of people with q***r s*xual cravings. Le***anism, the community of same s*x women, was forged from Le**os, the name of the island Sappho lived. Bobrisky patterns her life towards Sappho and has become a controversial self-confessed transgender, LGBTQ personality and campaigner.

According to the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (2015, 47), the umbrella term used to describe the Bobriskys of this world, called transgender, refers to “… people whose gender identity and expression does not conform to the norms and expectations traditionally associated with their s*x at birth. Transgender people include individuals who have received gender reassignment surgery, individuals who have received gender-related medical interventions other than surgery (e.g. hormone therapy) and individuals who identify as having no gender, multiple genders or alternative genders. Transgender individuals may self-identify as transgender, female, male, transwoman or transman, transs*xual, hijra, kathoey, waria or one of many other transgender identities, and they may express their genders in a variety of masculine, feminine and/or androgynous ways.”

Homos*xuality, cross-dressing or le***anism is as old as humanity. The holy writs seem to abet the cruelty and violence that humanity has inflicted on these creations of God. While some antiquities tolerated their s*xual fates, others visited their wraths on the offspring of Sappho. Well-known le***an Emeritus Professor of Religious Studies at San Diego State University, Christine Downing, in her Le***an Mythology, suggests that le***anism is a grueling life of isolation, confusion and terror. This was her conclusion while re-casting Roman poet, Publius Ovidius Naso’s myth. Naso, simply known as Ovid, had told a story which has almost become a global le***an epistemology. Heroine of the story, Iphis, born female, desired to be male. Her mother had hidden her gender from her father, a poor Cretan peasant who badly wanted a male child. Iphis’ mother was in despair in her pregnancy until the goddess, Isis advised her to deceive her husband about the child’s gender. At age 13, Iphis fell in love with the most beautiful girl on the island called lanthe. Raised as a male, there was confusion, making her mother to cry to the god, Isis. As Iphis and Ianthe walk home one day, Iphis’ features suddenly change to a man’s and "the boy Iphis gained his own Ianthe." Downing apparently retold this story to reduce the tension of horrific encounters of the children of Sappho.

Bobrisky leapt into the news again recently. He/she had been named winner in the ‘Best Dressed’ Female Category of popular Yoruba actress, during the premiere of Eniola Ajao’s Beast of Two Worlds, Ajakaju movie premiere. Scalding criticisms erupted on the social media. Bobrisky’s choice sparked uncomplimentary reactions. Not even Eniola’s immediate apologies on her social media handles and reversal of what she declared was a stunt gone sour were enough appeasements. A few days after, the EFCC arrested Bobrisky, charging her to court for mutilation of Nigeria’s currency totaling N490,000. He/she was immediately convicted, ranking it as one of the Concorde supersonic airliner -speed convictions ever given by the Nigerian judiciary. We hope the Nigerian judiciary and the EFCC will give the Kano State government-filed criminal charges against the immediate past governor and APC chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, same expeditious trial. Kano had resorted to try Ganduje over alleged $413,000, N1.38bn bribery during his governorship and has assembled 15 witnesses to testify against Ganduje.

In a country where mutilation of the national currency is an off-the-cuff weekend pastime of the elite and the political class in Nigeria, it was obvious that a deeply religious, conservative, African-centric animosity against unusual s*xuality was fighting back. When stunned about how odd events fit into one another to form a mesmerizing wonder, Yoruba will say Ó jọ gáté, kò jọ gàté, ó fi ẹsẹ̀ méjèèjì tiro. It is similar to the case of a limping masquerade (atiro) who enters the “Igbale”, where masquerades remove their mask regalia –ago. If an agbada-clad, limping person now walks out of the Igbale immediately, it shouldn’t be difficult to situate who the atiro was. No one needed to be told that the masquerader, like the nightingale – the beautiful Awoko bird – had shed its quills. Such is the wonderment and clinical precision of Bobrisky’s lynching. A highly religious Nigeria was obviously taking vengeance for Bobrisky’s s*xuality audacity.

