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Senator Gbenga Daniel Steals Show at Sonny Kuku’s Installation as Ogbeni Oja of Ijebuland

Published

6 months ago

February 4, 2024

Adebayo

An accomplished entrepreneur, Dr. Sonny Kuku, has been officially installed as the Ogbeni Oja of Ijebuland at a spectacular ceremony held at the palace of the Awujale of Ijebuland earlier today.
The event was graced by His Excellency, The Senator Otunba Engr Gbenga Daniel, FNSE, FAEng, along with esteemed dignitaries, including former governors of Ogun State, Chief Olusegun Osoba and Senator Ibikunle Amosun.
The installation ceremony, presided over by HRM Oba (Dr) Sikiru Kayode Adetona, CFR, Ogbagba II, the Awujale and paramount ruler of Ijebuland, showcased the rich cultural heritage and traditional values of the Ijebu people.
Others in attendance were Ogun State deputy governor, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele; Akarigbo and paramount ruler of Remoland Oba Babatunde Ajayi; Olu of Ilaro, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle, among other distinguished personalities.
The Otunba Obalofin of Ijebuland and a member of the Royal Court of Awujale, Senator Daniel, received public acknowledgment for his significant contributions during the ceremony.
The former governor was praised for his generosity in conceding the pavilion, the venue of the installation, to the palace during his tenure as the governor the state among his numerous contributions to Ijebuland.
Ogidi Omo, as he is fondly called, was also lauded for his exceptional service and appreciated for his transformative leadership.
The installation of Dr. Kuku is of immense cultural significance to Ijebuland. It is the most prestigious chieftaincy title in the Awujale administration and the highest non-hereditary title an Ijebu can aspire to. It is usually given to successful businessmen who are accomplished in their chosen career.
The first Ogbeni Oja was the late Chief Adeola Odutola, an Ijebu icon who in his lifetime was easily one of the most successful industrialists in Yorubaland. When he died, the Awujale made Otunba Bayo Kuku, the next Ogbeni Oja.
The position has been vacant since 2015 when the last occupant died.

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Otunba Gbenga Daniel Reveals Why Road to Prof. Wole Soyinka’s Home Was Not Tarred During His Tenure

Published

2 weeks ago

July 16, 2024

Adebayo

Otunba Gbenga Daniel, the senator representing Ogun East District at the National Assembly, has disclosed why the road leading to the country home of the legendary Nobel laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, in Ogun State was not tarred during his tenure as governor.

Daniel, who governed Ogun State from 2003 to 2011, shared this during an event organised in honour of Prof. Soyinka’s 90th birthday in Isara Remo.

As chairman of the event, Otunba Daniel extolled the virtues of the Nobel laureate, highlighting his selfless service to humanity and his commitment to environmental preservation.

Daniel recounted an incident where Professor Soyinka declined the government’s offer to tar the road leading to his house in Abeokuta. Soyinka preferred the natural state to avoid noise and pollution, ensuring a habitat for local wildlife.

“When I visited Prof. in his house in Abeokuta, the road was not tarred and no air-conditioner; nothing. So I said, Prof., why don’t you put an air-conditioner? He said, ‘I want fresh air. Our fathers didn’t have air-conditioners and they lived long.’ So today that he’s 90, I’m not surprised. And I won’t be surprised if he goes on to 100 or 120.

“But the other thing was that I said, okay oga, let us come and tar this road for you. He said, ‘Don’t tar the road.’ I said, why? He said, ‘By the time you tar this road, vehicles will just be going up and down; this will lead to noise and pollution. I enjoy killing eiye aparo (partridge), and I aim my dane gun whenever I feel like it and shoot at eiye aparo and I have food to eat. By the time you tar this place, vehicles will be going up and down and eiye aparo will not be available any longer.’ That’s Professor Wole Soyinka, the naturalist,” Otunba Daniel narrated.

Ogidi Omo, as the former governor was fondly called, then went on to appreciate the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for naming a major street in Abuja and the National Theatre in Lagos after the professor.

In a surprising turn of events, the Isara market women honoured Otunba Daniel with various foodstuffs and insisted on taking pictures with him.

The grand event took place on Monday, 15 July 2024, at Afotamodi Town Hall, Isara-Remo, Ogun State.

It featured the presentation of a book titled Isara: A Voyage Around Essay and other educational materials to students by Prof. Soyinka’s children.