Some scholars have said that, until about half a century ago, le***anism or gay relationship was a nonexistent phenomenon in Africa. According to them, per adventure it even ever did exist, it was an aberration imported from the West. Anthropological researches have however proved that the existence of same-s*x s*xual practices predates the now in Africa into before, during, and after colonialism. The practice was however disparaged. Dobrota Pucherova said this much in her “What Is African Woman? Transgressive Sexuality in 21st-Century African Anglophone Le***an Fiction as a Redefinition of African Feminism.” Africans saw le***anism as an example of a woman’s corruption, moral depravity and even madness. Pucherova uses the Kenyan Rebeka Njau’s novel, Ripples in the Pool (1975) and Ghanaian Ama Ata Aidoo’s Our Sister Killjoy (1977) as affirmation of this thesis. In Njau’s novel, the protagonist, Selina, gets infatuated with her husband’s younger sister. She was cast as exhibiting “predatory s*xual desire” toward the two siblings. The book consigns Selina’s behavior into the trash basket of egomania and a damaged personality. It also suggests that Selina makes use of witchcraft to control her victims. No wonder she ends up murdering the young girl and her male lover. Aidoo’s Our Sister Killjoy sees same-s*x as less predatory. In it, a German housewife becomes obsessed with Sissie, the Ghanaian protagonist. Marija’s obsession is painted as a measure of moral degeneration reminiscent of post-Holocaust German society. All these and other African literature openly thematized le***an desire, showing however that black women are victimized through patriarchal control of their s*xuality. An example is Monica Arac de Nyeko’s short story, Jambula Tree, which is the first East African text to so do.

Last week was Easter, a sacred day in the annals of world Christianity. Nigeria’s Federal Inland Revenue Service’s (FIRS) communication agency would not allow the day go by without marketing its tax portfolio. So it put out the brilliant, catchy and arresting phrase “Jesus paid your debts, not your taxes.” This brilliance and mental ingenuity should earn any student of PR a Distinction. Not Nigeria’s churchpreneurs. They saw it as a reckless audacity operating on same dangerous Fahrenheit as Bobrisky’s. I haven’t heard the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) lament the danger in the current obnoxious hike in electricity tariff. That won’t make Bola Tinubu know that CAN is a combine of Christian principalities. On FIRS, CAN reached for its ancient pouch immediately. It brought out those archaic, boring refrains of “offensive” “derogatory” and “religious harmony.” I have been struggling to find a difference between CAN’s obvious intolerance and a similar one that happened in Kaduna in November, 2002. Twenty one year old Isioma Daniel, who worked for the Thisday, had written on a Miss World contest Nigeria was to host. She off-handedly and harmlessly suggested that Prophet Mohammed might have approved of the contest and probably wished to marry one of the beauty queens. Hell was let loose. The newspaper’s Kaduna office was burned down. Hundreds of people were reportedly killed. The ensuing riots lasted for several days, prompting the organizers of the Miss World contest to relocate it to London to protect further lives from being lost.

One thread links our Bobrisky demonization, CAN’s hypocritical anger and Islam’s pesky religiosity. It is called intolerance. I referred to the witch-hunting of same s*x people as “our" because, if today, Bobrisky offers his/her hand to me for a handshake, I will shudder. I am almost too sure I will refuse it. My refusal will not be strictly me in action. Rather, it will be centuries of culture, religion and our collective aversion to change which have bored deep roots in me. These three hate change. Their mantra is, as it was in the beginning, so shall it be. Static as statue.

Take for instance our cultural and religious perception of child-bearing and polygamy. For centuries now, Africa venerated procreation almost to a point of deity. Whoever brings forth a child owns this world – “Olomo l’o l’aye” – our mothers proudly sang. In Africa, barren women were stigmatized because women were seen as procreation vehicles called motherhood. In the bible, Peninnah scorned Hannah’s barrenness. Our mothers, who, due to no fault of theirs, couldn’t bring forth children, were witches. In earlier centuries, some cultures abetted barren women being stoned to death by scorners. Today, the world has re-interrogated the whole corpus of child-bearing. Couples willingly decide they don’t want to be encumbered by it. Is it really true that Olomo l’o l’aye? Great men and women have traversed this world without bearing children. Their corpses were not fed to the swine. Nor are we told that child-bearing is a passport to the hereafter. We have had parents who gave birth to children but died miserably, due to their abandonment by their children.