As the first black Nobel Laureate in Literature, Prof. Soyinka’s works and legacy continue to inspire generations, making the event a fitting tribute to his remarkable contributions to humanity.

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News

Olota of Otta Advocates Cultural Preservation During European Tour

Published

1 month ago

June 26, 2024

Adebayo

In continuation of the ongoing Europe Tour, His Majesty, Olota of the Paramount and Ancient Ottaland, Awori Kingdom, Professor Adeyemi Obalanlege Ph.D, MCIPR, MPRII, FHEA (Lanlege Ekun II, Arole Iganmode) was warmly received at the Nigerian Embassy in Rome by a dedicated team led by Her Excellency, Amb. Gwendy Omijeh, the charge d’affairs, alongside key officials, including M.M. Lawal, H. Kwache-Adams, G. W. Gabkwet, A.O. Ahanonu, M.N. Tony-Bisong, and N.J. Ribi.

Welcoming His Majesty, Mrs Gwendy Omijeh commended Kabiyesi Olota for the diplomatic visit, and for the efforts in promoting culture and traditions. She described the tour “thoughtful”, as it will further integrate subjects living in Rome with their homeland.

During the diplomatic visit to Rome, Italy, His Majesty highlighted the importance of preserving the rich cultural heritage of the Awori people. Kabiyesi emphasized the significance of remembering one’s roots and encouraged his subjects to maintain strong ties with their homeland. He urged them to embrace their cultural identity, visit their ancestral land frequently, and actively promote and preserve the rich Awori Cultural Heritage.

Kabiyesi’s message resonates deeply in an era marked by rapid globalization and cultural homogenization. As traditional values and customs face the pressures of modernization, the Olota’s call for cultural preservation serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of heritage and identity.

As the Olota’s message reverberates beyond the confines of the embassy walls, it serves as a beacon of cultural resilience and a call to action for all to cherish, celebrate, and preserve the diverse cultural tapestry that enriches our world.

In his Majesty’s delegation; Alayeluwa Oba Adewunmi Adeniji Odutala (Onibudo of Ayetoro Itele Otta, Awori Kingdom), Chief Olusegun Johnson (Otunba of Otta, Awori Kingdom), Chief Okikiolu Fadayiro (Baamolu of Otta, Awori Kingdom), Prince Adewale Adeyanju (Culture and Tourism Consultant to His Majesty), Prince Adeyemi Sulaimon Olusesi (Principal Secretary to His Majesty & Omotobase of Otta, Awori Kingdom), and many others.

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Gbenga Daniel Advocates Reforms for Primary Education Under Local Government Control

Published

1 month ago

June 13, 2024

Adebayo

Former governor of Ogun State and now serving senator, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, has expressed concern over the state of primary education in Nigeria, advocating for its control under local government administration. He believes that local governments, with full financial autonomy, are best suited to manage primary education in the country.

Daniel voiced this position in Lagos at a recent retreat organised by the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) for members of the Senate Committee on Basic and Secondary Education. As the chairman of the retreat, themed “Basic Education Implementation in Nigeria: Issues, Challenges, and Way Forward,” he emphasized that basic education would be more effectively managed if local governments were in charge.

“We should allow the local government to run basic education, especially at the primary school level, while the state should completely hand off other roles and rather concentrate on secondary education,” Daniel stated.

He identified several issues and challenges that need to be addressed to advance the subsector, including lack of access, poor infrastructure, a shortage of competent teachers and instructional materials, an obsolete curriculum, inadequate funding, high teacher/student ratios, limited access to technology, and societal and cultural barriers. Daniel emphasised that local governments are better equipped to tackle these issues.

The executive secretary of UBEC, Dr. Hamid Bobboyi, highlighted the importance of a comprehensive review of the challenges facing basic education in the country to develop a practicable and enduring solution. He specifically mentioned the UBEC Act, noting that the 20-year-old legislation is overdue for revision to align with current global best practices in basic education, ensuring free and quality education for all Nigerian children.

Dr. Bobboyi underscored that now is the opportune moment for this review, especially as the country strives to overcome economic challenges.

In his remarks, the chairman of the Senate Committee on Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Lawal Usman, expressed the committee’s commitment to charting a new course for basic education in Nigeria. He also emphasised the need to revisit the 2004 UBEC Act, promising that the retreat would address major issues in the document, relate them to emerging trends in the subsector, and develop practical recommendations for the way forward.

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