Today, there is a huge traffic back to where we were before the advent of colonialism. Soon after Britain and its Middle East allies came with their Bible, Quran and guns, we abandoned our centuries-old medicine, dressing and culture. Now, Africans are going back to those same abandoned roots, apologies to Lucky Dube. One of such is polygamy. Last week, Bassirou Diomaye Faye was inaugurated as the fifth Senegalese President, flaunting his two wives – Marie Khone and Absa. I could see the west squeeze its face like excreta beaten by rain. The hypocritical west flushes monogamy and homos*xuality down the throat of the world while abhorring our ancient practice of polygamy. Reproached in high places as Faye just did, monogamy and its icing of hypocrisy are getting perforated. The truth is that, the stringent rules of monogamy have destroyed more homes than they built.

We must interrogate every teaching and dogma of religion, culture and society and hold on to those that will assist us live quality lives. That is what existentialist philosophy teaches. Today, churchgoers are asking questions about the stupendous wealth of the Daddy G.Os and the poverty of the congregants. We must not be slaves to them, nor be their mannequins. While upholding values that will strengthen humanity, we must also show respect for otherness and recognize individual human rights. What is Jesus’ business with FIRS’ quest to bring more people into its tax net? Parodying Isioma, if Jesus were here today, He would recommend a national honour for the fellow whose brilliant idea birthed that FIRS line. Why drag Jesus and Mohammed into this needless pettiness? What should infuriate a sensible human being about Mohammed enjoying Miss World? Why should we be captives of dogmas? Why should we allow the bigotry of CAN and zealotry of Islamic fundamentalists drive our thinking? Religious charlatans and their naïve accomplices merely make their enemies the enemies of God. If CAN has been slumbering and needed to talk by all means, couldn’t it dig a hole like that old Yoruba fable of Alade’s friend, who couldn’t stomach the confided secret of Alade growing a horn on his head, who then dug a hole, inside which he shouted, “Alade has horn on his head!” – Alade hu’wo? From that same hole grew a tree and whenever anyone brought a flute beside it, the rhythm sprouting off the flute was, “Alade hu’wo.”

Earlier, it was society’s view that people like Bobrisky were suffering from psychological disorder. Or that homos*xuality was an abnormal condition. Science has since discovered that many atimes, the Bobriskys may be prisoners of their biology and psychology. Researches have shown that you do not choose to be gay, bis*xual, or straight. And that homos*xuality is a natural and normal s*xual orientation, expressions of human s*xuality. The American Psychiatric Association removed homos*xuality from its radius in 1973, and with it the stigma of mental illness that had long been associated with the children of Sappho. Why do we demonize those who, like accidents of birth, have no say in the kind of s*xuality they are imposed upon by nature?

Do I agree with Bobrisky’s open flaunt of his/her s*xuality? No. I think one’s s*xual orientation should be a private affair. I also advocate that children of Sappho deserve pity from society and should be clinically lured out of their natural affliction. I also think that, if dug deeper, Bobrisky’s untapped major infraction against the law may just be that she has turned her cross-dressing into commodity. EFCC should openly admit that it is acting the script of a vindictive, homos*xual-hostile Nigerian society in lynching Bobrisky. Singling him/her to face the wrath of the law is akin to the lynching treatment given homos*xuals in the early centuries. Currency mutilation is a fad which very few Nigerians are not guilty of as charged, from Bola Tinubu, to the lowest Nigerian. An o**y of celebration on the social media has since followed Bobrisky’s lynching by the law. It reminds me of a hunter who proudly hoists the decapitated head of a buffalo as symbol of his masculinity.

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